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ty, until the resurrection of the just. Then Christ will change those vile bodies, and fashion them like unto his glorious body. "There is," says an apostle, "one glory of the sun, and another glory, of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonour, 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." This is one of the very comfortable articles of the Christian faith; and greatly conducive to reconcile the mind to death. Why should the believer be afraid to commit his sickly, infirm, and perhaps emaciated body to the tomb, when he can do it in sure and certain hope of a glorious resurrection?

And as to his immortal spirit, it does, as already observed, instantly pass to glory. The partition between earth and heaven is thin; "absent from the body, and present with the Lord." Thus writes an inspired apostle. Whereas we too commonly speak as though the spirit, upon its separation from the body, travels through immeasurable tracts of space, before it arrives at the celestial mansions. But did we strictly attend to the holy scriptures, methinks we should readily conclude, that the soul, upon the dissolution of the body, finds itself at once surrounded by myriads of perfect spirits, and in the transporting view of the ascended Saviour. Why then should the Christian fear to die? Rather, why is he not, with the apostle, desirous to depart, that he might be with Christ? Austin wished to die, that he might see that bless

ed head that was once crowned with thorns. If believers are not allowed to wish for death, yet they may, and it is right they should, wait with pleasing expectation for their great change, as it will dismiss them from the flesh, and its numerous incumbrances, and introduce them into the presence of God, where is fullness of joy, and pleasures for evermore! There they shall behold that comsionate Jesus, who once agonized in the garpa den, until his sweat was as it were great drops of blood; who was betrayed by Judas, arraigned at the bar of Pilate; and though declared to be innocent, went forth bearing his cross, and died the just for the unjust! And they shall forever sing the new song, saying, " Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

4. In fine, what has been said is calculated to give support and comfort, under the death Have we reason to think of pious relations. that they died in the Lord? The Holy Ghost hath pronounced them blessed. Permit me to say, that this is the case in the present afflictive visitation. Has the Lord removed one so nearly related, and so high in affection, to the world of spirits? Blessed be his name, that the survivors have every satisfying evidence that she died in the Lord; therefore they do not sorrow as those who have no hope.

Had I not been so nearly concerned, here I might have been permitted to say something of her character. But should it be attempted, some might judge it an impropriety; and perhaps in the warmth of filial affection, too much might be

said. Yet how would it look to be silent? Tell me, what forbids a child to speak well of a venerable parent, when it may be done with the strictest regard to truth? Bear with me, I had rather be censured, than slight the memory of one of the best of mothers. After all, it is an agreeable circumstance, that I can do it in the words of the worthy minister* of the church, of which she lived and died a member; as delivered by him on the solemn occasion. "Much might be said in her favour with the greatest justice? many things in her, worthy of praise and imitation, came under my own notice. I had the pleasure of an intimate acquaintance with her for more than twenty years; during which time her conversation was such as became the gospel of Christ and prior to the commencement of our acquaintance, she had several years been a warm, zealous, and exemplary professor of religion. So that, although she often lamented her having lived too many years in vanity, she was converted to God in the very prime of life; and which she spent to good purposes. She had naturally a great flow of spirits, and much vivacity of temper which being by grace properly regulated, and kept under due restraint, made her appear with a brighter lustre in the Christian life. Her behaviour was lively, but not light; cheerful, but not vain. She maintained a close communion with God; was often engaged in her closet, and constant in her attendance on the word and ordinances of the gospel. Out of the abundance of her heart, her mouth frequently spake of divine

* Reverend Oliver Hart, of Charleston, South Carolina.

things; and which she did in a way suitable to the cases of those with whom she conversed. The poor and distressed, by various methods, she would help and relieve; and ever manifested a singular regard for ministers of the gospel.

"In social and domestic life, she was an affectionate wife, a tender parent, a kind mistress, and a sincere friend: an Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile. guile. Her last and fatal illness was both tedious and painful; which she supported with much patience, and resignation; until nature, being entirely exhausted, sunk under the weight; and she sweetly slept in Jesus." And give me leave to subjoin, that she always admired the astonishing riches of grace; and that love of God which passeth knowledge. And did invariably, from her real acquaintance with the gospel, adopt the language of St. Paul to the Philippians; "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not hav ing mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith."

In such a case, my brethren, how great must be the loss of surviving relatives? But infinitely greater the gain of them, who have thus walked with God, and died in faith. May all of us be followers of them, who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Even so, Lord Jesus!

Amen.

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THE RESURRECTION, AND CHANGE OF THE VILE BODY.

I CORINTHIANS, xv. 51-54

Behold I shew you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruption shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

THE general resurrection of the dead is the subject on which Paul treats in this chapter; for which we are entirely indebted to divinė revelation. Yet there are some things which are analogous to it in the natural world. For example: the seed that is cast into the earth, when sown, appears to us to be dead, springs up first the blade, then the ear, and finally the full corn in the ear nor is the seed quickened except it die. This is a resurrection.

This is the case with some of the class of insects. The silk-worm, after having fed for a few weeks, winds himself up in a small case; there remains in a dead, or torpid state; at length he perforates his inclosure, and comes forth a moth or butterfly. Does not this instance represent a resurrec tion?

Never before printed. Delivered November 30, 1806.

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