man who is risen with Christ is in every respect the reverse of what he once was; so that instead of being spiritually dead, he is spiritually risen. And farther, instead of being dead in sins, as he was before his spiritual resurrection, now he is even dead to sin. This is declared by the apostle in my text, "for ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." Sin once reigned in his mortal body, so that he obeyed the dictates and lusts thereof; but sin has no more dominion over him, for he is not under the law, but under grace. "How shall we," says the apostle, "who are dead to sin, live any longer therein ?" God forbid. We have been like Christ in his death, we are like him also in his resurrection. He, indeed, was crucified, and our old man, our corrupt and carnal affections, are crucified together with him. He, indeed became dead; and, being raised from the grave, "death hath no more dominion over him." We, beloved, in like manner "reckon" ourselves

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to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God, through Jesus Christ our Lord." And, blessed be God, "if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection." If we have been partakers of the first, the spiritual resurrection, we shall be also of the second. Is there a close and inseparable connection between the death of Christ and our moral and spiritual death? and does the

apostle Paul deduce the spiritual death of all mankind by Christ dying for all? "If," says the apostle, "Christ died for all, then were all dead." And further; is there in like manner an inseparable connection between the resuscitation of Christ, and our moral and spiritual resurrection? Precisely in like manner there is an inseparable connection between the resurrection of Christ, and the resurrection of the dead. And as we may truly deny that Christ died for all, if all are not dead, and that there could have been any resurrection of Christ, if we had not spiritually risen; so may we truly affirm with the apostle, " if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen.”

But, beloved, Christ is risen, and become the first fruits of them that sleep. If we, by our being once dead in trespasses and sins, have been like him in his death; if again, by our being dead to sin, we have been like him when death had no more dominion over him; if we, together with him, have spiritually risen, and thus been like him in his resurrection; then most assuredly, as he was made like unto his brethren in the flesh, shall we be made like him in his glorious resurrection, by partaking of the same spiritual body. "When Christ," says the apostle, in the verse immediately following my text, "who is our life, shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory." Our vile bodies, like his holy flesh, shall soon be laid in

the grave; but, like his, shall they burst from their prison, and be fashioned like unto his glorious body. The curse must be inflicted on them; dust they are, and unto dust they must return. But soon will they, phoenix-like, rise from their own ashes, adorned with the youth of God, and the freshness of immortality.

SERMON VII.

2 COR. IV. 6.

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

FROM the context it appears that the mind of the apostle was deeply impressed with the difficulties of the ministry. And indeed, in whatever light we view the nature of this reconciliation, we find labours and difficulties surrounding us on every side. Our difficulties not only correspond with those of the traveller to the heavenly country, with whom we ourselves are fellow-travellers; but while we march on the same road with them, and meet with the same difficulties, we have likewise to assist others on their pilgrimage, and bear other men's burdens.

We have hardly time to consider one obstacle, but another presents itself to our consideration. In ascending this range of mountains, hill rises upon hill; we have no sooner mounted upon one,

but another, still more lofty and precipitous, stands boldly in our way to obstruct and discourage us. Those hills that we took for the summit, only conceal still more overhanging heights, which we are forced to ascend. The summit seems to elude and mock us, and to retire as we advance upon it. The difficulties are so great and appalling, that, like soldiers about to storm a fortress, we can hardly dare bring our minds fully to reflect upon the service in which we are embarked.

When we reflect that "we fight not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness in high places," that Satan, "the God of this world," is ever trying to get an advantage over us," to alienate the heart, and weaken the affections, " we are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; wẹ are perplexed, but not in despair."

Full well we know, that it is not by the eloquence of man, which may charm the ear, but not the heart,—that it is "not by might nor by power," but "by my Spirit," saith the Lord, that the word can, with any saving efficacy, be received into the heart of man, which otherwise would only prove a savour of death unto death, instead of life unto life, Knowing, then, that we are "God's fellowlabourers," and "ambassadors for Christ," and that we have received this ministry from the Lord,

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as we have received mercy we faint not, but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not