seeing no doubt this unfavonrable influence, and

aware of the tendeney and progress of it, do not

fail in their epistles to warn them on the subject; and this they do with a distinctness and energy of which we find no example before their time.

And as we at this distance from the time of the first propagation of christianity, who receive all our impressions of it from reading and meditation, and especially as we live in a season of rest from all persecution (a situation which has its disadvantages as well as its advantages) are naturally less under influences of its principles, and more exposed to those of the world at large, it may be useful to collect, and particularly attend to, all that the apostles have urged on this most interesting of all subjects; that we may see the firmness of their faith in the great doctrine of a resurrection and a future state, and the influence which they evidently thought it ought to have on men's sentiments and conduct.

It will also be pleasing, as well as useful, to observe the difference which these views made in the state of their own minds. What a wonderful change was produced in them after the death and resurrection of their master, so that they were no longer the same men..

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I shall begin with the epistle of Peter, the chief of the apostles, but, who had, no doubt, been as much under the influence of worldly ambition as any of them, as may be suspected from his observ

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ing (Mark XVI. 28.) that they had forsaken all" to follow Jesus, and desiring to know what they should receive as a compensation for the sacrifice, at that time, no doubt, expecting it in this life. What were his views and expectations afterwards, and to the close of a long life, we shall now see. At the same time we cannot fail to perceive a peculiar dignity and energy in the language of this apostle, worthy of the chief of them. The faith of Paul was equally strong, and led him to act with the same disinterestedness and courage, and it is probable that he went through more labour, and in the course of his preaching suffered more; but his language on the same subject has not quite the same dignity, and force.

With what confidence and exultation does this apostle speak of the sure hope of christians in another world, and how justly, and forcibly, does he urge it as a motive to bear with patience and cheerfulness all the persecutions to which they were exposed, in the following passages of his epistles.

"Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Je

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sus Christ, who, according to his abundant mercy, has begotten us again to a lively hope, by the "resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an ❝inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that "fadeth not away, reserved in heaven, for you who "are kept by the power of God through faith unto "salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time; "wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now, for a "season, ye be in heaviness through manifold "temptations; that the trial of your faith (being "much more precious than of gold which perishes) may be found unto praise, and honour, and

glory, at the appearance of Jesus Christ; whom "having not seen ye love, in whom though now ye "see him not, yet believing ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls,” 1 Pet. I. 3. &c.

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the (6 fiery trial which is to try you, as if some strange "thing happened unto you, but rejoice, in as much

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as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings;' that "when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad "with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for "the name of Christ happy are ye, for the spirit of "Glory and of God resteth upon you. On their

part

"part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is

"If any man suffer as a christian let him not be "ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf. "Wherefore let him that suffers according to the "will of God commit the keeping of his soul unto "him in well doing, as unto a faithful creator." 1 Pet. IV. 12. &c.

"Give diligence to make your calling and elec❝tion sure. For if ye do these things ye shall ne"ver fail; for so an entrance shall be administered "to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom "of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Pet. I. 10.

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"The God of all grace, who has called us to his "eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after ye have suffer"ed a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." 1 Pet. V. 10.

"When the chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not a<< way." 1 Pet. V. 4.

Wherefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be "sober, and hope to the end, for the grace that is to "be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus "Christ." I Pet. I. 13.

Well then might he say, "If ye suffer for righte

ousness sake happy are ye.

Be not afraid of their "terror, neither be troubled." 1 Pet. III. 14.

With what noble magnanimity does this apostle contemplate the dissolution of the present state of things, and the commencement of the glorious one that is to follow it, adopting the language of the antient prophets in describing great revolutions in the world.

"Seeing that all these things shall be dissolved, "what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy "conversation and godliness; looking for, and

hasting unto, the coming of the day of God, "wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dis"solved, and the elements melt with fervent heat.

Nevertheless, we, according to his promise, look "for new heavens, and a new earth, wherein dwel"leth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing 66 ye look for such things, be diligent, that ye may "be found of him without spot and blameless." 2 "Pet. III. 11. &c.

The consideration of the time when this great and happy event is to take place gave him no concern, since he depended upon the certainty of it; and when we are dead the time of the resurrection will

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