resurrection and the life, and the first fruits of the dead, and has in his own person afforded a positive example of a first resurrection, has also taught the expectation of a similar resurrection of saints, prior to that of the dead in general; and has added to it an asseveration of truth which excludes all pretence of a merely figurative accomplishment,"-there can be no farther argument held against it.

"Jesus said unto them, verily (aun) I say unto you, that ye which have followed me, in the regeneration, when the son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, then ye also shall sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Matt. xix. 28.)

This text, incidentally introduced before in the course of the argument, and there partly discussed already, is here placed in the front of the battle, and in a post of command, and claims a more particular attention. The asseveration of truth annexed to it, was very common in our Saviour's teaching, who is the fountain bead of truth, and cannot be sup→ posed decisively to have pronounced any thing

that can bear any question or doubt of either its propriety or truth. But verily it adds nothing to this text to the purpose for which it is here brought forward, in proof of a first resurrection of saints and martyrs; but only confirms the certainty of the mere fact which

it

reports, and that I consider as quite another thing. Christ is here promising a personal reward of dignity to his apostles, at the time when be attains to his own, or to the full establishment and glory of his kingdom by the reconciliation of bis own people the Jews, of whom he is peculiarly and nationally the king; and will then be "the glory of his people Israel," as the apostles will be their honored judges. Christ himself is yet "sitting at God's right band, in expectation" of the still future glories and happiness of this kingdom,“ until his enemies be made his footstool." Therefore, if the mention here made of "the son of man sitting on the throne of his glory," be an allusion to Daniel vii, 13, and is to receive its first accomplishment at the millennium, it is evidently a figure; for he will not come personally and literally till the day of general resurrection and judgment,

Thus the thrones of the apostles must be figurative too, as theirs are parallel to his in respect of time, and the spiritual nature of them also. See p. 390, &c.

If we consider Christ as already come in his glory, in a certain degree, (though the chief glory of his reign, the reconciliation of the Jews, is yet wanting,) by the conversion of many nations, his "many crowns;" (Rev. xix. 12) in the same sense the thrones of his apostles are all erected already. The conversion of the world from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, was "the regeneration" which our Saviour spoke of, and in which they followed his steps, and filled up what was wanting of the personal labors of Christ by their own. So the judg

ing of the converted world will in like manner be accomplished by them, as its conversion has been; not by a special deputation of judicial power from Christ, but by preaching and recording his threatened future judgment, and "the revelation of the wrath of God against all unrighteousness of men." (Rom. i. 18.) The judgment of sinners will not be all referred to

the last day, even if by that ONE DAY WE were to understand figuratively 1000 years: (296) but it is proceeded in daily. The sentence against all iniquity is daily written upon the consciences of sinners, as well as in the books of judgment. The holy apostles, when their writings were received by consent of the church into the canon of holy scripture, were then advanced to their twelve thrones of judgment together with Christ, who himself is the only real judge and searcher of hearts. From his word their condemnation of sin derives all its authority, and it is his sentence which they pronounce. If the words of St. Matthew (xix. 28.) be referred to the end of the world, and be thought to coincide with that other text, Matt. xxv. 31.-" When the son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all nations &c." then it vacates altogether the millennial thrones of the apostles and martyrs, which must end together with

upon

(296) 2. Peter iii. 8. See Whitby's answer to this opinion of Mr Mede, on this text. Also Evidences of Christianity by Dr. Gray, Rector of Bishopwearmouth. Sermon x. p. 329.

the millennium itself, when the general judgment begins.

V. Upon Acts xxvi. 28, “Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?" Mr. Sharp founds a double argument; first proving the certainty of the first resurrection from that of Christ already risen, and secondly, of the general one, from the first thus established upon positive matter of fact." This is applicable not only to the resurrection of Christ the first fruits, afterwards they that are Christ's at his coming, to award universal judgment,-Christ the first raised, (Acts xxvi. 23,) and himself the resurrection, but relates also to the first resurrection, and the consequent belief of the second general one."

I have not been able to discover any thing in this text, or in the whole chapter, that appears to have any allusion at all to a double resurrection, but only a proof of Christ's words, "I have power to lay down my life, and I have power to take it again,”—and again, "I am the resurrection and the life; c."