"eth at the door," now, as he did in the apostles' time; that same Saviour," who will "change our vile body, that it may be like "unto his glorious body," if we have served him faithfully here below; or condemn us to the "everlasting fire prepared for the "devil and his angels," if we have neglected him, and despised his law, in the business, cares, or pleasures, of the world.

Indeed, one can account for men's giving so much thought, and so great a preference, to the things of this life, and forgetting or despising the things of the next, only upon this principle, that they do not see, or understand, the value of that promise, which is made in the text, to those who shall "have "their conversation in heaven," or live the life of true christians. If they were fully sensible of the unspeakable value of a happy immortality; of the blessedness and peace of heaven; and of having "their vile bodies "changed into the likeness of CHRIST'S "glorious body;" they would not only shun all wicked actions, all dishonest gains, and all guilty pleasures, as the face of a serpent ; but they would also be cautious, that even the lawful labours and pleasures of life; the care of the farm; the providing for the family; and the enjoyment of their friends; should not occupy so much of their time and

attention, as to prevent the conscientious exercise of their religious, social, and personal duties;-of the duties which they owe to God, of public and private worship and prayer;-of the duties which they owe to man, justice, honesty, and benevolence ;and of the duties which they owe to themselves, temperance, soberness, and chastity. Long before the gospel revelation, it had been declared by the prophet Isaiah, "that, "since the beginning of the world, men had

66

not heard, nor perceived by the ear, "neither had the eye seen, what God hath "prepared for them that wait upon Him;" a promise, which, one would suppose, would be all-sufficient to make men holy, just, and good. But, when the light of the gospel shone upon the world, and "the Sun of righteousness arose with healing

on his wings;" then, the glorious rewards of piety and righteousness were so fully declared, and so clearly described, as to leave u's entirely without excuse, if we do not endeavour to obtain them, by a religious performance of the duties of that station, in which it has pleased GOD to place us in the world. In the words of the text, these rewards are described in this short way: that "we shall have our vile bodies changed into "a likeness of CHRIST's glorious body;"

4

with an explanation of which passage, (as far as the scriptures will assist us, in understanding it,) I will conclude my discourse.

It is unnecessary for me to tell you, my friends, that our present bodies are liable to many sufferings and weaknesses; and certain, at the last, to return to the dust from whence they came; for, there is not one, I presume, who hears me, that has not, at times, experienced the pains of sickness, or the tortures occasioned by accident. You are all equally aware, that the body must, after a few years, more or less, become a lifeless corpse; a clod of the valley; for the knell of those who are gathered to their fathers may be frequently heard; and the mourners are seen, constantly, going about the streets, and sorrowing for them whose bodies have been committed to the grave. Now, in opposition to both these humbling circumstances of pain and mortality, which attend our present bodies; we have the promises of GOD, that those who shall be thought worthy to be changed into the "likeness of CHRIST's glorious body," shall never more experience any suffering, or ever after taste of death. St. Paul has told us, that," at the last trump, the dead "shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed; that this corruptible shall put

"ón incorruption, and this mortal be "clothed with immortality; that, though

66

our body is sown in corruption, it shall "be raised in incorruption; that though "it is sown in dishonour, it shall be raised in glory; and that though it is sown a "natural body, it shall be raised a spiritual body." And that we might be certain we shall never again die, when once we are called from our graves, CHRIST himself has declared, "I am the resurrection "and the life; he that believeth in me shall "live; and whoever liveth, and believeth in "me, shall never die." To which St. Paul has added, "CHRIST also himself, likewise, " took part of flesh and blood; that, through "death, he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the Devil; and "deliver them, who, through fear of death, "were all their lifetime subject to bondage." So that now 68 we know, that when our "earthly house of this tabernacle is dissolved, "we shall have a building with God, a "house, not made with hands, eternal in the "heavens."

66

.

Another blessed circumstance, which will attend our "vile bodies being likened unto "CHRIST's glorious body," is this; that we shall no more suffer those sorrows, distresses, and disappointments, which we

experience here below. Such is the nature of society, my friends, that many of us must necessarily endure much evil and inconvenience, whilst we continue in the flesh. All cannot be rich; all cannot be great; and a large portion of mankind must fill situations in life, which have a good deal of labour, and trouble, and uncomfortableness, connected with them. It is true, that honest industry, a christian disposition, and hopes beyond the grave, will, in general, make any situation tolerable; but still there are, occasionally, hard times, want of employ, bodily infirmity, and other things, which will (when they happen) add much hardship to the lot of the poor man, and render him a true object of pity. Add to this, too, he must suffer, in common with those who are better off in the world than himself, all the usual calamities of life; loss of beloved relations, and dear friends; the unkindness of neighbours; the malice of enemies; disappointments in his hopes; and ill success in his honest undertakings. But, blessed be GOD, to the good christian these are only short-lived evils. The time will soon come, when "CHRIST shall change "his vile body, that it may be like unto "the Saviour's glorious body;" and, together with a new being, give him every