the efficient cause of ours. It is also, the model: his resurrection was the most perfect of all; and as his body, rising to immortal glory, was changed, so shall our bodies also, before frail and mortal, be restored and clothed with glory and immortality: in the language of the Apostle; " we look for the Saviour our Lord Jesus Christ, who will reform the body of our lowness, made like to the body of his glory." [1]
The same may be said of a soul dead in sin: how the resurrection of Christ is proposed to such a soul as the model of her resurrection, we learn from the same Apostle, when he says; " Christ is risen from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also may walk in newness of life; for if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection;" and a little after, " knowing that Christ, rising from the dead, dieth no more, death shall no more have dominion over him; for in that he died to sin, he died once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. So do you also reckon, that you are dead to sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus our Lord." [2]
From the resurrection of Christ, therefore, we should derive two important lessons of instruction; the one, that, after we have washed away the stains of sin, we should begin to lead a new life, distinguished by integrity, innocence, holiness, modesty, justice, beneficence, and humility; the other, that we should so persevere in that newness of life, as never more, with the divine assistance, to stray from the paths of virtue on which we have once entered.
Nor do the words of the Apostle prove only that the resurrection of Christ is proposed as the model of our resurrection; they also, declare that it gives us power to rise again; and imparts to us strength and courage to persevere -in holiness and righteousness, and in the observance of the commandments of God. As his death not only furnishes us with an example, but also sup plies us with strength to die to sin; so also, his resurrection invigorates us to attain righteousness; that worshipping God in piety and holiness, we may walk in the newness of life to which we have risen; for the Redeemer achieved principally by his resurrection, that we, who before died with him to sin, and to the world, may rise, also, with him again to a new discipline and manner of life.
The principal proofs of this resurrection from sin which demand observation, are comprised in these words of the Apostle: " If you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God." [3] Here, he distinctly tells us, that they, whose desire of life, honours, riches, and re pose, are directed chiefly to the place in which Christ dwells, have truly risen with him: but when he adds: " Mind the things that are above, not the things that are on the earth;" [4] he gives this, as it were, as another standard, by which we may
