which "+eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man to conceive." It gives us a foretaste of heaven, and though moving in this world, we may live for eternity. It reconciles us to the mortal changes, to which human nature is subject; by its power Death appears to us a deliverance, and the tomb a passage to eternal life. "Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die." I love to repeat that it was standing by the side of the grave that Jesus spoke those words, and they were addressed to her whose brother had already lain four days in his sepulchre. Those who have preceded us to a better country are not dead; those whom you love in Christ will never die. The principle of a new life which faith has begun in them, is elevated above all mortal things, as the heavens are higher than the earth. Can it be called death to put away a gross and carnal body, the source of sufferings, sorrows, and sins? Is it death to be delivered from all the evils, which are the fruits of sin? No, all within us, that proceeds from the grace of God and faith, can never die. Is it death to see our faith changed in character, our hopes turned into reality, and our affections in full possession of their object? Is it death to have a distinct view in realms of glorious light of that sacred truth which we are here groping after through a mist of errors, ignorance and darkness? Is it death to be filled with that righteousness for which our hearts, in spite of their corruption, are thirsting? Is it death to

+1 Cor. ii. 9.

enjoy that peace which we are looking for in vain. among ourerrors and sorrows? Is it death to see face to face that Saviour God, whom we have loved, even when we have not seen him? Is it death to possess eternal life : "Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."

In former times, the same faith produced the same life, and the same hopes. David's beloved child was seized with a dangerous illness. As proofs of his grief he clothed himself in sackcloth-lay down all night upon the earth—refused to take nourishment, and as the sacred historian says, "It came to pass on the seventh day that the child died, and the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead; for they said, behold while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice; how then will he vex himself if we tell him that the child is dead?" But when David heard it " + he rose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the Lord, and worshipped." Then said his servants unto him, what thing is this that thou hast done? Thou didst fast and weep for the child while it was alive, but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. And he said while the child was yet alive I fasted and wept, for I said who can tell whether God will be gracious to me that the child may live. But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him,

2 Sam. xii. 18. † 2 Sam. xii. 20, 21.

but he shall not return to me." What perfect resignation and what glorious fruits are in this instance produced by faith: "Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."

Oh! come to the source of living waters all ye who, like Lazarus' sisters, are mourning over the grave of some dear object, or perhaps may yourselves be anticipating your approaching end-come and drink of the spring of true comfort-come and quench, with refreshing draughts, that thirst for immortality that is devouring you, and making you shudder at the instability of all that is human. Come to Christlisten to his heavenly voice-it is from his lips that flow the words of comfort, hope and life. He says to you, as he did to David, Martha and Mary, you weep at the death of one you love? But do not call death that which is the birth to another life. Do not grieve at the joy of him who has gone before you-all that are in the grave shall hear my voice; the much-loved eye that you have seen closed in death, will open again in perfect glory at the last day, when we shall meet to part no more; the lips which had always welcomed you with a smile, and which you have seen shaded by the pale hue of death, will again become animated and join you, (when you also shall be purified from sin) to sing the new song of eternal freedom. The hand which, after giving you a gentle pressure as a last farewell, fell lifeless and cold, will be raised with your own hands, and those of the

Royal Priesthood, in humble adoration towards the throne of the Almighty. They shall not return to us, but we shall go to them. Jesus is the resurrection and the life—“* O death where is thy sting, O grave where is thy victory. But thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

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you

"Believest thou this ?" Jesus, in the spirit of the tenderest charity, asked Lazarus' sister this question, in order that she might be assured she possessed. the principle of eternal life. He implies that if believe you will find at once in faith the balm for your extreme grief-your tears will be changed into thanksgivings. The darkness which envelops you will fade before this light of life-the pain of separation so full of despair to the incredulous and doubting, will be mitigated by the blessed hope of an eternal meeting.

Ye immortal beings, whom I am addressing, I ask you, as from God, do you believe this? Is Jesus to you the resurrection and the life? Can you apply these words with joy to yourselves, "Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die." When contemplating the grave, which must shortly be dug for you, can you with confidence look above-can you look to that eternity which is the object and hope of the Lord's redeemed?

O may you all, and may we all, answer with as

* 1 Cor. xv. 55 and 57,

much faith as Martha did: "Yea, Lord, I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world"-should come down from Heaven to bring truth and life on earth. Error proceeds from earth, falsehood from hell, but thou Lord comest from the bosom of the father, to reveal him to us." 66 Thy word is truth." I have never seen God, I have never seen Jesus, as Martha had, but I see man die, I see him borne to the grave— neither the soul of one of the Blessed, nor the Spirit of one of the condemned ever returned to me to bear witness of the truth of my Saviour's words; nevertheless I believe, "I believe that thou art the Son of God, which should come into the world." I know that an unbelieving world views my faith as foolishness, my hopes as ridiculous chimeras; nevertheless, "I believe, oh my Saviour! that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world." I see a world which "lieth in wickedness," abandoning itself to sin and pollution, as if there were neither death, nor judgment, resurrection nor life, but were the entire universe united against thy word and thy law, and "§ that it had killed thy prophets and digged down thy altars," nevertheless, I would believe that thou art the Christ, and that thou art to me the resurrection and the life.

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O my God! since faith in thy atonement, is a free gift, grant it, I beseech thee, to us all, while it

*St. John i. 18. + St. John xvii. 17.

1 St. John v. 19. § Rom. xi. 3.