begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him," and the life through his name of which the text speaks, consists in a state altogether the opposite of that which belongs to the state of fallen man. Life is the turning of the heart to God-the fixing the affections so firmly on him as to render the Psalmist's words a just expression of the predominant feelings of the soul, "whom have I in Heaven but thee, and there is none on earth that I desire beside thee." The conduct is and must be influenced by this new disposition of the heart and affections-for what makes an ungodly man act as he does? Is it not because he loves sin, loves the world, and dislikes every thing that is not connected with the habitual bent of his inclinations?-Let another and contrary feeling, love to God, predominate in his mind, and all his affections will flow in a different channel-this change is to pass from death unto life—this is to be born of the Spirit, and this is to be turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. Now, as spiritual death leads to eternal death, so this possession of life spiritual, leads to life eternal, which is the gift of God through our Lord Jesus Christ; and it is imparted freely as a means of accomplishing that gracious design of bringing many sons to glory, which

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s laid before us in the Holy Scriptures, God so loved the world, that he sent his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Life spiritual and life eternal, are said to be through the name of Jesus; "these things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." the persons here addressed the results of believing that which the resurrection proves, were accomplished; and thence we see that to believe on the name of the Son of God, was to receive Jesus as such, to consider his death as the predicted atonement which Messiah was to offer, to regard it as the efficient sacrifice to which the types pointed, and to trust to it alone for the removal of sin. He that believes that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. His heart is turned to love God, because his belief of the truth has taught him that God first loved him-his affections are placed on him, "because the love of God is shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost given unto him," and loving God, he keeps his commandments. There is now no predominance of sinful affections in his mind--being risen with Christ, he seeks those things which are above, where

Christ sitteth on the right hand of God; he sets his affections on things above, not on things on the earth, for he is dead, and his life hid with Christ in God; and knowing that when Christ who is his life shall appear, he shall also appear with him in glory, he mortifies his members which are upon the earth, and renounces those things for whose sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.Every one must allow that such a change is neither small nor unimportant, nor easily overlooked; it is the result of believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and is produced and carried on by the influence of God's Holy Spirit, which having been given when Jesus was glorified, connects the whole of this blessing with his resurrection.

The character and conduct of a real Christian is described as the effects of life, of a new and holy principle implanted in his soul, whereby his affections are directed, and his conversation influenced: let us always bear this in mind, when we would ponder the paths of our feet, and question ourselves whether we are treading a broad and frequented way, or a narrow and comparatively a solitary path. Living to God is the real test of conversion-acting under the influence of things which are unseen, and endeavouring to ap

prove himself the servant of Him who is invisible, the believer gives undisputed evidence that he knows Jesus, and the power of his Resurrection; and in addressing real Christians on the proofs of the resurrection, we feel that we are exhibiting the most powerful motives which can influence them "with purpose of heart to cleave unto the Lord"-the most consoling topics which can give peace to the conscience, and the most effectual remedy against the fear of death. "Come see the place where the Lord lay"--what proof does that empty tomb afford of the love of our master and only Saviour? Consider what he endured in his passage to that tomb-and attend to the admonition with which it addresses 66 you, ye are not your own, ye are bought with a price, therefore, glorify God with your bodies and your spirits which are his." Yea, brethren, while your hearts are moved by the contemplation of such love-let me ask, "shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" how shall we "who are dead to sin live any longer therein?". Here also does the empty tomb furnish consolation to the penitent,-" be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and by him all who believe are justified from all things from which ye could not be

justified by the law of Moses :"-and what power can the fear of death exercise over him who stands at this place where death was swallowed up in victory, and hears it proclaimed by the voice of triumph, "Now is Christ risen. from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept, for since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead." "O death! where is thy sting? O grave! where is thy victory ?-Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Be ye, therefore, my beloved brethren, steadfast and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

There are, however, many persons whose judgment is convinced of the truth of the Resurrection, but in whose minds it produces no practical results, because they are not sensible

of any connexion it has or can have with their spiritual state. To such, however, we have to present the resurrection in a point of view touching them so closely, as to insure at least a momentary attention to its consequences. "The times of this ignorance God winked at, but now commandeth all men every where to repent, because he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness,