some that may even sin against light, and be banished from the kingdom. But they must confess, as you induce criminals to do at the fatal tree, that their sentence is just." The rest of the dead lived not again "till the thousand years were ended."-Revelation. 66 Paul assists us in understanding this, for, speaking of the resurrection, he says" Every man in his own "order: Christ the first fruits, afterwards they that are Christ's at his coming." Christ had taken on him the sins of the whole world; therefore, could not avoid death, because he became imputedly a sinner to save man. Yet being holy and undefiled, his body could not decay; it was, as our bodies will be when made like his by the various purifications through which they must pass-immortal! 2 According to the general understanding of words, this sentence of Paul's implies that there will be some that are not his at his coming. And these I humbly presume are the rest of the dead that lived not again till the thousand years are ended. But by the kind preparers of the people for happiness, the scriptures are improved;-therefore, instead of seeking to be his at his coming, they have antidated it; made them his before his coming, and sent them to him, rather than let them wait for his coming to them. : Their reasoning is, Christ went to heaven when he died and where he is there all that are his must be. I perfectly agree to it, on the condition of their being made like him. But being firmly persuaded not one that has ever lived has yet been made like him; I cannot believe that any one has gone where he is. He was in union with God the Father by doing his perfect will on earth, although he bore our sins; therefore, when he died, he went to the Father, to whom he was united. And, when all that are his are united to each other, as he prayed, and altogether united with him, as he was with God the Father, as he saith, "Thou Father in me, I in them, that they may be "6 one with us. ."-Then shall we be able to do the will of God on earth as he did it, as it is done by the pure angels that never transgressed; and then will this church, so purified and so united, be able to show that Christ is come into the world, to be the redeemer of it; and never till then. I would, therefore, advise those pious and liberalminded persons, who bring forth their pounds, shillings, and pence, for missionary pursuits, to recommend it to be appropriated in bringing back the missionaries, to exert themselves with the rest of the active members of the church for the accomplishment of this union. Then will the beam of division be taken out of their eye, that they may see clear to take the mote of unbelief out of their heathen brother's eye. By this means alone can the heathen and idolatrous world have conversion. And by this union of the church only can there be any made "His at "his coming." Simple as this statement may appear, it will be found that which ere long must come to pass, to the stagnation of the wisdom of preaching.—Not because a creature saith it, but because the great author of man's salvation hath delegated angels to declare it. To this union the citizens are hostile; and no wonder, it would be as fatal to their interest, if it was universally believed, as the uproar that Paul caused at Ephesus was to the interests of the silversmiths. The craft would be in danger of being set at naught, and the goddess of human wisdom despised. "If man was no more to teach man, all to be taught of the Lord." But if all that have ever lived, according to general opinion, are separate and distinct individuals, then none can derive any benefit from it but those who should perchance be living at the time it takes place. Was I to believe thus, although I really think not many can be much more disinterested than myself, yet a little tincture of selfishness might get into me. Past the age of man, and viewing the magnitude of the work, and time it may take, I might consider myself beating the bushes for others to have the sport of the field, and profit of the game. It might cause me to relax. Most love ease, unless where a prospect of reward sweetens toil. I have toiled for twenty-two years without reward or prospect of it from man, or any expectation of it. Were I to believe that when life ends, all ends with me, and that my future destiny be then fixed, I might feel but little inclination longer to bear privation of rest and ease, of worldly advantage, of comfort of mind, and many sacrifices known to none but myself, and say, why bear this, when a future generation is to reap the fruit of it? But believing this is the seed time, and that should I sleep it will be only during the growth, and that forth again I must come before the harvest-by the grace of God I will keep on sowing as long as able, be the pain to body or mind whatever it may. Not only because I must come forth again, but because my future stage of existence will be regulated by my conduct in the present. The slothful servant, whose ease or fear prevented his using the talent, was in worse a state than those that never received one. The servants to whom these talents were dispensed, are certainly in existence. Not among those whose ingenuity is employed in ar gument to show their hearers and followers how they shall go to heaven; but those that exert themselves in preparing all for the return of this " Nobleman"-the suffering saviour who then comes to be the victorious conqueror, the universal ruler,-the glorified Redeemer. These talents are various. In some, it consists in the power of reasoning, and proving the reality of such a coming from Scripture. Let such not suffer the talent to be unimproved. If they gain no interest by it, it will be awful. Let them that have professed an expectation of this return, bear this message in their recollection given to them :-" Thus saith the "Lord.-Does every man that calls himself by my name speak my praise, and do my work, and make "my messages appear plain? Do you show the vile ❝ race of human beings here the necessity of turning "to the Lord, and embracing a Saviour dear; ye must not suffer yourselves to say-as much as in me "lay I do. But every faculty exert, to show what "the Lord has shown to you.' "" And also remember, that while this exertion is made by the tongue, conduct, that gives efficacy and proves sincerity, speaks a louder language than words. To others, whose condition in life, or power of using the tongue, may be withheld, means of a different nature may be given. None will be suffered to embrace the cause without talents to use in it, and grace to use them, if Satan sows not the opposing seed among them. Some have a surplus of money, more than is requisite for their wants and comforts. And all that have genuine faith will be thankful for this talent, and cheerfully use it. Yet among those who have, and desire to share in the good, some, like the rich man, will go away sorrowful, if they are in danger of having their pockets gone. No. attacked. Others, like Ananias and Sapphira, deny what the Lord has given them, that they may still. hoard it and hide it.-And just as they may be on the point of reaping the reward of their faith, like Ananias and Sapphira, be called from the world they would not serve;—and inade to leave the wealth they would not use, to be squandered away by some who may regret they had lived so long, and then take an extra glass of rejoicing they are We do not send these to the regions of woe. God's mercy endures for ever; yet his attribute of justice will not be laid aside. Such will no doubt be dooined to a new stage of existence, in drudgery and poverty;-to that pauperism they have despised in others; then how sweet will the intelligence of Christ's coming be! -Then, if they had means, what is there they would not give to support such a cause? Here is the harmony of God's attributes-justice and mercy united. The cause of universal good has been long left to be advocated by the tongue. Some indeed have had the addition of means thrown into their lap for the express purpose of serving it; but, neglecting that, like snow when the sun shines they have melted away. There are some sincere believers in the cause that see it is thus, who have candour to own it, and glorify God by the confession. And although the tongue and hands have been unemployed, still have their hearts in it; and would, could they call back time and means, serve it most essentially. But as Paul saith by Israel, the fall of them is the riches of the Gentiles; and if the fall of them, saith he, produces such effect, what will their restoration be but life from dead? Even so, those who, through the fear of the world or arts of the enemy, have fallen away and returned. As the |