risen. (14) And if so, then all our preaching is useless, and so also your faith is useless. (15) Yes, and more than this; we are proved to be false witnesses. We have stated what is not true concerning God; for we have said that He raised up Christ from the dead; which He certainly has not done, if it be a fact that the dead rise not. (16) For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. (17) And if Christ be not risen, then your faith in Him is of no avail: your sins are yet unforgiven. (18) And those who have died in the hope of salvation through Him, have perished. (19) Now if it be true that we, who are trusting in Christ, and giving up all, and suffering all for His sake; have nothing to hope for beyond this life, we are indeed the most miserable of all men. (20) But it is not true; for Christ is risen, and being the first who has arisen, He is to be regarded as the first fruits of the dead, and as a proof and earnest of what is to follow. (21) For as death came upon the whole human race through one man, so by another man are the dead raised again. (22) For as by reason of our connexion with Adam all die, so by reason of our connexion with Christ shall all be made alive.

APPLICATION.

Faith in the resurrection most precious, and only precious to the real Christian.

Verse 19. From this text we may remark, that the Christian's portion is not of this world. He

enjoys a happiness far surpassing any thing this world can give, but it springs from a hidden source. St. Paul says of himself, "The life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." (Gal. ii. 20.) And again, "We walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Cor. v. 7.) If therefore it were possible to overthrow the foundation of this faith, and to prove that religion to be false, upon which the Christian's whole dependance rests, his misery would be complete.

It is true that St. Paul and his companions sacrificed their reputation, and endured sufferings, to which in this age we are not exposed; but nevertheless the real disciple of Christ will still echo the same words," If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." For His invitation to us is just what it ever was: "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." (Matt. xvi. 24.)

Now this constant self-denial, this warfare with the devil, the world, and the flesh, which must be kept up as long as life shall last, is not agreeable. But as Christ, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame; so by faith, we also are enabled to "reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Rom. viii. 18.) The Christian's life, joy, and energy, all spring from the habit of looking "not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Cor. iv. 18.) It is the full assurance of having in heaven a better

and an enduring substance, which makes all present trouble light, turns every bitter to sweet, and renders the Christian, the only truly happy man upon earth. Now, Reader, do you possess such a full assurance of faith as makes you to triumph over sin, sorrow, death, and hell? If you do, the loss of it would certainly make you of all men men most miserable. Have you a happiness of this kind to lose? Alas, alas, there are but few to whom Christ is all in all; few, who have their happiness wholly based on Him; to few therefore would the loss of Him be misery.

Be it however remembered that half and half work will not save us. Christ must be all, or nothing.

Supposing however that you are now in real earnest fighting the good fight of faith, in the hope of laying hold on eternal life, how inexpressibly precious to you will be the assurance that Christ is risen. On this your all of hope depends: for "if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins." "But now is Christ risen from the dead." And in thus rising again, He is made known to us as the first fruits of that glorious harvest, which shall one day be gathered from the grave, when " He that. raised up Christ from the dead, shall also quicken your mortal bodies, by His Spirit that dwelleth in you." (Rom. viii. 11.)

It may be well however further to remark, that the doctrine of the resurrection is one, which only some, can really wish to be true. To the believer only can it be a subject of rejoicing that the dead are raised, but to the horror of millions it will be found true in regard to all. Certainly there will be a resurrection of the dead, both

of the just and the unjust. Those only who are believers in Christ will rise to life eternal; but those also who are not found to be Christ's at His coming, will rise, though it will only be to go away into everlasting punishment. (See Matt. xxv. 46.)

EXPLANATION.

Verse 23 to 28. Having declared the truth of the resurrection, St. Paul goes on to make some observations concerning the method in which it will be conducted. He states that (23) every one will arise in that order, which has been appointed. As the first fruits of the grave, Christ has already arisen; and next, those who are Christ's shall arise to eternal life at His second coming. (24) Then shall come the end of this present state of things; and Christ shall deliver up His mediatorial kingdom unto God the Father, when He has destroyed all those powers of darkness, and all that evil which now bears rule in the earth, opposing His authority. (25) For the reign of Christ shall continue until all enemies are put under His feet. (26) Even death, the last enemy, shall be finally destroyed by Him. (27) For, as it is written in the hundred and tenth Psalm, God has put all things under His feet. But of course in saying this, it is to be understood, that God the Father is Himself excepted. (28) Then when this promise shall be entirely fulfilled, and all things shall be subdued unto Him, the Son will yield up His mediatorial kingdom unto the Father, that God may be all in all.

APPLICATION.

Victory over sin and death, secured to the believer in Christ.

This passage of Scripture is one very likely to excite in many minds vain speculations concerning the nature of God. But let those who are inclined to raise puzzling questions on this most mysterious subject, stop to consider whom they are talking about. Must it not be at our peril, if we indulge a vain curiosity about that awfully great and powerful Being, who made and governs the world, and all things in it? Every practical subject of inquiry concerning the Father and the Son, is answered in these words, "All men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father." (John v. 23.) Here we have a plain direction for the regulation of our conduct, which is all that is necessary.

Instead, therefore, of any idle discussions upon the nature of that kingdom, which the Father gave to the Son, and which the Son will one day deliver up again to the Father, let us consider whether we have fully and entirely submitted ourselves to His dominion, who will assuredly reign until He hath put all enemies under His feet. People are generally much more ready to amuse themselves with speculative doctrines, than to occupy their thoughts with personal and practical religion. This is one favourite design of Satan for turning men's minds from a saving knowledge of Christ. O Reader, beware of it. Look to your own personal condition, and how you stand in