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place where the souls of the dead reside SERM. during their separation from the body, be tween the times of death and judgment; but this I do not think material for us to inquire into what follows, is indeed important" that he arose again the third

day;" because it is an earnest that we also shall in like manner be raised from the grave, and live. That it was really himself, and not an apparition which deceived them, he clearly proved, by condescendingly permitting his disciples to handle him, and by eating and drinking as he had done before his death; he remained on earth and shewed himself to large num bers during forty days. The story of his body being stolen by his disciples (which the Jews pretended) is too improbable to gain credit with any person of sense and candour. He died then, and was buried on the Friday, and rose again on the day which we now celebrate as Easter Sunday.

"He

SERM." He ascended into heaven:" this he did

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in the sight of many of his followers, after having conversed with them, as I have just observed, during forty days, and given them a commission to preach the gospel to every creature.

He now sits at the right hand of God, the place of highest honour in heaven, where he continually presents our prayers, and makes intercession for us, and from whence he shall come in great pomp and majesty, surrounded by myriads of angels, to recompense according to their deeds, both the multitudes which during all the ages of the world have died, and those whom at his coming he shall find alive. The creed next calls on us to "believe in "the Holy Ghost," who is the third person in the blessed Trinity, by whose inspi ration the prophets spake, and the apostles did miracles; who is the author of all the good thoughts which arise in our minds,

who

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who sanctifies and makes holy all righteous SERM,

⚫ persons.

But let me caution you against imagining that this divine being will take up his abode with you, without any efforts on your parts you may indeed be sure, if you earnestly pray for his assistance, and sincerely endeavour to deserve it, that it will not be withheld from you; but then your own labours must be as strenuously exerted, as if all depended (as in fact it does) on yourselves. We next declare our belief" in the holy catholic church " and the communion of saints;" it is not perhaps very clear, now, what is precisely meant by these, but probably they may be best explained together in this manner, we believe that the true church of Christ is made up of all sincere Christians, of what nation or sect soever, and that all such are and shall be partakers of the benefits and privileges of the gospel.

The

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SERM.

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The next article in the belief, to which we are called on to give our assent, is, "the forgiveness of sins." Before Jesus Christ came into the world, men had certainly some hope of their offences being pardoned, which arose probably from the general goodness of God, from his delay of punishment, and from the tendency in human nature to expect what we greatly wish; but this hope by no means amounted to that full assurance of pardon, which was necessary to make the considerate in any degree easy under the sense of their sins, and to inspire them with ardour in the work of their reformation. Jesus Christ at length came, preaching repentance and remission of sins; which I understand to mean, that if at any time of a man's life he is sincerely sorry that he has offended God, most heartily prays to be forgiven, and resolves steadily to be guilty no more, but to be religious and virtuous in future;

and

and if he adheres to his resolutions, not- SERM. withstanding all his former transgressions,

he will meet not only with mercy but with favour. This is a grand privilege; but let no one be tempted to abuse it; let no one sin in expectation, and, as he thinks, with intention, of amendment; of all difficult things to break through, bad habits are the most difficult. On account of his presumption, likewise, God may hereafter refuse him assistance, and then all his own endeavours will avail nothing; besides, no one can be certain that he shall live another day, and if he dies in his sins, he knows the consequence; let us not, therefore, trust to futurity, but do what we know to be so necessary, immediately. Great is the salvation which is offered us; how shall we escape, if we neglect it!

Now follows our profession that we believe in the resurrection of the body."Of the truth of this the scriptures ex

pressly

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