sideration of the dissolution of the body, and its resurrection, is delightful to the Christian: he longs for heaven; and "flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom" above; death and life, ruin and perfection, sin and holiness, cannot harmonize: hence, how grateful, how welcome are these doctrines !

Our bodies are dear to us, "for what man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourished and cherished it?" Do we not love our bodies? are we not grieved when our limbs are injured, and when they are overtaken with pain? nay, the Lord himself does not hate the bodies of his servants, for he redeems them from their pollution, he loves the vessels of mercy, and separates the body from the soul for a season, in order to cleanse it from its defilement, and fit it for the paradise above. In this precious belief, "Joseph gave commandment concerning his bones ;" and we which have the first-fruits of the Spiritgroan within ourselves, waiting for the redemption of our body."

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The worldly man has no conception of the joy which this blessed text brings to the heart of the Christian : 66 Though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” The faithful servant shall behold his Lord in the palaces of eternal glory! the grateful captive shall see his gracious Deliverer! the church of Jesus shall behold the Bridegroom! "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality."

IV. Let me invite your attention to the soundness of Divine knowledge: "I know that my

Redeemer liveth." How different is this knowledge to that which, whilst it takes the name of wisdom, is the most dangerous ignorance, which, the apostle saith, "puffeth up," and elevates human pride.

This best of all knowledge rests on the promise of grace and mercy in Jesus Christ, applied to the sinner's heart by the Holy Spirit, and confirmed by corresponding effects: hence the true Christian can say with deep humility and gratitude, "I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand in the latter day upon the earth; and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God." It was his omnipotent voice which awakened my soul from spiritual death, to a sense of my sin and danger by nature he instructed me to take refuge in the gospel, from the curse of the law which was suspended over me; and "I know that my Redeemer liveth."

In contemplating this beautiful passage of holy writ, and describing the excellency of the knowledge of which I am now speaking, why should I hesitate, on this solemn occasion, to affirm to you, my friends, that all I knew of happiness below, and the bliss of heaven, is comprehended in the knowledge of my Divine Redeemer ! I know that he liveth, by the goodness which I have experienced from him since being called into his happy service, and adopted into his family. My departures from him in thought, even when employed in my first duties, and in the enjoyment of my happiest and dearest privileges, have ever been followed by pardoning mercy, and the

application of his precious blood to my conscience. In my long-continued labours with you, which afforded me so much satisfaction, how sincerely have I mourned before Him in secret, the imperfections which stained those performances; but they were all forgiven, and "I know in whom I have believed."

My knowledge of my Redeemer has also been confirmed, when he taught me to care for you. Sinner as I was, the Lord instructed me to pray, not only for myself, but for others. Selfish and unkind as my nature was, there were instances in which the knowledge of him led me to serve others: hence I address you from my own experience of the religion which is devoutly excellent, and assure you that it is not "a cunningly devised fable."

This knowledge, which in me is now perfected, was imparted by the Spirit of God and his word, and confirmed in time by many years of experience. It is clear and satisfactory to the conscience, for the knowledge of God in Jesus Christ is Divine illumination, as it is written, "In thy light we see light."

The believer, when accustomed to behold by faith "the King in his beauty," does not find his attention constantly diverted by the follies which delude the world. When the knowledge of Jesus Christ, in all his glorious attributes, and in his mediatorial character and offices, is possessed, what more can the soul desire? In its best moments, nothing; for it is satisfied.

Being delivered by the Redeemer from his former tyrant, Satan, he enjoys glorious liberty:

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love binds him to his heavenly Master, and with the heart he will not obey another, for " ye cannot serve God and mammon." With heaven before him, and "Jesus in the midst of the throne," what on earth can charm him, what delusion seduce his heart? Such, my friends, is the soundness of Divine knowledge, and it is confirmed by such effects as I have described, in those who possess it.

The Christian has much to contend against, much to conquer-ignorance, unbelief, hardness of heart, 66 yea, a body of sin and death:" and nothing but the knowledge of Jesus Christ and him crucified, is able to produce one good thought, or to overcome an evil one. "A corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit."

And now, my friends, I speak to you under very different circumstances to those in which I ever addressed you before; now I know by sight the reality of the truth, which I have so long been accustomed to express to you by faith. At the close of former discourses prepared for you, I have often said to this effect, "What improvement shall we make of these truths?" but my day of improvement in the world of time is expired, and you alone are called upon to embrace that benefit. I am become an inhabitant of eternity, with my ever-living Redeemer ; yet hearken to this my last exhortation-"Prepare to meet your God." You ever heard me with kind attention, when I was your fellow worshipper. I repeat it now: verily there is but a step between you, and the eternity which I have entered; and you die in your sins, no refuge will then be set

if

A FUNERAL SERMON.

before you. May you turn from every sin, from every false and unscriptural hope, for it is written, "None of them can by any means redeem his brother, or give to God a ransom for him." May this be the appointed moment for your spiritual resurrection: may eternal Mercy now say

"Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live."

Then shall the sound and saving knowledge of Jesus Christ in you be confirmed in your own experience, and before the church and the world, by the holiness of your lives. Then, whatever trials you may be called to endure, they will be employed for the establishment of your knowledge of him whilst on earth, and preparation for a heavenly state commensurate with the immortality of Jesus. "His name shall endure for ever; his name shall be continued as long as the sun."

Farewell. May we meet in heaven, and proclaim with grateful and adoring joy, to all eternity, "I know that my Redeemer liveth."

Written on Sunday, June 10th, 1832.

S. MARTIN.