slain fellow, and himself set free, was a type of the resurrection,-the bird which died being a type of Atonement. And no other could be appointed; because as no actual rising again was ordained to these shadows of good things, the great truth of a resurrection could only, in some such manner, be exhibited to the eye of faith, in connexion with the doctrine of vicarious propitiation. The Incarnate Son of God in like manner was three days in the power of death before his glorious resurrection discharged our debt, and raised us, together with Him. That resurrection was a greater miracle than if the whole race of Adam had been brought out of the grave in a moment. For He had the curse of God and of our sins laid upon Him; and, who could roll away this heavy stone from the door of the sepulchre, except He who had power to lay down his life, and power to take it again? Christ hath drunk of the brook in the way; therefore doth He lift up his head, even to the glory of a mediatorial kingdom. Isaac's virtual and parabolic resurrection enables him to become the progenitor of the promised Seed and of the world's Saviour. The actual and most glorious resurrection of our Lord from the grave, where He rested, after

having completed the amazing work of Atonement, hath constituted Him the first fruits of a world thus ransomed from the power of the grave, and the miseries of endless death, through faith in his name. "Because I live ye shall live also." "When Thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, He shall see his seed, He shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand." "His people shall be made willing in the day of his power; and more than the womb of the morning, He shall have the dew of his youth. "We are buried with Him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised from the dead, by the glory of the Father, we also should walk in newness of life." Are we in very deed and truth as monuments of his gracious power, members of his body, through living, acting, holy faith yielding fruit in his name, according to our baptismal privilege and duty? Then what are the happy, what the animating, what the sanctifying, what the glorious consequences of this everlasting union? "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth, Who is he that condemneth? It is

1 Isa. liii. 10.

2 Psalm cx. 3.

Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again; who is even at the right hand of God; who also maketh intercession for us."1 Are we afflicted? It is not the sword of the vindictive Judge, but the rod of a reconciled and tender Father that is upon us. Are we in fear of death? Christ hath extracted its sting, and robbed the grave of its terrors. Do we dread the guilt of sin? The sword of justice hath smitten our surety: and the resurrection hath opened his prison doors, to shew that his suretyship hath satisfied God, and we are safe. He died for our sins, and rose again for our justification. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things that are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God."2

Is this the day of Christ? Doth faith see it with gladness? Let us rejoice in his Person; for He is the glory of mankind, not less than of the Father. Let us rejoice in his Death; for it is our death to the condemnation of sin. Let us rejoice in his Life; for it is the principle, the support, the substance, of our own, which must be lived by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us. Let us

1 Rom. viii. 33, 34.

2 Col. iii. 1.

rejoice in his Love; if we have sought Him and it by faith; for that Love is the mighty cause of all peace, all joy, all holiness, all hope, all grace, all glory, to the soul of man.

SERMON XXXV.

THE DEATH AND BURIAL OF SARAH.

GENESIS XXIII. 19.

AND AFTER THIS, ABRAHAM BURIED SARAH HIS WIFE, IN THE CAVE OF THE FIELD OF MACHPELAH BEFORE MAMRE: THE SAME IS HEBRON IN THE LAND OF CANAAN.

It was wisely as well as solemnly advised by the king of Israel," Whatsoever thine hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no device, nor wisdom nor knowledge in the grave, whither thou art hastening." There is a house appointed for all living—a place where all human travellers along this vale of tears, shall meet at last, whatever be the relative length of their journies. "All the days of Methusaleh were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died." In whatever spirit we may expect death, whether of nature which may dread, or of faith which may welcome its