be a matter of perfect indifference to all of us. For whatever be the time of our death, that of the resurrection will appear to us to be contiguous to it. And the reason for the seeming delay, and of the uncertainty with respect to the time of the resurrection and future judgment, are very rationally and satisfactorily given by him, on the principle of this being a state of trial and discipline, in which it be-. hoves us to be in continual expectation and preparation for an event so infinitely momentous.

"There will come in the last days scoffers, walk'ing after their own lusts, and saying Where is the promise of his coming; for since the fathers fell "asleep all things continue as they were from the

beginning of the creation. But, beloved, be not

ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the "Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand

years

"as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning "his promise, but is long suffering to us ward, not

willing that any should perish, but that all should 66 come to repentance." 2 Pet. III. 3. &c.

Such is the animating and consoling language of this great apostle, addressed to his fellow christians, then in a state of persecution, which left them no prospect of peace or comfort in this life. And, surely

E 2.

surely, it must have been effectual to answer its purpose. The writings of this apostle are such as we may quote as authority for the truth of this great doctrine of, another life, as he received it from Jesus, and it was confirmed by miracles wrought by himself, as well as by his brother apostles, who were endued with the same powers of which they had been witnesses in their common master.

.

The apostle John was one of the two brothers the sons of Zebedee, whose eager ambition led them openly to solicit the most distinguished honours in the kingdom of their master, though at the evident risk of giving the greatest offence to the rest of the twelve, all whose pretensions must have been nearly as good as theirs. But how changed do we find him at the time of writing his epistles. Here we are far from perceiving any inarks of worldly ambition. On the contrary, no man could appear to be more weaned from any attachment to this world, or more desirous to wean others from it. "Love "not the world,” says this heavenly-minded apostle," nor the things that are in the world. If any 66 man love the world, the love of the father is not in "him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the

flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life,

" is not of the Father, but is of the world; and th "world passes away, and the lust thereof, but he "that doth the will of God abideth for ever." 1 John II. 15. &c.

Such is the change that new views and principles can make in men. It is not now any thing in this life, which is so uncertain, but that eternal life, promised by Jesus, that is the object of his pursuit ; and this he thus earnestly recommends to others.

This," says he, 1 John II, 25, " is the promise "which he has promised us, even eternal life. This "is the record that God has given us; eternal "life and this life is in his son. These things I "have written unto you that ye may believe on "the name of the son of God, and that ye may "know that ye have eternal life." 1 John VI. 1. &c.

With what joyful expectation does he now look forward to the return of his master in his glory and kingdom. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, "and it does not yet appear what we shall be, but "we know that when he shall appear we shall be “like him, for we shall see him as he is, III. 2. And

we, little children, abide in him, that when he "shall appear we may have confidence, and not be "ashamed before him at his coming," II. 28.

In the book of Revelation, interpreting this glory, he says Ch. I. 7." Behold he cometh in the

clouds, and every eye shall see him, and they also "who pierced him, and all the kindreds of the

earth, shall wail because of him;" meaning, no doubt, his enemies, and by no means his friends, to whom it will be a season of the greatest joy and triumph. There, as Jesus said before, John XVI. 22, their sorrow will be turned into joy. Now ye are in sorrow, but I will see you again, and

your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man "taketh from you." Then the glory which his father gaye to him he will give to them, XVII. 22.

James, the other ambitious brother, was the first of the apostles who died a martyr to christianity, being beheaded by Herod Agrippa, fourteen years after the death of Christ; so that there cannot be a doubt but that he had abandoned all views to advancement in this world, as well as the rest of the apostles. Though this James died the first of all the apostles, his brother John long survived them all. For he lived some time after his banishment to the isle of Patmos in the reign of Domitian, which was probably in A. D. 94. From the fate of James the rest of the apostles might see what they had to

ཀ ་

1

expect in this life; and yet it is evident that it did not operate as a discouragement to them. They all perished in the same persecuted cause, and most of them probably with no better treatment than he met with.

The other apostles of whom we have any writing left, viz. James and Jude, the former called the brother of Jesus, being either his natural brother of the same parents, or some near relation, breathes the same exalted spirit with Peter and John, earnestly exhorting his brethren to bear with patience and fortitude all the sufferings of this life, in the joyful expectation of receiving an abundant recompence in another.

My brethren," he says, Ch. V. 7. "count it "all joy when ye fall into divers temptations, or ra"ther trials," and again (I. 2.) "Blessed is the "man that endureth temptation, for when he is tri"ed he shall receive the crown of life which the "Lord has promised to them that love him. V. "12. Be patient brethren unto the coming of the "Lord. Behold the husbandman waiteth for the "precious fruit of the earth, and has long patience "for it, until he receive the early and latter rains. "Be ye also patient, establish your hearts; for the * coming of the Lord draweth nigh," V. 7.