SERMON VII.

PHILIPPIANS iii. 10.

That I may know Him, and the power of His

resurrection.

No one of the Apostles held so considerable a rank in the Jewish nation before his conversion, or forfeited so great temporal advantages by it, as did St. Paul; and none of them, so far at least as we know, underwent greater dangers and distresses in the performance of the duties of their station. But through all his difficulties he conducted himself with a firmness and cheerful patience, which naturally awakens in us a desire to learn from what support, and with what expectations, he was able to do and suffer so much. feel this desire from the strongest motives;

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either in consequence of troubles actually present to us,-or from the more than probable occasion of needing, at some time or other, all the fortitude which we can acquire." If any other man," says the Apostle, then, "thinketh that he hath "whereof he might trust in the flesh, I "more; yet count I all things but loss "for the excellency of the knowledge of "Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have "suffered the loss of all things, and do "count them but dung that I may win “Christ; that I may know Him, and the

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power of His resurrection; if by any " means I may attain unto the resurrection "of the dead:"-with which hope, "for

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getting those things which are behind, "and reaching forth unto those things "which are before, I press toward the "mark for the prize of the high calling of "God in Christ Jesus."-This is the language of sound sense and manly piety: and had St. Paul possessed this powerful aid in a greater degree than other men, how justly might he have been the object of our envy! For though we may not

have undergone his numerous and varied trials, who is there among us that does not think he has had his portion of evil?Who, indeed, does not expect to meet with many events which the world can neither recompense nor remove?-Or however that may be, do we not all at times look forward to the day of our dissolution, and the awful scene, which shall then open upon our view, with apprehensions strong as are our hopes?

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Providence has placed us in this life to serve great purposes; but the events of this state of being cannot but constantly remind us that "here we have no abiding 'place." Though in the fair sunshine of prosperity we are disposed to be satisfied with our present situation, yet is that satisfaction ever found to be short-lived and transitory. The difficulties in obtaining the comforts of life-the cares requisite to secure them-the fears of the future-the growing infirmities of age-the misfortunes or the loss of those who are most dear to us,—all these things are sources of so much distress, that it could hardly be

borne were not men possessed of some secret support, and by it enabled to look forward to something most desirable-to some happier state, which may requite them for their patience and endurance in this.

If it were possible that we could pass our time here without any interruption of our peace, and in perfect satisfaction and content, yet even then would not our souls sometimes sink within us at the thought that we must leave this so comfortable an abode? Man cannot, like the beasts of the field, rest completely happy in the present hour; he has his hopes and fears, which he can never long lose :-he looks back to what is past; and, however reluctantly, casts his eyes forward to what is to come:-his ardent wishes have always. made him dwell upon the hopes of a better life; and mankind, therefore, with wonderful zeal, gladly welcomed that Gospel, which " brought life and immortality to light.'

In the clearest language, and from the

* 2 Tim. i. 10..

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strongest authority, even that of the divine word, we are commanded to look up to the resurrection of Christ as the earnest of our own; and suitable to the importance of that event with respect to us was every incident conducted :—with such abundant testimony-such gracious condescension of the Deity to man's weakness-as hath at once fixed this great truth on the surest foundations. Possessed, then, as we are with the knowledge of this truth, let us remember that it was made known to man, that it might be, in the first place, our chief resource to relieve us under the trials which are the portion of this life:-and, secondly, a most encouraging principle to acquire the virtues which may ensure to us the inheritance of a better state hereafter.

Every man who ever came into the world has submitted, or must at some time or other submit, to the stroke of death. This is, indeed, a severe trial; it is not to be avoided or remedied; it cuts down every blessing we here enjoy. Examples daily present themselves to re