glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory." It is not necessary, therefore, that our future body, to be real, should be just like that which we have on earth. The analogy of the universe rather teaches us to expect, that while it will be a real body, it will be modified, to adapt it to its new condition. "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It [the body] is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonor; it [he is speaking of the resurrection of the saints,] is raised in glory it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body." And his whole reasoning teaches us, the natural body may become a spiritual body, and still retain its identity.

Then, after showing that, as we have had earthly, corruptible bodies, like Adam, we must, in order to enter heaven, have heavenly, incorruptible bodies, like Christ, he adds; "We shall not all sleep, [for the death of

Christians is often called sleep,] but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; (for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed:) for this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." Here, the scoffer whose wit is profane enough for such uses, may jest at the idea of the trumpet; but, whether its sounding be literal, or whether it be figurative, alluding to the mode of calling men before human tribunals, he will be sober when it sounds. The honest inquirer after truth will easily understand the apostle's meaning. As our present bodies have need of means of support drawn from the earth; as they are, from their very structure, subject to pain from natural causes, to decay and death, they are not adapted to our condition in another world. Therefore, at the time when all men are called to judgment, the dead shall be raised with spiritual bodies, not capable of decay; and those of us who shall then be alive on earth, shall undergo a change, by which our

bodies also will become spiritual and incorruptible, fitted to the circumstances of the world in which we are then to live, and capable of enduring forever.

Thus we have all objections confuted; and we are taught that at a certain time, (which we know has not yet arrived,) the bodies of all the dead shall be raised, the friends of Christ shall be made glorious, and his enemies shall be trodden under his feet.

CHAPTER IV.

THE SAME SUBJECTS CONTINUED.

Ir we turn to other Scriptures, we shall find these truths confirmed, and other particulars added.

Philippians 3: 20, 21. "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body." That he should come from heaven, was foretold to his disciples, when they witnessed his Acts 1: 10, 11. "And while

ascension.

they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold! two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come,

in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." They saw him ascend, till "a cloud received him out of their sight." From that time forth, they expected his second coming; and one of them said, Rev. 1: 7, "Behold, he cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see him; and they also which pierced him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him." And another wrote, Heb. 9: 27, 28, "As it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment; so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time, without sin, unto salvation." These passages evidently relate to the time spoken of in the chapter which we have been considering; when our Lord Jesus Christ shall appear the second time; when he shall change the "vile" bodies of his saints, both those who are in their graves and those who remain alive, and make them like the "glorious body" which he had after his resurrection; when their salvation shall be made complete; and when his