THL RESURRECTION. 191 



not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it 

 may chance of wheat, or of some other grain : 

 but God giveth it a body which it hath pleased 

 him. So also is the resurrection of the dead. 

 It is sown in corruption ; it is raised in incor- 

 ruption : it is sown in dishonour ; it 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." 



To a mind daily influenced by the truths of 

 Divine revelation, how many aids to reflection 

 are furnished by these striking analogies, of 

 which not only prophets and apostles availed 

 themselves, but which are rendered still more 

 sacred by our Lord's application of them, in 

 illustration of his doctrines ! 



While we may learn much from nature, and 

 with the light of the gospel much more, it is 

 by this gospel alone that we are told of the 

 way of reconciliation with God of an atone- 

 ment for sin. Here, alone, we have the tidings 

 of full and free salvation, through a crucified 

 Eedeemer the truth that, though utterly 

 helpless and undone in ourselves, God has 

 laid help upon One that is mighty to save, 

 who gave himself up to b^ar our sins, and to 

 die for us upon the cross, that we might be 

 saved. Here, only, do we learn that we are 

 " not justified by the works of the law," but 

 by faith in Jesus Christ ; and here we have 

 the promise of the Holy Spirit, to sanctify 

 our hearts, and make us " meet for the in- 

 heritance of the saints in light." These are 



