353
from the tomb, so surely shall all who believe in Him rise gloriously in the day of His appearing. Eemember- ing this, they -may look down with calmness into the " house appointed for all living." They may recollect that Jesus himself was once there on their behalf, and has robbed death of his sting. They may say to themselves, " the sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law : but thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Cor. xv. 56, 57.)
The great matter that concerns us all, is to make sure that we are spiritually buried with Christ, while we are yet alive. We must be joined to Him by faith, and con- formed to His image. With Him we must die to sin, and be buried by baptism into His death. (Rom. vi. 4.) With Him we must rise again and be quickened by His Spirit. Except we know these things, Christ's death and burial will profit us nothing at all.