e11pecially when tbe lot is hard and the nature s11ltitual. "We ~roan longina to be clothed upon with our habitation which is from heaven ' 1 (ver. 2). The pai".°amount attmction is, however, not in the body itself, but in the fact that the union .with Chriet will be closer. We shall be present with the Lord-at home with the Lord (ver. 8). Now we walk by faith; then we shall see him as he is, and be liko him.. 'l'he gainina of the heavenly body will be the gain of closer access to our Lord, and will be tlie cuter': ing into our heavenly home, out, of which we shall go no more for ever. VI, THE SAINT'S DESIRE FOR A SPEEDY CHANGE FROM ONJ;: BODY TO THE OTHER (Ver. 4.) 1. The intermediate state between death and the resurrection will probably not be so perfect as that which follows. 2. There is a natural shrinking from death .. •• Not for that we would.~ unclot~ed, but tha~ we would ~ clothed upon" (ver. ¾). The apostle seems to desire what 1s expressed m 1 Thess. 1v. 17-a translation not death and tarrying for the resurrection. ' •' VIL THE SAINT'S RESOLUTION WHETHER [i THE EARTHLY OR BEA VENLY BODY. To. please Christ. This the apostle made his "aim" (ver. 9). This was· his supreme ambition. He resolved to li'l'e, not to himself, but to Christ ana for Christ.' Note, that the life for the heavenly and earthly body is to be the same. We must do now what we hope to do by-and-by. Heavenly life in the earthly body is the preparation for the heavenly life in the heavenly body.-H, Ver. 10.-Thejudgment. I. THE JUDGMENT IS CERTAIN. 1. It is a matter of most definite revelation. 2. It is necessary for the vindication of Divine jusUce. II. CHRIST WILL BE THE JUDGE. C' The judgment-seat of Christ." 1. A very solemn f3;Ct Cl) for t!1ose who have r~je~ted his salvation and his rule; (2) or who have treated his cl:1.1ms with neglect and mdifference ; (3) or who have professed to believe on him, bnt in works have denied him. 2. A very joyous fact for those who have loved, confessed, and served him. 3. A very impressive fact that the One who died for men will jndge men. . •. Ill ALL WILL BT~"D BEFORE CHRIST'S JUDGMENT-SEAT. Not one will be missing; How vast an assemblage I A great multitude, and yet no ondost in the ~rowd I We shall be conscious of the great number which no man can number, and yet b!! impressed with our own individuality. "Each one" will receive (ver. 10)-one by one. Every day we are brought a day nearer to that dread convocation. , . . JV. AT THE JUDGMENT-SEAT OF CHRIST THERE WILL BE A GREAT REVELATION. 1. Of character. 2. Of condition. 3. Of life. We shall be "made manifest.'' Life- secrets will cease. Successful deceptions will be successful no longer. All veils and disguises will be tom off. The world as well as God will see us as we are. . V. AT THE JUDGMEl>'T-SEAT OF CHRIST WE SHALL RECEIVE OUR DOOM. This will be according to the deeds of our life. Will the faithful then be justified by faith ? Yes; by faith which produces works. Profession will then go for very little. "Lord, Lord," will be but an empty cry. Ability to pray :fluently or to preach eloquently will not come into the account. Nor the ability to look extremely pious. Nor facility,of talk respecting "blessed seasons" enjoyed on earth. What faith has wrought in us will be the guestion. What our Christianity has amounted to really and practicalLy. "A name to live " then will be nothing if we are found " dead." Upon the branch pro- fessedly united to the Vine fruit will then be sought. "Faith without works is dead." At the judgment it will seem very dead indeed. Yet not by the mere outward a.et shall we be judged. The motive will be considered as well as the actual deed. . "Faith which worketh by love" (Gal. v. 6) will be diligently sought for. Note: 1. The dis- tinction between good and evil will be strictly drawn at the judgment. 2. There will be degrees of reward and punishment. Some "saved as by fire;" some having an "abundant entrance; " some beaten with few stripes, some with many. It will be "acoording to what he hath done." 8. The dependence of the future upon the present. We shall receive the things done in the body. A remarkable expression. What we do now we shall receive then. We are now writing the sentence of the judgment I Time is sawing. J udgment is reaping. "What manner of persons ought we to be? "-H.
Ver. 14.-The constraining influence of the love of Ghrist. I. CONSIDER THE LOVE OF CHRIST. Showr, in: 1. .Advent. Relinqui~hment of heavenly glory. The highest c11. v. 1-21.] THE BEOOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 13,;