realizing what they involve. So it seems to have been with those Corinthian Christians who lent too willing an car to the false teachers who denied the resurrection of the dead. 'l'he _apostle "as justified in pointing out to snch that their smrender of this great doctnne and revelation involved virtually the denial of the resurrection of Christ, and that this invoked the drnial of some of their most cherished beliefs and hopes. What the Lord Christ \\·as to them he was because he was the risen and triumphant Saviour, To take away their faith in such a Saviour was to render their faith vain. I. FAITH IX CHRIST'S DEITY LARGELY RESTS UPON THE FACT OF ms RESURRECTION. 1. If Jesus ha,l not risen from the dead, his own recorded predictions would have been falsified. On se,.eral occasions he had foretold that his violent death should be followed on the third day by his resurrection. Had this not taken place, his word would have been discredited, and all confidence in his Deity would naturally have been destroyed. 2. If Jesus had not risen from the dead, he would have been proved inferior to death. The argument of the apostle was a very powerful and effective argument-that, beina not onlr David's Son, but David's Lord, it was not possible that he should be holde~ by death, that his body should sr.e corruption. But had he remained in the grave, a very difTcrent impression concerning his nature would necessarily have been produced upon the minds of his disciples, and the world could never have been convinced of his :M.essiahship and divinity. II. FAITH IN CHRIST AS A SAVIOUR RESTS UPON THE FACT OF ms RESURRECTION. 1. This appears in the customary publication of the gospel by the inspired apostles. They preached that Jesus was "raised to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance unto Israel, and remission of sins." 2. The resurrection of Christ is a token of the acceptance by the Father of that redemptive work of Christ whereby forgiveness is secured to those who believe. .And it is the condition of the exercise of those mediatorial functions which are still discharged in the court of heaven, the presence of God. 3. The resur- rection is a spiritual power in the hearts of those who believe it, a power of newness ·of mind, of holiness, of life immortal. They who die with Christ unto sin, and are -crucified with him unto the world, risen with Christ, live in his heavenly and resurrection life. III. FAITH IN CHlllST AS THE FIRSTFTIUITS OF THE GENERAL RESURRECTION RESTS UPON HIS RISING FROM THE TOMB. There is observable a marvellous contrast between the hopelessness of the heathen and the confidence of Christians in the prospect of death. To those who believe the gospel, the victory of Immanuel over death and the grave is the pledge of the final triumph of the good, is their consolation when they are bereaved of their Christian kindred and associates, is their confidence and inspiration in the prospect of their own departure to be with Christ.-T. Ver. 20.-The firstfruits of life. 'l'here is a perceptible change in the tone of the apostle's writing just at this point. He has been reasoning upon the supposition, adopted by some even among the Corinthians, that the dead rise not, and showing that if such is the case, the resurrection of Christ is a fable, and the faith of Christians vain' and their hopes baseless. This course he has taken to show to his readers the awful consequences of the false doctrine introduced among them. But he suddenly breaks off, and commences in another strain. After all, the supposition discussed is incredible. For as a matter of fact, of history, of certainty, Christ has risen from the dead, and in <loin<> so be has become the Firstfruits of them that slept. I. CHRIST'S IlEBUP.l\~CTION PRECEDES 'l'HAT OF HIS PEOPLE. The doctrine of the future life, obscure in the earlier periods of revelation, was made known with growing clear- ness as ages passed on. But it was Christ who" brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." Not only by his explicit teaching, but by his own victory over the grave, did our Saviour bring to mankind an assurance of eternal life. And, in point of time, he led the way for his faithful followers and friends. II. CHRIST'S RESURRECTION IS EVIDE!\CE OF 'l'HE DIVINE AND QUICKENING POWER WHICH SHALL RAISE IIIS PEOPLE AF'l'Eil HIM. 'l'he presence of a Divine power of life was manifest when, on the third day, the Lord of glory rose victorious from the tomb. ]f before it was doubtful whether in the universe there resided such a life-giving energy, such doubt was now dispelled. The same Divine might which raise<l the Leader can raise the followers too. The sun which has ripened the sheaf which is presented as the -orr. xv. 1-58.] THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 527
firstfruits of the harvest has warmth and vital geniality to mature the crop that clothes the vastest plain ; and the Spirit of life which quickened the crucified One will raise up us also to be glorified with him. 0 II(. CllRIST B RESURREC'l'ION IS UNTO THE SAME BLESSEDNESS OF LIFE WHICH IS APPOINTED FOR ms PEOPLE. Our Lord did not rise to renew the humiliation and the sufferings of this earthly existence; he rose a Conqueror to live and rei~ in glory. And the purpose of infinite grace is that, where the Master is, there also shall his disciples and servants be. We may share his weakness and his woe, but we shall share also his might and his blessedness; we may bear bis cross, but. we shall also wear his crown. IV. CHRIST'S RESURRECTION IS THE EARNEST OF ms PEOPLE'S IMMOR'l'AL LIFE. "Death bath no more dominion over him." And those for whom he both died and rose again live in him and live for ever. "There shall we ever be with the Lord." "They go no more out." It is to the glory of the Lord and Husbandman when the firstfruits .are brought into the temple and offered upon the altar. But the glory of that day shall be yet greater when the harvest shall be completed, and when the gamer of ·God shall be filled with the rich spiritual produce of the earth.-T.