Vers. 36--38.-Death and quickening. Although the apostle deems himself to- have established the fact of the resurrection of the dead, by proving the resurrection of the Saviour, and by showing that the resurrection of Christ's people is a consequence of their Lord's resurrection, he is quite sensible of the difficulties attaching to this belief. These are difficulties which all have felt, and with which many sincere believers find themselves often confronted. Believing the fact, we know not how to render it to our own minds; the manner of the fact is inconceivable, or at all events unima;rinable. The apostle endeavours to assist us in the effort either to overcome the difficulty or reasonably to acquiesce in its partial continuance. He makes use of natural analogies. The world is full of mysteries; and we may trace some mysteries. which are common to nature and to revelation. I, THE CREATOR, WHO APPOINTS THE DEATH OF THE SEED AS PREPARATORY TO THE: LIFE OF THE PLANT, MAY APPOINT THE DEATH OF THE EARTHLY DODY AS THE PllEPAilA- TlOX FOR THE LIFE OF THE HEAVENLY BODY. 'Jhe analogy is sometimes misunderstood,. and it is supposed that, according to Paul, the dead body of the man is really the seed of the resurrection-body. 'l'his is not the case. l:lut the apostle is evidently reasoning as did our Lord when he said, "Except a corn of wheat," etc. The death of the seed followed by the lil'e of the plant is a fi~ure of the death of tho Saviour followed by the prevalence of his doctrine, and the vast extent of his personal,. rnediatorial influence. And so here, we are reminded that God's ways are not as our ways, that it pleases him to bring life out of death, and that he is able to make death the step towards a new and higher life. JI. THE CREATOR, WHO GIVES TO EVEllY SEED A DODY 01' ITS OWN, 0AN PROVIDE THE GLORIFIED SPIRIT WITH A VESTURE AS SUITAllLE TO THE HIGllEil STATE AS 0Uil EARTHLY ORGANISM IS SUITABLE TO THE PRESENT LIFE. There is a great disparity between th0" grain of corn and the plant of·wheat when green in spring or golden in harvest-time;. a greater disparity still between the acorn and the giant oak of the forest. One seed gives life to a fragrant, radiant, delicato flower; another to a rich and luscious fruit; another to a lordly tree. One seed is more adapted to a temperate climate, another to the tropics; one grows best upon the mountain slope, another in the sheltered vale. <in. xv. 1-58.] THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 529
'l'he reaources of Omniscience and Omnipotence are strikingly apparent in the prodigality, diversity, and ndaptation of vegetable lifo. Such considerations are a. rebuke to our incredulity, which arises from an undue conceit of our own wisdom, and a lack of just humility. We may ask," How are the dead raised? and with what body do they come?" All nature supplies the answer, inasmuch as i~ tells us that the Crcmtor and Lord of all is never at a loss for means to execute his purposes and to fulfil his promises. When the time comes for this body to be laid aside, to be taken down, there shall be provided for the glorified and happy spirit "a house not made w.ith hands, eternal in the heavena."-'r.
Ver. 45.-" The last .Adam." The apostle has supported the Christian belief in the resurrection by adducing natural analo)!ies, and these will always possess a certa·:n measure of force for intelligent and reflective minds. But it is observable that he returns to what is the strongest ground of belief in the futnre life and all which it involves, viz. the personal relation of the Christian to his Divine and mighty Lord. '£he foundation of our hope is in the assurance of our Saviour, "Ilecause I live, ye shall live also." I. THE DESIGNATION OF CHRIST: THE LAST ADAM. This, though a rabbinical -expression applied to the Messiah, has a truly Christinn signification. 1. It implies -our Lord's true humanity; he was a descenclant of our first parents, and he was the Son of man.· 2. It implies his federal headship, his representative character, and his peculiar authority. There is a new humanity created afresh for the glory of God ; and of this th_e Lord Christ is the one rightful Ruler and Head. II. THE DESCRIPTION OF CHRIST: A LIFE-GIVING SPIRIT. 1. This is in contrast with the description of the first Adaw, "a liviug SQul," so called in the book of Genesis. From our prol!enitor we· have inherited the bod_y and the animal ancl rational nature for ,vhich that body is a suitable vehicle. 2. This is indicative of the prerogative of Christ to impart a new and higher spiritual life to humanity. We receive from him by the bestowal of his Spirit a nobler beini;, a being ,vhich allies 11s to God, anrl which fits us for the occupations end the joys of heaven. "In him was life." He did not however possess life only to retain it as his own, but in order to share .it with his people. "I," said he, "am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." 3. This is explanatory of the revelation of -resmrection and immortality. The nature we inherit from Adam fits us for earth; the nature which we receive from Christ fits us for heaven. Aclam is "the earthy," and they who dwell ou earth share his earthy being and life; Christ is " the heavenly," and thoy who arc made in his likeness and who share his character and spirit are .qualified for celestial and eternal joys.-T.