Vers. 39-44.-Enlarged conceptions of the te1·m "body." The genera.I idea of" body,.. is a material form so set in relation to a material world, by its senses and sensibilities, that a spiritual being using such form, or body, can dwell in the material world. 'l'ben• there can be all sorts of bodies, according to the relation which bas to be borne in this material world, or the relation which has to be borne in other worlds which we may call material or spiritual. We only suggest points of thought, scarcely venturing to set them in order for public homily or sermon. 1. Within our present earth-- sphere the term "body" is comprehensive. The apostle speaks of bodies of bird, fish, beast, men,-in all cases the body being determined by the relation to the material- world which is desired; but we can properly speak of distinct body, or form, in relation. to intellectually moral or spiritual life. These are within the bodily form, but can be conceived as distinct from it. 2. There is no necessary reason for limiting the term "body" to our earthly sphere. Wherever any spirit is, if it desires relation with any form of created existence, it must have a form, a body, for the purposes of that relation. The various conceptions we may have of body beyond our earth-sphere need· careful study. It may further be shown how the diversities of body, and bodily capacity, help us to understand the possibility of different degrees of glory, and yet in each case a fulness of glory. Happiness is here varied and limited by capacity. It must be thus varied and limited anywhere. How the term "spiritual" can be applied to body we may he helped to apprehend by three things: (1) the angelophanies o~ the Old Testament; (2) the incarnation of the Son of God; (3) the forty days which, our Lord spent in the resurrection-body.-R. T. Vers. 55-57.-Death's sting and strength. Death, as being tho worst., is regarded: as the representative of all human woes. Give the common and familiar sentiments about death, its sadness, its bitterness, its hopelessness, its terrible forms, its lasting separations, which prevail amongst men and even among Christians. And yet, what is death, but the soul putting aside on the shelf the tool which it bas long used, but now has done with, because its work is finished? Still, philosophize as we may; get up on a high Christian platform as we ought; win the keen spiritual insight if wo will; the fact remains that death has its sting, and we all feel it and live in the feait of it. I. WHAT IS THIS STING? It is the conscience of sin; the fear of our just deserts;. the conviction that due avengements of wrong-doing must come in the life beyond. II. ,VHAT 1s THE STRENGTH OF THIS STING? It is the revealed Law of God, which,. we are sure, has its sanctions. It must take cognizance of our sin. Its 1iunishment& cu. xvi. 1-24.J THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 549
cannnt have earthly limitations. Show that the redemption in Christ Jesus plucks cl?ath's s~i?g away, because it quiets and satisfies the Law, and forgives and removes the sin,-Il. I.