trco.t it in different aspects. "Incorruptible;" that is, spiritual, not material. The blessedness of that state will not depend on anything that can decay. The blessed- ness of heaven will be in the development of our spiritual nature. "Undefiled;" that is, untainted, unblemished. Here our spiritual blessings have some taint; there will be activity without weariness, love without coldness, hope without fear, purity without doubt, songs without sighs, light without shade. "That, fadeth not away•" that is, a.II this to be everlasting; the beauties of that state will never dimini8h, its tasks never be monotonous, nor its tastes insipid, nor its fellow~hip ended. "There the eye grows never dim, Ga.zing on that mighty sun." 3. This inheritance is certain. "Reserved in heaven for you who are kept" for it. It is kept where waste or diminution cannot be known, and we are kept for ils enjoy- ment. No earthly heritage is sure, but this is. "Reserved in heaven for you." Then that is safe. "You who are kept by the power of God for it." 'l'hen you are safe; the child of God is as sure of heaven as if he were there. We should be surprised if it were not so; for "as for God, his way is perfect." The word "kept" literally means " garrisoned." There is a picture in the word: "The angel of the Lord encampeth," etc. Garrisoned by the power of God, not by his weakness. Left to ourselves, we should lose it; but we cannot lose it thus. 4. This inheritance is the object of lively hope to God's children. Equivalent to "life-giving." This hope is life. What can animate us to fight like the assurance of victory? what make us steadfast in pilgrimagll like the certainty of reaching the goal? wha.t destroy the fascination of the present like the conscions possession of better things? what solace us in grief like the knowledge that we are on the way to the eternal home of tearless eyes? This hope brings with it a new being. II. THIS HOPE IS JUSTIFIED DY THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD. 1. Christ's resur- rection is the proof of immortality. Man asks, "If a man die, shall he live again?" The natural heart thinks so, but cannot prove it. The Old Testament rather dimly hints it. Christ's resurrection is the assurance of it. He died-his enemies admitted that; he lay for three days ill the grave; but then he rose, and that with undiminished powers and unchanged affection. 'fhe risen Saviour was the proof that death was but like the plunging of the swimmer into the wave, from which he emerges on the other side essentially unchanged. 2. Christ's resurrection is, further, the assurance of the believer's fwtification. It settled the question with his foes as to who he was. He said he was the Son of God ; they said he made himself equal with God, and they asked for some sign by which they could know it, and he replied that they should have the sign of the Prophet Jonas. He was declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrec- tion from the dead. The Resurrection was the Divine endorsement of the claims of Jesus, another voice from heaven: "This is my beloved Son; hear him!" Thus Christ's teaching was endorsed (John iii. 16), and the sufficiency of his atoning work. "Gorl raised him from the dead and gave him glory, that our faith and hope might be in him." 3. And Christ's resurrection is the pledge of the believer's preservation. For he has risen into the inheritance, and that as our Representative. Before he rose he sai<l, "Because I live ye shall live also;" "Where I am there shall also,'' etc.; "Father, I will that they whom," etc. But not only so. What is he doing there? He is there still as Saviour, to keep by his intercession those for whom by his cross he atoned. "Who is he that condernneth? It is," etc.; "Wherefore he is able to save to," etc. How surely, then, we are "begotten to lively hope by the resurrection," etc.! III. THE CERTAINTY OF THIS HOPE CONSTRAINS THE CHIIISTIAN TO BLESS Goo. As the apostle thinks of all this, he exclaims with fervour, "Blessed be the God," etc.! 1. The note of foy is here. Grasp the hope revealed in the resurrection of Christ, and life loses its gloom, and songs rise in the desert. 2. And this is also consecration. For to bless God is to glorify him. When we realize what thus he gives to us, wo shall already begin the heavenly life where from love and gratitude they praise him night and day.-C. N.
Vers. 6-9.-The saints' joy notwithstanding hecr,vinl!ils. In tho previous verses the apostle describes the state of salvation; he theu says here," Whcreiu," cte. So the 46 THE FIHST EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER. [cR, I, 1-25,