to prevail for a moment, he was for ever foiled in the conflict. He received into his territory, in the guise of a captive, him whom he found a conqueror. [Christ] exhibited the first specimen of immortal man: not that shadow of immortality, consisting in being remembered and celebrated for ages by creatures who are hastening to the tomb; but an immortality, consisting in a form which is imperishable,—a glorious being, over which death hath no more power, which will subsist in undecaying youth and splendour when the heavens are no more. This is the pattern and example to which the children of the resurrection will be conformed.

V. On this day we are called to rejoice in that sure and certain prospect which the resurrection of Christ affords to all true believers, of ascending with him to heaven, and of there partaking with him of his glory. As he was the substituted representative of true believers, what was accomplished in him at his resurrection will, ere long, be accomplished in them: the victory over death which he acquired he will impart to them; the glory which he has received he will give to them; the eternal rest, into which he has entered at his ascension, he hath prepared for them:-" Every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits; then they that are Christ's at his coming." In nothing that our Saviour suffered or obtained, is he to be considered in the light of a private character. Nothing was suffered on his own account, or

effected merely with a view to his own benefit. "As he bore our sins in his own body on the tree," and "died, the just for the unjust, to bring us to God," the rewards which he merited, the dignity to which he was exalted, are not confined to his own person, but accrue to every part of his mystical body.

XL.

CHRIST'S CARE OVER CHURCHES AND MINISTERS.

REV. ii. 1.-These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.

As Jesus Christ is the "true light" of the world, so a principal means, by which he dispenses his illumination, is by the appointment of a stated ministry, and the formation of christian churches. By concentrating and uniting their efforts; by collecting their information, their zeal and piety into a [point]; they dispel much of the darkness of the present state. This state is frequently, in scripture, compared to night: "The night is far spent; the day is at hand."* During the prevalence of this darkness, previous to the rising of the "Sun of righteousness," he has placed his ministers as stars in the firmament, and appointed his churches to be as lamps or candlesticks.

By the representation of the text, we are strongly reminded of the sole end and design for which

*Rom. xiii. 12.

ministers are constituted and churches formed: it is to dispense spiritual illumination to a benighted world; it is that they may shine with knowledge and holiness. As far as they answer this purpose, they are useful and important; in proportion as they lose sight of it, they forfeit every just claim to esteem, and sink into insignificance and contempt. It is their duty to "hold forth the word of life."* The light they are appointed to dispense is the pure doctrine of Christ, exhibited by an open profession, and sustained and recommended by the virtues of a holy life. When churches depart from the essential truths of christianity, they become incapable of answering the end of their institution. They are no longer useful lights, but delusive meteors; which, instead of guiding souls to heaven, mislead and betray them to destruction.

False teachers are compared by Jude to wandering stars," in opposition to those mentioned in the text, who are supposed to continue in their station, and afford a regular and steady light. In representing Christ's ministers under the metaphor of stars, it is not improbable there may be an allusion to Daniel: "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."†

The appellation of "the bright and morning star" is assumed by our Saviour himself; and as Dan. xii. 3.

* Philip. ii. 16.

† Jude 13.

ministers, though at an immeasurable distance, are yet nearest him in the official rank in the church, so ought they most to resemble him in the distinguishing features of the christian character. The church is represented as having on her head "a crown of twelve stars,"* which denote the twelve apostles. John saw seven of these stars and lamps: which may either refer to the precise number of the churches to whom Christ sends distinct epistles; or, as seems more likely, the number is adopted as a mystical number, agreeable to the arrangement of this book, which consists of seven seals, seven trumpets, seven vials, and contains a distinct [intimation] of the seven spirits that are before the throne. There is contained an allusion to the golden candlestick in the temple, which consisted of seven branches. The eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth."+

Let us proceed to consider

I. What is meant by our Lord's holding the stars, his ministers, in his hand.

His holding the stars in his hand implies the appointing them to the work of the ministry. His qualifying them for the successful discharge of it, and his absolute [disposal and direction] of them, and all their concerns.

1. It implies that it is he who appoints them to their office. From him, as the sole Head of the Church, they derive their commissions.

They

*Rev. xii. 1.

† Zech. iv. 10.

are his servants and messengers. He sometimes describes them by appellations peculiar to the Jewish church;-as when he tells the Jews, "Behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes ; "*-but more frequently by titles peculiar to the New Testament. "When he ascended up on high, he gave some, apostles; some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers."+ Hence St. Paul gives thanks to Jesus Christ, who had enabled him, " for that he counted him faithful, putting him into the ministry."

2. It is he whọ imparts the qualifications which are necessary for the effectual discharge of their office: "And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus."§ All that love to souls, and that regard to the advancement of the divine honour, which are so essential to a christian minister, proceed from him. Ministerial talents are his gift. The continual supplies of grace, which are requisite in the whole course of the christian ministry, proceed from him: "The supply of the Spirit of Christ Jesus:"|| "There are diversities of administrations, but the same Lord."

3. They are, with all their concerns, at his absolute disposal. He, by the secret arrangements of his providence, appoints "the bound of their habitation," and allots their respective fields of labour, not unfrequently in a manner entirely *Matt. xxiii. 34. Ephes. iv. 8, 11. 1 Tim. i. 12. § 1 Tim. i. 14. || Philip. i. 19.