So

himself, had no better effect upon them. that it is plain a resurrection from the dead, however convincing a proof in itself, is not sufficient to convince those, whose hearts are hardened by infidelity. It seems also as if it had been one design of our Saviour in this parable to point out the future hardened infidelity of the Jews with regard to the very event of his own resurrection.

"But still," replies the objector, "it appears from the parable, that Jesus thought the evidence of Moses and the prophets sufficient, without adding the further evidence of a man raised from the dead. And though we may allow the evidence of a man raised from the dead to be the strongest evidence that can be given, yet still if it was more than was necessary, it seems more than Providence ordinarily allows. So that at any rate there seems to have been no occasion for the resurrection of Jesus."

To this we reply, that if we consider the different pretensions of Judaism and Christianity, there was occasion for it. The faith of the Jews was confined to Moses and the prophets; for which they had sufficient evidence of various kinds. They did not therefore require the additional evidence of a man raised from the dead.

But the gospel carries our faith into higher regions. It not only brings immortality to light; it further teaches, that our very bodies shall not lie in the grave; but shall hereafter take a spiritualized form, and be united to our souls. As these articles of faith therefore were new, some new evidence seemed requisite to enforce them. And what could be so proper as for the author and finisher of this faith to prove it by his own resurrection from the dead?-In fact, it was a kind of evidence, which had more weight than any other, with honest, unprejudiced minds, though the hardened heart was able to resist it.

FROM these premises then it follows, first, that our Saviour by no means designed to speak lightly, in the parable before us, of the evidence of a man raised from the dead: secondly, that such evidence was well suited to the Christian, though unnecessary to the Jew-and lastly, that it was a mode of evidence well calculated to give the firmest support to the christian faith.

XXXVII.

sians, v. 14.

HE apostle St. Paul having been warning his phesian converts against falling again into the npurities of their heathen neighbours, breaks ut into this noble apostrophe, which is the appliation indeed of a passage of Isaiah to the times f Christ *.

The words may be applied to those who sleep r life; and to those, who sleep in the grave.

To the sleepers of this world religion calls: Awake thou, who art immersed in the pleasures nd business of life. Thou art asleep. Thou art n a dream. Awake. Recollect where all this ends. Wouldst thou spend thy whole life in a ream? Arise. Set about the great work before thee. Rise from the dead-from the death of this world-The world is thy distemper-seek reliefly to Christ; and he will give thee light.

* ISAIAH, ix. 1.

halt be removed into mansions of eter

O OF THE HINTS FOR SERMONS.

-DFALL, PRINTER,
KINNER STREET, LONDON.

OF

MR. GILPIN'S WORKS,

PRINTED FOR

T. CADELL AND W. DAVIES, STRAND.

1. SERMONS preached to a COUNTRY CONGREGATION; to which are added a few Hints for Sermons; intended chiefly for the use of the younger Clergy. 4 vols. Svo. New Editions, price 17. 16s. The Volumes sold separate.

2. An EXPOSITION of the NEW TESTAMENT, intended as an Introduction to the Study of the Holy Scriptures, by pointing out the leading sense, and connection of the sacred writers. Fourth Edition, 2 vols. 8vo. price 18s.

3. LECTURES on the CATECHISM of the CHURCH of ENGLAND. Seventh Edition, 12mo. price 3s. 6d.

4. MORAL CONTRASTS; or the POWER of RELIGION exemplified under different Characters. Second Edition, price 3s. Gd.

5. LIVES of SEVERAL REFORMERS; new Edition, complete in two Volumes, 8vo. price 18s.

6. THREE DIALOGUES on the AMUSEMENTS of CLERGYMEN. Second Edition, price 3s. 6d.

7. DIALOGUES on various SUBJECTS. Published by his Trustees, for the benefit of his School at Boldre. 8vo. Second Edition, price 9s.

8. Life of JOHN TRUEMAN and RICHARD ATKINS, for the use of Servants'-halls-Farm-houses-and Cottages. Price 1s.

9. MEMOIRS of JOSIAS ROGERS, Esq. Commander of His Majesty's Ship Quebec. Published by Mr. Gilpin's Trustees, for, the benefit of his School at Boldre. 8vo. price 6s.