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hope. Here, then, is the tacit assent of our Savior to the doctrine. But we stop not here.

2. The doctrine of the resurrection of the dead is distinctly taught and affirmed by our Lord. When teaching to his disciples the exercise of humility and charity to the poor who could not recompense them, he told them they should not lose their reward; for, says he, "thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." (Luke xiv, 14.) Now, if there is no resurrection at all, and consequently none of the just, the time of their recompense could never come. One of two things must be admitted—either that Christ received and taught the doctrine of the resurrection, or that he here presents false motives to his disciples, and inspires groundless hopes in their hearts.

But in John v, 28, 29, our Savior speaks in more emphatic terms, and gives a more comprehensive view of the resurrection. Referring to the spiritual transformation of those who hear the Word of God and believe on him, he says: "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." Here, the resurrection spoken of is that of those who are in the graves; and it numbers both classes, the good and the wicked. Nay, the very agency by which the resurrection shall be effected is mentioned; "they," while sleeping in their graves, shall hear his voice.

Again, our Savior says that it is the Father's will "that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day." (John vi, 39.) He also declares that every one that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: "And I will raise him up at the last day," (verse 40.) And, again, of each one of those who, drawn

by the Father, comes to Him, "I will raise him up at the last day," (verse 44.) And still again, that "whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day," (verse 54.) This series of passages evidently all refer to the same time and the same event that Martha referred to, when she said, "I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

The establishing of the point before us does not require further Scripture quotation. But we recur again to our Savior's reply to the cavilings of the Sadducees, in which he makes a most striking enunciation of the resurrection. "They which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: neither can they die any more; for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection." (Luke xx, 35, 36.)

3. The doctrine of the resurrection was affirmed in various ways by the apostles.

(1.) They asserted that God had raised the dead. "Women received their dead raised to life again." (Heb. xi, 35.)

(2.) They declared their own confident expectation of a resurrection from the dead. "I have hope toward God," said Paul, as he reasoned before Felix, "that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust." (Acts xxiv, 15.) And again, he says, "We groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to-wit, the redemption of our body." (Rom. viii, 23.)

(3.) They connected the resurrection of Christ with the resurrection of the believer. "God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power." (1 Cor. v, 14.) “Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus." (2 Cor. iv, 14.)

(4.) It is directly asserted that God will raise the dead.

"He that raised up Christ shall also quicken your mortal bodies." (Rom. viii, 11.) "God which raiseth the dead." (2 Cor. i, 9.) In the fifteenth chapter of first Corinthians, the apostle not only asserts the resurrection of the dead, but undertakes its demonstration in one of his most con

clusive and masterly arguments. He shows, first, that Christ has risen, and from hence infers that there must be a resurrection of the dead. This thought he elaborates and amplifies, meeting the cavils of the objector, exhibiting the glory of the resurrection body, declaring the Divine agency by which we obtain the victory over death and the grave, and finally applying the practical inferences which flowed so richly from the subject.

(5.) This doctrine was not only asserted by the apostles, but it entered largely into their preaching, and formed an important and distinguishing feature of their doctrine. Hence it is said that the priests, and the captain of the Temple, and the Sadducees, were "grieved that they taught the people and preached, through Jesus, the resurrection from the dead." (Acts iv, 2.) St. Paul also refers to this as one of the elementary doctrines of the Christian faith, and speaks of it as "the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead." (Heb. vi, 2.)

(6.) This doctrine was also made a ground of objection to their teaching. "And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked." (Acts xvii, 32.)

(7.) They expressed wonder at its rejection by others. 'Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you that God should raise the dead?" (Acts xxvi, 8.) "How say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?" (1 Cor. xv, 12.)

(8.) They also reasoned with objectors. After introducing an objector as saying, "How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?" (1 Cor. xv, 35,) the

apostle replies by showing the corresponding analogies in nature, instead of disclaiming the doctrine.

(9.) They also rebuked those who claimed that the resurrection was already passed. "Who concerning the truth have erred, saying, that the resurrection is passed already."

(10.) Finally, the grand scene of the resurrection is graphically portrayed in the Revelation. "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in those books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell gave up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works." (Rev. xx,

12, 13.)

We have now shown the following facts in relation to the doctrine of the resurrection; namely, that our Savior tacitly assented to it when casually mentioned before him; that he distinctly affirmed and taught it; that the inspired apostles asserted that God had raised the dead, expressed their own confident expectation of a resurrection, and asserted the doctrine of the resurrection in the most positive manner; that the doctrine entered largely into their preaching-was one of the grounds of objection urged against them by their opponents; that they expressed wonder at its rejection by others, and reasoned with objectors; that they rebuked those who said the resurrection was already passed; and finally, that the rising of the dead from their graves in the earth and in the sea is shadowed forth in graphic outline in the Revelation. With these facts proved before us, whatever may be said about the absurdity or the impossibility of the resurrection, it must be admitted that it is a doctrine of the Bible. We may as well question whether light proceeds from the sun, as whether the revelation of such a doctrine

is made in the Bible. He who takes the Bible, must take along with it the doctrine of the resurrection.

IV. DEMONSTRATED BY MIRACULOUS RESURRECTIONS.

It might have been reasonably anticipated that a doctrine so far removed from the ordinary perceptions of sense; standing also, as it were, without the field peculiarly claimed as lying within the scope of science and reason; suggested only by a few dimly-read and poorly-understood analogies of nature; and yet involving and unfolding the most glorious prospect to redeemed humanity—it might have been reasonably anticipated, we say, that such a doctrine would, in some way, receive special authentication and attestation. This reasonable expectation is fully answered. Not only is the doctrine clearly revealed; not only have inspired men gloried amid worldly sorrows and deaths in this great faith; but the grave has been made to utter her testimony; Death, despoiled in his own dark and dread dominion, has been compelled to make confession that his is not an everlastinga sealed dominion. One single case of real miraculous resurrection from the dead, clearly and satisfactorily established, must demonstrate the possible resurrection of every individual from the grave. Let us, then, see what light may be gleaned from individual miraculous resurrections. Such facts are all the more valuable, because they not only exemplify, in some sort, the Scripture revelation of the subject, but also wear another character, it may be equally significant for purposes of argument; namely, that of testimony founded on facts.

1. The son of the widow of Zarephath. (1 Kings xvii, 17.) Roll back the tide of time till we reach some nine centuries before the coming of our Lord. Let us stand by the gate of the ancient city "that belongeth to Zidon."

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