This Doctrine has been denied by many—this has been ridiculed as contrary to sense and reason; but why should it be thought a thing incredible _that God should raise the Dead_? it can easily be accomplished by the infinite power and wisdom of God, as well as the first formation of it; the one will be as easy to him as the other—the sacred scriptures assure us of it, our faith gives credit to it; and this faith is not in vain, the Redeemer would lose a part of his purchase if the dead rise not; besides, he has redeemed them to God, and from the grave; and the general judgment requires that those who sleep in the dust should come forth. There is a necessity of the body rising, else we should lose part of our bliss; for we shall want some of our members in heaven, as the eye, to see Christ in the flesh, and one another; and the ear, to hear the everlasting songs of praise; and the tongue, to sing them.—Nor is this contrary to reason; hence the dear Redeemer, and his servant Paul, has set it forth by the figure of a corn of wheat, which, being sown, alters, corrupts, and then springs up a very different figure, yet it is the same corn of wheat that was sown, though now it appears with a stalk, a blade, and an ear: so our bodies will be sown; and spring up again with additional circumstances. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first Resurrection. What heart can conceive the joyful meeting of soul and body again? This is most affectingly described by Blair: —Nor shall the conscious soul Mistake its partner, but amidst the crowd, Singling its other half, into its arms Shall rush, with all the impatience of a man That’s new come home, and having long been absent, With haste runs over every different room, In pain to see the whole. Thrice happy meeting! Nor time, nor death shall ever part them more. This Resurrection to eternal life, is the joint work of our glorious _Makers_.—_Knowing that he which raised up Jesus from the dead_, _shall raise us up also by him_, _and shall present us with you_. So this great act is ascribed to the dear Saviour; he shall change our vile bodies. The Holy Spirit will have an hand in this momentous affair, he shall also quicken our mortal bodies. And it is a charming thought, my Brother, that as sure as we have been quickened in the soul we shall be in the body—certain as we hear the voice of Jesus in the Gospel, we shall hear it in the Resurrection, calling us forth to eternal life. And as sure as the Gospel trumpet proclaims liberty to our souls, the last trumpets sound shall bring liberty to our bodies. Let this thought comfort you, nor shall you be ashamed of your hope, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.