Now, here it is represented, that our victory, over _sin and death_, is _when_ we rise to immortal glory. Our _victory_ over sin is at the _same instant_ with our victory over _death_; and who will deny that our _victory over death_ will be at the resurrection? The objector may as well deny our victory over _death_ at the resurrection, as to deny our _victory over sin_ at that period. The whole is said to be "through Christ." He was our "forerunner" and "first fruits" to represent our condition _there_. When he expired, he was free from _pain_, and when he arose, he was free from _temptation_. So when we pass the same scene, we shall be like _him_, who is our "resurrection and life," otherwise the harvest will not be like "the first fruits." God, then pardoned the human race, _in Christ_, when he made them. How? Ans. By ordering their existence in such a manner, that they should be freed from sin through death and the resurrection. That is the day of our final discharge--the day, when the prisoner shall be set free--the day, when our redemption shall come. But asks the objector, are we not to _realize_ our pardon in this world? Ans. Only _through faith_ in the _reality_. We look forward, and anchor our hope within the veil of death, and enjoy our pardon, or redemption, only by an eye of faith. This "faith works by love and purifies the heart." It causes us, in a great measure, to break off our sins by righteousness. But this has no influence, whatever, over the sins already committed. For _them_, we must still continue to feel miserable. Punishment is _certain_. From the sins that are committed, we only enjoy our pardon or redemption from them through faith in Christ the resurrection. Paul told the believers, that if there were no resurrection, their faith was vain, they were yet in their sins. This proves that they only enjoyed the pardon of their sins through faith in the resurrection, otherwise I see no force in his language.