thing, I will admit they live again in the flesh. but what has that to do with the subject? So far from death being conquered, they are no sooner raised and judged, than they are sent into the second death, which is apparently much more awful and terrible than any previous death; for from this death there is no reprieve. Well, then, will you not agree that they are raised in Christ? No, I cannot; because it needs proof. Will you not agree that they are raised by the power of Christ? I will; for all that are in their graves shall hear his voice and come forth, they that have done good to the resurrection of life, (death conquered) and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation (death eternal.) "Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared and was still, when God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth." Psalm lxxvi. 8, 9. "The Lord lifteth up the meek, he casteth the wicked down to the ground." Psalm cxlvii. 6. The meek are the penitent and humble followers of Christ, who shall be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus, and have part in the first resurrection. Blessed, indeed, are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Thy people (the meek) also shall be all righteous, they shall inherit the land forever." Isaiah lx. 21.

11. WHAT EARTH IS PROMISED TO THE MEEK, AS AN INHERITANCE?

Earth, has a number of significations. (1.) It means the terraqueons globe, as in Gen. viii. 22: While the earth remaineth, seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter. and day and night, shall not cease." (2.) It means the land, as in Gen. i. 10: "And God called the dry land earth.” (3.) It means the inhabitants of the earth, as in Gen. xi. 1: "The whole earth was of one language."

I have an opinion that "the earth” in our text means the globe which we inhabit. Man was made to inhabit the globe; and if the devil can prevent this part of God's purposes from being executed, then so much of the design of the Almighty would be frustrated. But he cannot do it: for Jesus Christ has engaged to redeem the earth from the curse, and fill the world with fruit of the holy seed: "the meek shall inherit the earth.” And already he has given indications of his power to do what he has engaged to perform.

First; he has proved his power to forgive and cleanse penitents from sin, on earth. This even his enemies acknowledged he did; for they brought it as an accusation against him. Mark ii. 7, 10: "Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?" Then Christ says, "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins." This is one great step towards executing this glorious purpose and promise of God.

Secondly; he has manifested his power to conquer death, by raising Lazarus and others, and afterwards taking his own life again; showing that he has power to raise up all the meek of the earth. If this could not have been done, then death would have held us in bondage; and how could the meek inherit the earth? For we must have bodies to inherit the body of the earth, and substance to inherit substance. Therefore, two important hindrances to our inheriting the earth are removed by the manifested power of Christ. Another power is. also necessary to be used in order to ensure the happiness of the meek. Thirdly; evil spirits must be driven out of the earth, or the meek might be liable to deception and error, which would fill the earth with confusion and despair: but in this Christ has proved his power, by casting out a legion of evil spirits from one man, and many out of others, and driving them into the sea, and doing as he pleased; showing that in due time he would be able to chain Satan and his host, that they come not upon the earth to trouble or deceive the meek.

Fourthly; he must cleanse the earth, in order to make the place of their residence glorious. This has been once done by water. And as Peter tells us, (2 Peter iii. 6, 7,) "Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: but the heavens and the earth which are now, by

the same word (or power) are kept in store, réserved unto fire against the day of judg ment and perdition of ungodly men," at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints. Some say this burning day is not to be until after a thousand years' reign of the saints on the earth. I must differ from such; for I can see no object in burning the earth after the meek have inherited it a thousand years, and after the new heavens and new earth are created. I know your objection; for you say,-the new heavens and new earth are not created until after the thousand years' reign. But that needs proof, And one thing is certain, this thousand years is the great sabbath of rest spoken of by Paul in Heb. iv. 1-9; and Paul tells us that when this day of rest shall come, and when Christ hath entered into his rest, he will cease from his labors, as God did from his; and if Christ has not created the new heavens and new earth, then how can he cease from his labors? For he says, "Behold I create new heavens and a new earth." Isa. lxv. 17-19.

Again; Peter says, (2 Epistle iii. 13,) "Nevertheless we, according to his promise," Whose promise? Christ's. Where has he promised? Matt. v. 3-12: "Blessed are the meek," &c."look for new heavens and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, "the meek of the earth. Also the new Jerusalem is on the earth during this thou

city and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them." Will that be burned up? But it is evident that God will cleanse the world by fire, before he reigns. with his saints, or the meek, on earth. See Matt. iii. 12: "Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, (the earth,) and gather his wheat (children of the kingdom) into the garner: (New Jerusalem) but he will burn up the chaff (the wicked) with unquenchable fire." This is evidently the same burning day that Peter describes as at the coming of Christ. 2 Peter

iii. 10—12: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also, (or men of the earth,) and the works therein, shall be burnt up." Not the globe; for if Peter had meant the globe, there would have been no propriety in mentioning the works in the globe, after the globe itself was burnt. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness." meek are not yet the inheritors of the earth; for it is the present inhabitants that are commanded to be "Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein

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