and sat upon it," said St. Matthew. Two, saith St. John, in white, sitting the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain," said unto the women, why seek ye the living among the dead; He is not here, but is risen.

Q. Why did not our Saviour appear to the whole Jewish nation for their conviction, as well as to his followers?

A. Because it was only of absolute necessity, that those who were to be the first publishers of the gospel, should have the utmost evidence and satisfaction concerning the truth and reality of Christ's resurrection; for by the same reason that he was obliged to have appeared to the Jewish nation, it may be proved that the whole Roman empire ought to have had the same advantage, and that he should have shewn himself to all the several succeeding ages of the world. Moreover, the Jews, by their malicious resistance of the evidence of our Saviour's miracles, even of the greatest, of raising Lazarus from the dead, had made themselves unworthy and incapable of so extraordinary a way of conviction ; and for their obstinate infidelity, joined with their cruel usage of the Son of God, were determined for objects of God's wrath.

Q. Why was it necessary Christ should rise from the dead?

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A. To shew the debt he died for was discharged; and that his satisfaction was accepted. If Christ be not risen, ye are yet in your sins. And moreover, to prove himself to be the Messiah, and to evidence the the truth and divinity of his doctrine. He had appealed to it as a sign of his being a true prophet, and therefore Luke xxiv. 5, 6.

Mat. xxviii. 2.

1 Cor. xv. 17.

John xx. 12.

by the way of trial, which God prescribed the Jews, viz. the accomplishment of predictions, he had appeared to be a false prophet had he failed in it.' So that if Christ be not risen, your faith is vain." God having raised our Saviour from the dead, after he was condemned and put to death, for calling himself the Son of God, is a demonstration, that he really was the Son of God; and if he was the Son of God, the doctrine he taught was true and from God.

Q. How long did Jesus Christ abide in the state of the dead?

A. He arose the third day, before his body saw corruption.

Q. How can our Saviour be said to have been three days and three nights in the heart of the earth, when there was only part of two days, and one entire day between?

A. That is, three days, according to the common computation of days both ancient and modern, and particularly in Scripture reckoning. Thus Lazarus is said to be four days dead, though the fourth day whereon he was raised, was one of them." Eight days are said to be accomplished for Christ's circumcision; but the day of his birth and circumcision too went both into that reckoning.

How is the resurrection of Christ an argument of our resurrection?

A. Because by his rising from the dead he became the first-fruits of them that slept; which first-fruits among the Jews were a pledge and earnest of a future harvest. And this secures our resurrection to eternal life, that he who hath promised to raise us up, did raise

himself up from the dead. We are the members of that body of which Christ is the head: if the head be risen, the members cannot be far behind.

Q. Wherein shall the blessedness of the resurrection of good Christians consist?

A. In the mighty change which shall be made in their vile and mortal bodies, and the glorious qualities they shall be invested withal. And in the consequent happiness of the whole man, of the soul and body united and purified.

Q. How did the primitive Christians chiefly express their joy upon this Festival?

A. It was famous for works of mercy and charity. The emperors were wont by their imperial orders to release prisoners, unless they were detained for very heinous crimes; and all the rest of the people, both of clergy and laity, strove to contribute largely and liberally to the poor; that such as begged relief might be able to rejoice, when the common fountain of our mercies was remembered; and herein they are fit patterns for our imitation.

Q. What may we learn from the commemoration of our Saviour's resurrection?

A. To establish ourselves in the belief of his holy religion, which receives the utmost confirmation by his resurrection. To quicken our repentance, since we are now assured, that he hath made full satisfaction for our sins, and that by believing in him we may obtain remission of them, and the justification of our persons. To rise from the death of sin to the life of righteousness that being qualified with the graces of God's Holy Spirit, we may be meet to be accounted children of the resurrection. To live under a lively sense of that happiness he has completely purchased for us by rising from

the dead. To set our affections upon things above; to breathe after that state of unspeakable and endless joy, that perfect freedom from sin and misery.

Q. What do you mean by seeking and setting our affections upon things above?

A. Such a frequent and serious consideration of that happy and glorious state which is prepared for good men in another world, as may engage our constant and sincere endeavours in obtaining it.

Q. When may we be said to set our affections on things above?

A. When we govern all our actions with a respect to the next life, and make it our great business to please God, who is the first and chiefest good: for our fruit must be unto holiness, before our end can be everlasting life. When we have a low and mean opinion of the enjoyments of this world, in comparison of those in the next; and are ready to part with what is most dear to us to secure our eternal inheritance. When we are zealous and industrious in doing all the good we can, and bear all the miseries and calamities of life with patience and resignation, without murmuring, without despondency, because they are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed. When we frequently entertain ourselves with spiritual subjects, and embrace all convenient opportunities of conversing with God by prayer, and by approaching his holy table; and had rather be door-keepers in the house of God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. When we can look upon death as a passage to a blessed immortality, and welcome its approach, not only without fear, but with comfort and satisfaction. Knowing that when this

earthly tabernacle shall be dissolved, we shall have a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

THE PRAYERS.

FOR THE BLESSED EFFECTS OF CHRIST'S

RESURRECTION.

ALMIGHTY God, who through thy only-begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; I humbly beseech thee, that as by thy special grace preventing me, thou dost put into my mind good desires, so by thy continual help I may bring the same to good effect, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

FOR CONVERSION FROM SIN.

ALMIGHTY Father, who hast given thine only son to die for our sins, and to rise again for our justification; grant me so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that I may always serve thee in pureness of living and truth, through the merits of the same thy Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

THANKSGIVING FOR CHRIST'S RESURRECTION.

IT is very meet, right, and my bounden duty, that I should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty everlasting God: but chiefly am I bound to praise thee, for the glorious resurrection of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he