to accustom
himself to a dutiful observance of religion, even without any respect to
the reward of it. He would train his heart to do homage to God out of a
loyal affection and respect to his majesty, and from the love of the very
intrinsic beauty of obedience, without borrowing always from such selfish
considerations of our own happiness or misery. Notwithstanding, such is
the posture of man's spirit now, that he cannot at all be engaged to the
love of religion, except some seen advantage conciliate it, and therefore
the Lord makes use of such selfish principles in drawing men to himself,
and keeping them still with him. And, truly, considering man's infirmity,
this is the spirit and life of all religion--immortality and
resurrection--that which gives a lustre to all and quickens all, that which
makes all to sink deep, and that which makes a Christian steadfast and
immoveable, 2 Cor. v. 8. It is certainly hope that is the key of the
heart, that opens and shuts it to any thing. Hence the apostle Peter (1
Epistle) first blesseth God heartily for the new birth, and, in expressing
of it, makes hope the very term of that generation, and so it must be a
substantial thing. "Blessed be God, who hath begotten us again to a lively
hope." Hope hath a quickening power in it. It makes all new where it
comes, and is full of spirit. It is the helmet and anchor of a Christian,
that which bears the dint of temptation and makes him steady in religion.
No man will put his plough in this ground, or sow unto the Spirit, but in
hope, for he that soweth must sow in hope, else his plough will not go
deep. 1 Cor. ix. 10. This then is the very spirit and life of
religion,--the resurrection of the dead,--without which our faith were in
vain, and men would continue still in their sins. Certainly it is the deep
inconsideration of this never ending endurance of our souls, and
restitution of our bodies to the same immortality, that makes the most
part of men so slight and superficial in religion, else it were not
possible, if that were laid to heart, but men would make religion their
business, and chief business.

We have here the two genuine causes of the resurrection of the bodies of
Christians,--the resurrection of Christ and the inhabitation of his Spirit.
The influence that the resurrection of Christ hath on ours, is lively and
fully holden out by this apostle, 1 Cor. xv., against them who deny the
resurrection from the dead: "If Christ be not