to express its separation from GOD, as it is generally applied in human writing and discourse to the body, to express its separation from the sou. Thus the GREAT SAVIOUR adopts this extraordinary language, “I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in ME, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in ME, shall never die,” [John xi. 25, 26.]; and in another place, “Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die,” [John vi. 49, 50.]: from which words it is evident, that the assertions, shall never die, and shall not die, have reference to the soul of man and not to the body, since all believers die, as to the body, alike with unbelievers. To the same purpose, or in agreement with the same idea of death, the Apostle testifies, “She that liveth in pleasure is dead whilst she liveth,” [1 Tim. v. 6.]; and again, “You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins,” [Ephes. ii. 1.]; where to be dead whilst she liveth, and to be dead in trespasses and sins, are expressions which can have no meaning, unless as applied to the soul, when in a state of separation, as to its best affections and thoughts, from its GREAT CREATOR and REDEEMER.
Will you pardon me now, my dear Sir, if I venture
