Romans 14:9-16

For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. (10) But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (11) For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (12) So then everyone of us shall give account of himself to God. (13) Let us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. (14) I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. (15) But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. (16) Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

I cannot forego the pleasure it gives me, in calling the Reader's attention to that sweet Scripture, which so blessedly speaks, of the great end and purpose of all Christ's ministry upon earth, for his people. For to this end, (saith Paul), Christ both died, and rose and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. Precious Jesus! what proofs are here of thine unequalled love to thy Church? Thou art indeed, and justly so, the Lord of all; reigning in all, and through all the departments of nature, providence, grace, and glory. Eternal, Almighty, and Everlasting Monarch! Thy dead men shall live. Yea, thou wilt raise the dead in trespasses and sins, to the life of grace here: And, thou wilt raise the dead in Christ, to the life of glory hereafter. Blessed Jesus! And wilt thou not raise my soul now, during all the time-state of the Church, to be above all my dying frames and dead affections? Art thou not, Lord, risen and revived, that thou mightest be Lord both of dead and living ? Oh! for grace, daily to hear thy gracious and all-powerful voice saying : I am the resurrection and the life! he that believeth in me, though he where dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth, and believeth in me, shall never die! John 11:25.