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cluded) and raiment, let us be therewith content:" 1 Tim. vi. 8. The Holy Ghost accommodates himself to this idea, while he promises the righteous man, in the heavenly land, that "bread shall be given him; his water shall be sure:" Isaiah, xxxiii. 16. Our Saviour uses this manner of speaking, both when he was on earth, and after his ascension.

"Blessed, (says he) are those servants whom the Lord, when he cometh, shall find watching. Verily, I say unto you, That he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth, and serve them :" St. Luke, xii. 37.

And-" Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God;" was a Jewish phrase, which our Redeemer was far from disapproving of: See St. Luke, xiv. 15.

And the last time he sat down to eat and drink with his disciples, before his sufferings, he said unto them--"With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suf fer. For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God" St. Luke, xxii. 15, 16.

And when he gave them the cup, he said"I will not drink henceforth of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom" St. Mat. xxvi. 29. St. Mark, xiv. 25.

And farther, he says-"And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father appointed unto me that ye may eat and drink at my table, in

my kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the tribes of Israel :" St. Luke, xxii. 29, 30.

And in the divine book of Revelation, which Jesus sent to his beloved servant John, he says; "To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the tree of life; which is in the midst of the paradise of God. To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the hidden manna:" Rev. ii. 7, 17.

John saw a great number, that no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and peoples,and tongues, clothed with white robes, with palms in their hands; who came out of great tribulation, washed their robes and made them white'in the blood of the Lamb. In the account one of the elders gave of their happiness, he says" They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters : and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes :" Rev. vii. 16, 17.

It is said " Thou hast a few names even in Sardis, who have not defiled their garments : and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment:" Revelations iii. 4, 5.

Many other passages might be quoted; but these are fully sufficient to to prove, that the ideas of food, drink, and clothing, stand as constantly connected with the happiness of the next state, as with the comfort of the present; and

are always considered as some of the blessings of eternal life. Whether these expressions are used only as metaphors, to convey the ideas of fulness of all good, and that we shall not need these comforts of life; or whether we shall, in reality, eat the fruits of the tree of life, and drink of the river of the water of life, and be clothed in white garments, I shall not positively determine --but am strongly inclined to believe, that we shall actually eat, drink, and be clothed: as there is no inconsistency in such an opinion, nor a single passage of scripture to contradict it, while there are many expressions that seem evidently to declare it.

But the desires of men do commonly extend beyond these bare necessaries of life: They are not content with Peace, Health, and Com petence and though they have in abundance food to eat, water to drink, and raiment to put on, they now think lightly of the heavenly blessings -they feel new appetites; and the fantastic mind is now aspiring after the Riches, the Honors, or the Pleasures of life! Who will shew us any good? is the question which goes roundwhile the soul is swallowed up between desire and expectancy. All are rejoiced, when their corn, their wine and oil, their flocks and herds, are increased, and their silver and gold are multiplied. No sooner are they, able to resolve those questions; What shall we eat? and what shall we drink? and wherewithal shall we be clothed—but they begin to enquire how they shall get riches, rise to preferments and honors, or walk the path of ease, pleasure and happiness.

But as the ardent pursuit of these things, is unworthy of the dignity of an immortal spirit, and subversive of its true interest, Eternal Wisdom, calls upon them to seek fruit that is better than gold; revenues that exceed choice silver -riches, that shall never fade! yea durable riches and righteousness. They are warned not to lay up treasures on earth, where moth and rust do corrupt, and where thieves break thro' and steal; but are affectionately advised to lay up treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do no break through nor steal.

And, therefore, the blessings of eternal life are presented to us, under the attracting names of

RICHES, durable riches: superior to gold; better than much fine gold; more valuable than rubies, pearls, or precious stones. .HONORS, true, sublime, unfading.

PLEASURES, immortal pleasures; forevermore, at God's right-hand.

First Let us contemplate the riches of Heaven; which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

It is a blessed thing, that, through grace, we are able to lay up treasures in heaven; to make to ourselves frends of the mammon of unrighteousness, i. e. the multitude of the riches of this life, by improving them to the glory of God,and the good of mankind; that, when we fail on earth, they may receive us into everlasting habitations.

The heavenly riches consist,

1. In mansions of glory, or dwelling places in the kingdom of heaven. Says our blessed: Redeemer In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go, and prepare a place for you; I will come again, and receive you unto myself: that where I am, there ye may be also:" St. John, xiv. 2, 3.

How anxious men are to procure mansions: on earth, which are but of short duration ! & how negligent in seeking those heavenly mansions, which our Lord is gone to prepare !

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2. St. Paul speaks of a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the beavsi. en's: 2 Cor. v. 1, &c.

What a comfort it is to reflect, that tho' these clay bodies of our's decay, and suffer dissolu. tion; yet God hath prepared habitations for our: spirits, in his kingdom, that shall never be destroyed! And though the best houses that can be built by men on earth, may be ruined by fire, tempests, earthquakes, and many accidents, or perish through age; yet the eternal house will stand; that glorious building will never decay.

A pious minister, once seeing his house on fire, lifted up his hands, in extacy, and cried, "Blessed be God, I have an house above, that the fire can never consume !"

Well said the poet→→→

He builds too low, that builds beneath the skies."

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