To this end, my brethren, I would recommend to you to take a serious view of the different states that must be the lot of all, according as they profit by their day of grace, or slight God's long-suffering and great mercy.

But who (you may most justly say) is sufficient for these things? how shall a weak and sinful mortal attempt to describe the riches of eternal glory, when He who inhabiteth eternity hath declared, that the joys prepared for the blessed have not entered into the heart of man, nor can he possibly conceive them? We feel the truth of the declaration hourly in our dangerous delays, and inadequate exertions to obtain them; for, if we had faith as a grain of mustard-seed, in these glorious promises, we could not fail of soon becoming more prepared for their enjoyment; but as frail men, commissioned by the Almighty to warn our fellowcreatures, we may, we must employ such talents and powers as are intrusted to us in our earthly vessels. Since we are here too much the slaves of sense, we must strive to work upon the senses or passions; we must paint the scene with the best materials we have; and, by endeavouring to impress men with what is most delightful or terrible to our present feelings and imaginations, we must do our utmost to wean them from the vanity of the times, and

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lead them to consider in good earnest, the inexpressible glories or terrors of eternity.

First, then, by way of serious application of what our faith in this article of our Creed presents to us, let us contemplate the everlastAs to the ing happiness of the righteous. most delightful particulars of it, they are altogether unknown to us; but we may form a judgment of some of these delights, from what we know of them through the indisputable authority of Holy Scripture, which speaks of them as they are in some respects, though, indeed, in our present state, we are not able to comprehend their entire perfection. Thus much however we are sure of, that the holy (the righteous or upright) shall be placed in a most glorious and perfected state, free from all sin and suffering. Beloved, saith the Apostle, if we show ourselves the sons of God, by conducting ourselves as obedient children of so good a Father, though it doth not yet appear what we SHALL be, yet we know that when he shall appear (again), we shall be LIKE him, for we shall see him as he is, Only imagine to yourselves, my brethren, what an unfathomable depth of joy and happiness, consists in beholding for ever that glorious, holy Being, who is TOO WISE TO ERR-the first great Cause of truth and every perfection!—to range for ever the blessed realms of peace, together with the souls of just

men made perfect!—to obtain a grateful knowledge of the marvellous works of the Almighty, in the gracious designs of his divine providence towards his faithful servants, even from the birth of time to its completion!-to become fit society for angels, who have NEVER fallen; and, like them (being purified), to go on for endless ages to PERFECTION!-to hear God's various mercies continually recorded by the innumerable host of the redeemed, and with fervent piety to join the heavenly choir, in grateful hallelujahs!-to dwell, with unwearied rapturous delight, on the astonishing maze of Providence! at one view to see the intricate chain in beautiful and regular connexion and dependence, and feel how just the wise Director is in all his judgments, that the Lord is justified in all his ways to men!-to be again united for ever, to those we once most loved on earth!

-to behold the wisdom and mercy of their several trials when in the body!-what congratulations on their victory! what rejoicing at their numberless escapes from the contamination of a sinful, miserable world! Will you bear with me (my friends) while I detail ONE more ravishing thought an event, that doubtless must constitute additional matter to our future bliss, and as it is the strongest tie that human nature knows, assuredly, when perfected, must afford proportional delight-I mean THE MEETING those

beloved friends of which we have been bereft; and to increase the blessing, perhaps, in having the dearest objects of our former temporal happiness the destined, gratulating messengers to convey our spirits to their eternal home! In short, peace, joy, and love, will be the ingredients of our exalted nature, which being enlarged, to see, and feel, and know, and relish the happiness of heaven, we shall be rendered capable of all the pleasure and satisfaction that flows from dwelling in the presence of the Lord! We shall not only contemplate, but enjoy, the riches of his goodness and glory. ETERNITY shall be employed in growing love to God, through Jesus Christ, and towards each other. We shall have no service, but praise and wonder; nothing left to wish, but to do God's will in heaven, as, even now on earth, it is our interest and duty to submit to. When we seriously exercise such meditations, far short as they are of the fulness of glory that shall be revealed-what are the utmost gratifications of this vain scene? wealth, power, or honour! mere dirt, that clogs our striving after real happiness! What are the frowns of fortune, the ingratitude of men, the most bitter sufferings, but calls to place our thoughts on things above? Truly, our light afflictions, which are but for a moment (however severe and wounding for that moment), are not to be compared to the far

greater and eternal weight intended to work out for us.

of glory they are But as it is impos

sible for any thoughts to conceive, or words express, the greatness of the reward prepared for them that love God, we must be content with such a representation of it as our present limited powers are capable of receiving, and strive by the eye of faith, and exercise of holiness, to realize the possession in God's good time.

How

But I must not yet conclude. So important and solemn a subject exacts the endeavour to leave a due impression on the mind, even though we are not so happy as to succeed: and, however painful a short description of the opposite case, it is indispensable on this occasion. terrible, then, is the scriptural remembranceThe wicked have no hope in death! Ye are weighed in the balance, and found wanting, is another affecting record to the lukewarm and unprofitable Christian. Alas! on what possible foundation can they build the smallest expectation of relief? If the godly are to be rewarded, surely the impious and unbelieving must be punished, or how can God's ways to man be justified?— how can they be said to be EQUAL? Supposing, for a moment, they should be FORGIVEN; still, as they are to live for ever, where could they dwell? We know but of two places in eternity