1 Cor. iv. 9; and they attend the bed of Death, and convey the spirits of all that die in the Lord to the Paradise above, Luke xvi.

From these passages of scripture, and more might have been produced, we may learn how much the Lord may confer blessings upon us by the ministry of angels. I do not intend by this, that we who have such abundant information from the gospel respecting God and the invisible world, have any right to expect the same visible notices of his will by these spiritual beings as the persons here alluded to : no, but certainly we have no reason to doubt their watchful care over the heirs of eternal life, though the manner in which that is done may in a great measure be hidden from us at present; the period, however, is not far distant when all will be cleared up, and our ransomed souls, become like these celestial messengers, shall join their anthems, and perhaps be willingly employed in guiding the footsteps of those we love, but have been constrained to leave behind for a season, to the same glorious and eternal mansions, Rev. xxii. 9. We must, therefore, consider it as one of the advantages arising from conversion, to experience, among other gifts of our God, the services of angels.

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5. We shall be made blessings to others.-As it is not easy to conceive that any one in civil society, is so wretched as to be wholly destitute of friends, so it appears equally difficult to suppose that any one can be so insignificant as not, in one respect or other, to have some influence over others. If they are carnal, sold under sin," their advice, sentiments, and examples will be of the same kind, and if followed, will be attended with pernicious consequences. Transgression is hereby increased among men, sinners become hardened in their evil ways, and the leaven of Divine grace stopped in its progress. Nor is it confined to this present state; it extends to another also, where its effects will be felt in agony and despair for ever. "One sinner, indeed, destroys much good." On the contrary, a real christian can take no pleasure in iniquity, and never willingly, or intentionally pro

motes it. Piety and truth, with him, are sacred things; he cannot, therefore, indulge himself in what opposes itself to them, nor can he countenance it in others. His desire and care is to increase the knowledge and fear of God among men; and for the accomplishment of his purposes he offers daily prayers to the Father of mercies, "that it would please him to have mercy upon all men," but especially those of his acquaintance and kindred. In all his intercourse with them he endeavours to act an upright and conscientious part; he is serious in his deportment, sincere in his friendships, industrious in his calling, careful of his words, and faithful to his promises; he shames not his profession, and his profession does him honour. He recommends the religion which has brought happiness to his own soul, and speaking of it from his own experience, he speaks on sure ground, and thus, by every prudential method, he spreads the savour of Divine knowledge around him, and God is glorified by his holy life and conversation. Thus the people of God, through good report, and evil report, keep in the paths of righteousness, the Lord hears their prayers, blesses their endeavours, and makes them instrumental in saving others, and promoting their present and eternal happiness, while decency of behaviour, and improved morals increase around them; and if many stop short of true piety, yet vice and immorality are checked, and the general good of society thereby increased.

Who that reflects as he ought on this subject, but must discover how shocking it is for any to promote evil in their fellow-creatures, when that evil, if unrepented of, will doom their souls to eternal death? How much more commendable is the conduct of those who atudy the present and future happiness of those about them, by the maxims of virtue and godliness! He that turneth a sinner from the error of his way, saves a soul from death, hides a multitude of sins, gratifies the feelings of his own benevolent heart, strengthens the cause of his Redeemer, increases the number of the heavenly hosts, brings greater honour to his God, and as

sists an immortal spirit to partake of all the pleasures and delights of the heavenly state for evermore. This is spoken of christians in general; but where God, in his providence, calls forth from among them labourers for his vineyard, who can calculate the good arising from the faithful discharge of this office? None but that great and comprehensive mind who views all things both in their issues and principles. Every converted person has this privilege, and should keep the same in view, not only because it is attended with great reward, but because it so fully corresponds with the gospel, and is so pleasing in the sight of its most gracious and benevolent Author; to whom for this, and all other proofs of his love to mankind, be everlasting praise.

6. Satisfactory evidence of the truth of christianity is another privilege arising from conversion. To proceed in uncertainty in any case is painful, but it is much more so where the greatest interests are involved; and as the interests of the immortal soul are confessedly amongst these, it is of great importance that we should be satisfied with every subject connected with its eternal state. Many do not even give themselves the trouble of examination, and amongst those that do, the most essential part is neglected, which is that of experience. Christianity promises pardon to the penitent; but none can declare the sweetness of that mercy from mere speculation. To know it, we must both repent of sin, and have unfeigned faith in Christ; and then we shall truly understand the nature of the blessing, and the peace it brings. It promises and undertakes to raise us into the image of God; but none know the advantages of this state of holiness and rectitude aright, without being actually the partakers of the Spirit's baptism of fire; they may write and speak eloquently of his operations, and the graces he produces in us; but that is all, and that is the least part: the feeling of it in our own hearts greatly exceeds it. The same may be said of God dwelling in us. "If any man love me (said the blessed Jesus) him will my Father honour, and we will come to him, and take up our abode with him." What can any

know of this, unless he is become a living temple of his God by the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, and thus fitted to receive so great a favour? These know it, and the peace, love, and joy, connected with it; and so know it, as to despise this present evil world, and all its vanities; that they may retain, and increase in the same. Conversion introduces the soul into this state of grace and salvation, and the more it is confirmed therein, the stronger are its assurances of eternal life. While infidels, therefore, and formal christians, through ignorance and prejudice, continue strangers to the essential principles of real christianity, the humble, penitent, and, 'obedient believer, entering into the spirit and experience of its truths, obtains firm footing for his faith, and waits in full assurance of having an entrance administered to him abundantly into the glorious kingdom of his God and Saviour. No longer tossed about with the winds of false doctrine, or perplexed with doubts and fears, he makes boldly for the barbour under a press of sail, and enters it, at last, amidst the joyful acclamations of celestial friends, who hail him welcome to the realms of unclouded and eternal day. In life, in trouble, in sickness, and death, it makes good all its promises, realizes its benefits, and cheers the soul with joyful expectation of possessing in heaven, what, from a variety, of causes, it is prevented from proving upon earth. AH other foundations for our hopes are vain, and all our reasonings which oppose the gospel, or lead us to think lightly of it, are false and dangerous. The christian knows them to be so; and none have a right to contradict him, till they have complied with the gospel as he has done, proved its benefits, and felt its power; then, indeed, if they have any thing to say in opposition, let them be heard; but there is no danger from that quarter, when once they have known these things for themselves, they will be too well satisfied to oppose and contradict.

7. Greater knowledge of God.-It is an undeniable truth that Jehovah is incomprehensible; all attempts, therefore, to search and find him out to perfection are vain and fruit.

less. On the other hand, since we are commanded to get, retain, love, embrace, and exalt spiritual wisdom and understanding, as the principal thing, (Prov. iv. 5, &c.) and as such as are destitute of it are severely reprehended for their ignorance, (1 Cor. xv. 34,) it is evident that seeking to acquaint ourselves with God is not only necessary, but laudable, pleasant, and profitable. In cultivating this knowledge, we must confine ourselves to what he has revealed of himself in his holy word; for nothing can be confided in that will not bear that test, or harmonize therewith. There may be other attributes and perfections in God than those he has discovered to man. We cannot, however, know any thing of them; and must, therefore, confine ourselves to those which are revealed. The effect will be, the more we know of him, of his will, and of his dispensations in general, the more excellency we shall discover, the greater delight we shall take in, and the greater love we shall have to him. The wicked know him not, and they love him not; they know not his law, nor understand his dispensations and designs; and they hate him without a cause. It was the know

ledge of the true God which made the psalmist say, "Whom have I in heaven but thee, and there is none upon earth I desire beside thee." The light by which he beheld his glorious beauty, gave him to see at the same time, the vanity and insufficiency of the creatures, and taught him to prefer his beneficent Creator and Redeemer to them all. Here the soul finds true rest and assured consolation. Here its wanderings cease, its desires are satisfied, its evils are removed, and its joy abounds in the contemplation of the Author of its being, and the enjoyment of his favour. He sees that all he declares, all he does, and all he requires, is the result of infinite wisdom and goodness. This teaches him to acquiesce in all his holy will, by which he is saved from a thousand perplexities, fears and alarms, and with a confidence like that of Abraham, who followed the God he knew and loved, into a land unknown, he follows his God and Saviour through this wilderness to the realms of light, knowing