purple and fine linen, whilst a pious La zarus, dear to God and the charge of angels, lies at the sensualist's gate full of sores. And thus has it been, more or less, always. They are the ungodly,' saith the Psalmist, who prosper in the world, and • increase in riches.'* What conclusion then, must we draw from this?-doubtless the following; -that as sure as God is just there is a reward for the righteous; and that though now they may sow in tears, they shall hereafter reap in joy, and be crowned with immortal glory.

I REMARK too, that good men, while here, seem to be in a state of continual improvement, advancing continually in wisdom and holiness, growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.' Now, both the wisdom and goodness of God oblige us to believe that such capacious powers, such excellent natures, cannot be destined for this life only. We must believe, that they are destined for a higher sphere, where they shall receive much larger measures of

Psalm lxxiii, 12.

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perfection and felicity; where they shall go on brightening more and more to all eternity. Accordingly, good men in every age have indulged themselves in these pleasing prospects. From this vain illusive world they have gladly looked forward to a better one; and this, even in the dark day of adversity, nay, at the dread hour of death, has been able to infuse a 'joy unspeakable' into their hearts. We know,' say they, 'that if our earthly house of this taber'nacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands,

eternal in the heavens.'*+-And their belief of this does not rest merely upon fallible reasoning: it is completely established by the express declarations of the gospel of Christ. The gospel has dispelled the shadows of the everlasting evening, and brought life and immortality to light.' Behold,' (says its blessed Author to his followers), I give unto my sheep eternal life. In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for

* 2 Cor. v, 1.

How cruel are those men who labour to rob us of this precious article of our faith! We may well say to them, what was said in another case,-Parcite, homunculi, unicæ spei to tius humani generis.

you.'-Accordingly, he lay down in the grave, rose again as the first fruits of them that sleep, and ascending into heaven, entered there, as the Forerunner' of his followers, to give them assurance of all things being ready for their welcome reception into those blessed regions.

WITH SO absolute a certainty do Christians know that there is such a state as heaven, or, as the Apostle denominates it,

eternal life. And they may know too, that they themselves are among the happy number who are destined to inherit it.They may know this from the fruits of the Spirit which they bring forth: from their sanctified and heavenly dispositions and conduct.-Those who have this glorious destination, are characterized by our Lord himself as persons who believe in his name: who love much, and love without dissimulation: who joy to approach his presence, and join in all the exercises of devotion: who are pure in heart, or, though conscious of much imper

The reader will find the above arguments more fully stat ed in the TENTH DISSERTATION.

fection and sin, yet sorrow for it after a godly sort, and desire and pray without ceasing, that they may obtain grace to enable them to keep consciences void of offence toward God and toward man..

These are the heirs of eternal life;' and to these Christ shall give a crown and a kingdom. And by investing them with such a character, and favouring them with so many privileges, he has graciously given them a pledge and an earnest already of what he has prepared for them. In the feast of a good conscience, and the experience of the ennobling, gladdening influence of the Holy Spirit, they have the witness within themselves, that they are numbered with his chosen. They feel a charming serenity diffusing itself over their minds: they have a peace divine, which passeth all understanding: a full source of enjoyment of which nothing can deprive them. A present Deity is felt: a foretaste of immortality is given: the joys of the blessed are let down: eternal life' is already gifted to men.

Now is eternal life' gifted to us? Do we believe in the Son of God?-and does

our belief purify our hearts, and make us zealous of good works? Is our conversation in heaven, and have we good hope through grace of at last entering into happiness? Then let us be strong in the Lord, go on in his name, and be patient unto the we shall never perish, neither be able to pluck us out of his Fear not,' he says to us, little flock, it is your father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.'

end, for shall any hand.'

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How foolish, how wretched are those whose state is different, those who are not enlivened by faith, who are without God in the world, who are spiritually dead, and have no hope of eternal life! There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.'-Unless they be converted and believe in the Son of God they shall die the second death; they shall go away, awful thought! into everlasting punishment. But, O Lord, open open their eyes, deliver them from so fatal a mistake! By thy Almighty grace may they yet be quickened, sanctified, and saved!-O may we all believe in the Son of God and know that we have ⚫ eternal life!'