ferred to is, unquestionably, the final dissolution of this earth by fire, coincident with that most interesting result to our probationary world, the final judgment. The verse directly subsequent to that of the text, also speaks of its being the last times; obviously referring to the fast approaching and complete annihilation of the Jewish economy, in the overturn and entire erasure of Jerusalem; but this event cannot be the primary object of reference in the passage now under review.

We need not look forward to the last day of our world, nor backward to the destruction of the Jewish metropolis, to discover its true exposition-we may read it in every page of history, and see it in each occurrence which we from day to day witness.

Where are the people of former ages? They all sleep in the dust. Where are the mighty works which their enterprize and industry produced?— They have long since tumbled into ruins. Where is Babylon, the glory of the Chaldees' excellencywhere is the populous No-where is Ninevah, that exceeding great city ?-We cannot even ascertain where they were respectively situated.

Or, not to direct your thoughts thus back to the ages of remote antiquity, but to limit the research within the recollection of numbers, who are now hearing me, what vast overthrow, what mighty changes, have the last fifty years produced upon the earth. Thrones have been supplanted; empires

have vanished, and the aspect of a large portion of the civilized world, has been entirely changed.The thick crowd of events, during this comparatively limited period, has brought within the observation of the modern liver, more changes and disasters than have usually been comprized in centuries. The child will hardly believe, and certainly he cannot realize, those wonderful statements, the results of his father's own individual observation.

Nothing is now in the state in which it formerly was, nor will it continue the same in future, as it is at present. The face of nature is constantly varying. The fruitful field is converted into a wilderness, and in turn, the wilderness is made to blossom as the rose. Manners are as variable as the wind that blows. The honors and riches of time are constantly changing, from hand to hand. The affluent and respected to-day, are poor and despised to-morrow. And with still deeper interest, we see youth succeeding childhood—and manhood youth; while old age and the grave close the scene. How affectingly just was the preacher's statement-" One generation passeth away and another cometh; the sun also riseth, and the sun goeth down and hasteth to his place whence he arose. The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth according to his circuits. There is no remembrance of former things,

neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity, and vexation of spirit." And the world passeth away.

I shall now proceed to the improvement of this most interesting truth. And first-in view of what has been said, we are led to contemplate the immutability of every thing, which more immediately respects God. His word is everlasting truth, nothing being to be added to, or taken from it. His counsel will stand, and He will do all His pleasure; while, for His existence and character, they pass not away, being the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. Hence the unusually fervent and grateful prayer, recorded in the 102d Psalm: "I said, O! my God, take me not away in the midst of my days. Thy years are through all generations-of old hast thou laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure; yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment, as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed; but thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end."

Were not God unchangeable-did any thing belong to Him which distantly savoured of passing away, far less eligible would be the good man's prospects than they are at present. Those multiplied scripture promises, which are now the firm

resting place of faith, would then be swept away. Indeed, in separation from the idea of divine immutability, faith would instantly change to a word without meaning; and even with regard to the Christian's hope, it would degenerate far below that hope, which the Apostle to the Hebrews so feelingly and forcibly describes: "Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise, the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it with an oath; that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us; which hope we have as an anchor to the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil."

Indeed, the abiding nature of the divine character, speaks favorably to the whole of mankind. Its beneficial influence is not confined to the godly, but extends to the ungodly likewise, and that in no small degree. Hence the words of God, by His servant Malachi, to the men of that peculiarly degenerate age-" and I will come near to you in judgment, and I will be a swift witness against the socerer, and against false swearers, and against those who oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not Me, saith the Lord of Hosts. For I am the Lord; I change not; therefore, ye sons of Jacob are not consumed."

Secondly. The passing, variable character of every thing earthly, bespeaks the wisdom and beneficence of the divine government. For a perfect being, or a perfect state of things, to be unchangeable, is a great recommendation; but with respect to an imperfect being, or an imperfect state of things, the direct reverse is true. No thought could be more painful, than that the character and circumstances of the imperfect beings of which this world is composed, should remain fixed and unalterable.Changeable themselves, and surrounded on every side by decay, the whole often conduces to increased improvement and stability.

Thirdly. Does the world pass away, we are thus forcibly admonished not to be greatly elevated, or over-much depressed, by whatever now happens to us. We should regard the admonition given by the Apostle to the Corinthians: "But this I say brethren, the time is short; it remaineth that both they that have wives, be as though they had none; and they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; and they that use this world, as not abusing it; for the fashion of this world passeth away." Did we universally feel, as the Apostle did, when he pronounced these words, much less would the world trouble us, than it does at present. Considering that its pleasures and pains, its smiles and frowns, its profits and