fect state of things than the present. We, the disciples of the Lord Jesus, however, "know assuredly, that when our earthly ❝ house of this tabernacle comes to be "dissolved, we shall have a building of "God, an house not made with hands, "eternal in the heavens." The gospel imparts the knowledge of a future state, in a manner the most satisfying to the mind. Amidst the afflictions of life, and even in the prospect of death itself, it directs us to look forward to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. It assures us, that for the joy which was set before him, he endured the cross, and despised the shame. It affords the most convincing evidence, that he arose from the dead, and that he ascended up into heaven to prepare mansions for his followers in his Father's house above. It opens a view of happiness beyond death and the grave, equal to the most enlarged desires of an immortal soul. A treasure, a kingdom, a crown of glory, are expressions employed in Scripture to represent its perfection. The knowledge and the love of God, the society of glorified saints and angels, are also said to

constitute its dignity and excellence.For the attainment of this blessed state, Christianity has pointed out the most satisfactory plan. It teaches us to regard the merits of our Saviour as the sure ground of our reconciliation with God. It assures us, that by his merits we are made partakers of the divine nature, delivered from everlasting darkness, and made meet for the inheritance of the saints in light. For these truths we are indebted to the revelation of the gospel, and for the knowledge of which we can never sufficiently express our gratitude. Surely these are truths which call forth all our thankfulness,-truths in which we ought to feel the liveliest joy, and to take the deepest interest. Then let us lift up our hearts to God in praise and prayer. Let us thankfully praise him for the glorious light which he has vouchsafed unto us. Let us earnestly pray to him, that we may not receive this grace in vain, but improve our privileges for his glory, and for our present and future welfare.

Second, From what has been said, let us reflect for a moment upon the miser

able situation of those, who are strangers to that experience, and to this hope.

Are there any such in this assembly? Charity wishes to hope all things, and to believe all things; but charity is not blind. It cannot but see the wickedness which abounds among multitudes, who bear the Christian name, and who even attend upon the ordinances of Christian worship. The duties of my office, the sacred commands of the great Master whom I serve, enjoin me to deal plainly and impartially with the souls of x my hearers. I beseech you, then, brethren, by the mercies of God, by what you owe to the happiness of your precious souls for time and eternity, to consider seriously, whether you are, or are not, interested in this great salvation. If you are yet strangers to the saving knowledge of God by the gospel ;-if you have never seen your need of Christ, nor felt any earnest desires after an interest in him ; if you have never discovered his infinite suitableness to the wants and weaknesses of your guilty natures, nor embraced him in all his mediatory characters ;-you are, according to the Scripture account, “ in

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"the gall of bitterness, and bond of iniquity;" "without God, and without hope;" "children of wrath, and of "the devil;" and if you continue in that state, the feeble thread of life, every moment ready to burst, only prevents you from dropping into the dismal regions of darkness and despair. Against these awful declarations of God by his Word, you may fortify yourselves, while health and prosperity remain, by a constant round of business or of pleasure; but when brought low by affliction,-when stretched on a bed of sickness and of pain,

-when death like an armed man advances with hasty strides,-when the judgmentseat of Christ with all its terrors rises to your view;-what then, O sinners, is your refuge, and what the hope of your confidence? You are strangers to that experience whichworketh well-founded hope, even the hope of the Christian which maketh not ashamed. The lying vanities which formerly seduced you into false security, will then fly away and leave you to remorse and all the agonies of despair, -the prelude and foretaste of the more dreadful doom awaiting you in the eter

nal world. O then be persuaded, ere it be too late, to think seriously upon your miserable condition. Glory be to God, my friends, your day of grace is not yet concluded: the calls of the Gospel still sound in your ears. on a throne of mercy. and gracious Redeemer of souls, stands with outstretched arms ready to receive you. His language to you is, "Incline your ear and come unto me; hear, and

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God is yet seated

Jesus, the kind

your souls shall live." O be prevailed on to listen to his voice, now speaking to you by his servant; and let not this be added to the many unprofitable exhortations you have received, and for which, be assured, you shall one day render a solemn account.

In this the day of your merciful visitation, I once more address to you the invitation of Jesus, when he stood and cried in the last day, the great day of the Jewish festival: "If any man "thirst, let him come to me and drink: " he that believeth on me, out of his belly "shall flow rivers of living water."-" The

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Spirit and the bride say come; and let "him that heareth say come; and let