We will draw a veil over the world to come, with all its rest and glory, its songs and its triumphs, the joys of perpetual intercourse with the Master we love and long to see. And, having thus darkened all the glories of eternity, I would say to our opponents, Shew us, if you are able, any thing which, like the testimonies of God, can thus, even in this present world, become substantially and invariably "the very joy of the heart." Shew us those of your pleasures which can impart the same happiness with that of the simple and affectionate servant of the Lord. Shew us any tree of this life, from which you can gather fruit as large, as abundant, as satisfying, as ours. Shew us any waters as still, and pastures as green. In the absence of all reply to these questions, is not the Christian entitled to say, "Their rock is not as our Rock, our enemies themselves being the witness?"

But I come now to notice some of the practical conclusions which follow from these considerations.

And, first, I would address myself to the careless and worldly; and to them I would say, If the preference for the testimonies of God, for his promises, and for all the blessed fruits of these promises, be the only genuine wisdom; if the choice of David in the text be the choice which thus approves itself to the understanding, as well as to the will and word of God; then how destructive must be the choice made by large multitudes in society! The principle, which is the foundation of this choice of the Psalmist, is that so earnestly enforced by our Lord himself, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness." On the contrary, the unvary

ing rule and principle of multitudes in society is, Seek first the world, and the things of the world, and leave the things of God and eternity to follow as they will.' Is this statement thought too strong? I ask, what other will meet the case of those habitually surrendering any known duty, or committing any known sin, for the sake of worldly interest, worldly honour, worldly gratification?--And here, my brethren, allow me to notice a misapprehension which is apt to prevail on the subject. Some, who listen to the discourses of the ministers of religion, are apt to conclude that they are merely combating for some favourite tenet, for some disputable or obscure point, on which perhaps those very ministers scarcely bestow a solitary thought. Correct, my Christian brethren, your estimate of our views and intentions. We have higher, mightier, more substantial, more essential truths and objects to press upon your consciences. Our desire is simply this, to detach your hearts from the world, and to fix them upon God. Our anxiety is, that you should quit the broad path of sensuality, or ambition, or folly, to take your stand at the foot of the Cross; should "look not at the things which are seen and are temporal." but at the things which are unseen and eternal;" that you should labour no longer for the "bread which perisheth," but for "that which endureth unto eternal life." True it is, that nothing but a hearty and practical reception of the great truths of the Gospel-nothing but the love of a crucified Saviour wrought into the soul, will ever thus wean you from sin, will ever" crucify the world to you, and you to the world." But, unless the professed love of the Saviour is fol

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lowed by this death to sin and to the world, it is worthless in the sight of God. Unless your worldly desires, and tastes, and passions, are gradually nailed to the cross-unless they are "crucified with Him" who hangs there; the cross is to you of none effect, and none of the benefits bought by the blood of Christ will, without a change, be finally yours. The duty, then, to which I would wish especially to call you, is, to live for God and for eternity. Use this world as a mere stepping-stone to another and a better. Use it as the mere field where the conflict for heaven is to be fought. Throw from you every thing which fastens you to earth, and detains you from glory. Quit the world, ere it quits you. Endeavour to live in a state in which, when the signal is given, you may, without change of plan or distraction of spirit, calmly, hopefully, joyfully, break from your earthly bonds, and spread your wings, and "flee away and be at

rest."

2. And finally, my brethren, let the text supply you with a simple and brief reply to all the objectors against your principles and conduct as a devout servant of God. You may be a man unskilled to meet the subtle reasonings of the wise of this world. Strive, then, by the Spirit of God, to attain to a state in which you may give this simple and all-sufficient reply, to those who ask you the ground of your principles and conduct, They are the very joy of my heart.' Do they ask, for instance, Why do you dwell thus intensely and constantly on the doctrines of grace, the merits of a Saviour, the influence of the Spirit, the full and free redemption wrought out for a ruined world?' answer them, These doctrines are the very

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jog of my heart. Do they ask, Why renounce the dissipation of life for the joys of religion?" answer them, They are the very joy of my heart. Why do you keep the Sabbath so devoutly? why read the Bible so eagerly? why pray with such holy importunity? why so constant at the sacrament? why so anxiously seek the society of holy and good men? why" deny yourself, and take up the cross?" why choose your portion with the people of God? why seek mainly what others neglect, and practise what others avoid?' answer them, "The testimonies of God have I chosen as my heritage for ever;" and if you ask, "why?" "they are the very joy of my heart." May they be your joy, my brethren, in time and in eternity! May this heritage be yours, in all its width and depth, and breadth and height! May you be enriched with the unfathomable riches of the grace of God! May the great Advocate, who has purchased you a title to glory, put the key of the heavenly treasury into your hands! May He give you that covenant of hope and joy which he has sealed with his own blood! May the "God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing!" May you be enabled, amidst the tempests and trials of the world, "to possess your souls in patience;" and, though now you" see not" the Son of God, yet," believing," may you " rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory!"

SERMON XVIII.

THE CHRISTIAN ENCOURAGED UNDER AFFLIC TION BY A CONSIDERATION OF ITS FINAL COYSEQUENCES.

HEB. xii. 11-13.

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees: and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

IT has been observed, that no artist of real skill, in framing to himself from Scripture a conception of the countenance of our blessed Redeemer, has been led to represent him with features indicating any thing of extravagance or excess. The portraits, indeed, which have been presented to us, of some of the self-torturing or self-displaying pretenders to religion, have been stamped with these characters; but not so that of the meek and lowly Master they profess to serve. And in this point of view, how entirely does the religion of the blessed Jesus harmonize with his character and image! One of its grand peculiarities is its complete moderation. Many of the systems of human philosophy are in the highest degree extravagant; paying not the smallest regard either to the circumstances or