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hurry and the bustle of the world; within are cares and fears business fatigues mankind much; but when they have no business, they suffer more from their own thoughts. Their pursuits are often vanity; their disappointments produce vexation; and from the consideration of both, how many daily become a prey to gloom and melancholy!

On these and many other accounts, which need not be mentioned (for experience will too soon teach the youngest among you), the state of a Christian in this life is by the Scriptures represented under that of a mariner in a tempest, longing for a sight of the haven; of a soldier in camp, desiring to hear of peace, and to receive a final discharge from his warfare; of a labourer, bearing in the field the burden and heat of the day, waiting impatiently for the cool and com-` fortable evening, which shall release him, and send him home to quiet and repose. Hence the great object pointed out to us is rest; we are directed to consider, and derive consolation and encouragement, during our labours, from the consideration of that rest of God himself, after his work of creation; that of his people in Canaan, after their sojournings in the wilderness; and that of Christ, after his toilsome life and painful death. We are assured, there still remaineth a rest, the fulness and accomplishment of all others, for the people of God in heaven, when their labours likewise shall have been terminated upon earth. And we hear, under both Testaments, the aspirations of holy persons after it, complaining that they dwell with Mesech; that their sojournings are prolonged; praying for the wings of

a dove, that they may fly away to it; desiring to depart, and to be with Christ; weary of things, even the best things below; and seeking earnestly the things above, where he sitteth.

Let us not, however, when we think of this rest,* think of it as a mere negative state, as a state of dull sleep and insensibility. It is a rest attended with pleasure; the rest of a weary, flock in green pas-: tures, beside the waters of comfort; Eden blooms anew, with its tree and its rivers; the Lamb leads his followers to living fountains of waters-of waters flowing from the throne of God, and consequently impregnated with all the blessings and glories of eternity.

I say glories, as well as blessings; for as the atti-tude in which our Lord is described by the apostle, that of sitting, denotes rest; by the place, "the

right hand of God," is denoted honour: the former promises the blessings of his peace; the latter, the glories of his kingdom.

Rest and honour, among men, are not often companions. Disquietude attends height of character, rank, and station, both in the pursuit, lest it should not be attained, and in the possession, lest it should be lost again. But of the honour which cometh from God this cannot be said. It is always bestowed on the penitent, the humble, and the faithful servant of his heavenly Master; and when bestowed, can no more be taken from him. The crown is immortal as the Donor of it. "When the breath of man,

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on which depends all sublunary fame, "goeth forth, "he turneth again to his earth; and then all his

"thoughts"-those of the giver, as well as those of the receiver" perish. Blessed therefore is he, and he only, "who hath the God of Jacob for "his help, and whose hope is in the Lord his "God."

To describe the blessings of rest and peace in the kingdom of our Lord, images are borrowed from the scenes of rural and pastoral life. To give us ideas of its glories, its majesty, and magnificence-a throne is set in heaven, encompassed by a rainbow; and one is seen upon it, like a jasper or a sardine; seven lamps burn before it; lightnings and thunders proceed from it; four-and-twenty venerable personages appear clothed in white; they rise from their seats, and fall prostrate at the foot of the throne; when a chorus is heard of all creatures both in heaven and earth, singing glory to the Lamb triumphant!— Elsewhere, a city is exhibited, new Jerusalem, built of gold and precious stones; that is, in the prophetical language of Isaiah, its walls salvation, and its gates praise; the Lord God and the Lamb constitute its temple; from whence it is illuminated by a splendour, far exceeding, and rendering needless, the light of the sun and of the moon; the streets resounding with the hallelujahs of its blest inhabitants.

These are some of "the things above," on which the apostle exhorts us to " set our affections." I am sure, you all think them worthy of your very best and warmest affections. May the consideration of them produce that effect, which a due consideration of them must produce. May they who have ne

glected to seek them-if any such there be-now begin to seek them; and they who have always sought them, now seek them still more; thus receiving in themselves this most comfortable testimony, that they are "risen with Christ;" that their bodies, at the appointed time, shall arise; and both body and soul ascend to heaven after him, that "where he is, "they may be also."

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DISCOURSE IV.

THE CHRISTIAN RACE.

1 CORINTHIANS, IX. 24.

So run that ye may obtain.

MOST important was the matter by the apostles communicated to the world; the heavenly reward, and the way to obtain it. The manner of communication well deserves your notice and attention. It is not done in the dry didactic style. There is nothing dull and heavy. All is spirit, and all is life. Their ideas are clothed in such figures, as at once convince the understanding, strike the imagination, warm the heart, and excite the affections. It is impossible to continue cold and indifferent while we read their epistles. They look around on the various scenes of life, and the customs that prevail among those to whom they write. From these they select images calculated to convey with effect to the minds of their disciples, the doctrines which they wish to impress.

"The most splendid solemnities which ancient "history hath transmitted to us, were the Olympic

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games. Historians, orators, and poets, abound with "references to them; and their sublimest imagery is "borrowed from these renowned exercises. The

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