business, are all inconsistencies-they rish a sense of the advantages, privileges, are palpable and monstrous incongrui- and immunities of his high destiny, and ties.

to walk worthy of his exalted avocation. Is he a member of one vast and holy family? then he must adhere to the principle that animates and actuates the whole, or he will interrupt and disturb its harmony and perfection. Is he in Christ? then he must abide in him, and so bring forth much fruit, that his God and Father may be glorified. In short, is he a child of God, and an heir of glory; is he risen with Christ? then he must seek the things that are above, where Christ sitteth.

And can it be thought less inconsistent in a disciple of Christ and a child of God, to be eagerly grasping after the vanities and fortunes of earth, at the same time that his heart, and his home, and his treasure are professedly in heaven? Thus, in religious character, there is a consistency which is imperative, beautiful, and advantageous. No doubt Christians have many other motives to holy conduct, besides that which arises from the desire and the obligation to maintain the con- What should we think of him that is sistency of their character; but they do heir to a great monarchy, collecting and not overlook the all-compelling argument arraying himself in the rags and tatters in favour of such conduct, which grows of a pauper? and yet such conduct would out of their new state and character. "If," not be as inconsistent as ours is, if we says the apostle, "ye be risen with prefer earth to heaven. We should conChrist, seek," &c. "You who were sider it as an act of meanness, in one posdead in your sins and the uncircumcision sessed of unbounded affluence, to be colof your flesh, hath God quickened together lecting every straw, and gathering all the with Christ. If then," he argues with refuse that he could find? and yet such irresistible point and force, if ye be thus conduct would not be as inconsistent as changed, and "are risen with Christ, ours, who profess to be risen with Christ, seek," &c. The distinction between their is, if we seek the things below, and not present and their former state is not a dis- the things that are above. And is there tinction without a difference, but a dis- any thing in the riches of earth that can tinction so great as to be set forth in the for one moment be compared with the Scriptures under images and illustrations things that are above-the riches of a of the most decisive and striking nature: blissful eternity? Is there any thing in they are turned from darkness to light- the honours of this life that can for a sinthey have passed from death unto life—gle instant be put in competition with they have gone forth out of the pit, and that glory which is to be revealed in the emerged from the dungeon-they are saints? Is there any thing in the pleacreated anew, and born again-in short, sures of time that can be balanced with "they who were dead in sins, are quick- the joys that are at God's right handened together, and are risen with Christ." the pleasures in his presence for everFrom so great a difference of state, it is more? Seeing, then, that you look for expected that the greatest difference of such things, what manner of persons conduct should follow. Every view of ought ye to be in all holy conversathe Christian's character given us in the tion! Scriptures, shows us the importance and necessity of consistency of conduct. he set forth as running a race? then his eye must be upon the prize, and he must And let me ask, can there be any thing press towards the mark of it with all pos- more reasonable than that, among the sible diligence and earnestness. Is he multiplicity of things which press upon held up as a combatant? then he is never and court our attention, we should seek to be without his arms, never to sleep those that are most excellent and most upon his post, or to relax in his energies, enduring? The things that are belowuntil all the field is won, and proclaimed the riches, the pleasures, the honours, the won. Is he a citizen? then he is to che-business, the bustle, and whatever else

Is

2. On account of the reasonableness of the duty itself, I would enforce it upon you.

THE CHRISTIAN'S DUTY.

O let us elevate our thoughts from time to eternity, and transfer our affections from earth to heaven. All below perish in the using, but the things that are above are so lofty and pure, so sublime and godly, so real and true, that the very desire of them gives the mind an elevation, and a strength, and a purity, which in themselves are most improving, most grateful, valuable, and important.

this short enduring world can give-all | rays of light fall on it, glitters in all the earthly things are gross and unsatisfac- colours of the rainbow; but whilst we tory, hollow and vain, blighted and mil- gaze, bursts, and is no more-like the dewed, and cannot constitute the felicity gourd which casts its cooling shade of man, being neither suited to the spi- against the vehement noontide heat, ritual nature nor to the immortal duration but, ere the next day's sun, has utterly of our souls; they can neither satisfy us withered away-like the flower, that while we live, nor preserve us from death, blooms and sheds its fragrance in the nor accompany us into the other world, morning, but in the evening its beauty nor contribute any thing to our happiness and its odour are gone-like the shadow there. And if they can do nothing to- that flings itself for a moment across our wards our real and appropriate felicity, path, and then declineth-like a vapour why should we so eagerly seek them; that appeareth and is quickly dissipated, why set our hearts upon them? They and we see it no more,-so rapidly the that seek for happiness in earthly things are things that are beneath consume and flee "No! shadows like the women sitting over our Saviour's away. O "what shadows we are, and sepulchre, with their faces bowed down what shadows we pursue.' to the earth; they seek the living among we are not, "though shadows we purthe dead our happiness is not here, it issue." risen, it is above. Let our hearts ascend thither, where our happiness and our treasure are. If the things among which we grovel for the food and light of our imperishable nature, had a mouth and a tongue, and could speak to us, they would say, "Why look ye so earnestly on us," as though we could satisfy your immortal cravings. Are we in God's stead-in Look Christ's place-in heaven's room. not on us, we are but things seen and temporal. As well might the chemist look for the philosopher's stone among the dust of the streets, or hope to elaborate the elixir vitæ from the polluted water of a stagnant lake, as we expect to find among the things below the bliss of our undying spirits. God never put it into them and nothing can be to us more than God intended it. In our pursuit of the things of this world as our chief good, we are following after vanity, hunting a shadow, pursuing a fallacy. And why should we bestow our thoughts, our desires, our longings and affections, upon these unreal and fallacious, low and mean things, when there are incomparably better objects to fix them upon?

Besides, the unreasonableness of seek-
ing things beneath will appear still more
from their shortness and transitoriness.
The fashion of this world passeth away,
but the things which are above abide
Like the
and endure for ever and ever.
bubble that is blown, and that, when the

But perhaps it may be objected against the reasonableness of the course which we are now enjoining, that to require a person in one situation to be continually directing his anticipations and preparations towards another and a future one, is impracticable and absurd. This objection arises either from ignorance of the nature and influence of religious exercises and soman's present and pursuits upon cial state, or from wilful perversion of the truth. So far is the duty enjoined from being incompatible with a due regard to the just interests and engagements of the present life, that a proper attention to them is secured by religious principles; for it is by a patient continuance in welldoing that we are to seek for glory, honour, immortality, eternal life; not by visions and reveries, seclusions, and abstractions; not by an idle and voluptuous sentimentalism.

It is true we have seen the disciples of the church of Rome thus unfitting and indisposing themselves for the appropriate and necessary avocations and duties, and

intercourse of social and civil life, under pretence of deeper devotedness and higher sanctity, and of cultivating closer and more uninterrupted communion with things above. But this is the abuse of religion; this is being wise above what is written: it is substituting the traditions of man for the commandments of God.

having promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come. Religion "is our life," even now. All things work together for good to them that love God. To be engaged in setting our affections on things above is that very exercise which is the best calculated to promote our present welfare and immediate comfort. For when the thoughts and affecHere we are educating for futurity, and tions are set on things above, they are the use and end of education is to prepare placed on their proper object, they are for scenes and situations, for services and attached to their appropriate centre, and engagements that are future and distant. the result must be rest of spirit, inward Is it considered unreasonable and impro- tranquillity, satisfaction, and harmony. per in a parent to inure his child to the So that, independent of our prospects in thought of the future-to lead him to an- futurity itself, were we merely to consult ticipate it—to fit and qualify him for act- our true interests in the present state, we ing his part well in it? Surely not. Is must be induced to obey the direction of it wisdom and kindness in him to disci- the apostle from the singularly happy inpline and educate his child, and so to pre- fluence which it exerts on the actual conpare him for his coming manhood? The dition of the mind. parent knows that his child will not remain a child-that he will outgrow childnood, and stretch into maturity, and he cannot endure the thought that his child is to become a man, and not be fitted for manhood. No more is it unreasonable in an expectant of immortality to seek for a preparation for immortality: reason says that the heir of eternity should labour to be made meet for eternity. Dismal thought! to plunge into eternity unfit for it, without any relish for its joys, or And capacity for its duties, or title to its rewards. O then be ready for eternity, for it cometh in such an hour as we think not. O let it not surprise you unawares, let it not overwhelm you in a state of unpreparedness. To make preparation for it is the strongest reason, the highest wisdom, the truest philosophy, the deepest science; this is true religion. Hence we are exhorted by the inspired teachers to lay up treasure in heaven, and forbidden to be cumbered and troubled about many things.

We should be prompted to this account of,

on

3. The present advartages which result from it.

By a wise appointment of God, duty and interest are joined, and as we attend to the one so the other will be promoted. Godliness is profitable for all things,

Whilst our thoughts and affections are set on the things above, worldly prosperity will not greatly elevate, nor worldly adversity much depress; the one will not intoxicate, the other will not destroy. The Christian's great treasure knows no decay. His most valuable possession is not liable to the contingencies to which all earthly things are subject. He is hastening to an incorruptible inheritance, a kingdom that cannot be moved.

"A hope so much divine

May trials well endure." You, who know that you have in heaven a better and enduring substance; that are sure of a place at God's right hand—a mansion in the skies-a bower in paradise-a seat in glory-a repose in Abraham's bosom-an asylum, a refuge, a house, a shelter, in eternity: you, that are going to the general assembly and church of the first-born, to the innumerable company of angels, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to God the Judge of all; to the general rendezvous of the just, the gathering of the called, and faithful, and chosen, you can afford a few trials by the way. You can smile at the transient storm, remembering the haven for which you are bound. Your little bark may feel the dash and

THE CHRISTIAN'S DUTY.

Have

fury of the storm, but her anchor is cast | where I am; that they may behold my within the haven, and she will outride glory." It is the presence of Christ in The heaven that will make it so rich a heathe billows, and defy their rage. believer has cast anchor in heaven, and ven to you, you saved sinner. though he may suffer from the storms of you not enjoyed his presence in some life, he cannot be a wreck. You that favoured seasons on earth, and have not are trees of righteousness, the planting its manifestations been most sweet and of the Lord, may bend before the blast exhilarating? If such are the streams, as it whistles and howls around you, what must be the fountain? If such the but you shall not be broken by it. Let glimpses, what will be the full and Times of refreshing winds blow and tempests roar, they will unclouded gaze? take away nothing but leaves; the tree even now are from the presence of the is safe, and can neither be shivered nor Lord; what will be the high felicities of torn up, being fast rooted by the throne his heavenly presence! If communion of God; and the fruit it bears is to life with him (through media) be so delighteternal. So we hear the pious of every ful that it supplies our souls with heaage expressing and solacing themselves venly food, and our seasons of its enjoyamidst the fluctuation of surrounding ment are the bright spots of our journey circumstances, and the depression to to the upward house, what must it be to which it gives rise. David exclaims, sit at his feet in glory, to gaze upon that Habak-face of his that shineth like the sun in "though the mountains," &c. kuk-"Although the fig tree shall not his strength, and to hold intimate and blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flocks shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation."

The

unbroken fellowship with him whose smile irradiates the whole paradise of God!

This is all we desire-to be with the Lord! this the summit of our wishes! True, we read of the splendour of the palace of the Almighty King Paul-I-of the golden streets, the jasper pavereckon that the sufferings of this presentment, the angel choirs, the swelling chotime are not worthy to be compared with rus of eternity: but this word, "we shall the glory that shall be revealed in us." be ever with the Lord, be where Christ All believers may say, "We are cast sitteth," conveys to us more of heaven down, yet not destroyed-sorrowful, than all the metaphorical emblems of it, yet always rejoicing-patient in tribu- august aud gorgeous, delicious and delightful as they are! It was this that made lation, yet rejoicing in hope." John, who leaned on the breast of Jesus as he sat at meat, say, (1 John iii. 2,) "Now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see To Him all heaven in him as he is." one thanksgiving joins, saying, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive riches, and power, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing."

Christian can bear the loss of those things that perish in the using, knowing that he has bags which wax not old, riches that never decay, a treasure in the heavens unfading and eternal.

4. Above all-be entreated to seek the things above, because they are the scene in which Christ dwells. This is the argument with which the apostle enforces the injunction. There is Christ in his rest and glory; and where he is will you not seek to be also? And is it not the object of his affectionate solicitude that you may be with him in his glory? Hear that prayer from one whom the Father heareth always, and exult in what you hear: "Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me

And do we not feel solicitous to go up on high, that we too may swell the music of adoration and gratitude which is rendered him there ? Surely it is all our desire to "behold the Lamb" upon the throne, and to join in that immortal song which ascribes 2H 2

to him that which is so justly his due. Seek the things above, then, for there Christ sitteth.

your resemblance to the mind and character of the Lord Jesus Christ; and particularly see how far your profession and conduct agree-how they answer the one to the other. Since the original publication of Christianity many are the objections against it that have been advanced by its enemies. We have reason and evidence enough to satisfy the inquiries of the philosophical, the argumentative, the learned, and the critical; and not one of those objections which are founded on argument, and learning, and philosophy, and criticism, but has been most satisfactorily and triumphantly answered, over and over again. But that which has reference to the subject which has now occupied our attention—the objection which says that Christians are so worldly, so selfish, so avaricious, that there is no difference between them and those that make no profession, and that the former are just as earthly, and as secular, and as feverish as the latter: this objection, I say, is not so easily answered and set aside.

5. Finally, be admonished by the consideration of the dreadful alternative which must inevitably follow the neglect of this duty. If you seek them not, you will be excluded from them for ever. If you are not preparing for heaven, you are for hell. If you follow not holiness, you cannot see the Lord. If you refuse to seek the things above, you are seeking death in the error of your ways. It is only to those who have given diligence to make their calling and election sure, that an entrance can be ministered into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Prepare, then, to meet your God, for if you do not he will meet you as a bear bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of your heart. O then, as you would not lie down in sorrow, nor make your abode in the flames of hell, nor dwell where the howlings and wailings of damnation fill the place with noise more dreadful than ten thousand thunders, nor be fastened upon that the Saviour is wounded in the house by a worm that can never be shaken of his friends. It is difficult to find an off, nor consumed by a fire that can answer to this allegation, and I summon never be quenched; as you would not you and myself practically to refute it. be undone and lost for ever, O seek, I If we have been thus culpable and injurientreat, I beseech, I conjure you, by all ous, let us be so no more: let us be perthat is delightful in heaven, and by all suaded, and entreated, and exhorted hencethat is dreadful in hell; by the authority forth to walk not as other Gentiles walk, of God your Maker, and by the love of in the vanity of their minds; but to live soChrist your Redeemer, and by the striv-berly, righteously, yea godly, in this preings of the Holy Ghost; by the necessi- sent world. Let us maintain such a walk ties of your immortal spirit; by the approach of death, and the solemnity of judgment, and the tremendousness of eternity; by all I pray you to seek the things that are above.

Here it is, my brethren,

and conversation as not only shall bring no reproach upon the worthy name whereby we are called, but such as shall prove beneficial and ornamental, influential and useful: let us remember that the cause of Christ is committed to us in the world; its fate and fortunes are, in some sort, in our hands, and it is for us to uphold and to ex

In conclusion. I think I may say that I am set free from the necessity of making a stated application by the tenor of the discourse itself. I trust, how-tend it. And O let us see to it that its brightever, that you have made inquisition into the matter as we have proceeded, testing your characters as the professed disciples of Christ by the views that have been supplied. Examine well the foundation of your hope; ascertain the reality of

ness is not sullied, nor its progress impeded, through our personal inconsistency and impurity; and to this end let us be constantly "looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ."