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goodness and love itself, how then can you be miserable, or what imperfection can there be in your felicity? His faithfulness is pledged to make all things work together for your good. The most afflictive events, like the furnace or pruning hook, shall only purge away your dross, or render you more fruitful. So that you may glory in tribulation, "knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope that maketh not ashamed." To conclude this detail of the privileges of a saint, hear how the Apostle to the Corinthians describes them, (1 Corinth. iii. 21.) "All things are yours, whether Paul, or Appollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's." Once more,

3dly. The joy of a saint proceeds from the contemplation of those future blessings which as yet are only the objects of hope. But in speaking of these, where shall we begin? Shall I pass beyond the dark and lonely grave, which Job hath styled "the house appointed for all living," and lead you upwards at once to the realms of light and joy, to survey that house, with many mansions, whither Christ is gone to prepare a place for his people? No; in the passage I last quoted, we find death reckoned among the possessions of believers. To those who belong to Christ, death ceaseth to be the king of ter rors. The stroke he gives doth indeed put an end to the existence of the old man; but by that very stroke, the fetters which galled the new man in Christ are broken asunder, and the life imparted by the second Adam comes to full maturity, when that which was derived from the first Adam concludes. When, therefore, we view death and the grave as consecrated by Christ, who died and was buried, they are no more to be ranked

among the articles of the curse denounced against the original apostacy, but fall to be enrolled among the "things to come;" of which every believer may say, They are mine. In this light did Paul behold them, when he said, "To me to live is Christ, and to die is 1 gain. I desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better."-" While I am at home in the body, I am absent from the Lord. I am, therefore, confident and willing, rather to be absent from the body, and present with the Lord."-"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory, through Jesus Christ our Lord."

But it is the resurrection which shall complete the triumph of the saints, when that which is sown in weakness, in dishonour, and corruption, shall be raised in power, in glory, and incorruption. In that day of the manifestation of the sons of God, when our vile bodies shall be changed and fashioned like unto Christ's glorious body, "when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory." But how shall we speak of the glory yet to be revealed, “which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive." Should I attempt any scription of it, I should only "darken counsel by words without knowledge."-" It doth not yet appear," saith the apostle John, "what we shall be: but this we know, that when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." Here, then, let us stop. To be made like the Son of God, to behold his unveiled glory, and to be for ever with him: these particulars must sure

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ly include every ingredient which can belong to the highest perfection and happiness of a creature. With this great object in our eye, how well doth it become us to adopt the language of the apostle Peter, and to say with fervent gratitude, as he did, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away."

These are the peculiar sources from which the godly man derives his joy. And may I not now appeal to you, whether they are not of such a nature, as that no outward distress or calamity can take them away? Even when the heavens shall be rolled together like a scroll, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, he will be able to look at the mighty desolation, and say, when all these materials are consumed, I shall have lost nothing; "God liveth, blessed be my rock." "The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance," and in him I possess and enjoy all things.

And now what improvement are we to make of this subject?-In the

1st place, Let us inquire which of the characters described by the Psalmist belongs to us. Are we among the many that say, "Who will shew us any good?” or are we among the happy few who seek the light of God's countenance above all things? There is no neutral person in this case. Every man that liveth upon the earth' is either "carnally minded, which is death; or spiritu ally minded, which is life and peace;" either a child of God, or a drudge and slave to the world. To which par. ty, then, do you belong? What are your hearts princi pally set upon, and whither do you bend your chief and

most vigorous endeavours? If you can find but little leisure for the service of God, and the care of your souls; if you can spend whole days without calling upon God, or reading his word: if the Sabbath appears burdensome to you, and you join in your hearts with those profane persons whom the prophet Amos describes, as saying, (viii. 5.) "When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the Sabbath, that we may set forth wheat?" If you are conscious that it is thus with you, I need scarcely inform you, that you must be classed with those whose language it is, "Who will shew us any good?" A

2d Use, therefore, which I would make of this subject, is to exhort you, who are yet carnally minded, to think seriously of your condition. Ye are pursuing what will for ever flee from you. Ye are combatting with a decree of him who is Almighty, even that irreversible decree which hath pronounced vanity on all things below the sun. Ye are opposing the experience of all who ever made the same trial before you; ye are struggling with the very feelings of your own hearts, which as yet have never found that permanent satisfaction which they require. O then be persuaded to relinquish those false plans of happiness by which you have been hitherto deluded, and to seek the favour of that God who is the only adequate portion of an immortal soul. Listen to that expostulation and advice, (Isa. lv. 2, 3.) "Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your Boul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David."

Lastly, let me call on those who have been taught to value the light of God's countenance above all things, to be humble and thankful. Often recollect that mercy which plucked you as brands out of the burning, and set you apart to see the glory of the Lord, and to show forth his praise. Often acknowledge that sovereign grace by which you were arrested in the broad way that leads to destruction, and led to him who alone hath the words of eternal life. "Who made thee to differ, and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?" If he who com. manded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined into your hearts, to give you the light of the knowledge of his glory, as it shines in the face of Jesus; adore and praise this distinguishing goodness; acknowledge, with humble gratitude, that it was the doing of the Lord. And if you would continue to enjoy the comfort which ariseth from the light of God's countenance, be careful to abound in all those "fruits of righteousness, which are through Christ to the praise and glory of God." Our duty and our comfort are wisely and graciously connected together. "Great peace have they that love thy law," saith the Psalmist, "and nothing shall offend them.” "The work of righteousness shall be peace, and the ef fect of righteousness, quietness, and assurance for ever." As many as walk according to this rule, peace shall be on them, and mercy, and on the Israel of God. Amen.

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