father is acquainted, and therefore constantly watches and badmonishes him of his danger and duty. The danger and folly of setting his affections on the country and objects through which he is passing, are pointed out in his instructions. With all his imperfections his father loves him, and is constantly reminding him of his relation to, and interest in his father's kingdom. And this, with design to animate him in his preparation for the enjoyment of that kingdom. His father has wisely appointed the place, circumstances and duration of his travel, and with much pleasure anticipates the happy period when his travels, in this foreign land of sin and danger, shall be accomplished, and he kindly admitted to the everlasting embrace of his father, in those mansions "prepared for him before the foundation of the world.". The saint is never out of danger in this world. As a traveller he is passing through an enemy's land, and is constantly exposed to the seduction of the great enemy of his father's kingdom, and to enter those paths which would lead him into eternal exile from his father's presence. While from his father, he is liable to dishonour his father, and to bring up an evil report against his kingdom, and its subjects; and to fix his father's enemies in stronger opposition. How often has this been done? Though he does nothing with this design, yet in his travels, he finds many disposed to misconstrue and indeed intentionally to misrepresent his words and conduct; so that in some unguarded moment, he undesignedly injures that interest, which of all others, he wishes to see honoured and advanced in the land through which he

is passing.

In the land of his pilgrimage, he meets many objects which try his love to his father, and his kingdom. He is invited and urged to take up his abode in the land; to say "this is the place of my rest." All the inhabitants of the country, through which he travels, are satisfied with their portion; pleased with their bondage; pleased with their prince, and wish others to be equally satisfied. The saint has no wish to become a subject with them; he dislikes the language, the manners and amusements of these people. He has no wish to become one of their number; to partake their pleasures, nor share with them in their inheritance. Our traveller abhors their prince, his policy and government; hates the despotism by which he rules, "and leads them captive at his pleasure.' In short our traveller dislikes every thing which belongs to this kingdom. Every thing in this kingdom is contrary to that kingdom, which consists in "righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost." Hence his his father has commanded him "to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather to reprove them." How important, how happy the day when the saint shall return home to his father's house! Had you a beloved son, who was travelling in a distant land, among enemies who were constantly watching his steps to ensnare, betray and ruin him; sometimes terrifying, sometimes flattering and persuading him to dwell with them, to disregard his father's instructions, to forget his house and relation to him; were this your son, how anxious would you be, and how happy the day on which he should return!

3. We may exclaim, "blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord," because then there is a complete accomplishment of all God's gracious designs in the grand scheme of redemption. The accomplishment of some great and benevolent enterprize must give pleasure and satisfaction to every good mind; and the day on which it is accomplished may be called blessed. We may rationally suppose that the creation of the universe, the complete organization of all its parts, might give pleasure to the mind which planned and executed it. Hence we find, when this magnificent building was finished, God, with a voice of satisfaction pronounced it all "very good." How much rational pleasure might that man enjoy, who by much labour and constant exertion, has given liberty, order and happiness to a whole nation! To redeem one fellow creature from hard and cruel servitude, and bestow upon him the sweets of liberty and independence, would be a luxury to a benevolent mind; and how blessed the day of redemption to the slave! How much more important is the arrival of one rational, immortal soul to heaven, than the creation of the world, disconnected from redemption. The period of death is the accomplishment of all God's original designs in redemption, as they respect that particular saint. He is one of those "lively stones" which compose that grand, that glorious building of God, which rests on Jesus Christ as the corner stone. At death, the saint is gathered in, and becomes a pillar in the temple of his God. Then takes place the accomplishment of Christ's incarnation, sufferings, death, resurrection, ascension and

intercession, so far as they respect a part of the great whole. All these are the golden grades by which the saint ascends the abode of God; links in that grand chain which secures the salvation of the believer. By this he is upheld, and by this he rises to his father's right hand. In death the design of all these important transactions is fully accomplished. Then all the operations of God in providence, and his communications of light and grace terminate in one luminous point, form one grand result; the salvation of the soul.

Fair fruit indeed is the saint in death, growing, yet fully matured, on Christ the tree of life. Without such fruit, Christ as Mediator would not appear lovely and beautiful. His sufferings and death are lovely only as connected with the eternal happiness of his people. When some grand enterprize is so far accomplished, as that the projector gathers in the effects, he is pleased. God promised his Son, should he "make his soul an offering for sin, he should see his seed; see the travail of his soul and be satisfied." This constituted doubtless, an essential part of " that joy which was set before him, for which he endured the cross, despising the shame, and set down at the right hand of God."

4. The saint is blessed in death, because then he is united to that celestial throng who join in singing praises "to him who sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever." God merits and will forever have all the praise of the saint's salvation. His hand has interposed, and brought forward a system of grace founded on the death of his Son, for man's redemp

tion. And while the saint enjoys heaven, he will be completely sensible, and happy beyond all conception in feeling that all the glory belongs to him "who loved him, and washed him from his sins in his own blood." Then will commence those countless ages on which he will look forward with increasing joy, as they roll At death he launches on this shoreless ocean, away. which will be as serene as it is boundless. We now have no means of tracing his progress on this unfathomable deep. We can only say in the language of the prophet, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." Was it not then worthy of being proclaimed from heaven, "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord."

IMPROVEMENT.

1. If the death of the saint is blessed, then we have reason to congratulate him on his departure from this world. In many points of view, death to a saint is gloomy; but in every essential point, it is happy and joyful. His complete discharge from sin; the perfection of his holy character; his return home to his father's house; his entrance and eternal establishment in glory, are consequences following his departure, which are happy. These considerations may console us under the loss of friends who are Godly. They "enter into peace."

Do

2. Let these considerations reconcile saints to death. you wish to be perfectly free from sin? Then be reconciled to death. Is the period joyful, when a

completely holy character shall be yours? Think on