port the spirit when it looks abroad and, through the medium of the bodily eyes, beholds the light of the celestial world, one serene, unclouded, eternal day, of which the splendors of the meridian sun are scarcely a semblance: When it sees the bodies of the just seated in their mansions around, all luminous; shining like so many stars and suns in the kingdom of their Father; especially, when it looks toward the throne, and sees exalted to the midst of it that Jesus who undertook for sinners, and gave his life as the price of their redemption; that Jesus of whom they had often read in the scriptures; of whom they had heard in the sanctuary; whom they had often sought in the devotions of the closet; whose absence they had deplored as their greatest misery; and the pledges of whose love they had esteemed as the crown of all their joys; when they see him face to face in the full confidence that they shall go no more out.What joy must transport the soul when it hears, through the medium of the bodily ears, ten thousand thousand saints, and ten thousand thousand angels mingling their hearts, and their voices in the sweetest harmony without one jarring note, without one discordant string! We are often elevated while we attend the worship of the sanctuary on earth, when we hear the followers of the Lamb chanting forth the praises of creating and redeeming love; but what must be our emotions when we enter the sanctuary a

bove, when we hear the voices not of a single society, but of all the redeemed from all countries, and ages; of Enoch “who walked with God;" of David “the sweet singer of Israel; of Apollos the eloquent preacher of righteousness; of these with unnumbered millions all striking their golden harps, and saying with loud voices, voices improve ed and refined to the uttermost, “salvation to him that sitteth on the throne, even to the Lamb for ever and ever!” Peter thought it good to remain on the mount with Moses, and Elias, where he might see their glory and hear their conversation. We often feel happy in the fellowship of our friends, of those in whose sincerity we may confide, and by whose discourse we may be entertained, or edified; what then must be the advantage, and what the delight of the heavenly world, when we shall sit down not with a few, but with all the prophets, and apostles, and martyrs of our Lord; when each will feel the most unlimited confidence in the friendship of the other; and when it will be the glory, and felicity of each to contribute to the glory, and felicity of the whole.

Brethren, are these things so ? Are such glories reserved in the celestial world? Will they be disclosed at the manifestation of our Lord ? Who that loves the Saviour would not long for his manifestation? Who that has tasted of the pledge does not earnestly as pire after the full possession?

Permit me to apply this subject by asking this large assembly, are you prepared to stand before the Son of Man ? Suppose that the hour of retribution was now come ; that

; the " white throne" was erected ; that the Judge in bis uncreated effulgence was descending; that the trump of God was blown, and the nations summoned to appear before him; are you ready for these interesting, awful events? Are you born of his Spirit ? Are you living daily by faith on his covenant, and righteousness, and promises ? Are you emptied of self, of your own strength as weakness, your own wisdom as folly, your own righteousness as guilt, glorying in Jesus as your salvation, and hope, and thus prepared to receive the summons with confidence and joy ? Alas, are there not some of you; are there not many of you who have rarely reflected on these realities ? Amidst your eager solicitude about this world and its concerns, you have neglected making preparation for the next. You have rarely employed an evening ; nay, may I not add, you have rarely occupied an hour in serious reflection about the soul, the precious soul that never dies; that must shortly plunge into a world unknown, a world of bliss or torment, of glory or reproach. You have rarely thought of a judgment to

“ come,” when you must stand in the presence of an impartial God, give an account of all the deeds you have done, of all the instructions you have heard, of all the opportuni

a

ties for promoting your own salvation, or the salvation of others which you have enjoyed, and then, according "to your words and works," be adjudged either to heaven or hell. Brethren, do you believe that it is "appointed for all men once to die, and after death the judgment ?" is it not folly, is it not madness in the extreme to live unprepared for death, and judgment? You know not the day, nor the place, nor the manner of your departure, and be admonished this hour that as you live you will probably die; and as you die you must remain for ever. "Where the tree falleth, there it shall lie." The moment of your dissolution determines your destiny beyond the peradventure of a change. The soul once damned shall never be redeemed: The flames of hell, once kindled around you, are never to be quenched : The tormenting worm once envenomed will give no respite; and the door of the bottomless pit once locked upon you shall never be opened more. "The Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power." Shall I be pronounced your enemy, because I thus plainly address and admonish you ? Certainly not. I only aim at convincing you of your disease, while there is a balm in the

gospel, and a Physician to administer it; I would point out to you the gathering storm, while there is a covert within view; a covert into which you may enter, and be eternally safe: I would shew you the avenger who pursues, who is thirsting for your blood, while the door of the city of refuge is yet open for your admission.

Will you listen to the counsels of a friend? Are you sensible of your danger, and resolved to turn your attention to the great interests of eternity? Would you acquaint now yourselves with God, and be at peace, thereby stand unruffled amidst all the terror, and all the grandeur of the judgment-day? Are such your resolutions, I congratulate you on this auspicious occasion, and assure you in my Master's name that all things are ready on the part of heaven to complete a negociation. The everlasting Father is ready: He reaches forth the olive branch of peace, and proclaims, "I, even I, am he that blotteth out your transgressions for mine own name's sake ; "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked;" Nay, for your more abundant encouragement he has confirmed this truth by the solemnity of his oath, "as I live, saith the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but would that he turn from his wicked ways, and live: turn ye, turn ye, why will you die, O house of Israel?" Why will you die, O inhabitants of Salem? Are not the mercies of Jehovah, as free to par