truly as we now see and know present things; and between us and all these wonderful things, there is nothing but the thin veil of human life which hides eternity from the view, but which faith draws aside and reveals to the Christian. "The things which are seen are temporal." All here on earth is fleeting empty shadow: to rest in it, to set our hearts on it, is to set our hearts on a thing which is not; which, in a little time, will be nothing in itself, and less than nothing to us: it is to build our house on the sands, instead of on the Rock of ages.

To "look" at these things, is not to cast a transient glance now and then at them, to yield a cold, languid assent to their truth; it is firmly to believe their existence and reality, and that we all shall very shortly be as intimately acquainted and connected with them, as with the things we now see, and feel, and taste; it is to give them the first place in our hearts; to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; it is to exert our utmost efforts for the attainment of them, to pursue them as the one thing needful, to choose that better part, which, whatever else we may have or want of this world's good, shall never be taken from us.

Such are some of the reflections which should occupy our minds, when considering such a

passage as that before us. And if these things be so, what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for, and hasting unto, this coming of our Lord? That we must all of us meet with trials and afflictions in this state, is certain; for "man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upwards. What the future will be, is known only to God; the grand question is, how we are taking our trials; what use we are making of them? We see what effect his trials and afflictions had on the Apostle; can we hope they have, in any measure, the same on us? As sanctified affliction is one of the greatest blessings, so unsanctified affliction is one of the greatest

curses.

Lastly, brethren, if we hope for heaven, if we hope for happiness through Christ, are we seeking it in the right way-by faith, by love, and obedience to him? Every man, who hath this hope in him, upon solid Scripture grounds, will purify himself; that is, will pray for the Holy Spirit for the Holy Spirit to enable him so to do. To possess heaven, there must be a heavenly mind. Heavenly-mindedness, we are

continually taught, is a necessary, an indispensable preparation for the kingdom of heaven. As our desires are, so are we: where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. He who supremely desires to be with Christ, he who prefers the enjoyment

which the Gospel offers of heavenly things, to the best or the greatest things this world can give,—he who lives as a stranger and a pilgrim here, sensible of his lost condition by nature, thankfully receiving God's mercy in Christ, living a life of faith and obedience, and waiting for his second coming to complete his happiness;-he has the earnest of the Spirit, he has one of the best and most solid evidences that he has not received the grace of God in vain; he is the Christian indeed. This was St. Paul's Christianity. Hence he was enabled to rejoice in tribulation, patiently to endure, and to be faithful even unto death.

Alas! brethren, for the folly, the misery of those who have their portion only in this life! Even now, their hearts can often tell them they have no real pleasure; and if they look beyond, what is their prospect? Doubt, darkness, and despair. For the short-lived pleasures of a day, for something, no matter what, of the possessions of this world, they barter their birth-right; and like Judas, may be said to sell their Lord, and their own souls, for thirty pieces of silver. Brethren, if there are any of this description here, listen to the voice of reason, to the voice of religion, and of your Saviour. Though your mountain now seem to stand strong, though all

around may now wear a smiling aspect,-yet, a sad reverse may await you. Your health, your worldly circumstances may speedily be different. And where will you go in the day of your calamity, if you know not God and Christ? Acquaint your self then with him, and be at peace. Flee from the wrath to come. Lay hold on eternal life.

My dear Christian friends, whoever you may be before me, as to your outward circumstances, consider and acknowledge your obligation to God, if he has turned away your eyes from beholding vanity, and taught you to seek a better country. Let the precepts, let the promises of the Gospel be your study and your song, now in the house of your pilgrimage. Let the hope it inspires lead you to walk worthy of that vocation wherewith you are called, adorning the doctrine of God your Saviour, and letting your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Prove to yourself, and to others, that your religion is not a mere name, or a fancy, but that it has a power in it; a power to subdue your evil propensities, as well as to make you fruitful in good works. Yet a little while, and your days of darkness and your nights of sorrow (should God see fit to send them) shall be succeeded by a morning without

clouds, and a day which knows no night, Then shall you understand, better than I can explain to you, the meaning of that beautiful promise: "Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself; for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended."1

1 Is. Ix. 20.!