Sorrow he will thing richly to enjoy. know no more; for he will be with that JESUS, who will "wipe every tear from his "eye," and fill his heart with joy and gladness. Oppression and unkindness he will no longer dread; for he will be removed to that land, where "the wicked cease "from troubling, and the weary be at "rest." Want and weariness he will never again experience: for he will be filled with those "treasures, which the moth cannot "consume, nor the thief steal away;" and find everlasting rest in the bosom of that GOD," in whose presence is fulness of "joy, and on whose right hand there are pleasures for ever more." Behold, my brethren, the happy lot of those "who have their conversion in heaven;" who, while upon earth, live with God; and without shrinking from the proper duties of their situation, or relaxing in the least from a course of honest industry, and social usefulness, still contrive to have their hearts and thoughts chiefly directed to heaven; and never, for a moment, lose sight of the rich recompense of reward, that will crown their faithful service, when this world, and all its concerns, shall have passed away for To them it matters but little, that their condition here below is not among ever. "the high and lofty ones of the earth;" because they are well convinced, that even earthly happiness is not confined to any particular situation of life; but that the man of low degree, if his conscience be clear, and his spirit contented, will enjoy a far greater portion of it, than the most prospe rous of his brethren, who have not these blessings within them; and still more assured are they, that heavenly happiness (the most desirable thing that a reasonable soul can thirst after) is always within the reach of those who "seek Go and his righteous"ness," in preference to every other object. It cannot be doubted, my brethren, that there is some difficulty in leading a true christian life; for, if it were perfectly easy to perform the many duties which the gospel requires of us, there would certainly be no reason, why we should be rewarded by fulfilling them. CHRIST himself has told us, that, in obeying his law, we must sometimes suffer as much, as if we plucked out a right eye, or cut off a right hand. We must exercise much self-denial under temptation; much fortitude under trial; much resignation under affliction; much submission under poverty; much forbearance under provocation; and much forgiveness under injuries: we must practise strict honesty, whatever advantages we might gain by fraud; active industry, however inclined we may be to be indolent; and constant temperance, soberness, and chastity, however strongly our passions may incline us to break through these christian virtues. But, believe me, my christian friends, if the difficulties of a religious life were tenfold what they really are; and, if the advantages attending a wicked course, were all that the heart would wish them to be; it would still be as much our wisdom, as it is our duty, to undergo the one with cheerfulness; and to avoid the other, as we would fly from poison. The promises of CHRIST exceed all that the eye hath seen, the ear heard, or the imagination conceived; and the enjoyment of them is, consequently, worth all our labour, study, and attention. Every thing here below, when compared with the happiness of heaven, is vain, empty, and worthless; and every man, who, for a moment, considers the subject seriously, must see, and feel, and acknowledge, that no difficulties are too great to be borne ; no sacrifices too large to be made; no trials too hard to be undergone; and no advantages too tempting to be given up; in order that, at the last great day, "his vile body may "be made like unto CHRIST's glorious body;" and that his portion through eternity may be with "the blessed of the "everlasting Father." SERMON LV. [For the Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Trinity.] COLOSSIANS i. 10. That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unte all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. EVERY man who believes the Bible to be the word of God, must also feel convinced, that religion is the most important of all concerns. Every thing except this, is confined to the present world; "is "begun, continued, and ended" here; and can have no connection with a future staté. By study and perseverance we may gain much learning, and become acquainted with numberless things, which are hidden to those, who have not had the same opportunity with ourselves of getting knowledge; but, when 66 the hour of death arrives, all our learning is blotted out, and we become as ignorant as the meanest of the people. By "rising up "early, late taking rest, and eating the "bread of carefulness," we may heap to. gether a great deal more money than our neighbours possess; and, as long as life lasts, " say to our souls, Soul, take thine "ease, eat, drink, and be merry, and let "to-morrow be as to-day, or much more “abundant;" but, the moment we breathe our last sigh, our "riches make themselves "wings, and fly away;" for, we "brought nothing into this world, and it is certain "we may carry nothing out." By great acts, and heroical deeds, we may gain our-selves a name among men, and be the wonder and admiration of those around us; but, as soon as the spirit departs from its earthly tabernacle, we cease to hear the voice of praise; and the shouts of the multitude will be of no more worth to us, than the "sound of brass, or the tinkling of a cymbal.' We may have houses, and lands, and " riches " in possession ;" but, as soon as we are called to "depart hence, and be no more "seen," we must quit possession for ever, and give them up to those who are coming after us. Nay, what is more, we may have affectionate relations, kind friends, and dutiful |
