children of men,” and “whose loving kindness is better than life ?” Can we rejoice more in our little, uncertain, unsatisfying, perishable possessions, than in that inheritance above, which the Saviour obtained with so much travail, and which he now occupies in our name; "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled," all-satisfying in its nature, and endless in its duration? Shall we be more eager in pursuing the duties of our temporal calling, in attending to our farms, our merchandise, or other occupations, than “in pressing towards the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus," and preparing for an abundant entrance into his everlasting kingdom? How can we think so much, and talk so much, and toil, so much about this passing world, and yet feel so regardless about heaven, our eternal home, where alone perfection either of holiness or bliss is to be expected ? O how happy beyond conception are they, who have reached that region of glory, “whither the Forerunner is for us entered !” They are seated upon thrones; they hold palms in their hands; they wear crowns upon their heads; their natures are perfectly purified; their capacities inconceivably expanded ; their eloquence most elevated; their vision unclouded; their pleasures unceasing and all-satisfying; their song uninterrupted ; they see without a veil the lovely, loving Jesus, “who is the brightness of the Father's glory,” and with the smile of his counte-..

nance diffuses a plenitude of joy through all the inhabitants of the heavenly city. Are such their attainments, and yet shall I not long to be there, to be near my best friend, to be like him, to feel his power, and see his glory? Am I a stranger on earth, and yet not desirous to be home? Am I often enveloped "with clouds and darkness," and yet not looking out for the dawn of unclouded, everlasting day? "The night is far spent ;" come therefore, ye virgins of light, and let us "gird up the loins of our mind; let us be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto us at the revelation of Jesus Christ." The heavens have received our beloved, but it is only "until the restitution of all things;" they will soon reveal him to our exceeding joy: For as often as ye eat this bread, which is now to be consecrated as a memorial of his dying love, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death TILL HE

COME.

4. Affection to the souls of careless hearers, constrains me to apply this doctrine for a few moments to them. The ascension of the Son of God is a fact not more replete with triumph to his children, than with terror to his enemies. An enthroned Redeem-, er is the most important friend, but beyond comparison the most awful, irresistible adversary. "The Son of man shall hereafter come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him;" and what will be the effect upon an ungodly, impenitent world? "And the

kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every freeman, will hide themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and say to the mountains and rocks, fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand ?” The great day of his wrath is come. As the messenger of the Lord of hosts, I beseech every secure, prayerless, Christless individual “that hath ears to hear, to hear this" message. THE GREAT DAY OF HIS WRATH WILL COME.

His day of grace has already come : It has continued long to many of

you:

Its cheering light has shone clearly around you : But it will not last always ; it may not last long : There is a moment coming when your day of grace must close, and then naught but night, lonely, cheerless, eternal night.—The radiance of the day of grace, which is now shining mildly around you, will be succeeded by a fiery stream issuing from the mouth of the judge, and the soothing voice of mercy, which you have heard again, and again,

, shall give place to the thunders of his ire, which will shock your ears, and “rend the caul of your hearts.” And I warn you beforehand that there is no wrath so insupportable as the wrath of the Lamb, of a neglected, insulted, indignant Saviour. The sentence, depart from me, ye cursed, will appear

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sevenfold more awful when uttered by him who “ came to seek and to save. gloom of the bottomless pit will appear sevenfold more gloomy to the wretched inhabitants from the consideration that the door is locked upon them by the very hand which had opened a gate to glory, and been pressing them to enter in. The flames of hell will become sevenfold more intense and intolerable when blown up by one who had offered to quench them with his own blood. I have not language to express; I do believe that the angels of God have not language to express the amazement, the confusion, the horror which will cleave the damned multitude when the heavens shall reveal their Judge, and “ all the people shall see his glory." Ye careless hearers, of whom “I travail as it were in birth again, until Christ be formed in you;" ye unconcerned young men and young women; ye thoughtless boys and girls, are these things real? Will the trump of God be blown? Will the great white throne be erected ? Will the Ancient of days descend and sit upon it? “Will the books be opened” in which are written down all the years you have been spared in lífe; all the sabbaths you have enjoyed; all the sermons you have heard ; all the instructions and admonitions, and entreaties, accompanied sometimes with tears, which you have had from me his unworthy servant ? « Kiss then the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his

wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” Blessed, thrice blessed are they that do his commandments; that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.-AMEN.

SERMON V.

HEBREWS VII, 25.

He ever liveth to make intercession for them.

IN every science there are certain principles on which all the others not only intimately depend, but are immediately founded. The root supports the whole tree; from it all the branches, the least, and the most remote derive their nourishment and verdure, and even their life. It is the foundation which gives strength and stability to the whole superstructure; on it every material, in every part of the building, necessarily depends for solidity and support. In our holy religion also there is one doctrine which surpasses in importance all other doctrines; which constitutes the foundation of this sacred superstructure; with which all the other doctrines are intimately connected, and from which they all derive their consistence, and glory, and value. You have probably gone before me in re,

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