"white in the blood of the Lamb, therefore are "they before the throne of God, and serve him "day and night in his temple; and he that sit"teth on the throne shall dwell among them; "they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any "more; neither shall the sun light upon them, "nor any heat, for the Lamb which is in the "midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall "lead them unto living fountains of water, and "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." They shall live in the midst of the most perfect, honourable, and happy society. What an innumerable company of angels to assist and associate with them in every service, and in every enjoyment! What a countless multitude redeemed with them from among men of every age, and kindred, and tongue, and nation, and not an unholy or unhappy member among them-no difference of sentiment, no contending passions, no interfering interests, no untuned harp, and no discordant heart to give a moment's disturbance to their sweet celestial harmony. But the enjoyment connected with their benevolent useful character, will chiefly arise from those who have been the objects of their kind and liberal charity upon earth. They may be amongst the first

to hail them into these everlasting habitations. And highly indeed must they think themselves honoured to receive the blessings and congratu lations of those saints, whose faith was strengthened, whose patience was supported, whose drooping spirits were revived, and whose bodily diseases were healed or wants supplied, by their charitable offices. How exquisite will be their feelings, when others present themselves, who were first brought into the ways of salvation, and kept in it by them, the instruments in the hand of God for accomplishing this blessed effect? How will their crowns of joy and rejoicing now brighten on their heads? Every recognized effect of their beneficence, and each recorded instance of its progressive influence among their fellow-men, shall bring new accessions to their high enjoyment. Shall all this distinguished glo. ry be received as only the success and enjoyment of vain ambition and carnal pride? No, my brethren, no such sentiment or gratification can have a moment's existence in the realms of light. Another, and far nobler spirit dwells in their blessed inhabitants. They are fitted to bear "an "exceeding great and eternal weight of glory," without the possibility of any degree of self-con,

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ceit, or any vain, or foolish, or proud imagination ever rising in their minds. They enjoy themselves and one another in God and the Lamb, as the everlasting source and centre of every hon

our and joy. Though surrounded, therefore, with those who owe and acknowledge eternal obligations to their former kindness and care, these sincere and warm acknowledgments, so far from being intended or received as flattery, or converted into self-admiration, turn all their thoughts on Him, who hath done all things according to the counsel of his own will. They contemplate, with a growing enlargement of soul, and with unceasing rapture, the connected plans and operations of providence and grace, thus unfolded to their admiring view. They now see, with pleasing and increasing astonishment, how all the parts of their former histories, which here appear detached and accidental, were regular links of one chain, formed by infinite wisdom, preserved unbroken amidst all the vicissitudes of life, by an Almighty Providence, and extending from eternity to eternity. There is not, therefore, any thing great, or good, or happy, in themselves, or in others by their means, which they now do not trace up to him who sitteth

upon the throne. Delightfully and gratefully they view every disposition and exertion in themselves to do good, and all its various influence and effects upon others, as originating solely in divine love, rendered efficacious only by the divine agency, and now gloriously rewarded by the purest grace. They, therefore, break out in one adoring hymn of praise-" O the depths of the "riches both of the wisdom and goodness of "God! How unsearchable are his judgments, "and his ways past finding out!" "Not unto ❝ us, O Lord! not unto us, but unto thy name "be all the glory." If such grace and truth and glory are contained in the promise in our text, is it not exceedingly great and precious, and have we not the most complete evidence and assurance, that he who soweth bountifully shall "reap also bountifully ?"

Having offered what appeared necessary to the illustration of the plan proposed, let me now intreat your attention to the practical improvement of the subject.

In the first place, then, it may direct us in forming a just judgment of our own characters. Various are the sources of self-deception. It

does not belong to my present subject to point them out, but rather to observe that we are well guarded against all mistakes, by the uniform connexion marked in scripture betwixt our duty and our interest, our character and prospects; and by the variety of description employed to distinguish the true Christian from the false assuming pretender. Thus, in the text which we have attempted to illustrate, we find the most glorious hopes set before us, even a rich harvest of eternal honour and joy. But who shall enjoy it?"Let us not be deceived; God is not mock"ed; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall "he also reap." "He that soweth sparingly, "shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth "bountifully, shall reap bountifully." We must, then, either abandon every hope beyond the grave, or inquire and decide concerning that character with which this hope is connected. Let us apply to the close examination of our prevailing views, dispositions, and conduct. Are we charitable? Are we liberal in charity? Amiable divine charity! Who does not celebrate thy praise? What virtue stands so high on the roll of fame? Against it there is no law. Its reputation is established and universal. But does it really