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and therefore, he chiefly seeks below the earnest of this inheritance, even " fellowship with God, and with his Son Jesus Christ." Heaven is not to him an indistinct idea of happiness, a vague notion of some new sort of existence ! It is the consummation of a blessedness begun on earth; it is the perfection of actions imperfectly performed here; it is the completion of love, and gratitude, and purity, and knowledge. It is no more the distant communications of a Father in a land of difficulty, and separation, and exile; but the actual entrance into his peaceful mansion, the actual welcome into his arms, the actual glow and tenderness of his countenance, the seeing eye to eye, and face to face! It is the entire absence of all sin and evil; the having all tears wiped away, and death, the last enemy, destroyed. It is the participation of the Redeemer's glory; the receiving of the crown of life; the being gathered into the fold-the fold no longer situated in the howling wilderness, nor assailed by the beating tempest; but the fold removed far out of the reach of evil, to the very paradise of God, where the Lamb, "which is in the midst of the throne," daily feeds his rejoicing flock, and leads them to the "eternal fountains of living waters!"

It is also evident that this instruction of God, though it promotes every fulfilment of

the relative duties of life; though it lead to the abounding in every good work; yet as it requires and cherishes a humble, self-denying, reflecting, and heavenly spirit, it entirely renders vapid and unsatisfactory all the gilded and thoughtless system of earthly pleasures; and thus exposes those who are under its influence, to trials and difficulties peculiar to themselves, and directly arising from their attachment to the truths it has revealed. Hence, they are told, when adopting this instruction, when placing themselves beneath its sway, not to do this ignorantly, but to sit down and count the cost; to weigh well whether, beginning to build, they shall be able to finish; whether for the joy, the immortal joy set before them, they can, if need be, renounce present ease, and reputation, and aggrandizement? Whether, for the blessed smile of a Saviour's countenance, they can bear the frowns, and reproach, and irritation of friends; and shrink not back, though "their foes should be of their own household?" Whether in the prospect of unwithering pleasures, and an undefiled inheritance, they can forego earthly emoluments, and riches, and blandishments? Whether in the assurance of a victory, unmingled with the fear of any after conflict, they can now go forth as soldiers of the cross, " to lay hold on eternal life?" These, and similar questions, are plainly

asked in the word of God; and they who adopt his counsel, are to weigh them well, lest "they draw back unto perdition."

The faithful soldier of Jesus Christ must be prepared, in the face of the world, and of his more subtile and spiritual enemies, to draw his sword, and to return it no more into its scabbard, until the voice of his Redeemer shall bid him rest for ever! Do I then address any this day who are actually girded for this conflict? who are humbly resolved, in the strength and grace of Jesus Christ, to bow, at all hazards, and under all circumstances, to the word, and counsel, and will of God? Do I address any, who through the power of the Spirit are ready to take the Lord's side, and to honour his cause in the world; who are steadily persuaded that he is the legitimate Lord, and Benefactor, and Redeemer, "whose they ought to be, and whom they ought to serve,' and who desire an interest in his salvation above every other blessing? Do I address any such? I would strengthen their resolution; I would confirm their purpose; I would animate them to the glorious struggle, by every motive which God has enabled me to suggest ! I would still say, "Be faithful unto death." "Resist even unto blood, striving against sin." Give yourselves unreservedly to Christ; contemplate his indescribable excellence, and

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henceforth count all things but loss for the knowledge of him; sacrifice all that the world can offer; yea, risk every thing for him, and upon the warrant of his word. Wherever his counsel points, there, without hesitation, follow. Eternity shall recompense every privation! Eternity shall disclose blessings, such as

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eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive ;" for "God shall keep the feet of his saints, when the wicked shall be silent in darkness." Oh! think you not that every trial shall be forgotten, every sorrow hushed, and every loss repaired, when those gratulating accents shall fall on the ravished ear," Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world!"

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SERMON XIX.

THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN.

LUKE Xviii. 13.

"AND THE PUBLICAN STANDING AFAR OFF WOULD NOT LIFT UP SO MUCH AS HIS EYES UNTO HEAVEN, BUT SMOTE UPON HIS BREAST SAYING, GOD BE MERCIFUL UNTO ME, A SINNER."

FEw passages of Scripture, are perhaps better known, and yet few more practically forgotten than the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican.

The parable, together with the intention with which it was spoken, are thus recorded by the Evangelist, And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others. Two men went up into the temple to pray. The one a Pharisee and the other a Publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself; God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this Publican; I fast twice in the week; I give tythes of all that I possess.' And the Publican

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