law and the prophets "." To dispense happiness to his intelligent creatures, is the gracious design of the benevolent Parent of the universe. But in proportion as they are conformed to his image of purity and love will be the happiness which they enjoy. It was the design, therefore, of all his dispensations, to form in the souls of men that Charity or love which is the source of every virtue, and the principle of every good action; which, transforming the soul into the image of God, prepares her for enjoying the bliss of his presence, whose ineffable nature is love.

Yes; this divine virtue of Charity will flourish in ever-increasing glory, when Faith and Hope shall cease their operations. These are the virtues of an imperfect and probationary state. That glorious God, that merciful Saviour, in whom Faith confides, are now unseen; their attributes and glories are but imperfectly revealed; their counsels are unsearchable, and their ways past finding out. But in heaven, the state of final reward, the clouds and darkness which obscure this probationary scene shall be dispersed. The glory of God shall be unveiled. We shall behold the full splendour of his attributes. We shall discern the infinite wisdom, righteousness, and goodness of his counsels, his works, and his ways. We shall see that Redeemer, whose grace and mercy faith

P Matt. xx. 40.

now only imperfectly realizes, "face to face." We shall then "know even as also we are known"." Faith shall terminate in full and glorious vision.

In this state of trial, Hope animates us with the prospect of attaining those exalted spiritual blessings now only imperfectly enjoyed. With ardour she anticipates the period when error shall no more cloud the understanding, when sin shall no more invade the soul, and when care and sorrow shall no more embitter her joys. Hope, animating us with the prospect of future perfection and blessedness, supports and strengthens us under every trial, and excites us to vigorous perseverance in the course which is to terminate in such exalted glory. But when this course is terminated, when every blessing which Hope anticipated is realised in the full possession of the favour of God and the bliss of his presence, Hope will be swallowed up in enjoyment.

Charity alone remains.

In that state of perfection in Heaven, admitted into the presence and view of the glory of God, through the countless revolutions of eternity, new discoveries of his wisdom and his goodness will be opened to the enraptured soul; and through ceaseless ages new and more lively emotions of love will transport her. Love, thus emanating from the divine glory, pervades all the

1. 1 Cor. xiii. 9.

ranks of those beatified spirits with which the soul mingles. In this blest society, no envy, no resentment, no discontent, no discord, intrude to interrupt its peace. One spirit reigns-of love, of gratitude, of transcendant felicity. One voice bursts forth from the unnumbered ranks-the voice of adoration, of praise, of unceasing hallelujahs. The divine spirit of love, which reigns among them, knows no decay. It ever increases in fervor. From an infinite source it emanates; on an infinite good it is exercised. For God, who constitutes in Heaven the felicity of the saints, is infinite love.

This subject unfolds to us the great importance of faith.

Considered as a religious and immortal, yet imperfect and sinful being, what knowledge can be so interesting to man as that of the attributes and will of the God who made him; of the terms on which the holy Sovereign, whom he hath offended, will restore him to favor; of the aids against the temptations, the consolations under the sorrows of this changing and evil world; and above all, of the life beyond the grave, of the destiny which awaits him when this sublunary scene vanishes for ever from his view. And where is the knowledge of these truths, supremely interesting, to be obtained? Only in that sacred word, which, revealing them in full lustre, contains intrinsic evidence of that

divine origin, which the strongest external evidence attests. And how are these truths to be received-but by faith in them, founded on the testimony of their divine Author? How are they to become active principles of virtue, consolation, and felicity-but by realizing powerfully, habitually, and fervently, their nature, their transcendant value, their divine certainty ?

But, fallen as man

Faith, therefore, lies at the foundation of all true religion, all genuine morality. It is a necessary, and it is a reasonable virtue. It is the highest exercise of reason, to receive truths which are as pure as they are interesting, on the authority of him who cannot deceive us, and who has a supreme right to command us. is; his understanding is dark, his will perverse, his heart depraved. Faith, therefore, though it be formed in the understanding, can become a settled and an active principle of obedience, purifying the heart, and reforming the life, only by the quickening power of the Spirit of God. The influences of divine grace are required by the weakness and corruption of our nature. They are made necessary by the order of God. pendence, while it checks presumption, nourishes hope, and animates virtue; for it makes us strong in the strength of the Almighty. Pray therefore, brethren, to God, for that divine, that operative, that purifying, and consoling faith, which is, though the highest exercise of reason, his gift.

8

And this spiritual de

It fixes our

Of this faith, it is a principal characteristic, that it represents blessings, to which sinful and imperfect man could never, by any strength or merit of his own, aspire, as attainable, through the grace and mercy of God, in Jesus Christ. Thus does it animate the bosom with divine hope. earnest desires and expectations on blessings of transcendant value; release from the bondage of error and sin; perfection in truth and virtue; the enjoyment of the presence of God, of the glories of the Saviour, of the society of angelic beings, and of the spirits of the just made perfect. These, Christians, are the objects that should call forth your vigorous hope. The expectation of them will prove a solace under all your sorrows, and exalt all your joys. Hope for them sincerely, constantly, ardently. You will find in them pure and unfailing sources of felicity. Hope for them-infinitely transcending indeed as they do your deserts, they yet are attainable. They are assured, on the veracity of God himself, to that "faith which worketh by love"."

This exalted grace of Charity then is the final standard by which you should estimate your pretensions to the character and privileges of the saints of God. "God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him"." Unless

Gal. v. 6.

1 John iv. 16.