between the fear of giving countenance to enthusiasm, and of suppressing one of the most consolatory truths of the Christian religion. It is, however, a fact, that there are highly-favoured souls, to whom the Holy Spirit confirms the promises of celestial happiness, by a communication of its foretastes here on earth.

By foretastes of celestial happiness, I mean the impression made on the mind of a Christian, of the sincerest piety, by this consolatory thought; "My soul is immortal: death, which seems to terminate, only changes the mode of my existence: my body also shall participate of eternal life; the dust shall be re-animated, and its scattered particles collected into a glorious form."

By foretastes of celestial happiness, I mean, the unshaken confidence a Christian feels, even when assailed with doubts,-when oppressed with deep affliction, and surrounded with the veil of death, which conceals the objects of his hope: this assurance enables him to say, I know in whom I have believed, and I am persuaded he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day, 2 Tim. i. 12. I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God, Job xix. 25, 26. O God! though thou slay me, yet will I trust in thee. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 1 nill fear no evil, Psa. xxiii. 4. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is on my right hand, I shall not be moved, Psa. xvi. 8.

By foretastes of celestial happiness, I mean, the delights of glorified saints in heaven, which some find while dwelling on earth: when, far from the multitude, secluded from care, and conversing with the blessed God, they can express themselves in these words, My soul is satisfied with marrow and fatness, when I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate upon thee in the night-watches, Psa. lxiii. 5, 6. Our conversation is in heaven, Phil. iii. 20.

By foretastes of celestial happiness, I mean, the impatience which some of the faithful feel, to terminate a life of calamities and imperfections; and the satisfaction they receive every evening, on reflecting that another day of their pilgrimage is passed; that they are one step nearer to eternity. In this tabernacle we groan earnestly, desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven, 2 Cor. v. 2. My desire is to depart, and to be with Christ, Phil. i. 28. Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why do his coursers proceed so slow? When shall I come, and appear before God, Psalms xl. 2.

My brethren, in what language have I been speaking? How few understand it? To how many does it seem an unknown tongue? But we have to blame ourselves alone if we are not anointed in this way, and sealed by the Holy Ghost; and if we do not participate in these foretastes of eternity, which are the genuine earnests of heaven. But ah! our taste is spoiled in the world. We have contracted the low habits of seeking happiness solely in the re

creations of the age. Most, even of those who conform to the precepts of piety, do it by constraint. We obey God, merely because he is God. We feel not the unutterable sweetness in these appellations of Father, Friend, and Benefactor, under which he is revealed by religion. We do not conceive that his sole object, with regard to man, is to make him happy. But the world,-the world,-is the object which attracts the heart, and the heart of the best amongst us.

Let us then love the world, seeing it has pleased God to unite us to it by ties so tender. Let us endeavour to advance our families, to add a little lustre to our name, and some consistency to what is denominated, fortune. But O! after all, let us regard these things in their true light. Let us recollect that, upon earth, man can only have transient happiness. My fortune is not essential to my felicity; the lustre of my name is not essential to my felicity; the establishment of my family is not essential to my felicity: and, since none of these things are essential to my happiness, the great God, the Being supremely gracious, has, without the least violation of his goodness, left them in the uncertainty and vicissitude of all sublunary bliss. But my salvation, my salvation, is far above the vicissitudes of life. The mountains shall depart, and the hills be moved; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, Isa. liv. 10. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath for the heavens shall

vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment; but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished, Isa. li. 6. May God indulge our hope, and crown it with sucAmen.

cess.