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- of future blessings, and the way in which God fits and trains up his children for the family above.

Wherever the Gospel is preached, there, to a larger or smaller extent, these blessings are imparted to those who faithfully hear it. But we have hitherto only discoursed of blessings given in this life: let us look forward a little. 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. Rev. xxii, 14.

What then are the happy results of faithful hearing, as they regard eternal life? Let us look at it only in one point-the PERFECT KNOWLEDGE OF GOD WHICH WE SHALL THERE ATTAIN. Now, under the clearest discourses of the ministry, and the fullest privileges of the Gospel, we see through a glass darkly, but then, face to face: now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known. There is a veil of flesh between us and the world of spirits; there is a body of sin and death that intercepts our view, and obscures our prospect, and hinders our full knowledge. True it is, we have the cheering light of God's holy word; (an inestimable advantage) u light to our feet, and a lamp to our paths, to guide us safe in the way to heaven., Christians are like men travelling along a high road in the night, with a sufficient light in their hands to guide them through to their home; but they can see little or nothing of the beauties and glories of the country through which they pass; the most splendid landscape may be spread before them; the hills, and dales, and rivers, and woods may enrich the scene with diversified beauty; the most curious, and delicate plants and flowers may adorn the whole, and yet the pilgrim be either unconscious of it, or unable to discern it. But, bye and bye, the night will pass away, the morning of the resurrection will

e. They

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they hear; for verily I say unto you, that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those thing which ye hear, and have not heard them. They wer blessed above those around them who disregarded the words of Christ; and above even kings and prophets of former ages, who, though they knew Christ, and trusted in him as a Saviour to come, had yet com paratively very indistinct apprehensions of him, and would have rejoiced to have witnessed what the Apostles did. The particulars of this blessing ar worthy of distinct and full consideration. In what respects is the faithful hearer blessed?

HIS FACULTIES ARE THEN EMPLOYED THE END FOR WHICH THEY WERE GIVEN.

FOR

Our

various senses and abilities, our sight, our hearing our memory, understanding, and affections, were bestowed upon us for the glory of God, and our own present and eternal good. They are then engaged for these ends, and used to the best account, when they are exercised upon discovering and receiving the sacred truths of the Gospel. The Gospel alone sets before us that which can fill and satisfy our immortal souls; and when our faculties are employed on other things, without reference to, or concern about, the will of God, all our powers are wasted and squandered away; we spend money for that which is not bread, and labour fer that which satisfieth not. They are not merely unprofitably expended, but lost in a way that will bring upou us future condemnation and final ruin. But let our

faculties be rightly directed to know and do the will of God, and we are so living as he would have us live, will glorify his name, secure his favour, and our own best happiness.

HIS

MANY ADVANTAGES ARE IMPROVED to

e purpose for which they have been bestowed. culiar and distinguished are the privileges which we joy in this day, and in this land. We live in a day

much light; and, blessed be God, of increasing ligion and piety. We live in a protestant country, nd have the Bible richly diffused among us. We do ot enough thank God for being born in such an age, id such a country, and that we are spared a combat with many prejudices of birth, custom, and example, hich our forefathers sustained, and others still sustain.

is true, that some have to struggle through great ifficulties, before they are brought to see the truth as esis in Jesus: if grace has enabled us to do so, we Save only the more cause for gratitude. But there are Wultitudes who neglect all these advantages, and who Our vill therefore have a worse doom hereafter than Sodom ador Gomorrah. To have been led by divine grace to of Geize the golden opportunity for eternal life, is a blessng for which we shall thank God through eternity. best at was not any wisdom in the Christian, more than in

ev

are

and ret others; it was, God's mercy, and the teaching of his

Gospel &

Our

Spirit, that made all the difference. This wonderfully enhances the blessing, and for this our song shall

ployed a swell the heavenly chorus hereafter, with endless joy about, and gratitude.

squanderék

HIS KNOWLEDGE

t bread, TRUTHS IS ENLARGED.

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OF THE MOST IMPORTANT

It is not merely the readaring of good books, or hearing of good sermons, from worldly motives, and in a worldly spirit, that increases divine knowledge. The teaching of God's Spirit is necessary for this end; and that teaching is freely bestowed in a due regard to the preaching of the word.

now and di

would bare

H

s favour, How blessed is it to be thus divinely instructed! All

saving knowledge comes from hence; if you negle the means which God has appointed, he may le your soul to perish for lack of knowledge, in the mik of the most abundant means. But experience shews by a bumble, faithful, and regular attendance on ministry of the word, with a spirit of prayer for Go blessing, knowledge of divine things is given to you fr above. Thus every sermon may be the means of ya increasing in heavenly wisdom. It is in this view t Solomon says, Hear instruction, and be wise, refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth s watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of = doors; for whoso findeth me, findeth life, and sha obtain favour of the Lord. A little knowledge, whe it is from above, where it is gracious and saving, has blessedness above all calculation. At the time that Lord pronounced the Apostles blessed, (Matt. xiii, 16 they knew very little, but they were under his teaching he explained his doctrine to them more fully; and, ! degrees, they came to the riches of the full assurance! understanding. Let us then earnestly apply ourselve to this source of instruction. How forcible, in th view, is that address, (Prov. ii, 1-6.) My son, if th wilt receive my words, and bide my commandments wits thee, so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding: yea, if thou cries after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understand ing; if thou seekest for her as silver, and searchest jø her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God, jo God giveth wisdom.

ཞ

Hereby WE KNOW THAT GOD HAS CALLED US OUT OF THE WORLD, TO PARTAKE OF THE

BLESSINGS OF THE GOSPEL. St. Paul says, Whon

did predestinate, them he also called. Rom. viii, 30, is is an inestimable privilege. By the preaching of

Gospel we are called out from a world lying in kedness, from the service of sin and Satan, to follow Saviour and obtain his glory. 2 Thess. ii, 14. In s heavenly calling, (Heb. iii, 1.) we are invited by the ther of all mercies freely to partake of all spiritual essings. Are we doubtful whether we are included? w can we doubt, when the last lingering words of his vn book again repeat the oft-reiterated (Isa. ly, 1; hn vii, 37.) invitation, Whosoever will, let him take of he water of life freely. Rev. xxii, 17. Do you feel so ressed and weighed down with sin, that you think you Fannot be included? you are the very persons specially hvited-Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy

den, and I will give you rest. Matt. xi, 28. Do you onet hesitate? ministers are sent on purpose to entreat blou-We are ambassadors for Christ; as though God werewlid beseech you by us, we pray you, in Christ's stead, be bene reconciled. 2 Cor. v, 20. Are you still full of fears

my

that you MAY not believe? nay, rather fear, lest you earnest HOULD not obey his commands; for this is his comHomandment, that ye should believe on the name of his son 16 Jesus Christ. 1 John iii, 23. Rather fear, lest you incur his final wrath by unbelief-He that believeth not near the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth ngon him. John iii, 36. And as God, thus calls all that yo hear the Gospel by the outward preaching, so he her, inwardly, by the teaching and internal calling of his at the blessed Spirit, given with the outward word, disposes his people to attend to his word, and to become partakers of his blessing, and to have fellowship with his Son. D HAS 1 Cor. i, 9; 1 Thess. i, 5.

PARTAKI

St. Paul

CONVICTION OF SIN FOLLOWS A RIGHT HEAR

02