us not into temptation; and considering the mention which he frequently made of this designing and malevolent being, it cannot be doubted, that his devices constitute a great part of that temptation, against which we are to pray for security. St. Peter inspired by the Holy Spirit, had no idea that the danger, hence resulting, was imaginary: Be sober; be vigilant; for your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour. It becomes us then, to maintain sobriety and caution, and to cultivate a sense of our dependence on Him, whose attributes are engaged for the salvation of all who obey him. III. Though our present connexion with incorporeal spirits is neither visible nor intimate, it will in both these respects be different in a future life. The two great communities, which constitute God's moral kingdom, will then be clearly distinguished. Similar characters, to whatever order of beings they once belonged, will then be united. Virtuous men will resemble angels, and be united with them: When they shall arise from the dead, saith our Saviour, they shall be as the angels, which are in heaven. Lazarus, we are told," was carried by angels, into Abraham's bosom." The author of the epistle to the Hebrews uses the following very animating language: Ye are come unto mount Zion and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first born, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant. Between bad men and evil spirits the connexion will be no less intimate. There is at present a similarity of character. Both violate the divine law, and contemn the divine government; though the latter do it with more constancy and daring, than the former. To the Jews our Saviour said: Ye are of your father, the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. Of the place, prepared for the reception and punishment of rebellious spirits, they will not be the sole occupants. Thither, has our Saviour informed us, all impenitent human beings will be commanded to depart. We are now preparing to associate with one of these great divisions. Every vicious habit, every vicious action or thought, tends to assimilate us to the great community of reprobate spirits; every habit and every action, implying real virtue, tends to prepare us for the most honorable communion and intercourse with angels. If then you have ambition, Christianity proposes to you an object most worthy of it. you desire glory, it offers you glory, honor and immortality. If you aspire, let it be to nothing less, than to celestial thrones; -to a participation among them, for whom a kingdom was prepared before the foundation of the world. If |