nges of eternity. But these suppositions are plainly contrary to the natural and moral perfections of the Deity, and to his own declarations concerning the end of the world, and the complete accomplishment of his original design in the creation of it.

4. If God shall have such a rich and plentiful harvest at the end of the world, then all his faithful labourers have a bright and glorious prospect before them: Though they are now really wheat and the excellent of the earth; yet they are in a green and imperfect state, and can scarcely be distinguished by themselves and others from the tares in the field. But all intelligent beings are constantly labouring to ripen them. for the harvest, and bring them to maturity and perfection in knowledge, holiness, and happiness. Though they are now the sons of God, yet it doth not yet appear what they shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, they shall be like him in every natural and moral excellence, and shine forth as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. They will rejoice to find themselves, and so many myriads of rational and immortal creatures brought to a state of perfection, and completely prepared for everlasting rest and enjoyment. But above all, they will rejoice, that God had perfectly obtained his supreme and ultimate end in the creation of the world, by his rich and plentiful harvest. For his harvest will be their harvest, and they shall enjoy the fruits of all his and their own labours, so far as they shall be capable of enjoying them. Thus light is continually sowing for the righteous, and gladness of heart for the upright. Though the harvest they are preparing will not be ripe until the end of the world, yet let them not be weary in well-doing: for in due season they shall reap, if they faint not.

Success in

any business is the most animating motive to activity. It was the prospect, which Moses had of the recompense of reward, that animated him to labour so long and so faithfully for God. It was the prospect of success in bringing home many sons unto glory, that induced Christ to endure the pains and reproaches of

the cross. And the apostle urges christians to the greatest activity in the service of God, from the same motive of success. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; for as much as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

5. If God always has been, from the beginning of the world, carrying on his original design of producing a rich and plentiful harvest at the end of it; then none can cordially approve of any part of his conduct, without approving of the whole. Many, however, imagine, that they approve of many things he has done, who say they do not approve of his eternal purpose, nor of innumerable instances of his conduct in the dispensations of his providence and grace. But none can really and heartily approve of any one thing he has done, in creating, preserving, governing, and redeeming the world, who do not approve of his ultimate design in the creation of the world, and of every thing he has done, and employed others to do, to produce a rich and plentiful harvest at the end of it. His design is uniform and consistent, and in its very nature and operation, deeply affects all his intelligent creatures, who either approve, or disapprove of it. Some approve of it, and desire and endeavour to promote it; and some disapprove of it, and desire and endeavour to prevent its accomplishment. None are neuters. Every one is on the Lord's side, or against him; every one gathers with him, or scatters abroad. All in the invisible world, are openly for him, or against him; all in this world, are really, though not visibly, for him, or against him. And it is because mankind are not so well acquainted with God's ultimate end in creation, as the good and evil angels are, that they do not as openly appear and act for him, and against him. Did all men now only know and realize that design which God formed in eternity, and which he has been pursuing, and will finally accomplish at the end of the world, there would not be a doubting christian, nor a doubting sinner on the face of the earth. When

and

the tares and the wheat are ripe for the harvest, there will be no difficulty in distinguishing them one from another; so when saints and sinners are ripe for God's harvest at the end of the world, there will not be a doubting saint or sinner. And it is in the view of God's harvest, that both saints and sinners, can now best discover, whether they are really for him or against him. Let them then only consider what he has plainly told them concerning his harvest, at the end of the world, and what a separation he will make between the tares and the wheat, the sheep and the goats, and his faithful and unfaithful servants, and they can scarcely doubt, whether God's harvest will be a day of the greatest joy, or of the deepest sorrow to them.

6 This subject calls upon you all, to inquire, for what, and for whom, you have been labouring. There is no doubt but you have generally been industrious and laborious about something; but for what have you been labouring? Have you been labouring for the meat that perisheth, or for that which endureth unto eternal life? Have you been labouring to lay up treasures in heaven, or to lay up goods for many years, and to become great, and rich, and happy in this present life only? Have you been labouring for God, or for yourselves? Have you been seeking his interest or your own? Have you been workers together with him, or with his enemies? It is easy to answer these questions in the view of this subject. If you have approved of God's ultimate end in the creation, preservation, government, and redemption of the world, which he has been pursuing, and which he will certainly accomplish at the end of it; and if you have been labouring to prepare yourselves and others for a state of perfection, in knowledge, holiness, and happiness; you have been labouring for God; if not, you have been idle and worse than idle all your days. God says of Israel, "He is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself." "Now, therefore, thus saith the Lord of hosts, to those who bring forth fruit unto themselves, consider your ways, ye have sown much, and bring in little; yo

eat but have not enough; ye drink, but are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages, earneth wages to put into a bag with holes." It seriously concerns all to consider their ways, whether they have been labouring for God, and laying up treasure in heaven; or whether they have been labouring for themselves, and are exposed to suffer an everlasting and irreparable loss.

Finally, if any are conscious to themselves, that they have never been labouring for God, let them immediately devote themselves to his service. He has determined to carry into execution his eternal and ultimate end in the creation of the world, and to prepare all things for a rich and plentiful harvest. He has been labouring, his Son has been labouring, his Spirit has been labouring, his angels have been labouring, and multitudes of mankind have been labouring, for several thousand years, to bring millions and millions of rational and immortal creatures to the highest perfection in knowledge, holiness, and happiness, and yet there remains a vast deal to be donc, in order to bring about this most important and desireable event. And we have reason to think, that God will still employ human, as well as other subordinate agents, in preparing things for his rich harvest at the end of the world. Here then, let me observe, that it will not interrupt any of your lawful business to enter into God's vineyard and labour for him. It will make all your labours more pleasant, more prosperous, and unspeakably more useful. It will entitle you to as large a portion of the knowledge, holiness, and happiness of heaven, as you can desire, or possibly enjoy. "Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for he shall eat the fruit of his doings." "And he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." But if you continue to neglect to serve God he will bring his harvest to maturity, gather in his wheat, and separate the tares to unquenchable fire. "And there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. hear."

Who hath cars to hear let him