SERMON XVII.

THE CHRISTIAN'S SUPPORT IN THE PROSPECT OF DISSOLUTION.

2 CORINTHIANS v, 1.

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

WHEN we read the scriptural account of the labours and sufferings which the ancient servants of God, and St. Paul in particular, endured in their endeavours to promote the gospel of Christ, we may very naturally inquire, what motives or what encouragements could suffice, to induce them thus willingly to encounter labours and sufferings, and even death itself? This question is answered in this and in the preceding chapter, where the Apostle speaks at large respecting the views he entertained upon the subject. Among other

things, in the words of our text, he states his full expectation of a happy event to all his trials-his full assurance that even death itself would be his everlasting gain.

And though christians, in the present day, stand in a very different situation from that of the Apostle; yet, when we see, as we do at times, some among us passing through painful and wearisome afflictions, not only with patience, but even with rejoicing-when we behold them going down into the dark valley of the shadow of death, not only without fear, but even with exultation;-we may well ask, whence can this arise? How can the dread of suffering be thus counteracted? How can the natural fear of death be thus subdued? The same conviction, which supplied confidence to apostles and martyrs in ancient times, affords comfort to those, whom in the present day we see departing this life, in the faith and fear of God. The same hope which animated St. Paul, animates those who now are following him in the way of faith and patience, to the participation of the same promises. They "know that if their earthly house of this taber"nacle were dissolved, they have a build"ing of God, a house not made with hands, "eternal in the heavens."

In speaking upon these words, our attention is called in the first place, to The manner in which the Apostle speaks of his departure from this life;-secondly, To the hope which encou raged his mind;-and, thirdly, To the grounds on which his hope rested.

I. First, then, we are to advert to the manner in which the Apostle here speaks of his departure from this world. "If our earthly house of this "tabernacle be dissolved:" This language is suited to impress our minds with the low ideas which he had of the importance of the body. We are apt, very apt, to make the body, that inferior part of our nature, the object of our chief regard and most anxious care. The indulgence of it is the great occupation of multítudes of our race. The inquiry, "what shall

we eat, and what shall we drink, and where"withal shall we be clothed?" is the great subject of their solicitude. Bodily wants and bodily enjoyments, occupy their thoughts; while it is almost forgotten, that they have a more exalted nature which requires their attention.

But how different do the feelings of the Apostle appear to have been. His thoughts were fixed upon things unseen and eternal ; and therefore the soul, the immortal soul, was

the chief object of his care; while the body was regarded only as its temporary abode-as a mean, an inferior habitation-a tabernacle or tent-the incommodious and uncertain dwelling of a few short and transitory days. He speaks of death, as if it were only the taking down or removal of this tabernacle. Its effect upon his body seems to have been the subject of but little anxiety to him. His hopes and prospects with respect to his soul, seem to have occupied his chief attention; and, being satisfied that all was well in this respect, he was ready to meet death, at whatever hour, or in whatever form it might come.

II. This leads us to consider, in the second place, his expectation of happiness after death: "We know that if our earthly house of this "tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building "of God, a house not made with hands, "eterual in the heavens."

This language is that of one who knew himself to be "a stranger and pilgrim upon "earth;" who was looking to heaven as his secure and permanent abode. His expectation of happiness there, arose chiefly from two sources -first from the Author of it. He expected his happiness in heaven to come from God: "A building of God, a house not made with

66

"hands." The happiness, then, which he expected, was such as man could not bestowsuch as God alone could afford to him. It was provided for him by God-by the God of INFINITE WISDOM; who well knew what was necessary for him-who was well acquainted with every circumstance which could tend to augment or diminish his happiness. It was provided for him by the God of ALMIGHTY POWER, who is "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think"by the God of BOUNDLESS LOVE, who was ever willing to bestow upon him every needful benefit, and who had given at once an unspeakable proof of his love, and the most encouraging ground of expectation of every future good, in that "he spared not his "own Son, but delivered him up" as a ransom " for us all." It was provided by the God of UNCHANGING TRUTH, who by his faithful word of promise, had engaged to open wide the gates of endless glory, for the admission of every true believer.

The character, then, of that Almighty Being, from whose hand the Apostle hoped for happiness after death, was both a sufficient assurance that he should actually be admitted to heavenly joys, and that he should find them such as would fully satisfy the wants of his soul.

U