Therefore, every work, done out of duty, or love to God, and in obedience to his commands, will follow those who die in the Lord, even beyond the grave; where they will be amply re warded; even from the forsaking all for Christ's sake, down to the giving of a cup of cold water, in the name of a disciple of Christ. Agreeable to the words of our Saviour; the one whose pound had gained ten pounds was to have dominion over ten cities, and the one whose pound had gained five pounds was to have dominion over five cities; to every man according to his several abilities. And he that giveth a cup of cold water to one of these little ones, in the name of a disciple, shall in no wise lose his re

ward.

But notwithstanding the works of the righteous will follow them, yet they will not receive the reward as of debt, but as of pure grace.They will say with the Psalmist, "Not unto us, not unto us, O Lord; but unto thy name, give glory and strength."

V. I shall now make a brief application of what hath been said, and draw to a close.

1. We may learn from what hath been said, that if we would wish to die in theLord,or sleep in Jesus Christ, & rise to glorious immortality with the saints in life; we must live in obedience to him, and serve him with a pure heart, and an upright mind,and walk in all his commandments blameless; at least, strive as much as in us lies, so to do; and put our whole trust in God, and the word of his grace, for life and salvation beond the grave.

Do not endeavor to build castles in the air,nor place your hopes upon the wind; but flee to the strong hold ye prisoners of hope; even to Jesus Christ, the Rock of ages, and the Ark of safety, where the weary do run and are at rest. See salvation complete in Jesus Christ, and freely offered to sinners, even the chiefest of them, without money and without price. Why stand ye here all the day idle? even if it has got to be the eleventh hour with some, come now into the vineyard of the Lord, knowing that whatsoever is right he will give you. But if you will now be ashamed of Christ, and of his words, he will be ashamed of you, when he shall come to be glorified of his Father, and of the holy angels.

2. The blessings that will attend those who die in the Lord are incomprehensible, & full of glory.

Where is there a human heart, that would not rejoice at the tho't of having a building of God, a house not made with hands eternal in the heavens, when this earthly house of our tabernacle shall be dissolved? Where is there a soul that would not exult at the idea of coming in the clouds with Christ and the holy angels when he shall make his appearance? What tongue can express, or pen describe the happiness of those who shall be made kings and priests unto God and the Lamb & reign with him on the earth for no less a period than a thousand years? when universal peace shall stretch forth her balmy wings. as far as sin hath ever spread his wide domain ! O Blessed and holy saints; who shall behold

the king in his beauty! O glorious sight! May I be there to see!-Where is there a soul, that for the sake of a little earthly pleasure, would be willing to lose sight of such glory as this?

Nought in this world may be compared to this. Well might the spirit pronounce those who were found worthy to partake of this glory, blessed indeed : especially when all the rest of the dead shall be deprived of the same.

O!

would to God I had language to paint out this scene to your understandings in those sublimer strains, in which I view it! I can dwell upon it with such rapturous delight, as heaven itself cannot exceed. Not but that heaven is more glorious in itself; yet this is of so much more immediate consequence, that it almost outshines. the very eclat of heaven..

Again, to be with Christ in the judgment;: who can express the pleasure? Here is something also, that the wicked who do not die in the Lord shall never taste. Only paint out to yourselves, in your own minds the difference of the feelings between the criminals at the bar, and those who sit on the bench with the chief judge, to see that impartial justice is rendered to every man according as his work shall be.

Finally brethren, let us look forward to that day when all things shall be made new, and all the stars (or people) shall be filled with the glory of God; then shall those who die in the Lord: shine like stars of the first magnitude in the firmament of the new heaven, even as one star iffereth from another star in glory..

3. May we all be faithful to labor in Christ's vineyard, knowing that in a few more rolling suns our work will be done; and then we shall reap, if we faint not. Our labor here will soon

be at an end, therefore let us take the great captain of our salvation for our example, who continually went about doing good as opportunity presented.

4. We may learn from what hath been said, that God hath given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son; yet whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

All the

works which we may ever expect will follow us beyond the grave, are faith, hope, charity, and the fruit of the same, which is love to God and love to man. When faith and hope are swallowed up in realities, they will come to an end; but charity, that universal benevolence, will never cease, so long as there is a God to love, we exist, or any objects worthy of our esteem.

Therefore, let us be persuaded, that neither life nor death, height above, nor depth beneath, things present nor things to come, nor any other creature shall ever be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord,

I shall now conclude this discourse, by making a few addresses,suited to the present occasion; beginning with the bereaved Consort of the deceased. Dear Bereaved Sister,

GOD hath seen fit in years past to bless you with a husband and a growing family. Your lives have been prolonged, through the goodness

of God, and doubtless you have enjoyed goodly days together. But he hath seen fit of late to visit you with his chastening rod. The arrows of death have been commissioned, to come into these windows; first a branch was lopped off thereby, but now the root is taken; first the offspring was slain, but now the head is fallen a victim; and by this stroke you are obliged to part with your bosom companion,

sure.

He hath taken his leave of you for a little season, and you must now take your leave of him. But may you not hope to meet him again in that world of glory which we have been treating upon. Therefore do not mourn without meaRemember that no chastisement, for the present is joyous but grievous; yet afterwards it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness to all them that are exercised thereby. Endeavor to put your trust in God, and may he be your head and husband, and a Father to your fatherless children. Although you are called to mourn, yet you have not to mourn without hope.. You have reason to believe that your husband had chosen that better part, which shall not be taken from him.

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind with truth, watch and be sober, having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel, and be ready to follow your departed husband, whenever the Lord shall call.

A few words to the Children of the deceased. My Young Friends,

ALTHOUGH you are young, yet you are