raises from the depths of sorrow to the height of happiness; who hereafter will say to the dead, "Arise ;" and turn their darkness into the morning of eternity. Seek him by supplicating his grace, that every event may Seek him by laying hold on Christ through faith, and drawing from his fulness all necessary consolations.

be sanctified.

Let believers continue seeking the favour of Almighty God, rejoicing in their past enjoyment of it, and striving to retain the same. What unspeakable happiness do they experience from the consideration of Jehovah's power; a power pledged to bear them safe through life! When they look to the heavens and behold its beauties: when they participate in the sweet influences of spring, and the gloom of winter; in the returns of the morning and of the evening: when they see the sky hung with clouds: when they hear the rolling of the thunder above, and the sweeping of the tempest below, in all these things they discern the power of their reconciled Father.

Believers, follow on to know the Lord. Quicken your diligence. Your full salvation draweth nigh. He whose name is Je43

VOL. I.

hovah is hastening on the accomplishment of his purposes concerning you and the In a little while your day will

universe.

be turned into darkness; in a little while Pleiades and Orion will be extinguished. At the appointed period the exterminating angel will proclaim that time shall be no more. Then the sun will be darkened for ever; then the stars will fall from heaven; then the floods will be dried up; then the heavens and the earth will be wrapped in flames, and pass away with a great noise. Then, believers, you will be safe, having sought and found Him who doeth all these things. You will rest on the rock of ages, and look with calmness on the final catastrophe of nature. Comfort one another with this glorious hope; prepare to meet this almighty God. AMEN.

SERMON X.

THE BLESSEDNESS OF A TRIUMPHANT

BELIEVER.

REVELATION III. 12.

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God; and I will write upon him my new name.

To believers the journey of life is peculiarly fatiguing. In addition to those troubles which are common to them as men, they experience innumerable temptations unknown to the ungodly. They carry about with them a body of sin and of death, and are surrounded by watchful and malignant enemies, who incessantly harass them.

The

Satan shoots his fiery darts into their souls, exciting distrust and murmurings. world insinuates that it is in vain to serve God; and holds out to them the cup of pleasure, urging them to drown all care with its intoxicating delights. Infidelity casts a mantle over the region beyond the grave, and writes on the tomb, "Death "is an eternal sleep." Corrupt nature enters with avidity into the schemes of all these, and stimulates the passions and appetites to rebellion against God.

Thus situated, believers must fight the good fight of faith; they must resist even unto blood. They are not their own; they are bought with a price. Jesus, who is their Redeemer, is the Captain of their salvation. Enlisted under his banner, they are soldiers in the best of all causes. They battle for God against the prince of darkness. Hence, though weak in themselves, in their Lord they are strong. Through him they can do all things. He is ever mindful of them, and ever ready to succour them. He will bear them in safety to their journey's end. He is at their right hand and at their left, bidding them to be of good cheer.

"Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast "which thou hast, that no man take thy હ્રદ crown"," cries the divine Saviour. Amidst the trials of life he directs their views to the harvest of glory. They that sow in tears,

shall reap in joy.

Perseverance through

his grace will ensure a mighty victory, decisive and final: after which, the victor will meet with his reward. "Him that overcom"eth, will I make a pillar in the temple of

my God, and he shall go no more out, "and I will write upon him the name of

my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem, which "cometh down out of heaven: and I will 66 write upon him my new name.

By contemplating the reward of him that overcometh, our faith will be strengthened, and our graces quickened. We will also be enabled to pay a suitable tribute of respect to the memory of an eminent servant of Christ gone to rest. Let us, then,

I. Attend to the promise: and,

II. Apply the subject.

I. Our Lord in the promise, alludes to the practice of ancient conquerors.

a Rev. iii. 11.

When