more eloquent and sublime, but at the same time more regular and correct, than his discourse on the resurrection, in the celebrated 15th chap. of 1 Cor.; where, after a strain of the most beautiful reasoning, he breaks out into that animated address, O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The death of the first martyr, Stephen, is a noble instance of the christian's triumph over death. Thus you see, the image that the apostles give of death, is confirmed and much adorned by their lives and practice.

But again; the gospel teaches us, that death, to good men, is a removal to the best of company, and the most perfect society. They shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of God, and with all good men, collected in every age, and from every dispensation, under heaven, to make up that grand company which no man can number, of all tongues, and kindreds, and languages.

Reflections.-1st, As the care and goodness of God are so conspicuous in this last and trying scene, we need not entertain any unreasonable horror of death. God prepares mankind in general, in some measure; and he will be peculiarly present to comfort and strengthen good men, for their dissolution. The consciousness of having endeavoured to perform their duty, and the reflections on a well spent life, will en

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able them to look backward with pleasure; and the prospects that the gospel presents, bid them look forward with hope; whilst the peace of believing fills them with joy unspeakable and full of glory. To live well, is the best defence against the terrors of death; come then what will, nothing will harm us, if we only be followers of that which is good. Without this, nothing will protect us; for there is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

2d, Such of us as have now our best friends in heaven, these most valuable treasures, are laid under strong additional obligations to use care and diligence, to labour to become partakers of their glory; to join the same blessed company; to be admitted again to their society and friendship; and to mingle hearts and souls again. They are gone before, and they are waiving to us from the mansions of glory-come, follow us, wha by faith and patience are now inheriting the promises.

3d, We see here under what pleasing views the gospel presents that, which has ever been accounted the greatest of all evils. Death is here spoiled of all his terrors. As imperfect creatures, and as guilty creatures, we cannot help looking forward with fear and apprehension to this awful period. And as being united to this earth by many endearing ties, we cannot help being filled with uneasiness at the view of

that period which must dissolve them all. But by the gospel, a remedy is provided for all such apprehensions. A Mediator is appointed, who raises even weak and guilty creatures, to glorious hopes: pardon is promised, upon repentance, and immortal happiness, to all the sincere followers of Jesus. Death, under the gospel dispensation, is only an entrance into life; a life, pure, peaceable, and subject to no waste or decay. Look then upward with humble hope. Live mindful of death, and prepare for it; but look upon it not as the king of terrors, but as the harbinger of immortality; as the messenger of your Lord and Master, to deliver you from the pains and dangers of this world, and to conduct you to the mansions of immortal happiness and day. All there is light, and life, and joy; à perpetual sunshine, without one interposing cloud: no evil, no pains, no disease, no more cruel parting pangs; and never again shall we be torn from the embraces of those we dearly love,

SERMON VIII.

MATTHEW, viii. 11.

And I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

HAVING already, in the former sermon, considered the different methods which Providence employs to prepare men for death, and how its terrors are in some measure alleviated; and hav ing likewise taken a view of the more pleasing light in which it is presented to us in the gospel ; I proceed now to the other part of the proposed subject, where we shall meet, I hope, with still more powerful consolations, and more adapted to the natural wishes of man.

When death takes from us a dear and beloved friend, with whom we have long lived in the happiest and most tender connection; when they cease to exist in this world, and the black curtain is drawn between us and them, in the first interval of ease, we eagerly enquire, do they still exist in another world, and are they happy there? After being satisfied on both these questions, a third immediately presents itself, every way natural and reasonable-whether we are likely

ever to see them again? This is the question which now greatly occupies my mind, and to the solution of which I am soon to beg your attention; and in the result, I trust, it will appear, that virtuous friends have no room for any gloomy apprehensions, for there is great ground to believe that they shall be reunited; that they shall enjoy one another's company; but on what terms, is a secret known only to God himself, and the triumphant company above.

The text proceeds upon this principle, that virtuous friends shall again know and enjoy the society of one another. We shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven: this implies, that we shall know these venerable patriarchs, and if we know them, certainly we shall know our dearest friends.

Let us attend, then, to some of the reasons that encourage these hopes.

First Immortal creatures, partaking of the same common nature, who have passed their state of probation in the same world, and have been sharers of the same dangers and trials, will most probably have their eternal mansions in one common region, where they will have the freest intercourse and communion one with another. We never can suppose that men will be scattered up and down in different worlds, and intermingled with beings of different natures, capacities, and tastes, The union and association of the