that, when he shall appear, we shall like him, for we shall see him, as he -And every one that hath this hope in i purifieth himself, even as he is pure.-1 Jo iii. 2, 3.

THE divine author of this passage, amon multitude of heavenly themes, which he proposed to our contemplation, has not propo one more full of wonderful, and affecting mat than this. He sets before us our new bi and inheritance-our hopes, our motivesglorification altogether, in one point of view Let us follow him through the particulars of wonderful display of grace.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God. By e bracing, and sincerely obeying, the christian r gion, we become heirs of all its promises, a hopes the great curse is removed-God's h spirit is shed abroad in our hearts-and we fitted for that heavenly state, which is prepar

for us. All this is in consequence of our being the adopted sons of God through Christ. We are purified in this world; and shall be glorified in the next.

But what is this state of glory which is promised to us? We are acquainted with the things of this world; and know they are adapted to us, and we to them: but what notices have we of these heavenly things?

It is true, says the apostle (in answer to this question), it doth not yet appear what we shall be. It is impossible in this world to have any ideas of the glory of the next. Flesh and blood cannot reveal these things to us; neither are we capable of receiving them, if they should be revealed. In these things, as in many others, we must walk by faith, and not by sight *.-Under the guidance therefore, of faith, we are assured, that when he shall appear, we shall be like him ; for we shall see him as he is.-We have the same sentiment rather more strongly expressed, in St. Paul's epistle to the Philippians: We look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body.

* 2 CORINTHIANS, v. 7.

The

The great conclusion is, that every one that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself as he is pure. And every one (if we may transpose the proposition, and turn it into a text) who doth not purify himself as he is pure, may be assured, that he hath not this hope in him.

VI.

Godly sorrow worketh repentance-but the sorrow of the world worketh death.—2 Cor. 7. 10.

ST. Paul, in his first epistle to the Corinthians, had delivered an incestuous person to Satan. What is meant by that phrase, we are not clearly informed. It is probable he meant only to remove the offender from the communion of the faithful. Whatever the punishment was, it is certain it wrought its proper effect and the offender was restored to his own peace of mind; and to the peace of the church.

To this event the apostle alludes in the text; in which he places two kinds of sorrow in opposition to each other-godly sorrow, and the sorrow of the world; the former of which worketh repentance; the latter, death.

Some people are apt to consider sorrow and repentance as the same thing. Hence arises the danger of a death-bed repentance, and the deceit, which men are inclined to put upon themselves. But they have no authority for such deceit from any thing the apostle says. He says only that

godly

godly sorrow worketh repentance, that is, it leads to it; but sorrow itself is no repentance. Nay even a change of life, is no rpentance. Many worldly causes may make open sin inconvenient. True repentance is a change of heart as well as life; and a detestation of sin, whether future punishment existed or not. It is this repentance which godly sorrow worketh.

AGAIN, worldly sorrow worketh death. Like all other wrong affections, it leadeth to those consequences, which, without care, will draw on the fatal effects of sin. The first impression indeed of worldly sorrow on any misfortune is so natural, and unavoidable, that it cannot certainly be offensive in the eyes of a merciful God; if calm resignation, and submission to his will succeed. But when sorrow for any worldly event continues, and takes possession of the soul, it certainly argues a great dependance on the world for our hopes; and a renunciation of God, as our supreme happiness.

And yet here, for the sake of some good, and melancholy people, I should wish to make a distinction. When the kind affections of love, and friendship, have received some great convulsion, the wrongness cannot be so offensive to God

as