are represented to be thus cheaply expiated ; and which hold out hereafter, rather an alluring than an alarming prospect.

A third clear doctrine of Scripture, and the last which I shall mention, which is fully confirmed by the observation of every thing around us, is also particularly adapted to that precarious tenure of our lives, which is the subject of our present consideration ;—I mean, that we are here in a state of trial: and that, notwithstanding the infinite variety of our conditions and qualifications, we are all, without exception, from the monarch on his throne, to the peasant in his cottage, or the captive in his dungeon, in this respect, equally under the eye of our omniscient Judge, and equally preparing by our conduct for that awful tribunal, before which we must appear to receive our final sentence. Indisputable as this truth is, I fear it is one of those, of which, on that very account perhaps, we continually lose sight, and fail to profit by; and of which, therefore, we cannot be too frequently reminded from this place. The most important practical

truths are those which are most evident, and against which we seldom offend from ignorance, but often from negligence and inat

tention. Were we at all times duly impressed with the fleeting nature of our present existence, and sufficiently conscious that here we have no continuing city, is it conceivable, that our conduct would not be very frequently very different from what it is? But the misfortune is, that whilst we are young, or in the enjoyment of health and strength, the idea of our death is one of the very last which we willingly admit into our minds; we live as if immortality were our present lot, rather than that for which we have to prepare. To such an extent do many carry this infatuation, that they neglect to transact even those worldly concerns which remind them of their dissolution, till they are almost incapable of bestowing upon them the necessary attention. what hope is there, therefore, that their spiritual interests have been better regarded? If they were in the habit of reflecting, that every day might possibly be their last upon earth, could they fail to be anxious about that eternity upon which they were about to enter? And being so anxious, what an important change must it not instantly produce in their lives? How different do the very same. objects frequently appear from different points

And

of view! Just so it is with our thoughts, principles, and actions. When seen through the medium of this world only, how different is their aspect from what they present, when another also intervenes between them! How well does the gloom of earthly vision accord with many things, which the light of heaven would shew to be hideous! Were we to try our conduct in any particular instance, by the test of whether it were fitted to produce our eternal happiness or misery-is it possible to believe that we should err so often, and so widely, as we do? Were Christians generally to regulate themselves by their own professed principles, could the world exhibit that scene of confusion, of vice, and of misery, which we have such abundant cause to deplore? And should any thing tend more powerfully to bring about this great change in us, than the consciousness that our time here fleeth as it were a shadow, so soon passeth it away, and we are gone?

It seems to me, therefore, that although in some instances the ways of Providence are inscrutable by us, yet that in this under our contemplation, there is no difficulty. Whether we consider it with reference to this world, or

another, or to both, it is evidently a wise and merciful dispensation; and the lesson which it reads to us, is too clear to be mistaken, and too important to be neglected. Watch, is the impressive conclusion which our Saviour himself deduced from it, and to obey that injunction is equally our duty and our interest. If at all times the observation of unexpected mortality should awaken us to a sense of what may happen to ourselves, and to the consequent necessity of being always prepared for that hour, which may arrive much sooner than any of us expect it; there is something in this solemn season of Advent which should

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culiarly force it upon our attention. Our services at this time lead us at once to commemorate the first coming of our Lord to save the world, and to anticipate his second and final advent to judge the world. These two stupendous events are (as I have more than once observed) necessarily and inseparably connected. If the one has not taken place, the other need not be apprehended ;—but if we have no more reason to doubt, than we have of our own existence, that Jesus Christ, almost two thousand years ago, came to visit us in great humility, we must be equally cer

tain, that he will come again in his glorious majesty, to judge both the quick and dead. If we believe the accounts of what he actually said, and did, and suffered for us, we must also believe that he will faithfully perform all that he promised. And what was his promise with respect to his future coming? When the Son of Man (said he) shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory. And before him shall be gathered all nations, and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. And the latter (that is, the wicked,) shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the former, (that is, the righteous,) into life eternal. It has been well observed, that to these he says, Come, ye blessed of my Father; but to the others, simply, go ye cursed-because God is the author and procurer of men's happiness, but man only is the author of his own misery'.— But this can only be true upon the supposition of a future state of just retribution; because,