hurry and the bustle of the world; within are cares and fears business fatigues mankind much; but when they have no business, they suffer more from their own thoughts. Their pursuits are often vanity; their disappointments produce vexation; and from the consideration of both, how many daily become a prey to gloom and melancholy!

On these and many other accounts, which need not be mentioned (for experience will too soon teach the youngest among you), the state of a Christian in this life is by the Scriptures represented under that of a mariner in a tempest, longing for a sight of the haven; of a soldier in camp, desiring to hear of peace, and to receive a final discharge from his warfare; of a labourer, bearing in the field the burden and heat of the day, waiting impatiently for the cool and comfortable evening, which shall release him, and send him home to quiet and repose. Hence the great object pointed out to us is rest; we are directed to consider, and derive consolation and encouragement, during our labours, from the consideration of that rest of God himself, after his work of creation; that of his people in Canaan, after their sojournings in the wilderness; and that of Christ, after his toilsome life and painful death. We are assured, there still remaineth a rest, the fulness and accomplishment of all others, for the people of God in heaven, when their labours likewise shall have been terminated upon earth. And we hear, under both Testaments, the aspirations of holy persons after it, complaining that they dwell with Mesech; that their sojournings are prolonged; praying for the wings of

a dove, that they may fly away to it; desiring to depart, and to be with Christ; weary of things, even the best things below; and seeking earnestly the things above, where he sitteth.

Let us not, however, when we think of this rest, think of it as a mere negative state, as a state of dull sleep and insensibility. It is a rest attended with pleasure; the rest of a weary flock in green pastures, beside the waters of comfort; Eden blooms anew, with its tree and its rivers; the Lamb leads his followers to living fountains of waters-of waters flowing from the throne of God, and consequently impregnated with all the blessings and glories of eternity.

I say glories, as well as blessings; for as the attitude in which our Lord is described by the apostle, that of sitting, denotes rest; by the place, "the แ right hand of God," is denoted honour the former promises the blessings of his peace; the latter, the glories of his kingdom.

Rest and honour, among men, are not often companions. Disquietude attends height of character, rank, and station, both in the pursuit, lest it should not be attained, and in the possession, lest it should be lost again. But of the honour which cometh from God this cannot be said. It is always bestowed on the penitent, the humble, and the faithful servant of his heavenly Master; and when bestowed, can no more be taken from him. The crown is immortal as the Donor of it. "When the breath of man,'

on which depends all sublunary fame, "goeth forth, "he turneth again to his earth; and then all his

And, indeed, to procure it, was the design of his exaltation on the cross; "I, if I be lifted up," said he, signifying what death he should die, "will draw "all men unto me." The virtue of his death, and the consequent power of his resurrection" (as the apostle styles it), compose a divine magnetical influence (if one may use the expression), which is to act upon the mass of mankind, and draw them upwards from the earth. It acts in a due and appointed order, first upon their souls, and afterwards upon their bodies. The soul, a native of heaven, had it continued pure and upright, as it came from the hands of the Creator, would still have looked and wished to return thither. But an alteration happened, which is wonderfully marked in that line of the heathen satyrist

O CURVE in terras animæ, et cœlestium inanes!

The human mind has been warped from its original attitude, bent and bowed down to the love and care of earthly things, and rendered destitute of noble and heavenly thoughts and aims. This is the spiritual death of the Scriptures, which has induced the necessity of a spiritual resurrection. And as the death of the body flowed from the same source of original transgression, a resurrection of that likewise must follow in due time. "This is the will of him that "sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and "believeth on him, may have everlasting life, and I "will raise him up at the last day." By the union

John. vi. 40.

of body and soul, it was not intended, that the former should depress the latter, but that the latter should exalt the former. The resurrection of the one from sin to righteousness, is succeeded by that of the other from death to life eternal: and thus it is that the Saviour completely fulfils his promise; "When "I am lifted I will draw all men unto me." That we should first "rise with Christ," in the sense which has now, it is hoped, been sufficiently explained, is, you see, a necessary and leading point. We are next to consider the sign and proof of such our resurrection.

up,

II. A change of this kind being of so much consequence, it must be a desirable thing for us to learn on what evidence we may rest assured that such a change has passed upon us. On this head we are instructed by the words following; for whether they be rendered, as our translators have rendered them, in the imperative--"Seek those things which are "above," or, as they may be rendered, in the indicative, "Ye do seek those things which are above," it will come to the same. He who is risen with Christ, seeks, or ought to seek, the things which are above; it will be the effect, it will be the proof, of such his resurrection.

For to "seek," or make search, implies, 1. that a person is alive. A dead man, as he knows nothing, can desire nothing; and as he desires nothing, he can seek after nothing.

2. It implies not only life, but motion, the sure sign and exertion of life. No one, who is alive and awake, will continue motionless, as if he were dead :

thoughts"-those of the giver, as well as those of the receiver-" perish. Blessed therefore is he, and he only, "who hath the God of Jacob for "his help, and whose hope is in the Lord his "God."

To describe the blessings of rest and peace in the kingdom of our Lord, images are borrowed from the scenes of rural and pastoral life. To give us ideas of its glories, its majesty, and magnificence—a throne is set in heaven, encompassed by a rainbow; and one is seen upon it, like a jasper or a sardine; seven lamps burn before it; lightnings and thunders proceed from it; four-and-twenty venerable personages appear clothed in white; they rise from their seats, and fall prostrate at the foot of the throne; when a chorus is heard of all creatures both in heaven and earth, singing glory to the Lamb triumphant!— Elsewhere, a city is exhibited, new Jerusalem, built of gold and precious stones; that is, in the prophetical language of Isaiah, its walls salvation, and its gates praise; the Lord God and the Lamb constitute its temple; from whence it is illuminated by a splendour, far exceeding, and rendering needless, the light of the sun and of the moon; the streets resounding with the hallelujahs of its blest inhabitants.

best

These are some of "the things above," on which the apostle exhorts us to "set our affections." I am sure, you all think them worthy of your very and warmest affections. May the consideration of them produce that effect, which a due consideration of them must produce. May they who have ne