exist, because we believe the gospel of Christ; and we believe that they shall be conferred upon the Christian, because we believe that "He is faithful who hath promised." The Christian therefore, believing in God as he is manifested through Jesus Christ, knows and remembers that the objects of sense are awfully dangerous to his everlasting interests. He accordingly becomes habitually on his gaurd, lest they should take an undue possession of his mind. He "watches and "is sober unto the end." He "walks not "after the flesh but after the spirit,” endures hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, and though without strength in himself, yet through faith in him who is Omnipotent, he holds fast his integrity, and "overcom"eth the world." "What, (he reasons with "himself,) what are the gains of the whole "world compared with the salvation of my "soul? What are the favour and friend"ship of man, compared with the favour "and friendship of God? What are all "the visionary gratifications of time, com"pared with the unutterable perfection "and pleasures of eternity? Whatsoever "others then do, I will serve the Lord: "and in this service what difficulties should "dismay me? what dangers should alarm

"me? I may be strong in the grace "which is in Christ Jesus; I may do all "things through him strengthening me. "I will therefore go on in his name, "making mention of his righteousness, "even of his only."-And this, my friends, is not an ideal character, which exists only in description. Thanks be unto God, we can adduce a cloud of witnesses; an host of Martyrs and Confessors; multitudes out of every nation, and sex, and condition, who have kept their garments undefiled; who have overcome the world, and been always ready to embrace every form of suffering and death, rather than abandon the work of the Lord. Every new difficulty and trial tended only to make them wax stronger and stronger. They were invincible, because they believed themselves immortal.

IV. Thus, my friends, have we seen the noble character which is here described: the formidable enemy whom he contends with and conquers, and also the powerful weapon which in this warfare he so successfully wields. Let us next behold the glorious felicity which follows. "Be thou faithful unto "death, and I will give thee a crown of life,"

Every

is the charge of God to the Christian soldier during the period of his conflict. Death at last comes, and the exceeding great and precious promise is amply fulfilled. He falls asleep in Jesus: he "rests from his labours, " and his works do follow him." He has no longer any reason to mourn over his frailty and sin he no longer feels a law in his members warring against the law of his mind. Elected a citizen of Zion, he is presented blameless before the throne. stain that once tarnished the robe of virtue, is now washed away, Every corruption is uprooted form the heart: every disquieting fear driven from the soul: every enemy laid prostrate on the field. The Christian is made holy as God is holy, and perfect as he is perfect. No wish is denied: no expectation disappointed. He has overcome through the blood of the Lamb; and he "sits down with the Lamb on his throne, " even as he also hath overcome and sat "down with the Father on his throne." And as his happiness shall thus be complete

-unuțterable-it shall also be eternal. The heavens shall pass away, the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth and all its works shall be dissolved; but he who is" born of God," shall flourish in life

immortal. When millions of ages have elapsed, his happpiness shall seem but just commencing; and when millions more have passed and gone, it will be no nearer ending. -And as his happiness as to its duration, will never be at an end, so as to its purity and perfection, it will never be at its height. To the progress of the blessed no boundary is set. Throughout all the ages of eternity 'they shall be adorning themselves with new beauties; be still improving in knowledge, still growing in grace, and brightening in the splendours of moral glory.

John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was favoured before his departure with a vision of these ransomed of the Lord. And hear, my friends, how he describes what he beheld.

"I beheld and lo, a great multitude "which no man could number, of all nations "and kindred, and people and tongues, stood "before the throne, cloathed with white "robes, and palms in their hands: and cried "with a loud voice, saying,-Salvation to "our God which sitteth upon the throne, "and unto the Lamb."-And upon inquiry what these happy beings were, and whence they came, he was told-" These are they which "came out of great tribulation, and

"have washed their robes and made them "white in the blood of the Lamb: therefore "are they before the throne of God, and "serve him day and night in his temple; "and he that sitteth on the throne shall "dwell among them. They shall hunger 66 no more; neither thirst any more; "neither shall the sun light on them nor 66 any heat for the Lamb which is in the "midst of the throne, shall feed them, and "shall lead them unto living fountains of "waters; and God shall wipe away all tears "from their eyes."

My friends, knowing that this is the glorious reward of the Christian Conqueror, shall it not be our earnest desire to inhale his spirit; to emulate his deeds; to possess his character? It is a character the noblest and most blessed upon earth. It assimulates us to superior natures, and makes them our allies and our friends. But what is of infinitely greater consequence, it is a character to which God himself is a friend: it is the seal of his children: it is a character which he will cherish, perfect, bless, and delight in, world without end. But remember, Brethren, that this character cannot be obtained by the volatile; the