And whosoever will, let him take the water of

life freely."

I cannot conclude this discourse without addressing a few words to that part of my audience, who, being in the bond of wedlock, constitute a living type of that great mystery which shall not receive its full developement until the consummation of all things-until that momentous hour arrives, when, an emblem being no longer necessary, the seed of Adam shall neither marry nor be given in marriage to each other; but they who are counted worthy, both male and female, shall each be received as the everlasting spouse of Christ. Married Christians, have you ever regarded your union in this light? Methinks, such a view of it would give a holiness and blessedness to your deportment towards each other, which could hardly be attained by other means. If Christ marries not his bride until the fit time is come when he can take her to his own home in heaven, then should that house on earth, in which is prefigured this blissful event, be, like the everlasting mansion, a scene of uninterrupted order, and love, and joy, and peace.

Are there any here present whose consciences

accuse them of exhibiting in their dwellings a far different picture, even a picture of that abode of darkness and despair, where blasphemy, and railings, and imprecations, and accusations, for ever resound; where to torment is the only enjoyment, and where disorganization and confusion hold their perpetual reign? Are these things so with any of you, brethren, even in a very remote degree? Then, without hesitation, ask yourselves this question,For which place am I preparing? Am I in earnest making myself ready for my future espousal; or am I practising myself beforehand in those deadly habits of selfishness, contention and perverseness, which shall make the misery of the damned to all eternity? Judge yourselves, brethren, that ye be not judged of the Lord." Ye husbands, remember whose office ye now represent. As ye desire one day yourselves to be given in marriage to the Lord, see that ye comport yourselves aright to those who are here subject to you.

And ye wives, if ye fail in duty and submission in your present probationary state, tremble, lest the heavenly Bridegroom refuse altogether to

enter into union with you. The apostle Paul has laid down most decisive rules by which both of you should regulate your conduct. See that ye despise not the word of admonition dictated by the Holy Ghost; but learn so to fulfil your required relations on earth, that ye may finally be received to the everlasting arms of an almighty

spouse.

143

SERMON IX.

THE WIDOW'S SON RESTORED TO LIFE.

LUKE vii. 12.

Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow : and much people of the city was with her.

OUR blessed Saviour, ever bent on the diffusion of mercy, was on his way to a certain city of Galilee, called Nain. The fame of his miracles had gathered a crowd about him, who were most likely anticipating some fresh display of divine power. Many of his disciples also accompanied him; and the whole train of concurrent circumstances rendered it a fit occasion for the manifestation of some signal miracle. He, the omnipotent Lord of life and death, had,

no doubt, premeditated the wondrous transaction which was now about to arrest the attention of the gazing multitude, and carry conviction to the hearts of thousands.

It was but the day before, that he had proved himself the sovereign controller of disease. The centurion's servant "was sick, and ready to die." Death had nearly completed his triumph; friends were despairing; tears were flowing; the last breath was almost drawn. The funeral obsequies were already present to the imagination of the mourners, and hope seemed fled for

ever.

At this critical moment, when human means had all been tried in vain, the disconsolate master of the family is informed that Jesus Christ had just entered the city. A ray of hope is kindled; the gracious God of health is applied to; the distemper vanishes, and death is disappointed of his prey.

But our present narrative exhibits the climax of his power. The king of terrors had already struck the blow. The process of decay had commenced its ravages, and the corpse was on its way to the tomb. Let us consider the affect