mated by the prospect of a blessed eternity they overcame the world, boldly suffered persecution, gloried in tribulation, triumphed over pain, and even in its most frightful forms, welcomed the approach of death Thanks be to God we have not now the same perils to encounter, nor the same difficulties to overcome; but amidst those lighter afflictions to which we are exposed let the same patience possess our souls. Like the first disciples of our Lord, let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, and let the magnitude of our future hopes comfort us under the of our present sorrows.

pressure

AND even when our last hour shall come, if we have acted a right part, no disquieting thoughts need appal us. Enlightened by the discoveries of the gospel, we should all know that to the good man death is not destruction, nay, that it is at death only that he begins to live. His exit is the happy termination of his frailty: his last groan is the prelude to life and immortality. Tremble not then, O Christian, at the approach of the supposed king of terrors; but rather trusting in thy Saviour, and an

ticipating thy future reward, learn to imitate the Apostle Paul, and like him, thus joyfully and triumphantly to exclaim,— O death! where is thy sting?-O grave! where is thy victory? The sting of death ' is sin, and the strength of sin is the law; ' but thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.'*

FINALLY, let the revelation of immortal life, powerfully incite us all to prepare for it, by due elevation of mind and virtuous habits of thought and action.-In proportion to the advantages which we enjoy, is the improvement which the Almighty requires us to make. If then, with the sublime prospects before us which the gospel presents, we still continue devoted to the pursuits of sense, and stupidly indifferent to our spiritual interests; our conduct, when scrutinized by the great Searcher of hearts, will be pronounced totally inconsistent and inexcusable. It had been better that the Sun of righteousness had never arisen on our land. The poor natives of unenlightened countries, who never heard the glad tid

1 Con xv, 55, 56, 57.

ings of the gospel will rise up in judgment against us. Above all things then, let us avoid incurring the dreadful guilt of 're'ceiving the grace of God in vain.' May this never be our condemnation, that light ⚫is come into the world, and we have loved ⚫ darkness rather than light, because our • deeds are evil;' but may we study to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in

.

all things.' From this moment may we relinquish every beloved vice, dissolve every sinful connection, avoid every place, and every company that would endanger our integrity, deprave our hearts, offend our God, and obscure our prospects! With souls fired by Christian emulation, may we all diligently cultivate our reason, practise universal virtue, and press onward with eager and impatient steps to obtain the palm of immortality,

Ꭲ 3

THE

KNOWLEDGE OF ETERNAL LIFE

1 JOHN v, 13.

These things have I written unto you, that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

JOHN, the author of this epistle, is styled the disciple whom Jesus loved. John loved Jesus with all his heart in return. His chief delight was in submitting to his yoke, and promoting the triumph of his gospel. -How beautifully is his love to Jesus shewn, by the love which he displayed for all mankind!-His heart glowed with unextinguishable ardour for their happiness, and as he knew that there could be no true happiness but in connection with ho

liness, and that holiness is produced only by faith in Jesus, he earnestly wishes them to obtain, and stand fast in this faith, and assures them that if they did so, their labour should not be in vain in the Lord; for he declares, as the unchanging record of heaven, that the Lord would give them eternal life.'

THE persons whom the Apostle here particularly addresses are Christians: those who have actually obtained this precious "faith,' for they are said to believe on the • name of the Son of God.'-Now he exhorts them not to sit down inactive, or think that they had already attained, or were already perfect, but to grow in grace, and aspire after the happiness of those who not only believe, but know and are assured that they do believe, and that they shall never perish, but live for ever in the enjoyment of God. These things have I written unto you, that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may 'know that ye have eternal life, and that

ye may believe on the name of the Son of God that your belief in the Son of God may grow stronger and stronger: