pressible, accompanied sometimes by none, sometimes by one, sometimes by two, sometimes by three, and, it is to be hoped and believed, sometimes by all, their happy offspring. At other times, the parents themselves will be left behind; and with failing eyes and broken hearts will follow their children rising to the heavens, and bidding them an everlasting farewell. Such will be, such in some respects has already been; the separation between Jeroboam and his son Abijah. Brethren and sisters also, mutually and unspeakably beloved here, and such of them as were devoted to sin, warned, reproved, and borne to heaven on the wings of prayer by those who consecrated themselves to God, will be parted asunder, to meet No longer brothers and sisters, but strangers and aliens, some of them will be vessels of mercy, usefulness, and honour in the house of their Father, and others vessels of wrath in the mansions of woe.

no more.

Most distressing of all, husbands and wives, here united in the nearest of all earthly relations, and in the tenderest of all human attachments, will there not unfrequently be seated, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.' One will ascend with the Judge to the world of glory; the other, lost in the host of evil beings, go down to the regions of despair. One will advance in wisdom, worth, and joy throughout endless ages, the other make a dreadful and melancholy progress in guilt and sorrow for ever.

5. How will sinners be amazed, when they awake out of the grave, and see all these things come to pass!

They will then behold Christ really come to judgment; the day of retribution actually arrived, and the declarations of the Scriptures literally fulfilled. They will see the graves rent asunder, and themselves raised from the dead. They will hear the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God.' The rocks around them will be rent, the mountains fall, and the earth heave with its final agonies. Over their heads, the heavens will be filled with the host of angels, and the glory of the Messiah. At their side, the righteous, and among them their own beloved friends, their parents, husbands, wives, children, brothers, and sisters will be arrayed in immortal beauty, and caught up to meet the Lord in the air.' With what bitterness of soul will they call to the hills to fall on

them, and to the mountains to cover them from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his majesty!'

6. How delightful and glorious will be the assembly of the righteous on this day!

The endless multitude of the first born will on this day, 'in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump,' burst the grave, and stand upon their feet; their bodies fashioned like unto Christ's glorious body,' and their souls informed with immortal life their faces will shine as the sun, and their raiment be white and glistering.' There are countenances in this world which, when united with fine forms, and composed of superior features, when animated with intelligence, and moulded by peculiar virtue into the clear and strong expression of worth and loveliness, fascinate the eye, and engross the heart. What then must be the appearance of that aspect which is wrought into harmony, beauty, and dignity by the most exquisite workmanship of God, inspired with the intelligence of heaven, and lighted with the beams of angelic excellence; around which virtue plays with immortal radiance; while joy illumines the eye with living splendour, and glory surrounds the head with its crown of stars. In this manner will be arrayed, in this manner adorned, a multitude which no man can number, of all nations, kindreds, and tongues.' How delightful, how astonishing must it be, to behold this vast assembly rising from the tomb, throughout every part of the habitable world, and ascending, as by one instinctive impulse, to meet their divine Redeemer, and to be welcomed to the seat of approbation and honour at his right hand! Trace them one step further. How magnificent, how sublime, how enrapturing must be the prospect of these glorified beings, surrounding, after the judgment is terminated, the Lord of all things; and rising in his train, as a cloud of splendour, to the mansions of eternal joy! This will be that ‘manifestation of the sons of God,' so earnestly expected,' as St. Paul informs us, by the whole creation'—the jubilee of the virtuous universe-the dawn of everlasting day.

7. With all these solemn considerations in full view, let me exhort this audience to consider what manner of persons they ought to be, in all holy conversation and godliness.'

This is the practical use made of the same subject by the apostle Peter, and certainly the best which can be made. Every Christian is most deeply interested in the exhortation. The most powerful of all motives here summon you, my brethren, to the great work of spiritual improvement. Lukewarm indeed must you be, sunk in sloth, and buried in sleep, if you do not feel yourselves roused by these awful things to diligence and vigour in the Christian life. Let me press upon you the indispensable duties of watching, striving, and praying alway. Let me solemnly urge you with all diligence to make your calling and election sure;' to resist temptation, and to overcome iniquity; to fight the good fight, and to keep the faith; that you may finish your course with joy.' 'Look' steadily for the blessed hope, and glorious appearing of the great God, even our Saviour Jesus Christ;' that when he, who is the believer's life, shall appear, you may all appear with him in glory.'

But there are multitudes in this house whose lives furnish no testimony that they are children of God. How much more deeply still are these persons interested in this exhortation! When the blessed Redeemer of mankind' came preaching the kingdom of God,' he commanded all men everywhere to repent, and believe the Gospel.' A thousand times has he repeated this command to you. Without faith in him, without repentance, without holiness, you cannot abide' in this awful day. Remember then, while life lasts, that this is all for which you live. How invaluable is this golden season, this accepted time; in which, if you hasten to the employment, you may work out your salvation.' Far downward have you advanced in the broad and crooked way which leads to destruction; but the night of death has not overtaken you. Look upward, and you will see the Sun of righteousness still shines, to illumine your path back to life. Seize the inestimable moment, and flee for your lives, as Lot escaped from the cities of the plain.

To these all-important duties Christ knew that your hearts. would be, as you know they are, utterly opposed. That you might overcome this opposition, he has given you all the means of grace, to become under the blessing of his good Spirit the means of your salvation. Feel then their immense importance; and seize and employ them with all possible

earnestness and anxiety. Let no Sabbath pass, until it shall have blessed you. When the sanctuary opens its doors, let your 'souls long, yea, even faint, for the courts of the Lord.' Let no sermon escape, without enlightening your minds, and amending your hearts. Every morning, and every evening, bow your knees in secret, before the Father of all mercies; and send up your cries to Heaven for the salvation of your souls. Prize the word of life more than the most fine gold;' and relish it more than honey, and the honey-comb.' 'Seek for wisdom as for silver, and for understanding as for hidden treasure.'

To rouse yourselves every day to every effort for the attainment of eternal life, keep in perpetual view these amazing events. Of all the astonishing scenes which have been recited you will be witnesses. You will hear the call of the archangel, and rise from the grave. You will see the Judge descend, the judgment set, and the books opened. You will hear the sentence pronounced on the righteous and on the wicked. You will ascend with your glorious Redeemer to the heaven of heavens, or be sent down with evil men and evil angels to the world of perdition.

Does not your heart tremble at this? Is it not moved out of its place? When the mountains quake' at the approach of their Creator, and the hills melt; and the earth is burnt at his presence; the world, and all that is therein; who can stand before his indignation; who abide in the fierceness of his anger?' What emotions will then be felt by every impenitent sinner! With what agonies will he sigh for the return of the accepted time! With what delirious ecstacy would his heart heave, to hear another day of grace, another opportunity of repentance, proclaimed by his Judge! But no day of grace will ever return to him. No voice of mercy will again announce the birth of a Saviour. The doors of heaven will be opened no more. The smiles of a forgiving God will never dawn on the regions of sin and sorrow. Season will hasten after season, and age roll on after age, the melancholy round of darkness and despair, and not a beam of hope glimmer through the cheerless void, to revive the wearied and dying eye. Oh, that ye were wise, that ye understood these things, that ye would consider your latter end!'

⠀ SERMON CLXVII.

THE REMOTER CONSEQUENCES OF DEATH.

THE PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED:

ITS DURATION.

AND THESE SHALL GO AWAY INTO EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT

MATTHEW xxv. 46.

IN the last Discourse I gave an account of the final judgment, and of the sentences pronounced upon the righteous and the wicked. The next subjects of consideration are their future allotments. I shall first consider that of the wicked. This subject naturally divides itself into two parts; its nature, and its duration. The latter of these will be the subject of discourse at the present time.

In the text it is asserted, that impenitent sinners shall go away into everlasting punishment.' Christians have very generally regarded this declaration of Christ as intending, in the strict sense a punishment without end. But there have been multitudes of persons styling themselves Christians, particularly in modern times, who have decided otherwise; and insisted, either that there will be no punishment beyond the grave, or that it will be temporary. In support of this opinion, and in opposition to that which has been generally received, they have advanced various arguments and objections, which they professedly consider as having great weight, and to which apparently they yield their own assent. A teacher of syste