same glorious end. The only difference, is circumstantial. They never sinned as man: their place in the universe is different; and their capacities are far more enlarged. In the Psalms, we find this expression: Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening to his word. But the commands and word of God are essentially the same to all his intelligent creatures throughout the universe. If the innumerable worlds which are spread abroad throughout the immensity of God's works, are inhabited by intelligent beings; they are all under the same universal law of supreme love to God, and benevolence towards their fellow beings. Whether the capacities of some be more enlarged than any of the angelick orders; and some inferiour to those of mankind, their duties and service are essentially the same. They may be commissioned as heralds to other worlds, with messages from the Supreme King; but still the moral law of God is the rule of their obedience. Concerning the angels, the apostle Paul interrogates, Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them, who shall be heirs of salvation? This expression may serve to show the unanimity of law, government, and service throughout the moral kingdom of God. Obedience is the same, whether in concerns of apparently vast magnitude, or of small moment; whether in exalted or humble station. In the vision, of which the words of the text are a part, we behold the seraphim engaged in the same kind of worship, as that which becometh us. He revered, worshipped, and adored the great Jehovah in view of the displays of his glorious and adorable perfections. He was filled with humility, in contrasting his worship with the awful brightness and glory of God. And since a vast number of invisible, holy beings, of other worlds are engaged in the same work, let this consideration serve to inspire mankind with alacrity in the service of God.

3d. The conduct both of holy and sinning angels should serve as a motive to mankind, to engage with alacrity in the divine service. With twain he did fly. The ever watchful and vigilant seraphims are constantly ready to fly at the command of God. They execute the mandates of heaven with winged zeal and burning love. Whether they go with messages to an individual, to excite to faithfulness; or to a world, to make known the laws of God, they delight and hasten to do his will. Their kind errands to the earth, should excite its inhabitants with vigilance to prepare to be their companions in heaven. Shall holy angels be so earnest for the salvation of men? and shall they be slothful in working out their own salvation? Again: Hear the caution which the apostle Peter gives in view of the malevolent conduct of those wicked spirits, the fallen angels. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary, the devil, goeth about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. The malicious fiends of darkness, are constantly going about, seeking the utter ruin of man. Then both from the friendly, active conduct of holy angels, and the hostile pursuits of sinning angels, let us be inspired with alacrity in the service of God.

4th. We may be excited to vigilance in the service of God, for it is a short time that is allotted us to work, as a preparation to receive our reward. The probationary state of man is diminished to a mere point, compared with his being rewarded for eternity. How short is the extent of mortal life, to lay up an eternal recompense of reward; an everlasting treasure in heaven? And would the inhabitants of earth, at last shine forth gloriously in the kingdom of God; let their lives be eminent for their vigilance in his service. How short is time for bankrupts to inherit a heavenly prize; to obtain an immortal crown! Surely it is the part of wisdom for all now to engage with vigilance in the heavenly race, and boldly maintain a good warfare. The work of conviction, re

pentance, and a godly life, is a great work, which not only requires all our time, but our most vigilant exertions. None have time to spare; for the moment they have finished the work allotted them, and ready for their departure, they are called home. Methinks I see yon ardent spirits in glory, looking down upon us with astonishment, that the shortness of time itself does not inspire us with vigilance in the service of God, for those joys which are on high.

5th. To serve God with alacrity, is a means best calculated to promote our own happiness through the journey of life Trials and difficulties must be encountered by all mankind, in their pilgrimage state, whether their journey be in the service of God, or in the service of satan. The future prospects of the former, are glorious: those of the latter, dreadful. Then which is preferable? The pathway of life, or the road that leads to death? The greater the alacrity in the strait and narrow way, the greater the joy: but the greater the exertions in the broad road, the greater the sorrow. The way of the one is in the light: but that of the other, in darkness. Our apostacy from God, is our wo: but our return unto him, the balm of life. To yield to the temptations of the adversary, is to increase our difficulties: but to resist them, is to renew our strength. To serve self, is to be a slave: but he that serveth Christ, is free. Then can we have any hesitancy to choose this day, whom we will serve? The way of transgressors is hard, and forbids us to walk therein. Then may we serve God with alacrity, as the means best calculated to promote our own happiness through the journey of life.

6th. To serve God with alacrity, we may do much good, and be a blessing to the world. Alacrity in the common pursuits of life, is commendable; but how much more so then, is it becoming in the service of God. To benefit mankind in their temporal concerns, is laudable; but to promote their spiritual interests, is glorious. The blessed Saviour went

about doing good, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and speech to the dumb. How was he the benefactor of mankind by his acts of humanity and charity! But the great end of his mission was to heal the maladies of souls, and to save mankind from remediless wo. His life is an example of perfection; and how conspicuous is it for his alacrity in doing his Father's will. Whilst he did not neglect the temporal interests of men, his zeal was exercised for their eternal welfare. And who can tell how great a blessing to the world, a faithful, zealous christian may be, by spending his days with alacrity in the service of God? Let ministers of the gospel be inspired with alacrity in the discharge of their duties; and their examples may have a goodly influence over the minds and lives of others.

To what were the successes of Cæsar owing in his wars? To his alacrity. Then let us imitate his conduct in our christian warfare. As his watchful and ready movements gave him superiour advantages over the enemies, so may our watchfulness and devotedness enable us to triumph over our spiritual enemies. Washington was distinguished for his wisdom in counsel. And we can see in several instances, that the American revolution turned on the alacrity with which his plans were executed. So may we be. successful by a zeal for God, according to knowledge. The apostle Paul was a bold, intrepid, and zealous preacher of the gospel. How extensive are the blessed effects of his unwearied labours. He counted not his life dear, in comparison with serving God with alacrity. His own age, the present and future, were to reap the glorious fruits of his vigilant exertions. Little did the apostle foresee what glory to God, and good to man, would be the result of his faithfulness. Though now in glory, he must wait till the end of time to behold the wide-spread, glorious consequences of his toils. Let us take courage then, my brethren, not to be slothful, but faithful in spirit, serving

the Lord. We know not the good we may do. Let us press forward; for to be inspired with alacrity in the service of God, we may do much good for mankind, and be a blessing to the world.

IMPROVEMENT.

Our

1st. From this subject we may see the propriety, of always acting under the influence of proper views of God. Superiour beings are thus influenced, and in all our conduct the eye of God is upon us. various situations in life call for praise, thanksgiving, and submission. Whether in prosperity or adversity the hand of God is to be acknowledged, for he giveth the kingdom to whomsoever he will. On the sabbath or in the pursuits of our worldly concerns, we should consider that we are accountable for all our conduct. Let us remember, how the seraphim employed his six wings. With twain he covered his face; and with twain he covered his feet; and with twain he did fly. Then from the consideration of his adoring views of God; from his humility in the view of his own performances; and his alacrity in the divine service, how should we be careful, always to act under the influence of proper views of God.

2d. From this subject we may see how foolish is the sin of pride. What has man, which he has not received? and of which he has reason to boast? Has any one great attainments, personal accomplishments, wealth, learning, or honour? And should these fill his heart with vanity, with inordinate self-esteem, and excite to insolent treatment of others? How do the highest orders of angels with all their dignity and excellence, exercise a spirit of meekness! As soon as pride entered the heart of Satan, he fell. Pharaoh, Haman, Nebuchadnezzar, and Herod were exalted above measure, with pride; and how did its towering height have a fall. The Saviour, the Lord of angels, was not a pattern of pride, but of humility. What a barrier is pride to our communion with God, and