with glory. The investiture of the armour of righteousness which is provided for him in his warfare. For further encour agement still, Christ hath left an example that his disciples should follow his steps; besides, there is a cloud of witnesses, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs, and followers of the Lamb, now enthroned in glory, looking down to animate the christian to join their triumphant throng. God hath given exceeding great and precious promises, suited to every possi ble case and circumstance in the christian life; and these are all ratified and confirmed, yea and amen, in Christ Jesus. The end of the course is determined; the sting of death is taken away; and, God is not ashamed to be called our God, because he hath prepared for us a city.

These, and many other sources of supplies and incitements to progress, might be enumerated, which, if properly understood and experienced in the believing heart, would animate and strengthen amidst all the trials, temptations and discour agements attendant on our earthly pilgrimage. Let us remember, that time is short, and each step we take urges our way out of this wilderness of sorrow. Forget the things which are behind. It is impossible that you should retrace your steps. Reach forth to the things which are before; and press towards the mark for the prize of your high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Surely there is an end, and your expectation shall not fail. These reflections naturally lead us to consider—

III. THE PERIOD OF THE CHRISTIAN COURSE. It is an observation made by some, that no man's character can cor. rectly be determined until the finishing stroke by death. And, indeed, our Saviour said, He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. Death is the trying hour. Although some may fall away from a profession of faith, yet we know that precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. In order, therefore, to attain more correct views of the last testimony of Paul's faith and confidence, let us examine his sentiments in connexion with the text. To do some justice to this, it is indispensably necessary that we should view him both as a christian and as a minister of the Lord Jesus.

Mark his admirable composure in the prospect of death—

I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. The certainty of the period of his life—I have finished my course. The animating prospect which was presented before him-Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day. This is enhanced by the delightful anticipation that millions of others who love the appearance of the Lord Jesus, will share in the same honour and felicity. If the dying accents of a departing saint are calculated to make the most salutary impressions, then let us observe—

The admirable composure of Paul. Death is formidable to humanity. He is the king of terrors. Though there be no discharge in this war, it may be truly affirmed, that the saint of God conquers when he falls, by the victory which God gives him through our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul, in the commencement of his course, gave himself to the Lord as a convert and as a minister; serving his master with a willing mind and a faithful heart. He made a good calculation of From the history of his life,

the sufferings he should endure.

we read of the many trials, bonds and imprisonments which attended him. According to his own acknowledgment, he was in deaths oft. Therefore in his view of Christ, in the temper of his mind, and in the firmness of his heart, he was habitually ready to suffer or to die while pursuing his course. In this frame of heart he could say, I die daily. Now, the time of his departure is at hand; the time, not to be annihilated, but to leave this transitory world by a violent death; and then to enjoy, what he had so long desired, to depart and be with Christ, which is far better, however good it was to serve his Lord on earth.

In this sweet temper, he assured Timothy that he was now ready to be offered. In all probability his death-warrant was now signed. This did not produce a shade of discomposure. He was ready, not only for the bloody hands of Nero's executioners, but to pour out his blood like as the blood of the sacrifice was poured out at the foot of the altar-a sacrifice to the honour and truth of his blessed Lord, and for the defence of his gospel. Noble resolution! Happy servant of the most high God! Let us, my brethren, whether in private

ior in public life, though not called to martyrdom, so realize our interest in Christ, that we also may be ready when the time of our departure shall be at hand, and thus smile upon death in prospect of a glorious immortality!

Mark the conclusion of his life-I have finished my course. The very course of obedience and suffering marked out and allotted him by his Lord and Master to pursue; and he had now arrived at the end of the line. The number of his days were accomplished-his last moments were expiring. No more discourses to deliver--the voice of his prayer and praise was not to be heard again in the assembly of the saints. His heart was now dictating, and his hand writing his last epistle, as his dying memorial. The care of the poor, for whom he was so benevolently interested, he now leaves with his God and Saviour. The hand which so often relieved their necessities, was shortly to be cold in death. The only remaining duty was, to commit himself once more to his Redeemer, in the near prospect of immortality. No more battles to fight in defence of the gospel against error, or in repelling the infernal foe. The painful conflict between nature and grace, flesh and spirit, in his own breast, were now finishing with his course for ever. So true is that saying in 1 Kings xx. 11— Let not him that girdeth on his harness, boast himself, as he that putteth it off. It is one thing to boast, on putting on the harness of the gospel, whether as a christian or as a minister, and another to put it off with honour when the course is finished, the conquest ended, and the head crowned with victory. My brethren in the ministry-how sensibly should these solemn realities impress our minds! We know not but that we may soon be called to preach our last sermon, and perform our last active services in the church and in the world. May we constantly fulfil the duties of our office, so that, like Paul, our work and our lives may terminate together beneath the approving smiles of our God, whom we profess to serve in the gospel of his dear Son. And ye Christians in less active life, your course of profession and experience may soon be finished. Be therefore wise, and consider your latter end. Hold fast the profession of your faith without wavering; for God is faithful, who hath promised that he will never forsake you.

Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning. And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding, that when he cometh and knocketh, ye may open unto him immediately.

It was

The animating prospect which was presented to Paul, next claims your attention. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day. The object was a crown. This was not formed of leafy laurels, as if he had won an earthly race; nor of gold enriched with jewels, expressive of worldly grandeur. It was the prospect of his future freedom, honour, glory and perfect felicity to be enjoyed by him in heaven. a crown of righteousness, obtained in a way of truth, holiness and justice, through the obedience and death of Jesus Christ, the Lord our righteousness. As it is declared, that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God: this crown, therefore, is in reserve for those only who are made the righteousness of God in Christ; and whose principles and practice evince, that they are created in righteousness and true holiness.

This crown Paul knew was laid up for him; not now to be provided, but already made, and laid up for him in reserve, perfectly safe in the cabinet of heaven. Nero might deprive Paul of his head, but his crown of righteousness was inviolably secure. The reception of this crown the apostle did not expect as a reward due to the merit of his services, however numerous or great, but as given to him. No man was ever

more filled with self-abasement than this servant of the Lord Jesus ; nor was any one more ardently engaged in magnifying the free gifts of grace and glory. And now, when ready to be offered up, what else could have produced in his breast such charming composure and heavenly triumph, but the prospect of the crown of life as a free and unmerited gift ?--The hand from whom he should receive his crown, he knew was that of the Lord, the righteous Judge. Who can this be but Christ the Lord, who is appointed by Jehovah the Father to be the Judge of quick and dead, and who shall judge the world in righteousness? The very Jesus whose hands were nailed to the cross; who met Saul when on his way to Damascus,

conferred on his heart the blessings of his mercy, and who supported him in the arduous duties of his ministry: yes, the same blessed hands were now about to place on his servant's head the crown of righteousness as the consummation of immortal blessedness!-At what period shall this honour be received? Paul says, at that day. He knew that when absent from the body, he should be present with the Lord; and that there is a day determined in which God will judge the world in righteousness. It is best, therefore to consider Paul as looking forward to the last and great day of the Lord, which he calls in the next clause, the time of his appearing; then the body shall be raised incorruptible, to which the holy soul will be re-united. At that time Christ will own his faithful servants, and crown them with honour, and glory, and immortality.

The only remaining topic to be explained is, that the apostle enhanced the pleasures he enjoyed by the consideration that millions of others would share with him in the same honour and felicity. Not to me only, but unto all them that love his appearing. Here the benevolent heart of this venerable man of God glowed with ardour! It was just and right that he should first rejoice in anticipation of his own felicity; but his cup overflowed! He was competent to trace back the ancient page of sacred history, and bring to his recollection the many patriarchs, prophets and holy worshippers who served the Lord, died in faith, and were a cloud of witnesses around the celestial throne of God. Though at this period Paul was in the near prospect of death, he could not forget his brethren the apostles, his fellow-companions, and the churches who proved their discipleship by following his Lord. He could look forward also to succeeding generations, and perceive that all the individuals on earth who should love and serve his Lord would share with him, and receive a crown of righteousness. This pious sentiment was certainly an expression of his profound humility. Though he himself was the chief of the apostles, he put himself on a level with all others who loved the Lord, let their grace, talent, age, sex or nation be what they may. It is, however, worthy of observation, that the apostle draws the character with precision. C