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nothing to "hurt or destroy in all God's holy mountain"." All these particulars will add, beyond calculation, to the number of the inhabitants in our world; and, as by far the greater part will be believers in deed and in truth, will add to the number of the redeemed. Perhaps the aggregate of population in the thousand years will equal that of all the preceding period".

From these different sources, the myriads of the blessed spirits of just men made perfect will be made up, and these conjoined will form a mass superior in number to that of the condemned and rejected. Thus that blessed- company, which is the least in number in this world, at any one period of time, will ultimately, when gathered together in one, be the most numerous. Let no one, then, be discouraged at the small number of believers. Even should they always be the least, it is better to be excellent with a few, than sinful with the sinful multitude.

You have heard a scriptural description of the people of God in some leading particulars, all tending to prove their separation, their distinctness from the rest of mankind,

x Isaiah xi. 9.

y See the Sermon on the Millennium, in vol. 1.

in all the essential parts of human character and conduct. From it we may each of us form some determinate opinion concerning ourselves. There is a false Christianity prevalent, which, like adulterated corn, may impose upon the unwary and thoughtless, but cannot stand the test of Scripture. We ought to beware that our Christianity be not of this kind, for then we are ruined. Let no one be misled by the opinion of men. is our Master, that is, Christ. Consult his word; read it with care; examine it for yourselves, by the aid of his Spirit. Bring every sentiment of your own and others; the principles of every book that you read, and every sermon that you hear, to this test. Try by it also your conduct. Do you, in the sense explained, dwell alone? Are you

not reckoned with the world? and conversation Christian? something more than moral.

One

Are your life

This is to be

A Christian life includes all moral duties, but, beyond them, reaches after perfection. A Christian life is the commencement, the first beginning of the life of God upon earth, to be consummated in heaven.

If it be something more than merely a

moral life, it unquestionably is more than an immoral life. Such a life is hostile to faith. An immoral man can be no Christian. What shall we say, then, of those professing believers, who not only are always like the world, but, in many respects, outstrip the men of the world in worldly conduct? But especially what shall we say of those who give the enemies of religion occasion to blaspheme, by reason of their sins? We must say of all these as the apostle did weeping, that they are "enemies of the cross "of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose

god is their belly, and whose glory is in "their shame, who mind earthly things."

Professors of the Lord Jesus! beware that these things be not said of you. You are Christians in name: be so in deed likewise. You stand on an eminence, like a city built on a hill hide not then yourselves amidst the pollutions of sinners. You are lights in the world: obscure not your shining by the vapours and mists of corruption. Always display a pre-eminence in virtue and holiness, worthy of your vocation. Always let your light shine before others, that they,

≈ Phil. iii. 18, 19.

seeing your good works, may glorify God. Although here you dwell alone, and are not reckoned among the nations, you will, if you are faithful unto death, be admitted to the thousands of Israel, in the City aboveto the kindreds, people, and nations, who dwell there, and with them shall be happy for ever. AMEN.

SERMON VII.

THE NATURE AND CONSEQUENCES
OF SPIRITUAL IDOLATRY.

HOSEA IV. 17.

Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone.

THE ten tribes of Israel are here called Ephraim, not only because this was a principal one among them in numbers and courage, but also because it gave birth to a number of their kings, and contained in its boundaries, Tirzah and Samaria, successively their seats of government. They revolted from their allegiance to the house of David, under Rehoboam, and erected themselves into an independent kingdom, under