IX. Reft; by the place," the right hand of DISC. "God," is denoted Honour: the former promises the bleffings of his peace; the latter, the glories of his kingdom. Reft and honour, among men, are not often companions. Difquietude attends height of character, rank, and station, both in the pursuit, left it should not be attained, and in the poffeffion, left it should be loft again. But of the honour which cometh from God this cannot be faid. It is always bestowed on the penitent, the humble, and the faithful fervant of his heavenly master and when bestowed, can no more be taken from him. The crown is immortal as the donor of it. "When the breath of man,' on which depends all fublunary fame, "goeth forth, he turneth again to his earth; and then, all his thoughts"—those of the giver, as well as those of the receiver-" perish. "Bleffed therefore is he," and he only, "who hath the God of Jacob for his help, "and whofe hope is in the Lord, his God." DISC. IX. To defcribe the bleffings of reft and peace in the kingdom of our Lord, images are borrowed from the scenes of rural and paftoral life. To give us ideas of it's glories, it's majefty and magnificence-a throne is fet in heaven, encompaffed by a rainbow; and one is feen upon it, like a jasper or a fardine; feven lamps burn before it; lightnings and thunders proceed from it: four and twenty venerable perfonages appear clothed in white; they rife from their feats, and fall proftrate at the foot of the throne; when a chorus is heard of all creatures both in heaven and earth, finging glory to the Lamb triumphant!-Elsewhere, a city is exhibited, new Jerufalem, built of gold and precious stones; that is, in the prophetical language of Ifaiah, it's walls falvation, and it's gates praife; the Lord God and the Lamb conftitute it's temple; from whence it is illuminated by a fplendor, far exceeding, and rendering needlefs, the light of the fun and of the moon; the streets refounding with the hallelujahs of it's bleft inhabitants. Thefe IX. These are some of " the things above," on DISC. which the Apostle exhorts us to "fet our "affections." I am fure, you all think them worthy of your very best and warmest affections. May the confideration of them produce that effect, which a due confideration of them muft produce. May they who have neglected to feek them-if any fuch there be-now begin to feek them; and they who have always fought, them, now seek them still more; thus receiving in themselves this most comfortable teftimony, that they are "rifen with Chrift;" that their bodies, at the appointed time, fhall arife; and both body and foul ascend to heaven after him, that "where he is, they may be alfo." 04 DISCOURSE X. THE CHRISTIAN RACE. 1 COR. CHAP. IX. PART OF VERSE 24. So run, that ye may obtain. X. OST important was the matter by DISC. the Apostles communicated to the world; the heavenly reward, and the way to obtain it. The manner of communication well deferves your notice and attention. It is not done in the dry didactic ftyle. There is nothing dull and heavy. All is fpirit, and all is life. Their ideas are clothed in fuch figures, as at once convince the understanding, ftrike the imagination, warm the heart, and excite the affections. |