health, the vigour of animated spirits, and the full capacity of earthly enjoyment; when

66

our life is hid with Christ in God;" and an increasing relish for the pure speculations of eternity, dissipates the anxiety which is careful" about many things," subdues the vehemence of earthly passion, and chastens the desires of nature with the consolations

of grace; then, do we see God; then, " with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord." Thus, during the perils and discouragements of our earthly pilgrimage, the distant and invisible will predominate over the visible and the present, and the humility of the Christian will be dignified by an intimate communion with God. Over the happiness of eternity is hung an impenetrable veil, which can be lifted by no mortal hand; but when the valley of the shadow of death has been passed, the remaining corruptions of humanity will fall from us, like a garment which the wearer will resume

no

no more; the eye of the mind will be enlightened; the splendours of eternity will be disclosed; and the vision of God, dark with excessive light, will be our portion and our recompence for ever.

Perhaps we are ready to allow the necessity of purity of heart, and the blessings by which it is attended. But how difficult to watch over the feelings as well as the conduct, to curb the imagination in solitude, as well as regulate the actions in society! What a painful guard must be held over the inmost thoughts, over the most cherished illusions! How many emotions must be sacrificed, which we now indulge without scruple, which we substitute for the grosser vices of the abandoned and profane! Is not this a hard saying? Is not this an unnecessary austerity? Who then can be saved? These, my brethren, are the complaints and the questions of the unsubdued mind. But the difficulty of the sacrifice will not excuse us from making it: and we have seen that the religion of the heart is also that of the Bible. It is certain

VOL. II.

K

that

that the strict exhibition of scriptural truth, will show us our utter inability to obey the spiritual law of God, unless we go forth in the strength of our Redeemer, rely on his merits for salvation, and depend on his spirit for assistance. But when St. Paul said, " I can do all things, through Christ that strengtheneth me;" he spoke the language, and showed the experience, of every renovated heart. We, like the apostle, may find the power of the Gospel in subduing even our darling sins, our habitual corruptions; if we commence the work in a proper spirit, and persevere in it strenuously and sincerely. We must be careful to avoid the persons and the scenes, which we have found, by experience, to be dangerous to inward purity, no less than outward correctness. We must resist the beginnings of evil. We must turn our eyes and our thoughts, from the objects which soothe our weakness, and flatter our self-deception. We must cease to dwell in imagination on subjects from which we should shrink in reality. In addition to

these

these human means of preservation, we must use all those, which come under the peculiar province of religion. We must contemplate the shortness of time, the certainty of death, the importance of eternity. We must correct our natural anxieties, and craving desires, by a diligent and constant perusal of that volume, which proclaims their futility, and demonstrates their danger. We always rise from reading the Bible, with elevated views and corrected feelings. Let this effect be often renewed; and let it be strengthened by religious meditation; by calling up trains of thought which are favourable to piety. But chiefly, in every situation of life, and under every circumstance, either of danger or trial, let us apply to him who "heareth and answereth prayer." Let us not be discouraged by disinclination, coldness, or disappointment. In reliance on the promises of God through Jesus Christ, let us persevere. The communion, which was at first distasteful, will become delightful to us as we proceed. The obscurity which hides the Divine pre

sence

sence will be dissipated. As devotion becomes less of a form, it will reveal more and more the glories of him, to whom it is addressed and it will become less of a form, in proportion as the corruptions of the heart are mortified and subdued. This is the lesson of reason and experience, as well as of scripture. It is attested by many who are living in the world as those who live above it; who are serenely passing through its turbulent scenes, with their eye steadfastly fixed on a better and an abiding habitation. It is attested by many, who, through the merits of Jesus Christ, are now enjoying the reward of their labour of love, and feeling the full force of that gracious declaration : " blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."