from the view of man if God had not made it known by his holy Prophets.

I. The following statements, if duly considered, will prepare us for a correct examination of this highly important subject.

Man is a probationer for eternity; and he is accountable to God for all his works and ways. His mental and bodily powers, with all his opportunities of improvement in knowledge and goodness, were bestowed on him, that he might prepare for a future and an eternal state of existence.

A wise improvement of heavenly gifts is expected; and the practice of piety, of justice, and mercy, is pleasing to God: for "He hath showed thee, O man, what is good: and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Micah vi. 8.

An abuse of time and talents, in sin and folly, is highly offensive to God; because that time, and those talents, were given for holy purposes. The same may be affirmed of all the rich bounties of providence and grace; for when they are abused by wicked men, God is angry with them every day. Ps. vii. 11.

This is apparent, in some degree, in the present life; for the judgments of an angry God are frequently poured out, even in this world, on wicked men. This was the case with Sodom and Egypt, with Babylon and Rome, and with

the unbelieving Jews who rejected their God and Saviour. Read their respective histories, with careful attention, and be wise.

But the anger of God, against all unrighteousness, will fully appear after the judgment-day. Then the abuse of mercy, and the wilful transgressions of men, will bring down wrath and indignation; and all that obey not the Gospel, where it has been proclaimed, will be punished "with everlasting destruction." 2 Thess. i. 9.

In both worlds, the attributes of the Deity appear in their moral excellencies and perfections; and good reasons may be assigned in vindication of the divine conduct towards saints and sinners, both in time and in eternity. ways are unequal; but who dare object when the Lord inquires," Are not my ways equal?”

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Good men dare not claim any reward on the ground of merit. They are humble; and give glory to the Lord. with severity in this world; but they will be silent on this subject in the last great day; for "all his ways are judgment: a God of truth, and without iniquity, just and right is he." Deut. xxxii. 4.

Bad men may charge God

II. The righteous will enter on their full reward after the day of judgment.

They will inherit a kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world. Matt. xxv. 34. Thrice-happy place, where the wise and good, of all nations, meet to part no more!

Who can describe the perfection and glory of that kingdom? That kingdom will be our everlasting home: we are now on our way to it; and by the grace of God we will not lose sight of it for a moment. There we shall be with God and the Lamb, with angels and saints; and there we shall be employed for ever in singing lofty songs of praise to Him that sitteth on the throne. There we shall have rich stores of knowledge; purity without alloy; and happiness without a mixture of pain or grief. How little does this world appear, when compared with that which is above! And what are all our trials and temptations in this world, if we arrive safely in heaven at last? Let us urge our way to it with fresh vigour. Sorrow may continue for a night; but joy cometh in the morning. Our afflictions are light and momentary; but the glory of heaven is eternal. A prospect of that glory, in the deepest sorrow, should cheer our hearts and strengthen our hands. Enemies will oppose us on our way to it with all their might; but we have a friend in heaven who will enable us to fight and conquer. Blessed Lord, guide us all to that holy and happy place; and may our righteous Judge say to us in that day, "Come, ye blessed of my Father!" With what rapture shall we hear these words! and after they are pronounced, we shall be for ever with the Lord.

But we are decidedly of opinion that all the

rewards of the righteous will be of grace, but not of debt; for we cannot conceive that even the best of men merit a reward. All their works are imperfect; but their reward is as certain as if their works were meritorious in the highest degree. They know that salvation is of the Lord, both in life and death, and they give him the glory; but they have a right to expect those rewards that he has graciously promised to bestow on all his faithful servants. In the day of judgment, when Christ states what his servants have done for him, they seem to know nothing about it; but that makes no difference in the rewards which he will bestow on them in a future state; nor will the humble and modest view which all Christians entertain of themselves, hinder them of their full reward. Jesus says,

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They shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy;" and if he deem them worthy, with all their imperfections, it will be quite enough. Rev. iii. 4.

It has been maintained, by some eminent writers, that it is a mercenary principle to expect a reward for good works. They argue that virtue, both in principle and practice, should be loved for its own excellence; and that God should be loved and obeyed, because he is the best of beings, without any hope of reward. We readily allow that virtue should be loved, because it is lovely; and that God should be loved and obeyed, because he is all-perfect, and

lovely in all his works and ways; but it does not follow that we may not indulge a joyful hope of those inestimable blessings which are promised by the Lord. Why were those promises made? Was it not to encourage us in a course of piety and virtue? And if God has kindly afforded such delightful prospects of unmerited rewards, why may we not take courage, and hope for their accomplishment? It would be strange, indeed, to overlook the divine promises, under the fanciful notion that virtue is its own reward.

III. The punishment of the wicked is a frightful subject; and a bare prospect of it fills the soul with horror.

They will be banished to hell, with the curse of the Judge, and from thence they will never return. The awful sentence is thus expressed: "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.' Matt. xxv. 41. Where can they go but to their own place? Heaven cannot admit them; the earth will be burned up; and no place will be found for them but hell. But what kind of a place is hell? It is a place of torment. There apostate men, and fallen angels, dwell in darkness; and are "punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power." 2 Thess. i. 9. In that place of horror, "their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched." Isai. lxvi. 24. Who,