state; but they shall see Him face to face. Their contemplation of his adorable attributes shall not be transient and variable; but fixed and constant. Their fellowship with him shall not be limited and restrained; but free and familiar. And in the exercise of these high privileges, they shall possess a fulness of joy, a satisfying and superabundant degree of beatitude, to which we are now unable to stretch our thoughts. Such will be the final lot of those, concerning whom our gracious Master expresses himself thus-Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

And now, brethren, who would not wish to be counted in this truly honourable class? Who would not be content to become poor and low, insignificant and despicable in the present world, with such a termination of their course in view? But the blessedness of these chosen ones begins long before the termination of their earthly course. Even while they continue in this house of their pilgrimage, they are inexpressibly dear to God. And lest, from occasional appearances, we should ever entertain a doubt of this, our Heavenly Father hath repeatedly

asserted it in the most absolute terms-Thus saith the Lord, the heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: but to this man will I look, even unto him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my word. Of all the interesting sights which the world can afford, that of a man evangelically poor in spirit is especially calculated to attract and fix the divine regard. The glorious God will pass by the thrones of kings and the palaces of princes, that he may intently gaze upon such a man, as a spectacle of wonder and a monument of his richest grace: to this man will I look, saith the Lord, and he shall be mine in that day, when I make up my jewels.

Be persuaded, then, my brethren, to cast in your lot with this little band of choice and excellent spirits, lightly indeed esteemed among men, but rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom. We read of some, in the days of our Lord, who made broad their phylacteries, and occasionally wore them as frontlets between their eyes: but these happier men have the name of God engraven in their foreheads, and bear continually about them the marks of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Secondly-A further part of their blessedness consists in their nearness to God, and in the enjoyment of those special communications, with which he is pleased to favour them.

The condescending and gracious attention of Jesus to little children is very strongly marked in several passages of the new Testament. We read of his inviting them to a sweet and easy familiarity with him. We hear of his taking them up in his arms, commending their unaffected modesty, and pronouncing upon them an affectionate benediction. But there is a certain place in which his manner of treating them is so simply and affectingly reported, that I cannot deny myself the pleasure of laying before you the substance of that report. Disturbed on a certain occasion by an unreasonable question, which had been several times before debated among them, we find the disciples in a very abrupt manner applying to their Master, for a satisfactory decision of the point in dispute; Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? It was evident, by their manner, that every individual of this chosen body felt an extreme anxiety to secure to himself so desirable a

piece of preferment; to which also every man among them appeared willing to persuade himself, that he possessed some superior claim. On this, as on many like occasions, without giving the inquirers unnecessary offence, the wisdom of our Lord directed him to such a mode of answering the question, as was calculated to set it for ever at rest. Jesus called to him a little child and having placed him in the midst of his disciples, most probably covered with confusion and blushes, and very sincerely desirous of shrinking from that distinction -He said unto them, Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. After this involuntary exhibition of the little stranger, it is not to be imagined, that our gracious Lord would dismiss him from his painful station, without affectionately embracing, and tenderly gratifying him with some peculiar mark of his regard.

Behold here, the kind and endearing manner, in which Jesus was accustomed to

treat such little children as approached him near enough to attract his attention. ́ And let it never be forgotten, that, at such seasons, he seldom failed to declare, that the strongest proofs of his favour were reserved for those, who most resembled these innocent and interesting pieces of human

nature.

But where is this resemblance to be found among men, except it be with the poor in spirit? These are so manifestly converted and born again, as to present a complete change of appearance and character. They are indeed the little children of their Heavenly Father's family; and, as such, they have free and familiar access to him at all times and seasons. They were born in his house, where they live under his perpetual smile, are provided for at his cost, and enjoy such privileges as belong not to any other members of his household. And who can tell, to what an extent this part of their blessedness may be carried, which consists in an extraordinary nearness to God, and in an intimate union with Him, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named!

A well-ordered family presents a lovely