the same apostle we have already quoted, addressing the saints at Rome," the love "of God is shed abroad in our hearts by "the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. "For when we were yet without strength, " in due time Christ died for the ungodly. "For scarcely for a righteous man will one "die: yet peradventure for a good man (6 some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love towards us, in that " while we were yet sinners, Christ died for

us. Much more then, being justified by "his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if when we were ene"mies, we were reconciled to God by the "death of his Son, much more being re"conciled, we shall be saved by his "life." The reasoning is conclusive, Believers shall reap in due season, if they faint not-if they become not weary in well-doing.

2. The reward of those who continue well-doing, will exceed their imagination. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, to conceive its magnificence, its blessedness,

c Rom. v. 5-10.

pro

its glory. They who receive it, will find that it infinitely more than compensates for all their toils, and labours, and perils, and sufferings in this life. It will be far, inconceivably greater than any, even the heaviest and most terrible affliction experienced here. It will be worthy of his nature who grants it; for it is the gift of his love; the duct of his wisdom and power; the purchase of the blood of his only begotten Son. The sacred writers, when they mention it, seem lost; they accumulate epithets; they labour in description. The beauties and glories of nature are called in to aid imagination. The works of art are also pressed to contribute their share: but neither nature nor art, can give the full, the adequate idea. The vastness of the reward overwhelms the mind-it is infinite! How then can finite man comprehend it? Seen by faith through a glass darkly, oh, how transporting! when seen with the eye, when possessed in actual fruition-then, then, believer, unutterable will be thy rapture! You will be constrained to acknowledge that the half was not told you. You could not have 32

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But

formed, by the utmost stretch of your imagination, any idea worthy of it.

3. This reward will be everlasting.

To all that glory, all that blessedness, all that joy, which the redeemed of the Lord shall experience in due season, there will be no end; yea, no diminution, nor the least failure. On the contrary, they will become more and more susceptible of the impressions of pleasure, the emotions of delight, the perfect happiness of their state. For ever will they serve God, for ever shout his praises, for ever taste the fulness of his love, for ever be in his presence, for ever rejoice in his smiles. When When ages, succeeding ages, have passed by, their blessedness will hardly be begun. What a thought! how vast! and yet how exhilarating! how animating! Who would not for the things of eternity relinquish those of time? Who would jeopardize the rewards of eternity for the baubles of a day? What madness, what infatuation prevails among men, to prefer things temporal to things eternal-the gratification of their passions to the will of God!

Let me, then, press upon you, believers, the exhortation of the apostle, "Be not

weary in well-doing." Recollect the command of your Lord," Let "Let your light

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so shine before men, that they may see

your good works, and glorify your "Father which is in heaven"." Guard carefully and strenuously against slothfulness on the one hand, and timidity on the other. Be not seduced by any temptation, or diverted by any danger, from well-doing. Press onward in your course, and still onward. Be doing more, and still more, for your God and Saviour. In this way you will afford the strongest and most irrefutable evidence of the excellency of the religion which you profess; and will, moreover, be growing in your conformity to God, and ripeness for the heavenly inheritance.

Though well-doing is the duty of all men, yet no one can discharge this duty who is destitute of the saving grace of God. That grace is freely offered to all who enjoy the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Flee, then, to Him who stands ready to receive and bless you, my hearers, who have heretofore neglected the great salvation. Flee to him, under a sense of the awful corruption of your nature, and the evil of your doings.

d Matt. v. 16.

Remember that he, who is now infinitely kind, will be the inflexible and inexorable Judge of quick and dead, on the last day. Then no excuse will be of avail. We must now give our hearts to him, and live according to his commandments. Be persuaded and urged to do this without delay, because your lives are as a vapour, and the due season is rapidly hastening, when you and all flesh shall reap the fruit of your doings. Oh, sow to the Spirit, that you may of the Spirit reap everlasting life! AMEN.