we have alluded; and place, in full light, and at full length, in the very foreground of the picture, that holiness, which is the very essence of a believer's happiness; for without it, happiness is altogether unattainable by any created being, whether during the millennial or any other dispensation-whether on a renovated earth, or even in the very centre of all the glory, and all the blessedness of heaven!

Constantly keep in view the all-important truth, that the essential qualification for participating in the triumphs of the Redeemer's reign, is participation in the spirit of the Redeemer's character-That whatever else that reign may possess, of adventitious and outward glory, it will be essentially the reign of righteousness; and, therefore, none can enjoy its happiness, or share its honors, but those, in whose hearts the love of righteousness, shed abroad by the Holy Ghost, maintains the entire ascendancy, and in whose lives the law of righteousness, established by the power of the Spirit, exercises a sovereign sway. That thrones and sceptres could do no more than toys and straws, for the real happiness of one, who had not learned of Him, that is meek and lowly of heart, to rule his own spirit, by the divine precepts of the gospel of peace, and to sway over his obedient passions the divine sceptre of a Saviour's love. And that neither the scenery of paradise, nor the society of angels-no, nor even the scenery and society of heaven itself, could impart one hour's solid and satisfying enjoyment to any spirit, which was not identified, by perfect harmony of sentiment, and sympathy of feeling, with the Spirit of Christ!

Hold up then the Character of the Saviour, for the prayerful study, and humble imitation of all, who hope they have a title, written in His blood, and resting on His righteousness, to the inheritance of glory, purchased by Him for all His saints.

Constantly cherish and enforce the solemn recollection, that it is only those who, in the spirit of their characters, like Him, have not been of this world, that shall, with Him, be heirs of that kingdom, which is not of this world-that those alone, who have suffered with Him, shall also reign with Him-those alone, who have been crucified, shall be glorified with Him; and that it is only by being planted together in the likeness of His death, (by being dead, to sin, to the world, to whatever opposes the will, or word, or glory of God,) that we shall be planted together in the likeness of His resurrection!

Dwell, then, frequently on the development of the Christian character, in detail, always presenting the Saviour's as its only perfect pattern-its only infallible standard! Exhibit its various features in their full proportion-and place them in their loveliest light!

Purity of heart, shrinking, with instinctive abhorrence, from the indulgence even of an unhallowed thought-spirituality of affections, soaring as on eaglewing, with all its ardent aspirations, towards heaven -a prayerful spirit, cultivating constant communion with the Father of spirits; and making every object in creation, every dispensation of Providence, a medium of holy and happy intercourse with its God-humility, hiding its own excellences; and charity, concealing the faults of others-meekness and gentleness, bearing, with the most unruffled patience, the most irritating provocations-placability freely forgiving from the heart, the most aggravated injuries and insults-cheerful trust in God's love, amidst the darkest dispensations-thankful resignation to His will, amidst His heaviest chastisements-a generous philanthropy, delighting in going about doing good, (in the sublimest sense of the word,) alleviating human misery, and promoting human happiness, to the utmost extent of

its influence and a grateful zeal for the glory of God, prompting the most unwearied labours, the most unbounded self-denial, the most costly sacrifices, and infusing sweetness into the bitterest sufferings, by which that glory may be advanced!

Such are some of the prominent features of the Christian character!-such some of the principal ingredients, which enter into the composition of that noblest piece of God's workmanship upon earth-a spirit conformed by the renewing influences of the Holy Ghost, to the image of His Son!

So far as the exhibition of millennarian prospects can be made subservient, towards the formation and perfection of such a character, advance them, in this view, and for this purpose-ever keeping in remembrance, that the clearest speculative views of unful filled prophecy, the most eloquent advocacy of the millennarian scheme, unaccompanied by such a cast of character, could no more qualify their possessor for the enjoyment of the essential blessedness of Messiah's reign, than clear views of mathematical truth or eloquent advocacy of the Baconian system of philosophy!

And are not prophetical speculations, and calculations, too often carried on in a manner, that can no more conduce to the believer's spiritual advancement in the divine life, than the investigations of philosophi cal principles, or scientific pursuits?

And worst of all-are not millennarian discusssions too often conducted, in a temper and spirit of such a stamp, that their universal diffusion would make the millennium anything but the reign of universal peace, and harmony, and love!

Let me, then, in taking leave of this part of our subject, affectionately entreat of you to remember, that millennarian discussions, when conducted in such a manner, as to have no tendency to lead sinners to cling

more confidingly to the cross, live more devotedly to the glory, and copy more closely the character of Christ, can be considered only as ingenious speculations-amusing, perhaps, but certainly unprofitable; that when conducted, so as to tend towards an opposite result, they can only (as far as means are concerned,) help to retard the progress of the Redeemer's gospel upon earth, and advance the cause of Satan, not of God; and that it is only when they are so conducted, in reference to the light in which they are viewed, and the spirit in which they are carried on, as to tend towards exalting and endearing the cross and character of Christ, that they will be accompanied in their course, by the out-pourings of the divine blessing, and instrumental, in their results, in advancing the divine glory!

CHAPTER XII.

ADDRESS TO MILLENNARIANS.

THE third friendly caution I would address to you, is this-Beware of being betrayed into any approach to an over-confident and dogmatical tone, in the announcement of your peculiar views, as if some special revelation of the Spirit, securing you from the possibility of mistake, had been vouchsafed to you, so that you were privileged to set forth, and all others bound to receive, your interpretation of unfulfilled prophecy, as divinely communicated, and, therefore, infallibly true!

Nothing can be more unbecoming, or more unpleasing, than such a tone, or such a theme.

To preserve your spirit from being ensnared into it, ever keep in remembrance, what a veil of obscurity God's own hand has flung, for the wisest and most gracious purposes, over the subject of unfulfilled prophecy-how He has shadowed out its scenes in visionary representations, and announced its predictions in symbolical language, whose precise import it is necessarily most difficult to ascertain.

Remember also how extremely difficult it is, to draw the exact boundary line between what is literal and what is figurative, in prophetic announcements; and how much may be said, and has been said, with