another in a state of perdition, their knowledge will only serve to aggravate their misery.

What then is the inference from all this? do we seek, do we covet earnestly to be réstored to the society of those, who were once near and dear to us, and who are gone before? it is only by leading godly lives, that we can hope to have this wish accomplished. Should we prefer, to all delights, to all pleasures in the world, the satisfaction of meeting again, in happiness and peace, those whose presence, whilst they were amongst us, made up the comfort and enjoyment of our lives? it must be, by giving up our sins, by parting with our criminal delights and guilty pursuits, that we can ever expect to attain to this satisfaction. Is there a great difference between the thought of losing those we love for ever; of taking at their deaths or our own an eternal farewell, never to see them more, and the reflection that we are about to be separated, for a few years at the longest, to be united with them in a new and better state of mutual existence ? is

there, I say, a difference to the heart of man between these two things? and does it not call upon us to strive with redoubled endea vours, that the case truly may turn out so? The more and more we reflect upon the dif ference, between the consequences of a dewd, unthinking, careless, profane, dishonest life; and a life of religion, sobriety, seriousness, good actions and good principles, the more we shall see the madness and stupidity of the one, and the true solid wisdom of the other. This is one of the distinctions. If we go on in our sins, we are not, to expect to awaken to a joyful meeting with our friends and relatives and dear connexions, If we turn away from our sins, and take up religion in earnest, we may. My brethren, religion disarms even death. It disarms it of that, which is its bitterness and its sting, the power of dividing those, who are dear to one another. But this blessing, like every blessing which it promises, is only to the just and good, to the penitent and reformed, to those, who are touched at the heart with a sense of its importance; who know

know thoroughly and experimentally, who feel, in their inward mind and consciences, that religion is the only course that can end well: that can bring either them or theirs to the presence of God, blessed for evermore; that can cause them, after the toils of life and struggle of death are over, to meet again in a joyful deliverance from the grave; in a new and never ceasing happiness, in the presence and society of one another.

SERMON XXXV.

THE GENERAL RESURRECTION,

JOHN V. 28, 29.

The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life: they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

THESE words are so important, that if Jesus Christ had never delivered any other, if he had come into the world and pronounced only this simple declaration, and proved the truth and certainty of it by the miracles which he wrought, he would have left enough to have guided his followers to everlasting hap

piness:

ness: he would have done more towards making mankind virtuous and happy, than all the teachers and all the wisdom, that everappeared upon earth, had done before him. We should each and every one of us have owed more to him for this single piece of intelligence, than we owe to our parents, our dearest friend, or the best benefactor we have. This text is the poor man's creed, man's creed. It is his religion: it is to be imprinted upon his his memory and upon his heart: it is what the most simple can understand: it is what, when understood and believed, excells all the knowledge and learning. in the universe it is what we are to carry about with us in our thoughts: daily remember and daily reflect upon: remember not only at church, not only in our devotions, or in our set meditations, but in our business, our pleasures, in whatever we intend, plan, or execute, whatever we think about, or whatever we set about; remember, that "they that have done good shall come unto the resurrection of life they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation."

Reflect