IV. Before I conclude, it may be proper to SERM. obferve, that the reafonings in this dif course give no ground to apprehend any danger of our being too much influenced by the belief of a future ftate. I have shown the hurtful effects which would follow from too bright and full a discovery of the glory of that state; and in fhewing this, I have justified the decree of Providence, which permits no fuch discovery. But as our nature is at prefent conftituted, attached by fo many ftrong connections to the world of fenfe, and enjoying a communication fo feeble and diftant with the world of fpirits, we need fear no danger from cultivating intercourfe with the latter as much as poffible. On the contrary, from that intercourfe the chief fecurity of our virtue is to be fought. The bias of our nature leans fo much towards fenfe, that from this fide the peril is to be dreaded, and on this fide the defence is to be provided. Let us then walk by faith. Let us ftrengthen this principle of action to the VOL. I. I utmoft SERM. utmost of our power. Let us implore the IV. } Divine grace to ftrengthen it within us more and more: That we may thence derive an antidote against that fubtile poison, which inceffant commerce with the objects of fenfe diffuses through our fouls; that we may hence acquire purity and dignity of manners, fuited to our divine hopes; and undefiled by the pleasures of the world, unfhaken by its terrors may preferve to the end one conftant tenor of integrity. Til at last, having under the conduct of Christian faith, happily finished the period of discipline, we enter on that ftate, where a far nobler scene shall open; where eternal objects shall shine in their native fplendor; where this twilight of mortal life being paft, the Sun of righteoufness shall rife; and that which is perfect being come, that which is in part shall be done away. SERMON SERMON MON V. On the DEATH of CHRIST. Preached at the Celebration of the SACRAMENT of the LORD'S SUPPER. JOHN XVii. I. Jefus lift up his eyes to heaven, and faid, THESE were the words of our blef- SER M. fed Lord on a memorable occafion. The feaft of the paffover drew nigh, at which he knew that he was to fuffer. The night was arrived wherein he was to be delivered into the hands of his enemies. He had spent the evening in conference with his difciples; like a dying father in the midst of his family, mingling confolations with his laft inftruc V. SERM. tions. When he had ended his difcourfe V. to them, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and with the words which I have now read, began that folemn prayer of interceffion for the Church, which clofed his ministry. Immediately after, he went forth with his difciples into the garden of Gethsemane, and furrendered himself to those who came to apprehend him. Such was the fituation of our Lord at the time of his pronouncing these words. He saw his miffion on the point of being accomplished. He had the prospect full before him, of all that he was about to fuffer.-Father! The hour is come.-What hour? An hour the moft critical, the moft pregnant with great events, fince hours had begun to be numbered, fince time had begun to run. It was the hour in which the Son of God was to terminate the labours of his important life, by a death still more important and illustrious; the hour of atoning, by his fuffering for the guilt of mankind; the hour of accomplishing prophecies, types, and fymbols, V. fymbols, which had been carried on SERM. through a series of ages; the hour of concluding the old, and of introducing to the world the new dispensation of religion; the hour of his triumphing over the world, and death, and hell; the hour of his erecting that fpiritual kingdom which is to laft for ever. Such is the hour, fuch are the events which you are to commemorate in the Sacrament of our Lord's Supper. I fhall attempt to fet them before you as proper subjects at this time of your devout meditation. To difplay them in their genuine majefty, is beyond the ability of man. I. THIS Was the hour in which Chrift was glorified by his fufferings. The whole of his life had difcovered much real greatness, under a mean appearance. Through the cloud of his humiliation, his native luftre often broke forth, but never did it shine fo bright, as in this laft, this trying hour. It was indeed the hour of diftrefs and of blood. He knew it to be |