him. In the scripture, indeed, the glories of the other world are represented to us, in condescension to our weak capacities, as a kingdom, and a a crown, an eternal kingdom, and a never-fading crown; but the state of the other world is a state so unknown to us, and so much above our imperfect conceptions, that we shall never be able fully to comprehend it, till we arrive at the actual enjoyment. For, though we know that we shall there see God, and the blessed Jesus, who loved us, and gave himself for us, and shall to all eternity enjoy him who is the source and fountain of all good; that we shall there converse with saints and angels, and for ever be singing anthems of praise to our great Creator and Redeemer; yet how great the pleasure of this will be, and with what extasies and raptures our souls shall then break forth, when they taste of the fulness of that joy which is in the presence of God for evermore; is what our finite understandings cannot possibly reach. Of this, however, we may rest assured; that the things which God hath re

served for them that love him, are such as neither eye hath seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart man to conceive. As this is sufficient for us at present to know in general, concerning this fact; all curious inquiries into the precise nature of the happiness of the next life, will be of small use to us: they may fill our heads with fine speculations, but will signify little to direct our practice. What we are more concerned to know, and in the most explicit manner is, that our sincere obedience to God's commandments will certainly be rewarded with eternal life and happiness. This, indeed, is a matter which it imports us to be well assured of; that we may not be weary of well-doing, but may run with patience the race that is set before us, Heb. xii. 1. and press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. iii. 14.

There are some indeed (and a melancholy reflection it is that there are). who would have,us believe, that we die like the beasts which perish, and that

when we leave this world there is an end of our existence. But these, upon inquiry, I believe, will be always found to be persons who first live as if there was no God, and then endeavour to persuade themselves and others, that there really is none: so that, instead of regulating their practice by their faith, they most preposterously suit their faith to their practice. I shall not, therefore, concern myself at present with these men; my design being chiefly for the sake of those, who believe the christian religion, and the revelation of God's will in the Holy Scriptures. And surely to such it can be no doubt, but that in those sacred writings we have eternal life; and that the performance of God's commandments, is the certain and indispensable condition of obtaining it.

Natural religion, it is true, will teach us, not only that God is, but that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him; but it hath pleased God, of his great goodness, not to leave us to the light of nature alone, to discover this weighty truth. The rewards of another

life are so fully and clearly revealed in the writings of our Saviour and his apostles; and the way to obtain them is there so plainly marked out; that there is no room for any doubt, or uncertainty concerning that matter. Whatever dark, or imperfect notions the Jews, as well as Gentiles, had of a future state, it is certain, that life and immortality is now brought to light by the Gospel: and we may rest assured, that though, when we die, our bodies shall be laid in the cold chambers of the grave, and there become the food of worms, and moulder into dust; yet it will not be long ere this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and this mortal shall put on immortality. 1 Cor. XV. 53. For, God hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness, by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead: Acts xvii, 31. A day wherein we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath

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done, whether it be good or bad. 2 Cor. v. 10. And then all that are in their graces shall hear his voice, and shall come forth: they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John v. 28, 29.

He then who believes the Gospel (as every one must, that lives in the light of it, unless he be wretchedly blinded by his lusts and passions) can never doubt of these two great articles of the christian religion; the_resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. The possibility of the former hath been made evident by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead; and the certainty of the latter appears, from the express declarations of God in the Holy Scriptures. Indeed, the whole tenour of the christian religion sufficiently proves it; every precept of which tends to purify and refine our natures, and to fit and prepare us for the society of saints and angels in another life. The Apostle assures us, that God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our