their life-time subiect to bondage. This may be owing to the natural habit of the mind, and sometimes to the power of temptation. The best way, perhaps, for us to ascertain the desire and the lawfulness of the love of life, will be to examine a few of those relative connections which may induce persons to abide in this mortal state. PARENTS possessed of children, whether in infancy or youth, may lawfully wish a continuance in life to see their offspring virtuously educated, and placed in honourable and useful stations; especially, that their prayers. may be answered, and the Lord endow their children with pardoning grace, and place them amongst the house. hold of faith. The depravity natural to youth, and their incessant exposure to temptation, create a pious solici→ tude in parents to live to see them escape the pollutions that are in the world. For this they often pray, and drop the crystal tear. But it sometimes happens, that youth throw off all restraint, and plunge themselves into dissipation and ruin. In such afflictive cases the parents? hearts bleed, and their fervent cry to heaven is, "O spare us till we see thy mercy in restoring our children to virtue and to peace." Ah! my dear young friends, think seriously of the bitter pangs which disobedient youths create in their parents' breasts; and may heaven forbid you should join the wretched list; but, on the contrary, live to be your parents joy till life expires! CHRISTIANS having made a considerable profession of religion, by yielding to temptation, or drinking too deep of the spirit of the world, whereby they have lost the comforts they formerly enjoyed, may desire to have their days prolonged, till the joys of salvation be restored to their breasts. O spare me a little, said David, that I may recover strength before I go hence, and

be no more. Indeed, it is a subject of solemn reflection to backsliders, whether in heart or life, to be put to the bed of death in the dark, and not to be able to leave a testimony behind them for the satisfaction and the joy of survivors! Such, therefore, may well desire their span of life to be lengthened. In the circle of human society we see PERSONS elevated to conspicuous departments, and warmly engaged for the good of the community. Nor do we hope that we are destitute of such public persons who are also filled with piety as well as with the dignity of their station. Such were Moses and Joshua. Concerts ing their plans, and preparing the means for executing them, it cannot be deemed unlawful they should desire a continuance of life to see the fruit of their labour; especially, when the happiness of the people, and the honour of God and religion, are concerned. We live at a period big with events. While by faith we read the prophecies and the promises of God, relative to the destruction of error, the conversion of the heathen, and the call of the Jews, that the nations of the earth may be come the kingdoms of the Lord and his Christ, the subject is so interesting, and the prospect so charming, it cannot be unlawful for GOOD MEN to desire to live, at least to see the dawn, though they may not expect to see the brightness of the day. Every year produces some new token of the second coming of Messiah; and it is a consideration which should inspire us with additional gratitude and joy, that we are the preserved of the Lord to see those unfoldings of his glory which many desired but saw them not. MINISTERS of the Gospel, let their denomination be what it may, are certainly justifiable in desir ing length of days, to see the people of their charge established in truth and peace; especially to have the be.

nediction of the Lord upon their labours, to enjoy an harvest of souls, and the conversion of certain individuals for whom they may have often prayed with tears before the throne of God. Thus Paul, I have a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better, but to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

From these, and many other reasons which might be named, good men may lawfully desire a continuance in life; especially as such persons will never fail to refer the issue, with cheerful resignation, to the pleasure of their heavenly Father. Not my will, but thine be done. Still there are considerations more valuable and import. ant, which preponderate in favour of immortality, and lead them, with Job, to say, I would not live alway.

2. Let us now inquire into those considerations for which good men, notwithstanding their love of life, would wish to pass into a future state. They know that such a state of immortality and glory actually exists. They have been taught it from the Scriptures, and have had an earnest of the inheritance above granted to them by the spirit of adoption. Grace brings its own witness into the heart, both of its own excellence and its connec tion with eternal glory, so that we may confidently affirm we have not believed a cunningly devised fable. We know, said Paul, if our earthly house of this tabernacle. were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. This happy assurance is every way sufficient to enable us to relinquish our earthly connections, to leave mortality behind, so that we may be for ever with the Lord.-A prospect of perfect freedom from every species of evil is another reason why good men are willing to part with life. Job knew the evil of suffering. Night and day he was byrs

dened with affliction, which made him cry out, My soub chooseth death rather than life. Under intense calamity, whether in our persons or in our connections, at the moment, we are apt to wish an immediate dismission from the body. But, in a sedate, solemn frame of mind, we make a more correct statement of our suffering lives, and are willing to forsake them for their tendency to irritate our minds and lead us away from fellowship with God. From a sense of the evil of sin, stronger desires arise to quit this mortal stage. In a state of unregeneracy, the heart of man loves nothing but what is carnal and sensual; but when renewed by grace, sin is its greatest burden and highest disgust. The longer Christians live, the more practically will they be acquainted with the deceit, malignity, power, and vileness of sin. Entwined around their heart, mixing with all their duties, eclipsing their views of Christ and immortality, no wonder they desire not to live always, but to drop their evils, and wing their way where perfect holiness for ever shines, and an evil heart is known no more! We add, that the ultimate fruition of God' and the Lamb, in glory, is a strong reason why the righteous would not live alway. Father, said Jesus, I will, that they whom thou hast given me be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory. I know of no single text that more charmingly describes the state of ulti mate felicity. If to be with Christ now makes our heaven upon earth, what will be the possession of him hereafter? If to enjoy Jesus in the family and in the church, where we meet with so many interruptions and dark clouds, create our felicity, what shall be our bliss when we be transmitted where he is, set down at the right hand of the Majesty on high? And, if to behold

our Saviour through a glass darkly, fills us with such joy and peace in believing, what shall be the bliss when the glass shall be removed, and we behold his glory face to face? Such prospects the Gospel reveals, and such hope the grace of God inspires.

I have now shown you, in a few instances, the reasons why good men may desire a continuance in life, and likewise other considerations why they would not live alway. Persons who have the exercise of these two classes of desires, may be said to regulate the love of life upon the most rational and solid principles. This interesting subject is practical, and demands our personal application. If it leaves us altogether unimpressed, it certainly indicates that hitherto we have made little good use of our time, and are as unfit to live as we are to die. It was well said, that "man is formed with two eyes, indicating he should have his mind employed upon the two states, time and eternity, for which he was created."

From the observations I have made, you must certainly perceive the great importance of being taught of God in order to moderate the cares of this transitory state; and likewise learn how exactly suited the Gospel is, under the influence of God, to regulate our desires in hope of futurity. It is my sincere wish you may receive such salutary impressions as shall lead you to that Saviour who has the keys of life and death, that from him you may derive pardon, peace, and eternal joy. Possessed of these, you will not only be supported through this changing world, but be able to form a correct estimate of life, and to make a proper use of it, in prospect of a state of bliss that knows no end! Thus you will find to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Amen.