Psalm xvi. 11.-In thy presence is fulness of joy at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

BRETHREN, it is my intention to take these words as the foundation of some remarks on the nature and duration of celestial enjoyments.

Allow me then, to observe

I. That one part of the happiness of heaven will doubtless consist in the immediate recognition of God.

Here, we can only see the Father of our spirits by the eye of faith, through the medium of his works, his word, and his ordinances: but in a future state we shall see him as he is." 1 John iii. 2.

II. Another part of the happiness of heaven will be originated by the personal presence of our Lord, and the enjoyment of communion with him.

St. Paul represents himself (Phil. i. 23,) as “in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ."

III. The happiness of the celestial state will be partly realized in acts of holy adoration.

"There, low before Jehovah's throne,

Adoring saints and angels fall;

And in delightful worship own.

His smile their bliss, their heav'n, their all."

IV. The happiness of heaven will probably arise, in part, from exploring the wonderful works of God.

These works" are great sought out of all them that have pleasure therein."- In the present state, however, our access to them is very limited.

V. The happiness of heaven will probably arise, in part, from reviews of the past, and anticipations of the future.

Reviews of the past will excite admiration and gratitude. Anticipations of the future will produce unmingled pleasure.

VI. The happiness of heaven will partly consist in the intercourse which will be enjoyed with those of all countries, ages, and classes, who on earth loved and served God.

Nothing would be more easy than to name many worthies of ancient and modern times, with whom it must be in the highest degree delightful to have familiar inter

course.

VII. The happiness of heaven will be everlasting.

:

"In thy presence is fulness of joy at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."

Luke xvii. 12-18.-And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off and they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus Master, have mercy on us. &c.

EVERY thing our Lord said and did, as the Messiah, deserves attention.

Observe I. The deplorable condition of the men who are mentioned in the passage now before us.

They were afflicted with leprosy. In our country, we can know little about this disease from personal experience, or observation. The statements of scripture, however, are abundantly sufficient to convince us that it was an awful calamity.— See especially the law of the leper, Leviticus, chapters 13 and 14.

Sin has been called the leprosy of the soul: and we ought to remember that, if bodily leprosy separated its victim from the society of man; spiritual leprosy deprives us of communion with God.

Observe II. The earnestness and importunity with which they addressed the Saviour." They lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us."

When men labour under any temporal calamity, they are in most cases very anxious about its removal.

Sin, however, and its consequences, are by no means generally deprecated.

Observe III. The immediate attention which was paid to them; and the wonderful cure they experienced. Verse 14. Our Lord was never indifferent to the requests of those who sought his aid.

"As they went they were cleansed."- Well might Nicodemus say, "Master, we know that thou art a Teacher come from God; for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him."

Observe IV. The conduct of these men after having experienced so signal a deliverance from the calamity under which they had been suffering. Verses 15-18.

Ten were cleansed: but one only returned to give thanks.

Behold here, a type of the world's ingratitude!

All are constantly receiving favours from God: yet, few make a suitable return.

Brethren, What is the state of the case with us? Are we endeavouring to discharge our obligations? "To whomsoever much is given, of him also will much be required."

Genesis xxviii. 17.-This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

THE remarks we shall offer on these words cannot be better introduced than by referring to the preceding context, which brings before us the circumstances under which they were originally spoken. See from verse 10.- If the words of the text were properly applicable to the place where Jacob tarried all night, when journeying from Beersheba to Haran; it can hardly be doubted that they may be applied, with equal propriety, to those places which are set apart for the public worship of God. It is our intention therefore, so to apply them at the present time.

I. A place of public worship may be regarded as "the house of God."

The house of an individual is the place where we may generally expect to find him where he communes with his family and entertains his friends.

And may we not expect the presence of God in the house of prayer? Have not the children of his spiritual family access to him there? And does he not set before

the hungry soul, the rich provisions of his love?