upon the truth of it: and then, there shall be no moments so dark, but you may say, with the Church of old; "Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust; and not be afraid." Though you believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself."

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How gracious in the Holy Spirit of truth, to preface instruction, so very important, and so very delightful as that which we have now glanced at, with the assurance, that "it is a faithful saying!" Declarations like this, make the love of God to His church appear to be indeed such a love as "passeth knowledge." We cannot conceive at all of this love, excepting as we consider it as borne to His own dear Son; and here, it baffles all our most extensive thoughts and conceptions. That God should love us in His own Son, sinners, as we are, has something in it, so very deep, and so very impenetrable, that, in the contemplation of such a subject, we can only arrive at the joyous, yet humbling conclusion : great, indeed, is the mystery of godliness." Yes, it is a faithful saying: "if we be dead with Christ, we shall also live with

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Him." Let the saying sink into our hearts: and may God grant, that the fruits of it may appear in the strengthening of our faith; in the brightening of our hope; in the confirmation of our love; and in the holy tenour of our walk and conversation: to the praise of His gospel, and to the glory of His grace!

It is the direction of St. Paul to Timothy, that he should "put believers in remembrance of these things." Perhaps, I may be speaking to some at this moment, who never knew these things: some who, though they have lived long in the world, and have long called themselves Christians, are wholly ignorant of them, as it respects a saving and transforming perception. Let me remind you, dear brethren, (for you have been often told it before) that "the time is short;" and that if you descend to your graves, in ignorance so truly awful, and so inexcusable, you will" perish for ever." But there are

some of you who know these things. Before you they are laid, not because you know them not, but because you know them; and in order that your "pure minds may be stirred up by way of remembrance."

It is my prayer for you, that "the word of Christ may dwell in you richly, in all wisdom." May the death and resurrection of Christ appear in you! May His sufferings be seen in you: may He preserve you from denying Him: and may "His faithfulness and truth be your shield and buckler!" "Consider what I say; and may the Lord give you understanding in all things!"

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SERMON XVIII.

THE CHRISTIAN'S CONVERSATION IN

HEAVEN.

PHIL. iii. 20.

Our conversation is in heaven."

THE various characters and privileges by which the true people of the Lord are distinguished in the Holy Scriptures, represent them as being indeed "a peculiar people." These characters and privileges, when considered in connexion with the fact, that those to whom they belong, are fallen and sinful, magnify, in a most wonderful manner, the sovereign grace of Almighty God; and fully prove the truth of the holy Psalmist's declaration: "He raiseth up the poor out of the dust; and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill, that He may set him

with princes; even with the princes of His people." The people of the Lord are spoken of as kings and priests: as heirs of God; and joint-heirs with Christ: as saints: beloved: elect: the excellent of the earth: members "of Christ's body, of His flesh, and of His bones :" the whole of which titles, together with the great variety of others which, by grace, belong to them, show how near and how dear they are to Him, whose name is Love; who has "all power in heaven and in earth;" and whom to know is eternal life. Among the many and peculiar honours which attach to these highly favoured people, is that of being citizens of heaven: for, I believe, that the word which, in our version of the Scriptures, is rendered, "conversation," is capable of the interpretation, "citizenship." This expression is calculated to give us a delightful idea of the security and freedom of the children of God; and of the joyfulness with which they may well sing the prophetic song: "we have a strong city: salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth,