VII. from the field of battle triumphant through DISC. grace, and dragging the enemies of his falvation faft bound to his chariot wheels. When self-denial has thus wrought it's perfect work within you, the kingdom of heaven is there and that kingdom is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghoft But felf-denial will not only thus bring down heaven to you for a time-it will carry you up to heaven for ever. Let us revert to the fifth chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel, and confider well the promises there made to thofe holy and happy tempers, peculiar to Christianity, the effence of all which is felf-denial; and let us obferve the manner in which the reward is adapted and appropriated to each several temper. „orb „9ɔnaarvoor i to steamrcioqqu sa1 Bleffed are the poor in fpirity for "theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Bleffed " are they that mourn; for they hall theybhalles "be comforted. Bleffed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth. Bleffed are 66 ན they DISC. VII. they which do hunger and thirst after " righteousness; for they fhall be filled. Bleffed are the merciful; for they shall "obtain mercy. Bleffed are the pure in "heart; for they fhall fee God. Bleffed "are the peace-makers; for they shall be called the children of God. Bleffed are "they which are perfecuted for righteouf"nefs fake; for theirs is the kingdom of "heaven. Bleffed are ye, when men fhall revile you, and perfecute you, and shall "fay all manner of evil against you falsely, "for my fake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven." The Saviour's promife is fufficient-But Would you hear the testimony of one who viewed it's accomplishment? You shall hear it bus beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all if nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, food before the throne, and "before the Lamb, clothed with white "" robes, "robes, and palms in their hands, and DISC. "cried with a loud voice, Salvation to our VII. "God which fitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb; bleffing, and glory, and "wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, "and power, and might, be unto our God, " for ever and ever. And one of the elders " answered, faying unto me, What are these "which are arrayed in white robes, and "whence came they? And I faid unto "him, Sir, thou knoweft. And he faid ** unto me, These are they which came out "of great tribulation, and have washed "their robes, and made them white, in the "blood of the Lamb"-These are the poor in fpirit, the mourners, the meek, "the merciful, the pure in heart, the "peace-makers, the afflicted, and the per"fecuted"-Thefe are they, who, in the days of their flesh, denied themselves, "took up their crofs daily, and followed "Jefus," in the way that leadeth unto life; that way, on which the Lord hath promifed his bleffing, even life forever"more.” bod U rond e DISCOURSE VIII. THE DUTY OF TAKING UP THE CROSS. LUKE IX. 23. If any man will come after me, let him-take up bis crofs daily, and follow me. TH among DISC. HAT inftrument on which, the Romans, malefactors were condemned to fuffer an ignominious and painful death, became a fign or symbol of all that is afflicting or tormenting, vexatious or disagreeable, whether to the body or the mind of man.. The utmoft torture and anguish were expreffed by the noun cruciatus, the infliction of them by the verb crucio. VIII. As |