That must be eternal life, which embraces the complete enjoyment of the lifting up of Jehovah's countenance, and the everlasting smiles of a covenant God. Even now, the consciousness of interest in the benevolence of the God of the whole earth, puts more joy into the mind of a Christian, than the men of the world receive "when their corn, and their wine, and their oil increase;" but what will be their pleasures when they arrive at the shores of that peaceful land, where doubts and fears are known no more, but the full assurance of Divine favor is enjoyed forever and ever.

2. Eternal life includes Divine knowledge.

This is evident from these words, "This is life eternal, to know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent:" and this knowledge is eternal life; not only as it prepares us for the enjoyment of it, but as it contributes the very essence of its felicity and joy. "Whoso findeth wisdom findeth life.' O, "take fast hold of instruction, let her not go, for she is thy life." In heaven 66 we shall know even as we are known." Our ideas of God will be clear and consistent, our eternal life will be a life of intelligence, and the Divine character will unfold and open to us a wide field for active inquiry and diligent research. Hence we may well be so anxious to inquire in God's temple, to be perpetually making new discoveries, under the teachings of God himself, of his own character and dispensations, and to be learning the manifold wisdom of God forever and ever. Thus shall we eternally possess an understanding that we may know him that is true, and we shall be in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. And who amongst us all, that knows any thing of the Saviour, would not wish to know

more, and to see more of his excellent greatness through the countless ages of eternity? Lord Bacon would say, "Knowledge is power." But the Bible gives us to see that true knowedge is life, is nothing short of eternal life.

3. The last ingredient in our eternal happiness, that we mention at this time, is the Divine presence.

Jesus Christ is, indeed, the life of his people now, his ordinances delight their minds, and his spiritual presence removes all thoughts of solitude : but hereafter their " eyes shall see the King in his beauty, even in the land that is yet afar off." It is the principal part of the glory of the inhabitants of the new heaven above, that the Lord God shall dwell amongst them; thus they behold his beauties, and have him as their kind companion forever and ever. Innumerable passages of scripture that represent Christ as the life of his people, suggest the idea, that his presence, his constant presence, makes eternal life. And what a glorious life is this, existence and complete felicity unite in the land of Canaan above! Judge, if you can, what a redeemed soul experiences the moment it enters into the midst of the heavenly city; and think too highly, if you can, of that most wonderful of all subjects, "eternal life."

Having thus briefly reflected on the object presented to our view, let us now turn our attention, II. To the exhortation concerning it. Lay hold on it."

We may lay hold on eternal life by embracing the gospel which reveals it,-by believing on Jesus who bestows it,-by relying on the promises which ensure it, and by pressing towards the full enjoyment of it.

1. Lay hold on eternal life, by embracing the gospel which reveals it.

In what a benighted state was the world before the diffusion of the gospel! what vague, uncertain, and confused ideas were entertained by the most enlightened men of that day, of a future state! all was wild conjecture and mere speculation. Hence arose the absolute necessity of a light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of Israel; the need of a day-star to visit us, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. For this the gospel was inspired, and to accomplish this it is evidently calculated; for by the gospel our Lord Jesus "hath abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light." The Bible, brethren, discovers eternal life. This mystery is concealed in the gospel of Jesus from carnal eyes, whilst it is revealed unto babes. Hence appears the superiority of the gospel to the volume of creation: "The heavens" indeed "declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handy work ;" but "the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes." The gospel reveals a heaven to come; shows us that by nature we have no title or claim to it; and teaches us where it may be found. Hence it is called the word of life. O, what a treasure is contained within the covers of the Bible! This is the field where the Pearl of great price is hid, and eternal life is brought to view. And shall this gospel be neglected by you? rather bid farewell to every other system, call it vanity and lies, and bind the gospel to your heart. Where the truth is received in the love of it, where the

gospel is esteemed as invaluable, and that kind epistle which assures us of pardon and glory, is not only perceived there, but actually believed and embraced; there eternal life is laid hold of.

2. Lay hold on eternal life, by believing on Jesus who bestows it.

"This is the record, that God hath given unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; he that hath not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Christ, is the only medium through which this blessing can be communicated to us, as is evident from the language of the glorified themselves, who are now singing that song which no man can learn but the redeemed. We shall be eternally indebted to Christ for our felicity; then lay hold on eternal life by faith in him; let it not appear that there is none of us that stirreth up himself to lay hold on God." O, take hold on God's "strength, that you may be at peace with him, and you shall be at peace with him.”

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If Jesus is the life of the Christian, and the very sum and substance of eternal glory, and heaven the enjoyment of him, how concerned should we be to apprehend him by faith! Jacob laid hold on eternal life when he wrestled with the man Jesus till the break of day, and said, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." The church laid hold on eternal life, when she said of Jesus, "I held him, and would not let him go, till I had brought him to my mother's house." Simeon had hold on eternal life when he took Jesus in his arms and blessed him. The afflicted woman in the gospel had hold on eternal life, when she said, "If I

touch but the hem of his garment, I shall be whole." Go ye, then, and do likewise. Believe in the name of the only-begotten Son of God, and because he lives, ye shall live also; yea, as long as he exists shall you remain in the mount of glory; for your faith itself shall prove that a union subsists between himself and you, more intimate and inseparable than that which subsists between the firm foundation and the stately edifice, the fruitful vine and the living branch, the influential head and the active members.

Faith in Christ, and eternal life, are always inseparably connected in the word of God. O, may they be so in our experience, that the abundant grace may, through the thanksgiving of many, redound to the glory of God."

3. Lay hold on eternal life, by relying on the promises that insure it.

You are to spend your days " in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began." Eternal life is the grand, the best promise contained in the Scriptures; it is that to which all the rest are subordinate. 0, then, live by faith upon the promises, so shall you lay hold on eternal life.

Who were they "whose carcasses fell in the wilderness, concerning whom God sware in his wrath, that they should not enter into his rest?" They were those who believed not. "So we see that they could not enter in, because of unbelief." And unbelief will ever be a barrier to our possession of the heavenly Canaan, for it is a virtual rejection of God himself. The accomplishment of the promises of God is certain; why, then, will ye not enjoy those blessings which are so intimately