and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us. Hope is the quickener of zeal. Whatever may be the result of our efforts, whatever our success, or want of it, in seeking the best welfare of our own land, however we may weep over it, if our efforts for its good meet with nothing but disappointment and reproach and injury, to the true servant of Christ final success is sure. We have a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. We look for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. We seek and desire a better country, that is, an heavenly. in righteousness, and his princes shall rule in judgment. The people of God shall more than realize their best wishes. They shall witness the nations of the saved, walking in holy worship and mutual love. Nay, they themselves shall be kings and priests unto God, and shall reign over the earth. They themselves shall inherit the nations, and delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Oh! may our God shortly accomplish the number of his elect, and hasten his kingdom.

Our King shall reign

I would now close this important part of my subject with two practical directions. 1. WATCH AND TES

TIFY AGAINST THE PECULIAR EVILS OF THESE DAYS.

Those evils are indeed multiplying and opposite; there is Infidelity and there is Popery; there are corrupt authorities and there is democratic lawlessness; there is Tractarianism and there is Voluntaryism; but in more immediate connexion with this part of my sub

ject, I would bring before you that overvaluing of wealth, and making haste to be rich, which is the source of such a multitude of evils. He that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. (Prov. xxviii. 20.) They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things. (1 Tim. vi. 9-11.) Let none of us seek great things for ourselves here below. Oh! what are all those earthly distinctions which men so overvalue ? They are so afraid of sinking into a lower caste in society, and of losing their particular station, that they lose sight of infinitely higher distinctions and privileges than any which this world can give, and which are open to us all in the favour and love of God. Hence they become exposed to temptations on every side, and are in danger of making light of mercy and truth and righteousness in their dealings with others. Let no temptations, for instance, of cheapness in purchase, ever tempt us knowingly to frequent those places where cheapness is attained by systems of fraud or injustice. Let us be especially on our watch against anything that bears hard on the weak and the needy. Mind not high things. Condescend to men of low estate. One great rule regarding all earthly objects is peculiarly seasona

ble now.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing. Commit everything to him. And as it regards others, let us be full of compassion and love; saving men with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment spotted with the flesh. Let us distinctly discern that open evils, unrepressed and not testified against, are the chief sources of national danger to our country; and let true patriotism, as well as true Christianity, lead us all distinctly to confess the truth, and bear witness against that which is evil. Let us testify against it wherever it exhibits itself, and more especially in our own Church and our own immediate circle ; but all in the spirit of contrition and sympathy, as ourselves also full of sin; all in the spirit of tender, holy, and faithful love. If ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye. The blessings of this course will be unspeakable. Possibly it may not save our country. Josiah's piety did not save Israel from the captivity; the piety of the primitive Church did not deliver the Jewish nation from the Romans. But, even in this respect, who knoweth ? The result is with God. Our personal salvation, the increase of the saved, their preparation for tribulation and the coming glory, and a testimony left which may hereafter be a blessing to a world that now rejects it; these blessed effects furnish the rich recompence of real faithfulness to Christ.

MAINTAIN A

WAITING SPIRIT FOR THE COMING

AND KINGDOM OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR.

This is the crowning grace of a Christian, Ye come behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. This duty is constantly insisted upon in the New Testament in passages innumerable. Let us

then search the Scriptures; and keep before our minds thus in lively recollection their invariable testimony to the nearness, the suddenness, the magnitude, and the eternal issues of his return. In the last book of Scripture, the last of the Apostles, the divine John, claims this as the common token of brotherhood among Christians. I, John, who also am your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. It is this patient waiting for the kingdom, which is the present feature and character of our great Head and Lord in the highest heavens, and will be so till the countless prayers of the myriads of his people, Thy kingdom come, offered in every age, are all answered, and the last trumpet sounds, and the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ. The same patient waiting must mark and distinguish us his followers. This will support us amidst multiplied conflicts, and troubles on every side. This will quicken and strengthen us to all selfdenying labours of love. This will assist us to maintain meekness and patience under every wrong. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts, for the coming of the

Lord draweth nigh. Murmur not one against another, lest ye be condemned. Behold the judge standeth before the door. I desire to write, I desire to live, in the realizing conviction of the truth and magnitude of these blessed truths. God help us all to believe them, to confess them, and act upon them.