3. Things eternal —
[What can an ungodly man see beyond the grave ? Truly in relation to the future world he is in darkness, even in " a darkness that may be felt." If he reflect at all, he can feel nothing but " a certain fearful looking-for of judgment and fiery indignation to consume him," and have no prospect but that of " the blackness of darkness for ever." But in reference to eternity, the child of God is seen to the greatest advantage. O, what prospects are open to his view! What crowns, what kingdoms, await him! Truly he stands as on Mount Pisgah, and surveys the Promised Land in all its length and breadth. He joins already with the heavenly hosts in all their songs of praise, and, according to the measure of the grace bestowed upon him, anticipates " the pleasures which are at God's right hand for evermore."]
But, that I may not tantalize you with joys which you can never taste, let me proceed to shew you,
f Col. i. 11, 12.
II. How we may secure to ourselves their happy lot —
Can an Egyptian become an Israelite ? Yes, he may —
[An Israelite is a descendant of Abraham, in the line of Jacob. But how then can this relation be transferred to a foreigner ? After the flesh indeed, an Edomite must remain an Edomite ; an Egyptian must continue an Egyptian. But after the Spirit, the transition may be made by all, of what- ever nation, provided only they earnestly desire it. Through faith in that blessed Saviour in whom Abraham believed, we may be brought to a participation of all the blessings which were conferred on him. Hear what the Scripture saith : " Know ye, that they who are of faith, the same are the chil- dren of Abraham .•" the same, too, are " blessed with faithful Abraham;" yea, " the blessing of Abraham comes on them through Jesus Christ : " "if we be Christ's, then are we Abra- hams seed, and heirs according to the promises."]
And, under this character, we shall be exempted from all the Egyptian plagues, and entitled to all the distinctions that ever were conferred on God's chosen people —
[Truly, however gross the darkness which may have covered us in past times, we shall have " light in our dwell- ings ; " yea, we shall be brought out of darkness into God's marvellous light ; and not only " be turned from darkness unto light, but from the power of Satan unto God." Say, Brethren, whether this does not accord with the experience of some amongst you? Say, whether the brightest hours of your former life are Comparable even with your darkest now? I well know that in this present life there will be clouds that will occasionally intercept the full radiance of the Sun of Right- eousness, and induce a transient gloom over your horizon : but I ask with confidence, whether at such a season you would exchange your portion for that of the happiest worldling upon earth? No: you well know, that though your "darkness may continue for a night, joy will come in the morning11:" and even in the darkest night some gleams of light are wont to shine into your soul, according to that sure promise, " Unto the godly there ariseth up light in the darkness'." True it is, that sin will bring darkness upon the soul : and true it is, also, that bodily disease may sometimes operate unfavourably in this respect : but, if we be upright before God, " when we walk in darkness, the Lord will be a light unto usk;" and, in
s Gal. iii. 7, 9, 14, 29. h Ps. xxx. 5.
1 Ps. cxii. 4. * Mic. vii. 8.