object of hope and desire rather than of terror and aversion'^: and when it comes, they are not so properly said to die, as to " ffill asleep in Jesus." Nor will its apparent triumphs be of long duration ; for that which swallowed up mankind with insatiable avidity, shall itself " be swallowed up in victory," and not a vestige of it ever again be found among the saints of God.]
2. The sorrows of sin —
[Whilst we continue in the body there will be occasion for us to " go on our way weeping." But even now the sorrows of believers are widely different from the sorrows of the world : instead of corroding the heart, they bring a peace along with them ; and the persons who are most affected with them, so far from wishing to get rid of them, desire to have them more deep and abiding. But ere long they shall sully the face no more ; but shall be " wiped away " by the hand of a compassionate Father, and be followed by a harvest of eternal joy \]
3. The reproaches of the world —
[There is scarcely any thing which an ungodly world will not say or do, to asperse the character of the godly, and to destroy their peace. But God in this world so far " takes away their rebuke," as often to manifest himself to them, and to interpose visibly on their behalf^. But in a little time " He will bring forth their righteousness as the noon day ;" and they who were regarded " as the iilth of the world and the off- scouring of all things," shall be openly acknowledged as the children of the living God.]
Address —
1. To those who are living at a distance from God —
[Whatever you may promise yourselves from the enjoy- ment of this world, you in reality are feeding only on husks ; and however you may boast of attainments in philosophy, there is a veil on your hearts that hides from you all spiritual knowledge. Besides, whatever satisfaction you feel, or what- ever reputation you enjoy, death will speedily swallow up both you and it, and will consign you over to everlasting shame and misery. Say, then, whether you have not made a wretched choice, and whether the mourning and despised Christian be not in a far happier state than you ? It is not however too late for you to repent : the invitations of the Gospel are sent to you as well as to others ; and if you put away your vain excuses, and return to God as prodigals, you shall find a cor- dial welcome, and feast this very hour on the fatted calf. O
^ Phil. i. 23. i Rev. xxi. 4. and vii. IG, 17.
^ Ex. gr. Joseph, Daniel, the Hebrew Youths, &c.