much labour is necessary for the attainment of their object. Be assured then, Brethren, that notwithstanding heaven is a free gift of God for Christ's sake, yet must it be laboured for as much as if it were altogether the fruit of our own exertions : as it is said, " Labour not for the meat that perisheth, but for that which endureth unto everlasting hfe, which the Son of man will give unto you." And permit me to ask. Is it not worth a whole life of most strenuous exertion? Consider only the representation that has been given of' it : is it not desir- able to be of that happy number, w ho are following the Lamb through all the courts of heaven, and with voice and harp ascribing to him all possible glory and praise?
But think of the alternative : think, if you are not admitted there, where will you be, and be to all eternity ! There is no middle place between heaven and hell. The idea of purgatory is a mere Popish delusion. As, if you have not the mark of Jehovah's name upon your forehead, you must bear the stamp of Satan's children ; so if you are not made partakers of the glories of heaven, you must for ever participate in the miseries of hell. See what is spoken but a few verses after my text. " If any man worship the beast, and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation : and he shall be tor- mented with f-re and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever : and they have no rest day nor night." Now though this is spoken primarily of those who enter into the abominations of Popery, and bear on their forehead or on their hand the mark of that idolatrous Church, it is true also of all who die in their sins: the per- sons tha;; are not admitted to the marriage-supper of the Lamb, are " casi out into outer darkness, where is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth for ever." Compare now these states: both those in heaven and those in hell are "in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb;" but the one, as the monuments of mercy, and joint-heirs of glory; the other, as monuments of vengeance, and heirs of wrath and fiery Indignation. Need I then say to you. Be diligent to make your calling and election sure? I pray you, consider how many there are who fall short of this inheritance. Of all that came out of Egypt, two only entered the promised land : and the perishing of all the rest in the Wilderness is set fortli as an admonition to you, lest you also come short of the pro- mised rest''. I cannot then be too urgent with you on this important subject. I would have you all to succeed in this great enterprize, and so to approve yourselves to your Saviour
now, '' 1 Co^ X. 1 — 6. with Hcb. iii IT — ip. lo iv. I.