you also that such a state would be incompatible with the necessary affairs of life. But where does God caution us against excess in religion, provided our religion be of a right kind? or what are those affairs which could not be conducted, if all men possessed the highest measure of true religion ? Were Joseph, David, Daniel, impeded in their temporal duties by their religion ? Or is there any one relation of life which will not be filled to more advantage by one who possesses true piety ? The true reason why men so decry religion is, that they feel themselves condemned when they behold it exhibited in the conduct of the godly ; and the less of such light they behold, the more quiet they hope to be in the prosecution of their evil ways. But we must not regard the cavils of men, or put them in competition with the commands of God. We know full well how all the ransomed of the Lord are occupied in singing praises " to Him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb :" What forbids then that we should be so occupied now ? It is our duty, our interest, and our happiness, to " follow the Lord fully :" and I pray God we may also follow him, and delight ourselves in him ; that when we are dismissed from the body, and translated to the realms of bliss, we may change our place and our company, but not our em- ployment!]
John v. 24. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation ; but is passed from death unto life.
THAT there will be a future judgment, we all know : and that Jesus Christ is appointed to be the Judge, is also generally acknowledged. But what his rule of judgment will be is very imperfectly un- derstood. That our works will be inquired into, and form the ground of decision either against us or in our favour, is admitted on all hands : but that our principles will be scrutinized, and enter most essen- tially into the consideration of our Judge in deter- mining our eternal state, is far from being generally expected or conceived. Yet that is declared by the Judge himself, even by our blessed Lord, and in the