crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give mek."]
4. To augment our everlasting happiness — [Who need be told, that men will be rewarded in pro- portion to their improvement of their talents1? This is so plain a truth, that it cannot be denied ; and so encouraging a truth, that it ought not to be concealed. A life of holiness is even now recompensed by the richest consolations: but its full value will be known only in heaven.]
From this subject we shall take occasion to,
1. Condole with the ignorant —
[We have before observed, that knowledge is the parent of all acceptable obedience. What then must be your state while you are ignorant of those great things which belong unto your peace ? God himself has told you, that you will find " no favour" at his hands111, but will inevitably and eternally perish11. Do but reflect on the condition of a soul that finds " no favour" at the hands of an angry God : surely " better were it for that person that he had never been born."]
2. Counsel the enlightened —
[Value not yourselves upon your knowledge, if you have not a practice suitable to it : for, it is " not the hearer of the law that is just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified0." You may say, " Lord, Lord," and profess to have known and served him in many things ; but you can never enter into the kingdom of heaven, if you have not cheerfully and unreservedly performed his will?. Take care therefore that you " be not hearers only of his word, deceiving your own selves ; but be doers of it also ; for then only shall ye be blessed in your deed0-."]
3. Congratulate the practical Christian —
[" Happy are ye," God himself being witness. Every prominent feature of your character has been mentioned by our Lord as a distinct and certain ground of blessedness1". You are fitly " compared to a wise man who built his house upon a rock8." Compare the difference between such a man, and a foolish man that builds his house upon the sand : and you will then see your own happiness in a just point of view. Hold on then in this good way ; and " as you have learned how to walk and to please God, see that ye abound more and more4."]
k 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8. i Luke xiv. 14. andxix. 16, 17. 1 Cor.iii. S. m Isai. xxvii. 11. n Hos. iv. 6. ° Rom. ii. 13.
p Matt. vii. 21, 23. i Jam. i. 22—25. r Matt. v. 3—12.
s Matt. vii. 24—27. t 1 Thess. iv. 1.