[Are you under trials ? Every day brings you nearer to the termination of them: and your Lord and Saviour is just ready to set the crown of victory upon your head, and to put you into full possession of that better and enduring substance that awaits you. Look up to heaven and see the myriads that are now around the throne. " Whence came they ? They all came out of great tribulation, and washed their robes white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God"." And therefore shall you soon join their company, and unite with them in songs of praise to God and to the Lamb for ever. Only " be faithful unto death, and God will give you a crown of life," according to that sure word of promise, " To him that overcometh will I give to sit down with me upon my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father upon his throne." " He is faithful who hath promised, who also will do it" in its appointed time.]
n Rev. vii. 14, 15.
Heb. X. 35, SQ. Cast not away therefore your confidence, tvhich hath great recompence of reivard. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the tvill of God, ye might receive the promise.
THERE have been, to the Church of Christ, sea- sons of bitter persecution, and seasons of comparative tolerance and peace : but in whichever of these states we be, it becomes us not to yield to dejection on the one hand, or undue security on the other. We are soldiers on the field of battle, and must be ready to encounter our enemies whensoever they may advance against us. It will be time enough to put off our armour, when we have received our dismission from an earthly warfare, and are crowned with laurels in the realms of bliss. There had been to the Hebrew Christians seasons of severe trial, which the Apostle called to their remembrance : and it is probable, that when this epistle was written to them they enjoyed somewhat of tranquillity : but he bade them not to cast away their confidence : since they would still