bless the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for the plan of mercy, begun in the counsels of eternity, advancing under different dispensations, and at length consummated on the cross.

There is one method and argument farther, with which the apostle would have us comfort ourselves together, if we be Christians indeed. It is by looking forward to the glorious scenes in eternity-according to the third text referred to-" For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first-and so shall we ever be with the Lord." If the minds of Christians were daily familiarized to the glorious scenes here predicted; did they meditate upon them with the interest they should excite in the sincere and practical believer; did they converse with one another upon them, as things most certain, and in which they have an unspeakable personal concern, what a different thing would be the life they lead! with what ardour would they press on in their heavenly journey! with what zeal would they run their christian race! with what increasing indifference would they regard earthly things, while their minds were habitually engaged with the strong anticipation of the awful glories of the judgment morning, and the thrilling hope of meeting their judge in peace, and of being confessed as his disciples before his Father and the holy angels, and of rising with him, at the close of the tremendous scene, into his eternal glory, to be forever with the Lord. Christians, then, should bear these future certainties very much in mind. We cannot be much in

terested by things of which we seldom think. Neglecting to think of them, a sort of unbelief is generated; and we may gradually come to live as though they were little more than serious fictions; which God forbid. From the top of Pisgah, how did the swimming eyes of Moses gaze on the paradise that spread itself out before him, on the other side of Jordan-the fair cities, the green hills, the fruitful vallies, the clear fountains, and the glittering streams, of which, alas, he was never to take possession. And will not Christians look with a deeper interest, beyond the cold flood of death, on the heavenly Canaan, to them a promised land, and soon to be entered, and never to be wrested from them? Will they not animate their zeal, to brighten their title to mansions in the heavenly Canaan, by often thinking and speaking of the spiritual glories of that brighter world; labouring to learn the language and employments, and to cultivate the affections and dispositions, which are necessary to the enjoyment of its bliss and glory? Let us comfort one another with these things. And remember who hath said, "In my Father's house, are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye

may be also. God grant this promise may be ours. Amen.

SERMON VIII.

THE DUTY OF CHRISTIANS TO COMFORT AND EDIFY ONE ANOTHER.

PART II.

I. THESSALONIANS V. 11.

Wherefore comfort yourselves together; and edify one another, even as also ye do.

In the preceding discourse, we considered the doctrine of this passage to be "That it is the duty of Christians to comfort and edify one another in view of the grace of God, and the death of Christ to promote their salvation, and of his coming at the last day to raise his sincere disciples from the dead, and to receive them to dwell with him in immortal glory." In considering the duty of comforting one another as incumbent on Christians, we mentioned that it was an office to be performed with discretion and caution-that the consolations of the gospel belong not to all who assume the christian name, but only to those who give credible

evidences of piety; to none therefore who live in any wilful, habitual sin, or neglect of known duty. With this preliminary caution, we proceeded to consider the important duty of Christians to comfort one another; to cheer those of a melancholy and desponding turn of mind; to discover and remove the causes of unreasonable dejection; to promote in each other generally, more consoling and animating views, by frequent religious conversation; and, particularly, by adverting to the blessed truth, that God hath not by a fatal decree appointed any to wrath, but to obtain salvation by Jesus Christ; and that "Christ hath died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.” I proceed, in this discourse, to the

II. Second topic proposed; viz. The duty of Christians to edify one another. I shall,

I. Very briefly consider what is to be understood by edifying one another;

II. Suggest several hints of importance to be regarded in performing the friendly office.

I. What are we to understand by edifying one another.

It is a familiar term, and generally understood. It may not so generally be known to be a metaphorical word, signifying to build up, as an house or a temple. In sundry passages of the gospel, Christians are represented as "spiritual buildings, or living temples-built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." To edify one another, then, is to advance this spiritual building

towards a perfect state; by increasing one another's knowledge, by mutually strengthening faith and hope, and promoting holiness. Without enlarging on this point, already sufficiently clear, I proceed,

II. To suggest several hints of importance to be regarded in performing this friendly office.

1. We should feel a lively interest in each other's spiritual improvement. Without this, we shall most certainly perform the duty very coldly and unprofitably, or neglect it altogether. And is there a spark of sympathy in our souls, if we do not feel any solicitude for each other's everlasting welfare? If we do not feel unfeigned joy, when the christian character of others is bright, and their hope appears well founded, and their prospects of eternal glory clear? Or, on the other hand, if we feel no painful concern, when we perceive some misconduct or fall, some incipient yielding to temptation, some sparks of unholy temper breaking out, which show that all is not right in one whom we wish to esteem as a christian friend? We should feel, on these different occasions, gladness or deep regret, as the case may be, or all is not right in our own hearts. It is no light thing, whether one, whom we call a Christian, adorns or disgraces his profession; whether his hope beyond the grave is well founded, or whether we are indifferent respecting it, and as careless as Cain, who bitterly and impiously asked, "Am I my brother's keeper?" We are not wont to be so indifferent about the temporal interests of our friends. If they rise into wealth and honours, we rejoice with