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remind him continually of his country; they place it before him in every engaging form; and prove how far it surpasses every thing here-while it will infinitely indemnify him for all his losses, and reward him for all his difficulties.

-They shew him clearly and unerringly the way.Thus they give him the peace and satisfaction of certainty he knows that he is not journeying at random -not a step is taken in vain-each brings him nearer home.

-They assure him that he is not alone in his trials and exercises. They call upon him to observe waymarks thrown up by former pilgrims, where he began to think no pious foot had ever trod; "the same "things," say they, "happened to your brethren who "were before you in the world. Be ye followers of "them who through faith and patience inherit the "promises. Take the prophets, who have spoken in "the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering, "affliction, and of patience. Behold we count them 66 happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience "of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord: that the "Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy."....How suitable, how animating, how blessed are such discoveries as these!

But promises are something more than discoveries ; and with these the scripture abounds. They are exceeding great and precious. And what can the pilgrim want, or desire, that is not insured by them ?....a freedom of motion? This is insured. "Thou shalt "walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stum. "ble." An ability to hold on ?-This is insured. — The "righteous shall hold on his way, and he that "hath clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger."— Victory over enemies ?-This is insured. "Thou "shalt tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion "and the draggon shalt thou trample under foot."-All needful supplies ?-These are insured., "O fear the "Lord all his saints, for there is no want to them that

"fear him. The young lions may lack and suffer hun"ger, but they that seek the Lord shall not want any "good thing." Is not all this sufficient to induce him to go on his way rejoicing?

We have been speaking of the experience of David, and of the experience of all the Lord's people. Are you like-minded with them? There are only two sorts of people in the world-all are citizens of earth or of heaven. And naturally all are of the first class-but some are by divine grace obeying the command, "arise 66 ye and depart hence, for this is not your rest."

Are you men of the world? Do you feel yourselves at home? Would you be satisfied to live here always?-Provided you could succeed according to your wishes? Are you looking only to those things that are seen and temporal? The man who takes up with this world as his portion is worse than a brute. He is unworthy of the soul he carries within him.— He starves his mind. He makes no provision for the evil day. It matters not what he has he is in a miserable condition-he has nothing that can either satisfy or save. A man going to execution is for the present very well off; he has a carriage to ride in; a guard to attend him; officers to accompany him, and a number of followers. But what would you think of the man if he deemed all this the tokens of his honor rather than the fore-runners of his punishment; and should only consider how he is accommodated, but never ask whither am I going? Alas! how many such fools are there? They only think how it is with them at present, but never inquire what will become of them hereafter but the end of these things is death.

There are others who are delivered from the present evil world; and are heirs of the kingdom which God has promised to them that love him. As strangers and pilgrims, let me give you three admonitions founded on the several parts of the discourse which you have heard.

1. Always regard your present condition as a state

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of pilgrimage-never view it as any thing more.This will regulate your desires, and moderate your wishes after earthly things. This wll keep you from being too much elated when you meet with prosperous scenes. Not that you will disparage the bounties of providence-you will even be thankful for them as conveniences by the way-but you will consider them only as accommodations; and not mistake them for the advantages and glories of home-you will not therefore sit down, but still press forward.—This will enable you to endure with fortitude and resignation the hardships you may encounter. You will say "as a "traveller I expect such things; they are only the in"conveniences of a journey-it will soon be over"and I reckon that the sufferings of this present time "are not worthy to be compared with the glory which "shall be revealed in us.'

2. Cherish a humble and a holy joy. Consider this not only as your privilege-but duty. Enforce it upon your minds by the authority of God, who commands you to rejoice always, and by a consideration of the importance of it to others. Nothing will honor and recommend your religion more than this. It will shew those around you that you have found what they are seeking after. Surely you do not, you cannot wish to travel to heaven alone-but habitually cheerful-singing as you go-you will be constantly inviting and alluring your relations, friends, neighbors to join you. You will address them as Moses addressed Hohab the son of Ruguel" we are journeying towards a place of "which the Lord said I will give it you, come with us "and we will do thee good, for the Lord hath spoken "good concerning Israel."

3. Love and study the scriptures. He that avoids reading a portion of them daily, forsakes his own mercy and is so far regardless of his safety, welfare, and comfort. Therefore" bind them continually upon "thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When "thou goest, it shall lead thee: when thou sleepest, it

"shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee: for the commandment is a lamp: and "the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the "way of life."

Precious bible! like thy blessed author, our sun and our shield, thou giver of grace and glory, thou guide through all this gloomy vale, to our everlasting home, how many advantages have we already derived from thee. Thou hast often solved our doubts, and

wiped away our tears. Thou hast been sweeter to our taste, than honey and the honey comb. Thou hast been better to us in our distresses, than thousands of gold and silver. Unless thou hadst been our delight, we should have perished in our affliction.

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No wonder Job "esteemed thee more than his necessary food." No wonder David "chose thee as "his heritage for ever, and found thee to be the re"joicing of his heart." No wonder the noble army of martyrs parted with their estates and with their blood, rather than with thee. May we value thee as our richest jewel, may we love thee as our dearest good, may we consult thee as our surest counsellor, may we follow thee as our safest rule.

And O thou eternal Jehovah ! "Send out thy light "and thy truth: let them lead me: let them bring me "unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. Then will "I go unto the altar of God, unto God, my exceeding joy; yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God, my God."

DISCOURSE XXIV.

SIN RUINS A KINGDOM.

(FOR A FAST DAY.)

Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he has done for you; but if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.-1 Sam. xii. 24, 25.

SUCH was the language of Samuel to the Jews. The

words have a peculiar force in them-and it arises from the wisdom of the address. How could he have given them a better representation of their duty? And how could he have more powerfully recommended it ?

....He requires of them nothing superstitious; nothing merely ritual and ceremonious, nothing only external and temporary-but the exercise of piety flowing from the fear of God, and accompanied with sincerity and fervor in serving him: this is all; "only fear the "Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart : "for consider how great things he hath done for you." This he enforces by two motives. The one drawn from gratitude, and the other from interest. He has been your friend; he can be your enemy. He has done great things for you; and he will do great things against you. Consider this...." consider how great "things he has done for you. But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king."

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Already I hope you have dropped Judea, and fixed your attention on your own country. The words could

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