sions relate merely to incidental circumstances; and their particular meaning is to be explained by them. Reiterated assertions, as explicit as the common use of language can make them, must finally prove an effectual barrier against the hypothetic notions which oppose them.

The promise, therefore, is, that the Righteous shall be restored to life. The language of the Old Testament represents them as gathered to their fathers. The language of the New Testament, that they sleep in Jesus; that he is the first fruits of them that sleep; and them that sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him.

Life is universally deemed a desirable good. All animated beings shun death with horror. It is a Blessing, as being the essential pre-requisite of every blessing to be enjoyed, or to be wished. While the perception of a single blessing remains, no one can be totally disgusted with life.

3. But the future life of the Pious will not be, like the present, transient and uncertain, bounded, in its utmost extent, to a contracted number of years, and held upon the uncertain tenure of an hour, in the intermediate space. It will be everlasting life." He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life." "The righteous shall go into life everlasting."

"The gift

of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." But as the word translated eternal and everlasting, does not always signify an unlimited period, various other expressions are used which have no ambiguity; not only life, but immortality, are brought to light by the Gospel. "This corruptible shall put on incorruption. This mortal shall put on immortality." Neither can they die any more. "They will ever be with the Lord." They will be as immortal as their master.

4. Again, the future world will be a state of moral excellence. It is always represented as a kingdom wherein dwelleth Righteousness; in which nothing that defileth shall enter. Its inhabitants have the title of Saints. They are holy; they are sanctified; not from any particular professions of religion, or of superior sanctity; not from scrupulous attentions to certain rites and ordinances, or assumed austerity of manners; but from their inward love of goodness; having kept themselves unspotted from the world. It is the pure in heart who shall see God, "Being made free from sin, and become servants of God, they have their fruits unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." No one act of disobedience, to their heavenly Father, will be committed; no disorderly pas

sions or ill-placed affections, no secret desires, inconsistent with the welfare of the blessed community, will be indulged. Those sources of vice, folly, and misery, ignorance, influence of sensible objects, and inordinate self-love, will no longer exist. The path of duty will be unerringly obvious; surrounding objects will always incline and encourage to the practice of duty; and every individual inhabitant, will not only be acquainted with the minutest ramifications of justice, but he will be disposed to obey their dictates. For every one will love his neighbour as himself; and benevolence will be continually operating, with the earnest activity of self-love. Hence there will not be a contrariety of interests; creating rivalships, and fomenting animosities. The only rivalships, of which we can form any worthy conceptions, must consist in a generous emulation to excel in goodness.

It is to produce dispositions and qualifications like these, that our heavenly Father has placed us in a previous state of discipline. We are here destined to suffer all the evils engendered by vicious irregularities, until our own experience shall correct our mistakes, and improve our nature. It is for this purpose that perfect precepts and a perfect example are placed before us; that every paternal encouragement, and paternal admonition, are employed.

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It is to rectify the disorders of the mind, that are destined to suffer various afflictions. In a word, it is for this that we are com manded to mortify the deeds of the body, and tocultivate the fruits of the spirit; for this that we are fortified with the promise of Divine assistance in our arduous endeavours.

Those to whom the study of Ethics is in the least interesting, will perceive that a requisition to follow after holiness, has nothing arbitrary in its nature. It is necessary in order to render eternal existence an eternal blessing. Existence itself, is not a more essential requisite to the enjoyment of any good, than the love of virtue and piety, are essential to the supreme good. It will not be necessary to enlarge upon this subject, in the present connection. It has been anticipated in our minute examination of the nature and consequences of Virtue and Vice. In these sublunary regions the prevalency of virtue would indubitably render human beings happy. Were every man to make the trial, no disputes would be agitated, whether virtue be its own reward; for no insulated Individual would then be compelled to sustain the shocks and insults of surrounding vice, until he should doubt the truth of the proposition. Every man would contribute his share to the public

weal, and every man would enjoy the most ample returns. This must be the state of the blessed. Universal goodness will be productive of universal order, peace, harmony, satisfaction, and joy. Their temptations, their trials, their conflicts are at an end. Nor will their tranquillity be disturbed by one disorderly subject.

In those regions the principle of Love, that cardinal principle which prompts every desire, and directs every pursuit, whether it be legitimate or not, will be eternally operating for universal good. Every affection will be properly excited, respecting its object and degrees of attachment. There will be no contest between reason and inclination. Enlightened reason will fully approve of, and strongly recommend every enjoyment. Every thing surrounding the blessed inhabitants will deserve their attention, and call forth the correspondent affections of esteem, veneration, love, gratitude, and admiration. The divine affection of Love will be without alloy, without rivalship, without disappointment. Benevolence will be in perpetual exercise; always wise in its designs, always rejoicing in its successes, always sincere and ardent in its congratulations.

"Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall