is compared to a pearl of great price. We are commanded to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven. Those who excel in virtue and goodness, are compared to the faithful servants, who improved the talents committed to their charge, and who were rewarded by being rulers over many things. "When the chief shepherd shall appear," says St. Peter, "ye shall receive a crown of glory, that fadeth not away. For our light affliction, which is but for à moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." These, and similar expressions, are sources of encouragement, although they are indefinite in their application. Some of them clearly intimate that there will be distinctions of rank and honour, among the Blessed themselves; while others as clearly indicate that Glory, Honour, and Immortality, will be the portion of all those who shall be admitted into the heavenly regions.

Such are the representations given us of a future world. It is described as a state of perfect Felicity. To this, and to this alone, are the terms Bliss and Beatitude applied. Nothing on earth is deemed worthy of the epithet; such is the portion which the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and through him the God and Father of us all, hath prepared for the

righteous. Which leads us to another characteristic given of this happy state.

6. This provision of happiness for immortal beings is never considered as the reward of merit, abstractedly considered; nor as the recompense of an hireling, for services performed, by which the master is himself benefited. It is always placed in the light of an Inheritance. The righteous are said to be Heirs of God.

St. Paul, in addressing the christian converts at Rome, thus expresses himself: "Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, father; and, if children, then Heirs, Heirs of God, and joint Heirs with our Lord Jesus Christ." When St. Paul received his commission to preach to the Gentiles, it was "to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God; that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among them that are sanctified through faith."

"Thou art no more a servant but a son, and if a son, then an Heir of God, through Christ." "Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again

unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you."

In this respect also is the paternal character strictly maintained. Industrious Man does not lay up a future provision for his offspring, by way of recompense for the important services they may have rendered him through life. He considers their obedient conduct as a favourable presage of their future well being, and not as the purchase of any provision for them, which he is able to make. The Son is always considered as the natural heir. Should he not succeed to his father's property, an alienation takes place, in consequence of some specific deed, and it is to be ascribed to some peculiar cause. This is universally considered as the law of nature. It is consonant to reason, that parents, who are the sources of existence, and who have brought into being an inhabitant of the world, without any volition of his own, should make some suitable provision for him, or enable him to pass through life in such a manner that existence may be deemed a blessing. To abandon him, would be censured as unnatural, unjust, and cruel. This is the law of nature and of reason, and strong parental affections are implanted in the human

breast, as a guarantee that the law shall be inviolably maintained. The obstinate disobedience of the offspring, their total inattention to instruction and reproof, and their being absolutely irreclaimable, rendering themselves unfit for the enjoyment of their patrimony, as well as unworthy of it, alone can annul this obligation; and with a good parent it will always be annulled, with a reluctant and desponding heart. Thus will the Son have a natural right to a Paternal inheritance, without any characteristic merit; but the title may possibly be forfeited by his demerit.

Again, although his enjoyment of a patrimony may greatly depend upon his own qualifications, and the uses to which it may be applied, yet it is self-evident, that, notwithstanding the excellency of his character, he cannot possibly inherit from his parent, more than it is in the parent's power to bequeath. From the cottage to a kingdom, the difference will not depend upon the comparative merits of the possessors, but upon the comparative fortunes of their parents. The rich treasures of the heavenly state, will, in like manner, be great and inexhaustible, because their heavenly father is an immortal Being of inexhaus tible munificence.

7. But although the Gospel dispensation hath placed the blessings of eternal life, in the light of an inheritance, yet it always represents these blessings as a Gift, as an unmerited Boon, as an extraordinary act of Grace, in a manner that is unusual in the relative characters of parent and son. It is said, that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. By grace are saved through faith. The children of God are no longer considered as natural heirs, but as heirs of grace. We are made heirs according to the hope of eternal life, being justified by his grace," &c.

ye

This peculiarity, so different from what has ever been observed among human parents, is to be explained by adverting to the sinful charac ters of the children of God; to their universal rebellion and apostasy, which have cut them off from the rights of inheritance, and by which they have forfeited a filial claim to life and immortality. The invariable law is, the soul that sinneth, it shall die; the wages of sin is DEATH; the transgressors shall be destroyed. Life was promised to Adam upon condition of his perfect obedience to the Divine commands; he transgressed, lost his title, and became subject to death. The whole human race are represented, In the gospel which bringeth salvation, as being