loss or diminution of fortune, we acquire immense gain, not of perishing silver, but of "durable riches and righteousness;" a precious heavenly treasure," which moth cannot corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal." The liberal Christian "honoureth the Lord with "his substance." To such he says, "them that "honour me, I will honour."—" And what, my "brethren, shall be done to the man whom the "Lord delighteth to honour ?" Shall he have praise of men? To this he is well entitled; and from the wise and the worthy he shall receive it; “ yea, who shall harm him, if he be a follower "of that which is good? But believers, "whose "faith worketh by love, seek not honour one of "another." They seek for honour from God only, and they shall not be disappointed. Even though their good should be evil spoken of, they have reason to rejoice, for great is their reward in heaven. The riches of their beneficence are but partially known to the world; indeed, they give not their alms to be seen of men: But their Father in heaven seeth in secret, and will reward them openly; and, when he rewards, it is with a munificence like himself. He would be ashamed to be called their God, were he only to bestow

upon them the most splendid honours, and the richest estates of this world. But he displays the true glory of his connexion with, and peculiar favour for them, in preparing for them a city which hath foundations, eternal in the heavens. Though now concealed by their own modesty, or disregarded and despised by the world, ungrateful and unworthy of them, "their witness ❝is in heaven, and their record on high." "The Lord shall bring forth their righteousness "in all the glory of the light, and their judg"ment with all the brightness of the noon-day." Yea, this shall be done in a manner the most majestic and divine. "The Lord shall call to "the heavens from above, and to the earth, that

he may judge his people: Gather my saints "together to me; and the heavens shall declare "his righteousness; for God is judge himself.” What can equal the solemn grandeur of that day, and the glory with which the saints shall then be crowned, as these are represented by our Lord himself. Angels, good and bad, with the whole human race, assembled before the awful tribunal of the great Lawgiver and Judge of the Universe.

* Matth. xxv. ver. 31,-41,

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In such an assembly, what must be the transports of joy to the saints to be called forth and distinguished by his highest approbation, expressed in the most honourable terms, marked with every grand solemnity of a public and final decision, and followed with immediate effects, yea with all the inconceivable glory and blessedness of heaven and of eternity? This honour have all the people of God. Every one of them, without exception, "having been justified freely by the grace of God, through the redemption "that is in Christ Jesus," and so "made heirs

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according to the hope of eternal life, having "also been sanctified by the truth and Spirit of "Christ, and thus made meet for the inherit❝ance of the saints in light, shall, in that great

day of righteous recompence, be raised up "in glory, be openly acknowledged and acquit❝ted, and made perfectly blessed in the full "enjoyment of God to all eternity." Now, among that happy selected number, all who have sown bountifully shall hold a distinguished place, and shall reap also bountifully. Their harvest is then fully come, and brings the most ample They shall reap in joy." Our Lord's description of the solemnities of the future judg

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ment connects with all its important transactions, the most pointed distinction, and the richest reward of liberal charity, while the opposite character is as decidedly and awfully marked with complete reprobation, and eternal disgrace and punishment.

The momentous interesting scene closes with the final dismission of the wicked, negligent, and obdurate, into eternal punishment, while the righteous, liberal, and compassionate, are received into eternal life. "Then shall the righteous "shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their "Father. They shall appear with Christ in glo.

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ry, and he shall be glorified in them. He "shall change even their vile bodies, and fashion "them like unto his glorious body. They shall "be ever with him, beholding and admiring his "divine and mediatorial glory; and when they "see him as he is, they shall be like him." Completely freed from every remainder of corruption, and from all possibility of sin, and suffering, and temptation, they shall, like him, be perfectly pure and immortal. They shall share with him in every communicable glory. "They shall "walk with him in white, for they are worthy. "Having washed their robes, and made them

"white in the blood of the Lamb, therefore are "they before the throne of God, and serve him "day and night in his temple; and he that sit"teth on the throne shall dwell among them; "they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any "more; neither shall the sun light upon them, "nor any heat, for the Lamb which is in the "midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall "lead them unto living fountains of water, and "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." They shall live in the midst of the most perfect, honourable, and happy society. What an innumerable company of angels to assist and associate with them in every service, and in every enjoyment! What a countless multitude redeemed with them from among men of every age, and kindred, and tongue, and nation, and not an unholy or unhappy member among them-no difference of sentiment, no contending passions, no interfering interests, no untuned harp, and no discordant heart to give a moment's disturbance to their sweet celestial harmony. But the enjoy ment connected with their benevolent useful character, will chiefly arise from those who have been the objects of their kind and liberal charity upon earth. They may be amongst the first