ever concerns you ; and he whose love is without variableness, or any shadow of turning, can enable the feeblest of his followers to thresh the mountains, and can save them with an everlasting salvation. Amen.

SERMON XX.

THE CHRISTIAN JOURNEY.

NUMBERS X. 29.

And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good; for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel.

WE proceed now to some illustration of the animating motive, which encourages heavenly travellers to hold on their way; which motive is contained in the last part of the text, "For the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel."

This is the most delightful subject which can engage the meditation of mortal men.

When

We are

When viewed in the light of revelation, and with the eye of faith, it opens to us scenes infinitely various, inimitably sublime, and of boundless extent.

God has spoken good concerning his people. A righteous, holy, omnipotent, offended God, has forgiven all our iniquity, and turned away all his wrath. restored to his favour, and adopted into his family. He has rescued us from misery, and promised to perfect what concerns us. These blessings, devoutly to be wished for, are revealed in his word. In the same divine revelation, God has made certain and ample provision for our obtaining every supply which can be necessary for maintaining our friendship with himself; for increasing our intercourse with heaven ; for cleansing us from all iniquity; for carrying forward the marks and evidences of spiritual regeneration; for comforting us under all the tribulations of this imperfect state; and for preparing us to finish our courşe with joy.

Whatever may be our situation in life, or employment in his service, his presence shall be with us, to guide, to protect, to govern, to comfort, and to deliver us. Though we

were banished to distant regions; cast into a fiery furnace; doomed to a dreary dungeon ; bereaved of every friend ; dwelling solitary in the wilderness ; encompassed with hosts of foes ; threatened with perils, and famine, and sword ; feeling the decay of the house of this tabernacle ; or bidding farewell to all mortal scenes ; still his everlasting arms will surround us, and his inspiring Spirit will whisper to our fainting heart, “ Lo! I am with you always, even to the end ; I will never leave you, nor forsake you ; I will guide you by my counsel, and

! bring you to my glory.”

The Father of mercies has made with us an everlasting covenant, well ordered in all things, and sure. The Saviour of mankind has purchased for us a kingdom which fadeth not away. The Holy Spirit is our Sanctifier and our Comforter, and graciously undertakes to prepare us for the business and the bliss of heaven. Neither the legions, nor all the powers of hell, can prevent us from inheriting with the saints in light. The time, manner, and all the circumstances of our death, are arranged by unerring wisdom, and by infinite love. At the judgement day, Jesus shall acknowledge us before assembled worlds; and, through a blessed eternity, we shall be ever with the Lord, shall see him as he is, and shall be satisfied with his likeness.

Again : All the promises recorded in the sacred volume, pertaining to the life which now is, and to immortal happiness beyond the grave, are yea and amen in Christ, and are ours through him. All the threatenings recorded in the same scriptures are transferred to our glorious Surety, and cancelled as to us. The God of glory is our perpetual defence; the Lamb in the midst of the throne our perpetual Friend; angels our kindred, and heaven our home.

These are blessings devoutly to be wished for; and, holy and beloved travellers to

j Zion, these blessings are yours! This is the great goodness which .our God has in store for all his people; and these are the good things he has spoken concerning them.

If, therefore, you have indeed received Jesus the Lord, both as your Saviour to redeem you, and your King to reign over you;

if

you are inquiring what is the true way of inheriting eternal life, and are setting