crown of life fadeth not away, and he who wears it is immortal. This crown denotes not only victory and glory, but also all that blessedness which will crown existence in a future state. There every conquering saint shall be blessed with the glorious presence of God and the Lamb; with the society of angels and the spirits of just men made perfect; and with such employments as shall be calculated to afford the most exquisite and refined pleasures. We are at a loss, indeed, either to express, or even to conceive, the glories and blessedness of that world, but we may be certain that they imply a freedom from all evil; an enjoyment of all good; and endless duration. The inhabitants "are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: And he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them to fountains of living water: And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Rev. vii, 15-17. The rest we may leave to God, who will make known all we can desire to know, when he has found us faithful unto death. We shall then fully prove, that the glory of crowns, the splendour of courts, and all the unsanctified pleasures of the rich and great, are not worthy to be sought by the candidates of heaven.

The good man will receive the crown of life immediately after death; for then he is fully proved, and his probationary state comes to an end. Lazarus died, and was immediately conducted to Abraham's bosom. The penitent thief on the cross was admitted into Paradise on the very day he died. And the apostle Paul expected, when absent from the body, to be present with the Lord. But it will not be till the resurrection of the dead, that God will give all the glory and happiness which he has prepared for his saints: It is not, therefore, an improbable opinion, that those who are now in glory, are looking forward, with pleasing hope, for the full accomplishment of those promises which relate to that glorious event. Then death shall be swallowed up in victory, and Christ will triumph over all his enemies.

The crown is promised to all who love God. Love to God produces obedience, and obedience will be rewarded. Love to God is a most powerful principle in the heart of a believer. Its influence extends to every thought, word, and work. If love wax cold, all the other graces wither and die; but if it continues to burn, they grow and flourish.

God has promised a crown of life, and his promise cannot fail. Heaven and earth must pass away, but his word cannot pass away. Saints may depend upon his word, without either doubt or fear. He has promised, and he will bring it to pass. Commit your souls to him in well-doing, and carefully imitate Moses, who chose "rather to suffer affliction with. the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; for he had respect unto the recompence of reward." Heb. xi, 25.

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And now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God, our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and evermore. Amen." Jude 24, 25.

SERMON XXIX.

A CAUTION AGAINST IDOLATRY.

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 JOHN v, 21.

IDOLATRY is a sin which cannot pass unpunished. It has been the reproach of human nature, and the ruin of all who have lived and died under its influence. In nations professing pure Christianity, there is no danger of that gross idolatry which has been practised by the heathen nations; but there is a great danger of a more refined, but not less sinful, idolatry. In the sight of God, a man may be an idolater who never bowed to an idol. Let us then, seriously regard the advice of the venerable apostle John to his young converts: "Little children, keep yourselves from idols."

First, let us make a few general remarks on idolatry; and, Secondly, urge the caution contained in our text.

I. GENERAL REMARKS ON IDOLATRY.

External idolatry is that superstitious worship, which men pay to idols, or false gods. There is a living and true God, who made, preserves, and blesses man, and whom he is bound to worship in spirit and in truth; but having forgotten and departed from the living and true God, he has turned his attention to idols, and has paid those honours to them, which are due only to his Maker, Preserver, and Benefactor. When this abominable idolatry first began to be practised, cannot be determined; but it appears to have been very ancient, having spread far and wide when God called Abraham to leave his native country. What gave rise to it is uncertain. Heroes, perhaps, and men who had been signally useful in their life-time, might, after death, become the first objects of idolatrous worship. A supposition, that the spirits of those departed heroes and benefactors of mankind resided in the bright luminaries of heaven might be the first step towards the worship of the heavenly bodies. The heavens not being always visible, might suggest the propriety of making images, to represent those absent luminaries: And this idea might give rise to gods of gold and silver, of wood and stone. In process of time it was conjectured, that almost every thing in nature had its peculiar god, and that man should pay homage to all the gods. Hence sprung up innumerable gods: Mountains and valleys; woods and plains; fountains, rivers, and seas; virtues and vices; peace and war; the particular periods of time; the different ages and circumstances of life; and the various implements of agriculture, all had their tutelary deities. In fact, as a celebrated writer observes, the whole universe seemed to swarm with these airy nothings. Thus the true God was forgotten, and his glory was given either to mere creatures, or tr objects of mere imagination.

This shameful idolatry has spread over the nations. We have many vestiges of it in our own land." The names of our days, and some of our months, were given by idolaters. Sunday was dedicated to the sun; Monday to the moon; Tuesday to Tuesca; Wednesday to Woden, Thursday to Thor; Friday to Freya; and Saturday to Saturn. The worship of angels, saints, images, and relics, is as abominable, in every respect, as pagan idolatry. But the church of Rome has long copied the ignorant and bewildered heathens; and, perhaps, if the Protestants had not stood forth, as the champions of truth, all Europe would, at this day, have been as much devoted to external idolatry as heathen Rome. Internal idolatry is the substitution of any thing, in our affections, in the place of God. A covetous man is called an idolater, because riches are supreme in his affections. Gluttons and drunkards may be called idolaters, because they serve their bellies more than God. The first and greatest commandment is, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart;" and, therefore, to love the creature more than him, is idolatry. Complete happiness should be sought in God; but if we seek it in the creature, we are idolaters. Man, who is weak and feeble, wants help and support from God; but when he depends upon, and trusts in, any other being, he makes that being his idol. God requires our highest praise; but, alas! how often do we praise ourselves and other men with idolatrous praises! We may idolize a husband, a wife, a child, a friend; we may idolize our houses, our lands, our gold and silver; or we may idolize ourselves. Whatever stands in the place of God is an idol; whatever we love most is our god. The world abounds with the rich bounties of an indulgent Providence, and all these good things may be used, and enjoyed in moderation; but the heart must be given to God: "My son, give me thy heart." Prov. xiii, 26. Recollect, then, if you give your heart to others, you are idolaters. Pity the heathen nations, and pray for them; but examine your own hearts, and your own ways. Men are never without a god; for if they have not the true God, they have idols. Let us carefully examine this remark; it may open our eyes to see many of those sins and follies, which have been hidden from our view. Perhaps we shall see, that, instead of the one true God, we have had many false gods; and that the true God, whom we have forgotten, might justly cast us out of his presence for ever and ever.

I URGE THE CAUTION CONTAINED IN OUR TEXT.

Many reasons may be assigned, why Christians, above all others, should keep themselves from idols. They have superior light; they have seen and felt the folly of idolatry; they have tasted the pleasures of a pure spiritual worship; they have superior privileges; and they have better hopes than other men. If they fall into idolatry, even the most refined, they give up the light which has shone upon their understandings, the grace which has influenced their hearts, and all their hopes of future blessedness. O, beware! Let not the world seduce you by its bewitching charms: Let not Satan deceive you by his subtle wiles: Let not your own hearts betray you. God is now supreme in your affections, and resolve he shall be so to all eternity.

That you may be kept from idolatry, meditate frequently on the greatness, the glory, and all-sufficiency of the true God. You will then see more clearly the propriety of his claims to your highest regards. The better you know him, the more you will desire to enjoy him as your God. He possesses all you can want, either in this world, or in the next; and you will prove him to be a full, satisfying, and everlasting portion.

Often reflects on the folly of idolatry. What are those idols which men worship? How insufficient to supply their wants, to protect them in danger, or to direct their steps through this dark world! What can the world do for men? What can these worthless gods do for immortal spirits? Riches are uncertain; carnal pleasures soon cloy; and a sting is left behind, which torments the guilty soul.

Think seriously of the difficulties which men plunge themselves into, by departing from the living God. How can they expect the blessings of heaven, while they deny the God of heaven, and withhold from him that worship and service which he requires? Which of their idols can rescue them, when he appears in judgment? "Consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver." Ps. 1, 22.

Keep far from idolaters. Never deem that man your friend, who is an enemy to your God. Bad example is powerful; but let it be your constant care to keep as far from danger as possible. When duty compels you to mix with men who are without God, you may humbly claim the watchful and protecting care of your heavenly Father; but there is not a possibility of escaping the fatal snares of worldly company, if you voluntarily run into it.

Watch over your own hearts. Our hearts are prone to wander from the living God; but let us notice the first motions of evil, and instantly oppose them in the strength of grace. There can be no evil in our lives, if we indulge no evil in our hearts. But if our hearts go out after the world, we cannot possibly avoid idolatry. The advice of our Lord, on this subject, is an infallible preservative against this dreadful evil: "Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matt. vi, 20, 21.

To conclude: Let us cultivate religious tempers: Let us be much engaged in prayer: And let us adore and honour the Lord our God. "Ŏ Israel, return unto the Lord thy God: For thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: Say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: So will we render the calves of our lips. Ashur shall not save us: We will not ride upon horses: Neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: For in thee the fatherless findeth mercy." Hos. xiv, 1—3. Amen.

SERMON XXX.

THE VANITY OF THE WORLD.

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher: All is vanity. ECCLESIASTES xi, 8

SOLOMON had very considerable experience both of men and things. The exalted situation in which he was placed by Divine Providence, afforded him more extensive opportunities of knowledge, than any other individual in private life. Besides, he was a man of deep penetration, and uncommon diligence in searching after truth. The result of his diligent inquiries, and long experience, was, that view of things which is expressed in our text: "Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher: All is vanity."

Here are two things: First, the preacher; and, Secondly, his sermon. I. THE PREACHER.

A preacher, whose business it is to convey instruction, should be furnished with considerable stores of wisdom. In this respect, Solomon was well qualified for the important work. His "wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the East country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men-And his fame was in all nations round about." 1 Kings iv, 30, 31.

Those preachers who experience the important truths which they teach, are the most likely to make deep impressions upon the hearts of their hearers. In this respect also, Solomon was well qualified to teach his people. This book contains a great deal of his own experience, as he had passed through the varying scenes of life. And his heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge." Eccles. i, 16. He had sought many things, which men deem great and good; and found but little, except disappointment and vexation of spirit.

God has frequently raised up men from the lowest orders of society to preach his word; but Solomon was a royal preacher. He begins this sermon by informing us, that these are "the words of the preacher, the son of David, king of Jerusalem." Chap. i, 1. Though seated upon the throne of a great nation, he did not think it beneath him to preach. Happy is that nation which hath such a monarch!

It is indispensably necessary for every preacher to be faithful in the discharge of his duty. Few preachers have been more so than Solomon. His sermon does not flatter the pride of man. It gives no encouragement to mere men of the world; but it is full of the most mortifying truths, and of the most awful warnings against those things which are most pleasing to corrupt and depraved nature.

II. THE SERMON.

The sermon proves, that all things in this world are vanity to an unsanctified mind. The word which is rendered vanity, implies either something which is empty in itself, as vapour and smoke; or some