3. It consists in communion with GOD.

There is something exquisitely tranquillizing in the description of the heavenly state, with which the last chapter of the Word of GOD opens: "He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of GOD and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: for the throne of GOD and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him; and they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads." We know little concerning the positive nature of the condition of the redeemed after death, except that they are " with Christ." They behold His glory; delight in His presence; are gladdened by the endearments of His love; and hold constant intercourse with Him. Their rest consists in "not resting day or night," in adoring His person, and fulfilling His will. The word translated "rest" in the text, is more literally rendered in the margin of the authorized version of the Bible, "keeping of a sabbath." And this is the best account which can be given of the heavenly state: 'It is one long, unbroken sabbath; an eternity of successive sabbath

hours.' It is a change, not in kind, but only in degree, from the communion with GOD our Saviour, which believers cultivate on earth: it is a translation of the worshipper from the outer court to the innermost sanctuary; the purifying of his services from all defilement; while strength is imparted, sufficient to deprive incessant service of the power to weary; and capacity is bestowed, sufficient to prevent the soul from being satiated with the abundant fulness of enjoyment.

4. Another element of this "rest" will be communion with other holy beings.

The human heart is formed to love society; and the existence of a fellowship with others gives scope for the exercises of affection and sympathy, which are the source of a great portion of the pleasures we enjoy in this present world. It is, in part, this natural love of social intercourse that causes us to feel so acutely the separation from those we love, which death occasions. And doubtless the fact that in heaven we shall hold communion with "an innumerable multitude of angels," as well as with a multitude of the redeemed which no man can number, will contribute greatly to augment the happiness of the eternal world. Shall we deem it nothing,' asks a pious writer, to be with those saints of the living GOD, who are gone before us into His presence the righteous Abel; the honoured Abraham;

the faithful Moses; the once heart-broken, but now exulting David; the heroic Daniel; the gentle and seraphic John; the ardent Peter; the noble Paul; Stephen, with his martyr's crown; and the martyrs and fathers of the churches, with their crowns of life; and our own dear relatives and friends, who have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb; and to be with all these, not as mere spectators of their glory, but as the sharers of it; to be welcomed by them, to mix with them, to feel ourselves valued and loved among them, to be one of them?' Did not St. Paul commend it to the Thessalonians, as a special subject of consolation, "The Lord will recompense to you, which are troubled, rest with us?" Did not our blessed Lord describe the happy portion of His true disciples, by saying, "They shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of GOD?" And may we not, therefore, conclude that the "communion of saints" is a most prolific element of the joy which our gracious GOD has prepared for them that love Him?

Such is the rest which remaineth for the people of GOD." And now, in making a practical application of the subject to our own souls, I would remark—

(1.) How vast and substantial are the advantages of vital godliness!-We have seen that "the people of

* 2 Thess. i. 7.

GOD" are distinguished by a peculiar character, as well as by a most blessed portion. The efficacy and sincerity of their principles is manifested by the godliness of their conduct; and GoD is, in life and death, their "shield, and their eternal great reward." One of our fellowworshippers has recently been removed from amongst us to the unseen world, whose manner of life, as well as the remarkable circumstances of her death, so strikingly prove the reality of true religion and illustrate its substantial advantages, that I cannot forbear to recal to your memory some passages from the record of her pilgrimage through the world, in which we are still left for a while to sojourn.

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The characteristic marks of the people of GOD might be distinctly traced in that Christian lady, who was truly a mother in Israel." Bought by the same precious blood which has redeemed us and all mankind, she evidenced, by the spirituality of her mind and the closeness of her walk with Him, that she was one of GOD's chosen people. She was faithful unto death, depending simply and entirely on the atonement and righteousness of Christ for acceptance with GOD, and discharging every trust which GOD had committed to her, with a single eye to His glory. To an unusually refined and well-cultivated mind, a judgment peculiarly sound, affections of more than ordinary warmth, and

great amiableness of natural disposition, the infinitely more valuable graces of the Holy Spirit were superadded, which shed a sweet savour on all her actions and conversation. The circle of her acquaintances was widely extended, and her sphere of influence and usefulness was proportionally great. Through the whole of her life she was the delight of every one who was on terms of intimacy with her; and no person could be in her company, even for a short period, without receiving an impression of her character which length of time would hardly efface from memory. She was eminently a lover and promoter of peace; and entertained a very high sense of justice, which produced great impartiality in her sentiments and conduct towards other persons. It was her constant habit to turn away from the judgment of man, and defer exclusively to that of GOD. She was singularly self-forgetting, whenever she could, by any sacrifice or exertion on her part, contribute to the happiness of others. Her religion was not a matter of occasional times and seasons, but was exhibited in the commonest transactions of daily life. It may, indeed, be said of her, with gratitude to GoD, that she was "a burning and a shining light;" for no one could hold intercourse with her without feeling the glow of her piety, and beholding the brightness of her example. Her numerous connexions found in her a faithful and