heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."-Let the penitent listen to these assurances of mercy, and "go on his way rejoicing."

Having thus, my Christian brethren, as was proposed, endeavoured to notice both some of the doubts and fears which occasionally perplex the minds of timid, though conscientious, servants of God, and the remedy for them suggested by the text; it is my wish to give to this subject a still more practical application, by calling your attention to a single additional word in the text.

In the midst of the statements to which our inquiries have been directed is found the word "Amen," or so be it.' This word, in the particular position which it here occupies, may be considered as a reply, either of St. John himself, or of the Church of Christ in general, to those declarations of our Lord; "I am he that liveth and was dead; and, behold, I am alive

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for evermore." And surely, my brethren, there ought not to be an individual, in any Christian congregation, who cannot, with the utmost sincerity of heart and emphasis of language, concur in the use of this expression. Let me, then, inquire, with regard to the various classes of whom this and every congregation may be conceived to be chiefly made up, how far they have grounds for desiring that the same Redeemer who died for the sins of the world, and rose again for its justification, should be their Judge in the great day of

account.

Suppose, for example, in the first place, the man of profligate habits to present himself at the throne of trial; and let me ask, whether he has reason to wish that his Lord should be his Judge. What must be the language of such a man at the bar of God? Must he not say, Lord, I have been an open rebel against thy authority; I have set at defiance thy laws; I have crucified thee afresh ; I have preferred the vilest gratifications of sense to the pleasures of thy sanctuary. Dost thou live for evermore?" and wilt thou be our

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Judge? Be it' not so!'- let me have any Judge but Thee.'

Take, next, the case of the man of mere prudence and worldly morality - the man thrifty for this life, and indifferent to the next-and what must be his language?

Lord, I knew that thy curse was upon those who "mind" only "earthly things;" that "friendship with the world is enmity with God;" that "if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him :" nevertheless, I thought only of the world: I "rose early, and late took rest, and ate the bread of carefulness," for the sake of earthly things; but I neither listened to thy word, nor sought thy favour, nor felt my sins, nor drew nigh unto thee, to be washed by thy blood and sanctified by thy Spirit. Dost Thou"live" to judge us? I cannot say "Amen." "Be it' not 'so!' I would have any Judge but Thee.'

Again, take the case of the mere dry formalist in religion; and what must be his pleading at the bar of God? Lord, I ran the round of religious ceremonies: I was regular in the outward worship of God, and in attendance at the table of thy

supper. But, while I But, while I " drew nigh to thee with my lips, my heart was far from thee:" I had no pleasure in thine ordinances I came before thee with a lifeless heart I never mourned for sin, supplicated for grace, desired real communion with thee, or anticipated with delight the hour when thy people shall stand in thy presence, and sing thy praises, and share thy joys for ever. Art Thou our Judge? Oh be it' not so!' Let me stand at any judgment-seat but Thine.'

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But, my brethren, what must be the result of acknowledgments such as these, in the presence of a righteous God? How: fearfully must those, constrained to make them, anticipate the sentence of their Judge! How must they shrink with horror from the presence of that Lord whose Gospel they have rejected, whose mercies they have abused, whose "blood" they have "trampled upon," whose "Spirit" they have "quenched!" And how shall they "call upon the rocks and upon the hills to cover them, from the face of Him who sitteth upon the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb!"

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But are there none among us, who can utter the " Amen" of the text with cordiality and joy? Yes, my brethren. Shew me the lowly, affectionate, obedient disciple of the Cross; and, whatever be his name, or nation, or complexion, or kindred-in whatever language, and under whatever skies, he approaches the throne of mercy-this "Amen" is the language of his conscience and his heart. Do I speak to-day to such persons-to those who have no affection so strong as the love of their Redeemer; no reliance for pardon but on his merits; no expectation of amendment but from the influence of his Spirit; no hope, or peace, or joy, but that which flows from the fountain of his blood? To such persons as these, I would say, in the language of the text, "Fear not:" your Lord is "the first and the last!” Though he was" dead," he is "alive again," and "behold, he liveth for evermore." shall “see him, though not now." Clouds may for a time darken the brightness of his presence. For a season you may be appointed to linger in the vale of tears. But

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