the author of all this misery, and lengthening out the tedious moments in ceaseless and unavailing regret. "It is a "fearful thing to fall into the hands of "the living God." His threatenings against impenitent transgressors are not empty words, fitted and designed only to terrify weak and superstitious minds; but they are great and awful realities, as many, alas! who once could laugh at and make a jest of sacred things, now know to their sad experience.

If everlasting banishment from the blissful presence of God, if the loss of all that is excellent and desirable,-if the reproaches and accusations of an awakened conscience, if the mutual upbraidings of partners in iniquity,-if the sneering reproof of devils and wicked spirits,—if the bitterest reflection on the past, and the most gloomy despair as to the future ;-if all these things, I say, constitute the very essence of wretchedness, then how dreadful is the punishment of sinners in a future state,punishment aggravated by these two very affecting considerations, that it might have been avoided, and that it shall never have an end! I

say that it might have been avoided ; for none shall be able at last to charge their Maker with their sins, nor to say that means and opportunities were not afforded them of fleeing from the wrath to come. Neither shall this punishment ever have an end; for this is the decree of heaven, that their worm is the " "that never dieth," and their fire is "the " fire that shall never be quenched,"

worm

I come now, as was proposed in the second place, to make some practical improvements of the subject, for your instruction and direction, who are still in the land of the living, and in the place of hope. And,

1. Hence we should learn to be truly thankful for the Lord Jesus Christ, who was commissioned, and came into the world, and who suffered and died, to "deliver us from the wrath to come."

Blessed be God that it is not yet unavoidable with respect to any of us; nay, we are told and warned of it, on purpose that we may give diligence to make our escape. God has sent his own Son, his only and well-beloved Son, to deliver us

from going down into the pit; and Christ the Son of God actually trode the wine-press of his Father's wrath in the room and stead of all who believe in his name. What praise and gratitude, then, my friends, are due from us to the Father's love, and the Son's condescension and grace? Can we go round the cross of Christ, and survey the wounds of a dying Saviour ;—can we hear him, as he is represented in the gospel, cry out, and say, My soul is exceeding sorrow❝ful even unto death!"-can we behold the heavens all darkened over him, and the earth trembling under his cross, in that dismal hour of his suffering, without learning the infinite guilt and demerit of sin, and feeling sentiments of the warmest love and gratitude to this Friend and Saviour of men, "who, though he

was rich, yet for our sakes became "poor, that we through him might be "made rich!" Oh! marvellous and stupendous love, worthy of everlasting admiration and unceasing praise! When I think of the blessings which this Saviour brings to me,-of that hell and destruction from which, to relieve me, he

suffered, bled, and died,-of the eternal glory to which he offers to exalt me,surely if one spark of gratitude remains in my breast, here is an object well fitted to call it forth, and to stir up all that is within me" to bless and magnify his holy name, who forgiveth all my ini

quities, who healeth all my diseases, "and who redeems my life from de"struction." Even on earth, with my feeble voice, would I join the new song of the ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousand of thousands of angels, who around the throne of God sing, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to "receive power, and riches, and wisdom, "and strength, and honour, and glory, " and blessing."

2. From what has been said on this subject, let us beware of envying the prosperity of the wicked, or estimating the true worth and happiness of men from their outward circumstances in life.

"As for me," said the holy Asaph, my feet were almost gone, my steps "had well nigh slipt, for I was en"vious at the foolish, when I saw "the prosperity of the wicked." But

prosperity without grace is a dangerous state; and did we know the whole circumstances of the case, we should rather be disposed to regard them with pity, than, as we are apt at first sight, to court or envy their situation. Wicked men slide easily down the stream of time, while surrounded by the pleasures of sin and sense, but soon are they "driven a

way in their wickedness," and separated for ever from all source of enjoyment. What though now they are clothed in purple and fine linen, and fare sumptuously every day?what though now they may live at ease in their possessions, having nothing to disturb their peace; yet will all this profit them at that period, when neither wealth, nor power, nor friends, will be able to afford relief, when every earthly prop is tottering and ready to sink under them,-when the world and all that it contains cannot for a moment stay their parting breath, when all its profits and all its pleasures will be seen to be lighter than air, and more worthless than the chaff which the wind driveth away?

The rich man in the parable before