is, in fact, something dearer to us, at present, than heaven. We have no wish to be soon there, however much we desire or hope to be found there at last. Accordingly, the hope of glory is not often our chief consolation in the day of calamity.

Now this proves more, than that our personal hope is often low and fluctuating. proves, also, that we are not very familiar with the objects of future happiness. Indeed, one great cause of that lowness and changeableness of our hope of heaven is, our inattention to heaven itself. It is not often nor minutely contemplated, exactly as it is set before us in the gospel. We do not overlook eternal things, but we do not "look at" them one by one, nor as a whole, sufficiently. We have no low nor foolish notions of heaven, but we have many vague, and not a few uninfluential, ideas of it. The reason is obvious: we have not taken the same time or care to acquaint ourselves with it, that we have taken to form and mature our acquaintance with the way which leads to it. Our knowledge of "the way that leadeth to everlasting life" is not, indeed, perfect; but still, it is influential. We prize our deliberate views and convictions of the glory and grace of the atonement; we can

make something of them, and sometimes much, in the day of trouble; and they tell well upon our character and spirit even in the day of prosperity. So does our general idea of heaven; but not so the details of our knowledge of it; they have not much influence. How could they? The greater part of them have no fixed nor definite character or form in our minds. Were our views of the doctrines of grace as vague as many of our opinions about glory are, we should feel ashamed of ourselves, and be far more uncomfortable than we are now.

Whatever scrutiny or remonstrance breathes in these remarks, is not uncalled for by the usual state of our minds. Slight views of eternal life, are one great cause of our slight hold on the hope of salvation. A deeper acquaintance with immortality, in all its revealed forms, would compel us to take and keep a firmer grasp of the cross. Were we daily "looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life," as well as unto a holy and tranquil life, both our faith and prayers would breathe another spirit than they usually do; and thus we should soon have no occasion for the common complaint, that our hope of heaven is too weak to weigh much

Let eternity dictate Christ which its own

against the trials of life. the measure of faith in solemnity deserves; and this will lead to such solid building, and to such steady resting upon the Rock of Ages, that we shall soon have a hope so full of immortality, that, like the first believers, we shall be able to counterbalance the things which are seen and temporal, by the things which are unseen and eternal. And, surely, if the martyrs could do so, we well may, under our lighter afflictions. It is, therefore, our own interest to acquire such a hold upon heaven, as shall really be of use to us in the time of trouble. Nothing aggravates trouble so much as a dark cloud on our eternal prospects. We have need of all our time and strength for the due exercise of patience and resignation in the evil day, -instead of having to clear up, then, the agitating question of personal safety. Let us not, therefore, believe the gospel so vaguely and vapidly now, nor obey the law so partially now, that when the dark side of the pillar of time turns upon us, the dark side of the pillar of eternity should turn upon us too. is no occasion for such a conjunction, as the fear of "the blackness of darkness," blending with the clouds of temporal calamity.

There

We owe it also unto others to cultivate such a hope of glory, as shall have a visible influence upon our spirits, as well as upon our character; and upon our conversation, as well as our conduct. Without worth of character, no testimony to the worth of religion will have any weight in our family, or social circle. It is not enough, however, that both our careless and undecided friends should be constrained, by our general character, to conclude, "that if any get to heaven we shall." Our words, as well as our works, should aid in lodging this conviction in their minds. We ought to speak of our "inheritance with the saints in light," as well as cultivate meetness for it. The first believers not only thought of heaven, and prepared for it, they also avowed and proclaimed the pleasure they found in looking forward to it as rest from their labors, and as freedom from their imperfections. They did not leave the inference of their safety to be drawn by others only; they drew it themselves also. They were wise enough, and manly enough, to judge, that a character and spirit which even the enemies of the gospel could not quote against the gospel, warranted them to consider themselves as heirs of eternal life, They did not, therefore, allow it to depend

on the candor and conscience of others, whether this conclusion should be drawn or not. It was too important to be left to public caprice; and, therefore, they drew it themselves. "We, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth." "We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." "As we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." This was speaking out, on the subject of Christian hope! Yes; and yet it was saying no Imore than God had warranted. It is only what all may and ought to avow, who are relying on Christ for a holy salvation.

Now such a testimony, when not contradicted by the character of the witness, could not fail to commend the gospel. It would bring our relations and friends to the point.

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Here," they must confess, "is present hap-. piness, as well as a strong probability of eternal happiness." Whereas, if they see us in almost as much doubt of our future safety, as they are of their own, they will question the use of faith, even if they do not question the use of good works.

Silence is, however, so common

on this