hension of the human mind to its greatest possible extent, by opening before it the most unbounded prospects. The Christian revelation brings life and immortality to light: and the evidences by which this heavenly doctrine is supported, are such as to warrant an unhesitating practical assent. If they do not in every instance completely remove every doubt, even from the candid and serious mind, yet upon the lowest estimate it must be acknowledged, that the arguments for the truth of revelation are of such weight and magnitude, and carry with them so great a degree of probability, as to render it the part of the most consummate wisdom to act in all circumstances upon the presumption, that christianity is true, and its expectations well-founded; and the extreme of folly to live as if the religion of Jesus were a fraud upon the understanding, and existence were to terminate with the present life.

The simplicity and spirituality of the christian dispensation, its entire freedom from ritual incumbrance, the sublimity and

importance of its doctrine, the correctness, purity, and perfection of its morality, and the infinitude of its object, all concur to prove, that this is the last of the moral dispensations of God to mankind; that it is wisely adapted to the improving state of the world; that it is calculated to accelerate that improvement; that there is great reason to believe, that, as the world becomes more enlightened, and more wise, the christian religion, in its original purity, and truth, and beauty, will be more generally received, so that, in the end, the prophecies which announce its ultimate prosperity and success shall be literally accomplished; and "the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea."

In the mean time, the Christian doctrine, in proportion as it prevails, produces the most beneficial effects on the hearts and lives of those who sincerely embrace it, and who live habitually under its auspicious influence. What indeed must be the views, the feelings, the temper, and conduct of

the man who habitually regards himself as born to an infinite expectation; who views the present life in no other light than as a state of discipline and preparation for an everlasting inheritance; and who regards no event as of any moment, but in proportion to its relation to, and its influence upon, his future everlasting existence !

1. In the first place, the man whose mind is continually occupied with this glorious expectation must be always cheerful and happy.

He continually rejoices in his existence : and that, not merely, or chiefly, because he has enjoyed, and is now in possession of many blessings, but on account of that glorious reversion which is the object of his ardent expectation and hope; the thought of which is continually present to his mind, and the delightful anticipation of which fills him with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

2. This blessed hope inspires the heart with love to God, and devotedness to his service.

It is impossible that any one should entertain this glorious expectation, and rejoice in it as the solace and comfort of his life, without reflecting to whom he stands indebted for his existence; and to whose rich, unmerited, and boundless goodness, these glorious hopes and expectations are owing and this consideration naturally inspires gratitude and love to his supreme Benefactor, Parent, and Friend: and ex'cites earnest solicitude to render to God the glory due unto his name, and to express the ardent affection which glows in his breast, in a manner which may be most acceptable to the great object of it: and particularly by yielding a willing obedience to all his commands, and delighting in his service.

3. These exalted views and anticipations are a copious source of benevolence, the most active and disinterested.

The man who is happy himself is desirous to see all around him happy. True and substantial happiness, the happiness which arises from the comprehensive views and the glori

ous hopes of the gospel, is in the highest degree communicative, and pants to impart to all around a portion of the same felicity. This divine principle prompts those in whom it dwells to rejoice with those that rejoice, to weep with those that weep, to forego great advantages, and to submit to great privations and sacrifices for the good of others. And that sometimes to a degree which is astonishing, and unaccountable to those whose views and expectations being circumscribed within the narrow limits of time and sense, are incapable of comprehending how easy, how delightful it is for those who are animated by the liberal spirit and enlarged views of the gospel, to practise what the multitude regard as the greatest self-denial, for the good of others, and to subserve the interests of truth and virtue. To get good and to do good, is as it were, the atmosphere which such a spirit breathes; it is the aliment upon which it lives.

4th. This glorious expectation, and these comprehensive views of the divine govern