event, that they who regulate themselves by the laws of that higher country, shall at last be received into it: for as in the natural world there is, by the appointment of God, a natural connexion between seed-time and harvest; so in the moral world, they who, by piety and virtue, sow for heaven, shall finally reap it. (Gal. vi. 7, 8.) It is therefore with great propriety, that real Christians are represented by a noble anticipation as already come to mount Zion. We may now consider,

III. Our relation to the Head and to the members of this city. And we shall arrange them in such order as their several natures respectively intitle them to.

1. Ye are come to God, the Judge of all, angels and men; the knowledge of God, his nature, unity, perfections, providence. (Eph. v. 8.) The worship and service of God. (1 Thess. i. 9.) To his favour. (Rom, v. 1.) His family and household. (Gal. iv. 6, 7.) His presence; an event so certain that the apostle at once transports the Christian beyond the grave, to that Being, who is the soul's portion, her centre and final happiness.

2. To Jesus the mediator of the new covenant: in and through whom both parts of the covenant are reciprocally conveyed and transmitted. Blessing from God to man, through Christ, and duties from man to God, acceptable through Christ. Come to the Mediator, so as to be united to him; participate a new nature through him (2 Cor. v. 17.); rely on his sacrifice, obey his commandments, and according to the aforementioned figure, to be taken by him at last to the city of God. Rev. iii. 21.

3. To an innumerable company of angels. Good men in this world have indisputably various con

nexions with those superior beings, they are fellowsubjects and servants. (Rev. xxii. 9.) Protected by them. (Ps. xxxiv.7.) Ministers to them. (Heb. i. 14.) Conduct them to heaven. (Luke xvi. 22.) As public heralds, proclaim their Lord's approach. (Matt. xxiv. 31.) The apostle here anticipates our incorporation with those happy spirits in glory. Rev. vii. 9—12. 4. To the spirits of just men made perfect. We are one community, of the same spirit and disposition, loving the same God, enjoying the same felicity, differing only in degree. They are got home, we are going; they have got the prize, we are wrestling for it. They are perfected in knowledge, comparatively; their piety refined into the brightest fire; their devotion feels that ardour which is the character of heaven; their social temper is matured: to these happy souls the Christian is united, and death will soon remove him to their blessed society.

5. To the general assembly, and church of the first born. (Rom. viii. 29; Col. i. 15—18.) It may respect themselves; they are the chiefs, the excellent ones, the first-born. Written in heaven, alluding to the custom of ancient states, who enrolled their free-men; Christians enrolled in heaven (Luke x. 20), to signify, that they have a right to all the high privileges of the city of God. And, when all collected, compose the general assembly, &c. (Matt. xxiv. 31; Rev. vii. 9.) Of this amazing corporation every Christian becomes a member at the moment of his conversion to God. Improvement.

1. Hence see the peculiar excellency of that religion which animates her proselytes with so glorious a Порс.

2. Let our temper and conduct declare our kindred to those serene and happy intelligences.

3. Let the view of these glorious and animating prospects raise our souls to God in grateful adoration of his goodness and love. Ps. xxxi. 21; lxxii. 18, 19.

CHRIST THE MESSENGER OF HIS OWN GOSPEL.

But last of all he sent unto them his Son, saying, they will reverence my Son.-Matt. xxi. 37.

THE method of instructing by parables was much in vogue among all the nations of the east, especially the Jewish. In conformity to this custom, and to convey the most important lessons under lively and sensible images, images suited at once to inform and move his audience, are reasons why our blessed Lord makes such frequent use of parables.

These words are part of a very interesting parable delivered by him to the Jews; and it finishes with an affecting description of God's sending his Son to them, and their ungrateful and cruel treatment of him, Verses 38, 39.

The words of the text furnish us with the following reflections.

I. The dignity of the person whom God employed. to preach the gospel,—his Son.

1. A person superior to Moses, the prophets, and infinitely superior to every other messenger of God.

2. The sublimest titles are bestowed on this Person both in the Old and New Testament; he is styled God's beloved Son; his only Son'; the only begotten of the Father; God over all, blessed for ever; Em

manuel; Jehovah our Righteousness; Alpha and Omega; the perfect image or character of the invisisible God; full of grace and truth; the True, the Righteous, the Holy; has the keys of hell and death.

II. That this is the final interposition of God in our favour, "last of all." It is the last effort of Heaven, the ultimate exertion of divine mercy toward the restoration of man.

1. As he is infinitely superior to all that were before him; so it may well be presumed that none will come after him, and that the message he brings, seals and finishes God's revelation to the children of men Besides,

2. This is the constant language of scripture. Hab. ii. 3. 10. 14. To the same purpose said our Saviour to the Jews. (John viii. 24.) And,

3. This is the reason why the predictions relating to the Messiah, refer his coming to the last days. (Isa. ii. 2.) These expressions "last day," and "the end of the world," &c. are applied to the age of the gospel, to shew that, it is the last dispensation God will vouchsafe to mankind. It is the final message of the Almighty.

III. Our duty, in relation to this sacred Messenger of heaven; to reverence him.

1. By attending to the proofs of his divine mission. This he requires. John v. 31. 38.

2. By receiving him in that capacity with gratitude, love, hope, joy; we should raise our hosannahs (Matt. xxi. 9.); and ascribe glory to God. Luke ii.

14.

3. By embracing the holy errand on which he was sent, and complying with the practical purposes of his mission; “Gcd raised up his Son to bless us." How?

"In turning us from our iniquities," and teaching us "to deny ungodliness," &c. Tit. ii. 12.

4. By forming ourselves according to that sacred model he exhibited to mankind. We must breathe his Spirit, and imitate his graces. John xiii. 15; 1 Peter ii. 21.

5. By receiving pardon and sanctification through that awful method which God has appointed; the blood of his Son. Col i. 14; John i. 7.

6. By daily acts of worship and adoration; honouring the Son as we honour the Father. John v. 23; Rom. xiv. 11.

Improvement.

1. Let us dread the consequences of receiving so much grace and favour from God in vain, by neglecting our day of visitation.

2. If we reverence and respect Jesus Christ, who is God's own Son, so nearly allied to him, we may assuredly expect the favour of the Almighty.

CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS, &c. FINISHED.

He said, It is finished; and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.-John xix. 30.

WHETHER it be that dying men are most serious, and if ever they speak their real sentiments, it must be at that period; or whether it be, that one stepping into the invisible world, is almost considered as a messenger from it, fit to instruct the living how to behave in their future conduct; or, whatever else may be the reason, one thing is certain, that the words of a dying