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lie always upon their arms: to work, as the Jews did in rebuilding the temple, with their trowel in one hand and a sword in the other. This must be tiresome; and yet this is not the worst: they have an enemy within their own breast, from which they have more to fear than from any foreign enemy whatever. Many a painful struggle have they had with a hard heart, a slothful heart, a stubborn heart, an unbelieving heart, a "heart deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked:" and being obliged to keep it" with all diligence," it is no wonder if, at length, tired out with such constant watching and frequent encounters, they cry out with earnestness, "Oh, wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death."

4. Laborious services.

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Christians are not only soldiers, but servants: they must not only fight the Lord's battles, but do the Lord's work. Dangers will not excuse from duty when they have got the better of any temptation, they may rejoice, but they must not be idle. Their work is never done: there are duties to God, and duties to man; duties of their common calling, and duties of religion; and when one duty is over, there is another waiting for them; so that a Christian can never find time to say to his soul, "Soul, take thine ease." Now, though their heart is in their work, and they delight to do the will of God, yet they cannot hold out always: if the spirit be willing, the flesh is weak :-they long to " go up to the house of the Lord;" where they have spent some of the happiest hours of their lives, but they cannot walk so far they long to retire into their

closets, and shut the door, and pray to their Father in secret, and enjoy that endearing freedom and fellowship which formerly they did; but they feel themselves too weak to wrestle with God; they have hardly strength enough for silent meditation; they are tired with only attempting to think, so confused and unmanageable are their thoughts. In this pitiable state have many of the Lord's people languished for days, and weeks, waiting and wishing that the time to favour them would come, when they shall have leave to die, and shall rest from those labours to which they are now no longer equal.The long-expected time at last arrives: a messenger from their heavenly Father beckons them away. At the welcome summons, they take a cheerful leave of the world, and all its vanities and vexations, and enter into that rest which remaineth to the people of God.

With pleasure we follow them--and proceed to the next general observation, viz.

II. That the world to come is a state of rest and recompence.

And this rest is Certain, Seasonable, Entire, and Everlasting. Here is now a field opened for the most delightful contemplation: and yet even here we have no time to saunter: we can only dip the top of our rod in the honey, as we pass along the wilderness ;-it is satisfaction enough to know that we are travelling towards a land flowing with milk and honey.

I said,

1. This rest is certain.

And I mention this first, because, unless you are well convinced of this, nothing that I can say of

its excellency will have any weight. What would it signify, if I were to go to any of you, when you were bowed down -with trouble, and say, Come, do not give way to grief: who can tell but brighter days may come: perhaps there remaineth a rest to the people of God: perhaps there may be another state after this, where you may have a happier lot. There hath been a tradition handed down (though I know not upon what authority), that "they that sow in tears, shall reap in joy:" perhaps it may be true; therefore pluck up your spirits and rejoice in hope.'-Ah, my friends, this were poor consolation and if I could produce no better authority than common report, and precarious peradventures, you might well turn away in disgust, and say, "Miserable comforters are ye all." But, thanks be to God! there is a surer foundation for

your

faith and joy. "Believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest" them. This brings the matter, to a clear and speedy issue; for "life and immortality are brought to light by the Gospel." The promise of God, and the purchase of Christ, put it out of all doubt. "Let not your hearts be troubled," said the Lord of Life to his sorrowing disciples; ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John xiv. 1, 2, 3.)

Indeed, the honour of God seems to require that there should be such a state of rest and retribution for his faithful, suffering servants. They forsake

t all, to follow him; deny themselves; take up their cross; and count not their lives dear unto them, for the sake of Christ and the gospel: and it would be a reflection upon God, as if he were worse than common masters, if any were permitted to serve him for nought." But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly; wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city." (Heb. xi. 16.)

2. Seasonable.

He times the translation of his own people to the ✓ best advantage: none are taken to heaven too soon, nor kept out of it too long. Indeed, with respect to us who are left behind, we are many times ready to think it too soon. Never, never was the death of a saint seemingly more unseasonable than now, when there are so few to stand in the gap between an angry God, and a guilty land. They are "the chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof." Next to the presence and favour of God, they are our best defence; and if a breach be made in this barrier, who knows what desolating judgments may break in. On this account, the death of eminent saints at such a crisis may well be lamented as unseasonable. But the very circumstance that makes their removal so regretted by survivors, is that which peculiarly endears it to the saints themselves; for they are mercifully“ taken from the evil to come." They have already endured a great fight of affliction ; have borne the burthen and heat of the day; have gone through many trying scenes, which, though at the time they bore them with exemplary fortitude, yet insensibly wasted their strength and spirits: and just when they were ready to sink under the pres

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sure of present trials, and the dread of approaching ones then doth the Father of Mercies who had all along observed, and indeed appointed, their trials; mixed every bitter cup, they had tasted; who knew their frame; how much affliction they needed, and how much they could bear; and loved them too well to suffer them to be tried above their strength I say,, when the Father of Mercies sees.: that Patience hath had her perfect work, he kindly : puts an end to their sufferings: Go,' says he to Death, gather my saints together, unto me, those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice, before I pour out my fury on a rebellious nation: go and fetch me that precious servant of mine. I will gather my wheat into my garner, before I burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.' There fore, let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (Gal. vi. 7.)

. 3. Entire

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Complete and perfect; a rest from every kind, and from every degree, of trouble. Here, we are sometimes delivered from one vexation; but, then,> another starts up in its room, and gives us fresh disturbance but when once the people of God. enter into that rest which remaineth for them above, they take leave of all those things which had been the causes of uneasiness to them below. For ex ample:

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They rest from all bodily infirmities. No more coughs, nor swellings, nor suffocations; now list lessness, nor languors; no trembling hands, nor feeble knees. All those complaints, and every other complaint, gone, entirely gone; and the inhabitants

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