SERMON LXXXI.

A REST TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

Hebrews, iv., 11.-Let us labour, therefore, to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

THOUGH man's salvation primarily depends on God-yet secondarily on man.-When we see so many who begun in the spirit, and who ended in the flesh, we need the exhortation.

I. What is the rest?

II. Consider the exhortation how we are to labour.
III. The motive to actuate us, "lest any man fall," &c.

I. What is the rest?

1. It is a rest from outward labour and toil.

2. A rest from sin; not from sin in the believer, for of this he is saved in time; but from the sinful sights he sees, and the temptations he meets with.-As the mariner is tossed, and put in danger of his life, the sea calms, and he gets to his port in safety.-What joy!

3. It is a glorious rest. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard," &c.—We shall appear with him in glory.-As the soldier comes home crowned with laurels, so we, the soldiers of Christ, shall get home crowned with glory-crowns of glory on our heads!

4. It is an eternal rest.-If we could look to any period when that rest would cease, it would cause pain.

II. Consider the exhortation how we are to labour.

1. In prayer.

2. In self-examination-a duty too much neglected by Christians.

-Query? A third head?

III. The motive to actuate us, "lest any man fall," &c. As faith is the grand means of our salvation, so is unbelief of our destruction. It is the first cause of our sinning,

and we never disobey God till we disbelieve him. See our first parents they disbelieved that they would die, and then they disobeyed.

For example, in the context here is the Israelites.

SERMON LXXXII.

THE GENERAL JUDGMENT.

Revelation, xx., 11-15.—And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them; and they were judged every man according to their works.

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

1. INTRODUCE the general judgment by showing the states of the book of Revelation, and by dwelling on them in their order, particularly the millennium; after which this follows.

2. Prove the certainty of the judgment from the whole word of God.-Quote all the passages in the prophets, &c., for this purpose.

3. Describe it by again going over all those passages, and adding any new matter to heighten the awful scene; as Daniel, &c., &c.

4. Show the sinner condemned by himself; God causing the sinner even to pass sentence on his own soul, not that he was a sinner, but that he neglected so great a salvation. Describe that salvation-God dying for man !—Divine blood!-Show how no other ransom would do; and make the sinner confess that such infinity of love so despised demanded infinity of punishment.-Show the sinner as craving his own sentence at the hands of God, and his mouth shut -God unwilling to damn him-but justice requiring it. "I never made hell for you! but depart into everlasting fire."

-In the application ask the sinner to weigh the cost!that he sees the fair end of his race; ask, can he endure everlasting fire, or that torture shown under the strongest figures? If he think he can, if his bones brass, &c., well, go on! you will soon receive this just reward!-If awakened, then stop; do not take another step, lest that step should be into hell! Cry for mercy, &c.

-"Behold, he cometh with clouds," &c.; clothed with a garment down to the foot, &c.-his head and his hair were white like wool, and his feet like burnished brass-his countenance is as the sun shining in his strength.-The sight made John fall at his feet as dead!—like a jasper, &c.—The elders round him in white, and crowns of gold, &c.—Out of the throne came lightnings and thunderings, &c., and before the throne a sea, &c.-Fall on us and hide us from his face. Who shall be able to stand ?-A great multitude clothed in white, &c.-a sea of glass mingled with fire, and standing on it with harps, &c.-I heard, as it were, the sound of many waters-his eyes were as a flame of fire-on his head were many crowns, and a name written, "The Word of God."-Out of his mouth goes a sharp swordKing of Kings, &c.-He that is unjust, let him be so still! &c., &c., &c.

THE END.