ruption, and may so soon be suspended by death, that we cannot rest in any earthly connexion as completely satisfying, undisturbed or secure. But there is a friendship which has nothing of this uncertainty and none of this alloy. The love of Him who sticketh closer than a brother is substantial and sincere, and the joy which is hereafter to be revealed at the right hand of God is as large as the capacities of our immortal souls, and as lasting as the duration of eternity.

Brethren, I have laboured to give this promise, which closes the epistle to the Church of Pergamos, a clear and satisfactory elucidation. And before I can consistently draw the subject to that practical conclusion which I would desire, I must briefly recapitulate the topics touched on in my remarks on this epistle, for it will assist your conceptions of the importance of the promise by having in your minds the tout ensemble of the picture. I have considered at large the introductory description of the Saviour, as having the sharp sword with two edges, and have sought to place before you the nature of the commendation passed on the members of the Church of Pergamos, that they did not deny the name or the faith of Christ in times of persecution, and in a place of great abominations. It was considered as a general feature of this Church, that the members were sound in doctrine, though tempted to deny the divinity of Christ and its collateral doctrines. We then considered the censure passed upon this Church for the toleration of those who held the doctrine of Balaam, and I entered into a full elucidation of the meaning of these terms, drawing from the whole the vitally important practical remarks, that it is possi

ble to be zealous for the truth, and strenuous in its support, and yet be cold and indifferent to that which is dishonourable to God and ruinous to the souls of men; that worldly compliance is awfully dangerous and ruinous, and that it is possible to have a pure speculative faith, and yet live an unholy life. I then considered the exhortation and the threat of God"Repent, or I will come quickly and fight against thee with the sword of my mouth;" and then, as in the present discourse, sought to elucidate the peculiar and difficult tenor of the promise with which the epistle closes.

And now, my brethren, how does this whole subject apply itself to you? for as I read this glorious promise, and as I know that it reaches to the inmost heavens, I must not forget that the Saviour, in whose gift the blessing is, has confined it to a class which he has himself described. "To him that overcometh!" Overcometh-this Overcometh-this presupposes enemies, trials and temptations; overcometh—this presupposes contest and struggle; overcometh-this presupposes victory. Overcometh-overcometh what? Need I answer, every temptation to deny the name and faith of Christ, whether it be speculative or whether it be practical; every enticement to sin; every encroachment of worldly compliance; every vain or worse than vain attempt to worship at the same time God and mammon? Overcometh-overcometh what? Every species of indifference to that which is dishonourable or displeasing to God; every thought of carelessness about your souls; every lurking desire of procrastination. Overcomethovercometh what? Every impious attempt to build upon a holy faith an unholy life; every hope of fu

it

ture blessedness save that which grows from a living faith and a converted heart. And remember, ye that have listened this evening to the promise, that it belongs only to Him who can bear on his brow the laurel of the victor. Unless ye have fought against these enemies, and unless by grace ye have conquered, to you this promise comes not; for you is there no hidden manna; for you no white stone, as the pledge of friendship; no new name, as the earnest of eternal life. Who, who among this vast assemblage, who are the friends of Jesus? Who have made with him this special contract? So long have I occupied your attention, brethren, that I have not time to pursue the practical remarks to the length to which they might be carried. But permit me to ask you, wanderers through this wilderness, what is upon which you fasten your affections? What is that in which your soul delighteth? Is Christ as precious to your souls as was the manna to the Israelites? Is your hungering and thirsting, after righteousness? You may eat the fat of the land, and you may riot in its plenty, but this is all nothing; have you the rich promise and the present foretastes of that hidden manna? Oh how much you lose in time and in eternity, by setting your affections upon things below, and yielding yourselves the willing victims. of your specious, yet soul-destroying adversary. Against the world; against the flesh, and against the devil, you must fight, ay, and you must be victorious before you can even taste the present pleasures of the promise. Do this-through grace you may be omnipotent, for saith the Apostle, "I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth." Do this, and the hidden manna will be yours, as certain as the

veracity of heaven. Yes, you shall find-for I dare to promise it—you shall find that the supplies of spiritual strength, the hallowed affection that loves, and the attempered zeal that serves, shall be freely and faithfully bestowed upon you. Daily shall your fainting and your failing powers be renewed by the influence of the Holy Ghost. Thus shall you be enabled to endure every hardship, to meet the assaults of every enemy, and to overcome every difficulty, till you shall arrive at the promised land above, and eat of that now hidden manna, on which the spirits of just men made perfect now feed and banquet, and which shall be their and shall be your unfailing sustenance while eternity endures. The pledge and the earnest of this is the white stone and the new name of the conquerer. Who is there among you so low, so grovelling, as that he will not aspire to be the friend of Christ? Oh how much is implied in that one term; present joys, fond endearments, well-tried love, support in life, comfort in death, glory in eternity. Base born souls are they who can permit the slavery of the world to keep them from this union which connects them with the Lord of angels and of men! Shame, shame on the ignoble disposition which prefers the vanities of earth to the realities of heaven! Would that I could rouse you to the holy ambition of being friends of Christ; of having your name associated with his as brethren, closely united. Rather than that my head should wear the most costly crown which now sits on the brow of the mightiest monarch of this world, would I be the poor,-yet richer than the richest-individual, that one whom the Lord of glory shall honour with the white stone of his infinite friendship.

"Oh let my name engraven stand,
Both on his heart and on his hand;
Seal me upon thine arm and wear
That pledge of love for ever there.

Stronger than death his love is known,
Which floods of wrath could never drown;

And hell and earth in vain combine,

To quench a flame so much divine.

But I am jealous of my heart,

Lest it should once from Him depart;
Then let His name be well imprest
As a fair signet on my breast."

Why, brethren, I wish you had the patience, and I' the time and the strength, to carry out this subject. It demands angelic fervour, and a harp tuned to the melody of heaven. The friendship of Jesus-the friendship of Jesus, promised to the conquering Christian for time and for eternity. Oh look ye to the day of judgment. On that throne sits the omnipotent Saviour. Where are his friends? They press around him. The white stone-the white stone-who has it? Jesus, the Judge, has in his hand the corresponding part. He compares it with his friends'; every counterfeit will be detected, and for those who are impostors, there will be mourning, mourning at the bar of judgment. But his friendshis friends will be gathered together; he will own the contract, and while they shout grace, grace unto Almighty God, he will say, Come, ye blessed, ye are mine; this day I make up my jewels; this day my temple is finished; enter ye in. Songs of praises burst on the air, and the portals of the city which hath foundations are opened. There is here disclosed to the conqueror, the sustaining manna, the praise, the glory, the crown. The vision has