out of the riches of his glory, by Christ Jesus."

Heaven is the best and the happiest world: it is the centre of all excellence: it is the place where the Deity, while he vails his glories from all other parts of his dominions, gives the richest manifestations of himself; and, from the amplitude of his own benevolence, perfects the felicity of all his holy attendants. Heaven is the exalted abode of the noblest, and wisest, and purest existences, of thrones, and dominions, and principalities, and powers; it is the seat of the highest intellectual and moral improvement: there, no mind is debased by ignorance, or deformed by vice; there, no countenance is sullied with tears, no heart is worn with grief; but knowledge, and holiness, and exultation, unite to diffuse one bright and eternal day around all the myriads of that illustrious society.

This palace of the Deity is the only proper home of his children: it is therefore denominated, their incorruptible and unfading inheritance. They enjoy a right in it, founded on the covenant of grace: it is "the gift of God, through Jesus Christ." It is called their Father's house, because, at the termination of their pilgrimage, they shall assemble in his presence, sit at his table, share his munificence,

and live together in uninterrupted and perpetual harmony. It is called the kingdom of glory, because every mind will possess the most exalted virtue, every christian conqueror will be distinguished by everlasting rewards,—and every form will be arrayed in celestial beauty.

This is the holy and happy world to which our minds should be elevated in prayer. Our Divine Father would not that we should grovel in the dust, and be riveted to the perishing satisfactions of the present life: but that we should seek those things which are above, where " Christ sitteth on the right hand of God;" and anticipate those joys which are "unspeakable and full of glory." How should the thought, that we are to dwell with him for ever; to behold his splendour with undazzled eyes; to sit on thrones of glory; to hold fellowship with the kings and princes of heaven; loosen the cords that bind us to this transitory world, and emancipate us from the bondage of the senses! How powerfully should it attract us to the throne of grace, that, by frequent intercourse with God, our minds may become assimilated to the purity of that exalted state! How should it subdue and annihilate that selfish and party spirit which has so long distracted the church of Christ; and

dashed with bitterness the cup of joy which paternal goodness has put into our hands; and disunited the friends and followers of the Lamb, -members of the same family, and children of the same Father! All that love the Lord Jesus Christ, are members of the same family, and children of the same Father. Who then should abandon all unnecessary causes of disunion? Who should cultivate the spirit of love? Who should keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace? Who should put away from among them all wrath, and malice, and envy, and evil speaking? Who should receive each other with fraternal affection, and mutually exercise all the tender charities of the gospel? These obligations devolve on you, believers; not only in relation to those who agree with you in all the minor articles of religious opinion, but in relation to Christians of every class, who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. "Put on, therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; and, above all things, put on charity which is the bond of perfectness."

Our Father who art in heaven, who art the source of all devout and benevolent affections, grant that all thy children may be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord,

of one mind. Let the consideration of thine ineffable love to them unite them in bonds of of pure and perpetual affection; and let their love to thee be exemplified by an attachment to each other, the most sincere and fervent. Centring their regards in thee, as the amiable Parent of "the whole family in heaven and earth;" may they conduct themselves agreeably to their exalted relation, by evincing every disposition that is essential to filial obedience, and by continued preparation for that glorious state where purity and love are perfect and eternal!