III. In heavy losses and disappointments, the assurance of a resurrection is a neverfailing source of consolation. The "race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong." Diligence, industry, and integrity, offer a reasonable prospect of success. But the result of these is not certain. Even in their most honest, best-directed efforts to advance themselves in life, men frequently fail of their object; and without any fault or want of diligence on their part, are reduced by unexpected and inevitable losses and calamities, to indigence and penury. Those especially who have been accustomed to the conveniences, perhaps the luxuries of life, cannot but deeply feel the sudden privation of them as a severe affliction. And they are often made to feel it more acutely by the falseness of pretended friends, who fawned upon them in prosperity, and insult them in their adversity. Suffering, Suffering, then, under the pressure of hardships which they have been neither accustomed nor prepared to encounter; stung with the ingratitude of the base and frivolous; ready to murmur at the decrees of Providence, which have plunged them into calamities greater than, in the ordinary course of things, they had reason to expect; in such circumstances, and in such a

state of mind, how important to them is the knowledge, that "here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come;" that as our treasure is not here, so neither should our heart be fixed here. "Let not your heart be troubled," said our Lord; "ye believe in God, believe also in me." "I go to prepare a you. And if I go and prepare a you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also"."

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He that arms himself with this knowledge, will not suffer the loss of this world's goods to destroy his tranquillity. Under the heaviest reverses, his patience, though shaken, will not fail. He will comfort and uphold himself and his friends; he will say, "Weep not." "We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out'.' "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away."

IV. Lastly. Of all the situations of life to which this consolation is applicable, there is none in which it is more efficient and valuable, than when it supports us under the shock of seeing those we love, torn from us by the remorseless hand of death. "Dust thou art,

and unto dust thou shalt return," is the universal doom. All must yield to it. Day by day, death claims his victims; strikes them in the bosom of domestic happiness; snatches them from the arms of friendship.

Many a widowed mother has followed the remains of an only son. Many an affectionate heart has felt the cruel pangs of separation from a darling child; from a fond and protecting parent; from a faithful partner; from a dear and valued friend. Many a one sees those he loves consigned to the earth, and bitterly exclaims, as David did, “Would God I had died for thee." But wishes such as these avail nothing. Let the afflicted mourner rather turn to his Bible. He will find consolation in the advice of St. Paul-" that ye sorrow not even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him".

Of the value of such consolation, all of us can form some conception. But they only can truly estimate it, who have been actually placed in a situation to experience all its efficacy. Are there any such here? Are there any who have hung in despair over the death-bed of him they loved; have gazed on

1 Thess. iv. 13, 14.

This wasted and anxious countenance; caught his last glance, fondly turned on them ;—seen his pale lips move, wishing, but unable to utter the accents of love and consolation ;→ watched his faint attempt to smile, to express resignation, and impart comfort;—felt the chill and feeble pressure of his hand, striving to assure them, that the heart, in which the last pulse is beating, still feels the warmth of affection :-if there be any here who have known the agonizing feelings of the human soul at this trying moment, to them I appeal ; them I call upon to estimate the value of the "hope that is in Christ Jesus." What can console, what can support them through this heart-rending scene? What, but that holy Religion, whose "still small voice" is gradually heard amidst the fiercest conflict of the passions; which whispers, "Weep not!" Jesus Christ is "the resurrection and the life." He raised the widow's son. He will raise him whom ye mourn. Ye part not for ever. Ye may meet again, in a world where "all tears shall be wiped away;" and where hearts united in the bonds of affection, shall never again be torn asunder.

These are some of the consolations which belong to those who have hope in Christ Jesus. These are, I say, some of the consola

tions; for, in every situation of life in which consolation or encouragement can be required, it may be derived from this hope. Frequently, then, habitually, reflect upon that glorious resurrection, which is the assurance and the first fruits of our resurrection. Call to mind the unspeakable love of that gracious Redeemer, by whose sufferings and sacrifice this blessed hope was purchased for us.

Let the remembrance of these mercies accompany us in every scene, in every situation of this eventful life. Let it not be lost even amidst the anxious cares and the urgent urgent duties of our respective stations in the world. Let it be ever present, to excite us to shew forth the praise of our merciful Lord "not only with our lips, but in our lives." And, above all, let it occupy our thoughts, whensoever we join the congregation of our fellow Christians; whether to lift up our voice in prayer, and in praise; or to approach the altar in grateful commemoration of Christ's death; and of the inestimable benefits which he has conferred upon us. Those, especially, who have known griefs such as we have alluded to, and have experienced the consolations of this hope; those, whose tears have been wiped away and whose sorrows have been healed; let those ever preserve the recollection of these things