Thus let us learn to dwell upon this subject, and to derive from it the consolations and the hopes which it holds forth to us not less than to the beloved apostles. We behold not, like them, the Redeemer in His ascension to glory : but for us is the declaration recorded, that hereafter He shall so come in like manner as He went up into heaven; and then we shall behold Him He shall so come, that is, He shall come in the clouds, and angels shall attend Him: but under circumstances how different from those which accompanied His ascension! There was then no extraordinary commotion: no sign from heaven announced the wonderful event but His next coming will be proclaimed by the voice of an archangel, and with the trump of God. When the clouds received Him out of the sight of His apostles, there appeared unto them only two angels, and these were like men in white apparel: but on that future day a countless multitude will be with Him, clothed in the garments of immortality. His departure from the earth was witnessed by a few disciples: at His return all that are in their graves shall come forth; and every eye shall see Him.† Was this a subject of holy comfort and encourage

* John v. 29.

+ Rev. i. 7.

ment to the apostles? And is it the habit of His faithful servants to be looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ, the great God, and our Saviour?* May we, my brethren, in the contemplation of these things, like them, also be looking for, and hasting unto the coming of that day; and finally, with them, be welcomed to the presence, and enter into the joy of the Lord.

*Titus ii. 13.

+ 2 Pet. iii. 12.

SERMON VIII.

REJOICING IN THE SABBATH.

PSALM xcii. 1, 2.

"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Thy name, O Most High: to shew forth Thy loving-kindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness every night."

THERE are few things by which men of real religion are more distinguished from the men of the world, than by the disposition with which they enter upon the service of God, and the enjoyment and delight which it affords them. The day of holy rest may generally be expected to find a welcome from all classes of society; and many who are but partially influenced by the spirit of religion, will on that day turn with willing feet to the courts of the Lord. But it is one thing to bend the knee, and another to offer the worship which is in spirit and in truth; the language of devotion it is easy to utter: the test of the faithful worshipper is the

spirit of devotion. To him the day which is set apart for intercourse with his Maker, shines the best and the brightest of all the seven; amidst the distractions of the world, he looks forward to it as an interval of peace; he expects it as a day of refreshment to his soul; a season when earthly cares shall for a time be suspended, and so far as the condition of this state will allow, he shall join in the occupations of a higher world, and hold converse with his God. With these feelings, and in this spirit, he gives himself to the service of prayer and praise; rejoicing that he has the privilege of approaching a throne of grace, and permission to lift up his hands to Him that dwelleth in the heavens.* Such is eminently the spirit which dictated the Psalm before us; it is entitled A SONG FOR THE SABBATH DAY; and the sacred writer commences by expressing in an abrupt and forcible manner, the lively interest which he took in its holy solemnities: It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High.

In meditating on this subject, let us

I. Consider THE NATURE OF THE DEVOTIONAL SERVICE HERE RECOMMENDED, AS * Psalm cxxiii. 1.

angels cry aloud; whom apostles and prophets and martyrs praise, and the holy church throughout all the world doth acknowledge, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

But there are special subjects of meditation and thankfulness; and of these the Psalmist cites in particular, the loving-kindness, and the faithfulness of God; it is a good thing to shew forth thy loving-kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.

For the illustration of this idea, he directs our attention in the following verses, to the works, and the judgments, and the mercies of God. All these testify the loving-kindness, and faithfulness of the Most High; and the more closely they are examined, the more clear and decisive will be their testimony.

(1.) In deducing an argument of praise from the works of God, he says, Thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work; I will triumph in the works of thy hands; O Lord, how great are thy works, and thy thoughts are very deep.* To a mind like his every thing which bears the mark of the divine hand, attests not merely the power, but the wisdom, and goodness, and truth of the Creator. The great predominant design

* Psalm xcii. 4, 5.