of the Almighty's awful train, when "every eye shall see Him . . . . and all the kindred of the earth shall wail because of Him?" Then let us examine ourselves closely, by the standard of the Word and Life of CHRIST, and seek His grace to live. more absolutely to His glory.

And again, when this first act of the Lord's Judg ment shall be numbered with the great events passed by, and

"THE REIGN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND

PEACE"

shall have been introduced, how happy for this fallen world! But let us think, how far more blissful will be the Estate of those who living in this world are really Christ's! They will have entered on the morning of that glorious "FOR EVER WITH THE LORD;" that wonderful abiding in the presence of the King of Kings; that indissoluble union of the happy ones who sought salvation through His blood and righteousness; which is to be our portion when the Lord shall reign. Then we shall know the fulness of that word which has encouraged us so often while on earth,-"If we suffer we shall also reign with Him." But let us for an instant glance around us. Who is there among the sons of men, with such a glorious period in prospect, that will not "give all diligence to make his calling and election sure"? Alas! alas!-How few are those who seem to care at all about the matter! By nature man is but a poor helpless captive of the Devil's will; enchained, enslaved,―aye, "dead in trespasses and sins."

He

heeds not the vast blessings of the glorious future. The things which God has laid in store for all the children of His love, his eye has never seen, nor his ear heard, nor his heart conceived. They are revealed by the Eternal Spirit, and that Spirit no man has by nature. To him, therefore, they are but foolishness, and so, he heeds them not. Then it behoves us, my brethren, and sisters in Christ,-that we be earnest in our prayers for such; for if this be the state of all the careless world around us, nothing, which we know of, but THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD can rouse them, and break off their bonds. "Pray without ceasing"* therefore, is the right injunction; and we must add thereto as a commandment no less necessary, "Let your speech be always with grace seasoned with salt."+

But again; Beyond the happy period of the Saviour's Reign we look, and see the great Deceiver, Satan, loosed from prison, and

"THE FINAL OUTBREAK OF EVIL” ensue speedily. But we look forward to this last grand effort of iniquity with no feelings of alarm on the behalf of any. Instant and glorious will be the shout which will echo through "the camp of the saints" and through "the Holy City,"-the shout of triumph and of praise. For in a moment will the Power of God arise, and before one of the true servants of Immanuel can be hurt by the assaulting foe, the hosts of Gog and Magog will be overthrown by fire from Heaven. We, if we are Christ's, shall see the work, and join in the grand shout of praise; our † Colossians iv. 6.

1 Thess. v. 17.

shout shall be the signal for a momentary pause, and then the DAY-BREAK, the commencement of earth's sinless state, and the entire removal of iniquity from the sight of man.

But let us learn a lesson here. We find "a thousand years" of punishment are not sufficient to subdue the thirst of Satan after human souls. Then how can any child of man, while yet on earth, expect to remain free at any time from his assaults? What need we have to watch and pray against his power and subtlety! What need to seek sufficient strength from God, wherewith to meet and faithfully resist him! Remember DAVID, HEZEKIAH, PETER, these strong men were overthrown. Now "If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him"*-God will "give His Holy Spirit to them that ask Him." "As thy day, so shall thy strength be."‡

And again; When all the voice of wickedness is hushed in death, by reason of the fire of God, and when the archangel's blast has sounded through the earth and sea, and

"THE GENERAL RESURRECTION OF THE

WICKED"

has ensued, and all the righteous living also, whether in the Heavens or on Earth, are summoned to the GREAT WHITE THRONE of JUDGMENT; not a fear will cloud the brow of any babe in Christ. The feeblest saint who ever bent the knee in prayer, the most hesitating of believers, will glory in a perfect confidence; for there will be no mingling of sheep and *James i. 5. † Luke xi. 11-13.

Deut. xxxiii. 25.

goats before that awful Throne of Majesty. The King shall place "the sheep on His right hand, and the goats on the left." Then let the trembling, doubting, but still praying one, take courage. Is he a believer? Then he shall be on the right hand of the Throne, and SAFE beneath the smile of the Eternal Judge. His doubts and fears distress his spirit in these earthly days, but interfere in no wise with his safety. He feels his utter helplessness, he mourns over the weakness of his faith, he views with horror all the inconsistent actions of his Christian life, and goes on in a chastened spirit through life's pilgrimage. But here is a great secret which might give him comfort,-"NEVERTHELESS, THE FOUndaTION OF GOD STANDETH SURE.' The shipwrecked sailor may be weak and helpless; but if, by some kindly hand of strength, he has been landed on a rock, his weakness is of very slight account: the rock is firm and high enough above the waves, therefore he need fear no evil. THE ROCK IS SAFE. But if so, HE too is secure. Let him but keep his footing there, and all must be well. The storm will surely pass ere long, and friendly hands will bear him home.

But once again. THE NEW HEAVENS and NEW EARTH are formed; and the most glorious city,

"NEW JERUSALEM,"

the centre of the New Earth's peace, descends from God. Here shall the believer rest and commune with his Lord, and with the holy angels who have known no sin; and he shall weep no more. 0 READER, CAN YOU SAY THIS HEAVENLY HOME IS YOURS? Can you feel your footing on the Rock

OF AGES?" and are you abiding thereupon while all the storms of sin and care are passing over? Thence shall you be borne to this Eternal Home. O happy they who find their rest upon this Rock! What peace they have! How sweet, though faint, a foretaste of that bliss to be revealed in New Jerusalem! O that all men who call themselves "Believers" did in truth possess it! But, alas! how can they have it, when they seek for it in such vain places and in such unseemly manner. See how they look for peace in their religious systems, churches, sacraments, services, charities. See how they seek for it, arrayed in their own righteousness; or trusting to God's Mercy, altogether heedless of His Justice; or comparing their own excellence with that of others, and so claiming peace, as if of right. Alas! for them. There is no peace for any such. They are but "like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt." "The way of peace they have not known." Peace is laid up IN CHRIST. In Jesus Christ the only Saviour, crucified and risen, there is peace indeed. He is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life." With faith beholding Him, the substitute for us poor helpless sinners, bearing our iniquities, carrying our sorrows; washing out our guilt, which had been laid on Him, in His most precious blood, and making full atonement, that the Divine Justice of the Triune God might be entirely satisfied,-we hear the wonderful command come forth from the Eternal Throne of the ALL-HOLY ONE, with power to reach the case of every sinner upon earth, "BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS