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can you expect to be able to sing it in heaven? How shall you bear a part in that harmony which you have not studied? For, in whatever state of soul we leave this world, in the same state we shall enter into the next. If we have had no love of God, or of his worship, in this life; if we have had no pleasure in meditating on his revelation, and contemplating his glory; if we have not joined with the assembly of his servants, "in psalms, and hymns, and spi"ritual songs, singing and making melody "in our hearts to the Lord;"* how can we expect to be able to join the choir of the ministering spirits round the throne?

We are apt to imagine, my brethren, that change of place, from this earth to the invisible world, will produce in us, in some manner, we know not how, a change of mind. But the scriptures have revealed to

* Eph. v. 19.

us, that there is no change of heart in the life to come. Our Saviour hath declared,

that the conversion of the heart must take

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place in this world. Except ye be con"verted, and become as little children, ye "shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."*

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Except a man be born again, he cannot "see the kingdom of God,"† That spiri

tual change of soul, which, agreeably to our Saviour's declaration, must pass upon EVERY man who shall see God, must pass upon him in this life. If he die in his sin, his sin remaineth with him. The sin cleaveth to the soul, and is one with it. There will, indeed, be a change of mind, in another sense; there will be a conversion of sentiments and feelings. Indifference to religion will be changed into alarm and reproach of conscience, and the triumph of the wicked will be turned into despair. But, if a man

* Matt. xviii. 8.

+ John iii. 3.

die with his mind filled with evil passions, such as malice, revenge, avarice, and sensual desires, or with the lust of ambition, (by which the angels fell, and by which, at this day, men of the HIGHEST EMINENCE fall, like the angels) his soul will appear before God as being still a fit receptacle for the same passions; for the divine grace shall be no longer in exercise to draw the soul to repentance, nor the blood of Christ be applied to cleanse it from sin. Let us then understand, my brethren, that this earth alone is the scene for " repentance unto life;" and believing this, let us supplicate our heavenly FATHER, that, in this our day of Grace, and of his rich mercy, we may attain unto that change of mind which hath been preached unto us by his well-beloved SON; and which is wrought in us for his merits, through the promised influence, and gracious operation, of the HOLY GHOST.

III. How ought this subject to affect those families which live in the total neglect of the worship of God! or, more properly, how ought it to affect the fathers of such families; for every FATHER is, by the ordination of God, the PRIEST and KING of his household. If there be no supplication, nor thanksgiving upon earth, if the hearts and voices of the young be not early attuned to the praise of the Redeemer, how shall such a family join in the Jubilee of heaven? How can the parent hope to see his child, at a future day, enjoying that blissful scene? There must exist, in his breast, less hope, less confidence, than that which inspires the darkened mind of the poor Indian, who falls down before his image, and says, "make me happy, with my wife and "children, beyond the skies!" How painful it is to reflect, that there should be in this kingdom, many domestic societies, among whom the worship of the Deity is

not known; in whose houses no grateful accents are ever heard, no exultation of heart for the divine goodness. There are, indeed, accents of exultation and mirth; and "the harp, and the viol, and the tabret, " and the pipe, are in their feasts;" but there is no remembrance of God; " they

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regard not the operation of his hands." While even inanimate nature, in a certain sense, offereth praise to the great Creator, and fulfilleth his will, THESE pass through life in silence! Insensible to the mercies, or judgments, or power, or providence, of the unseen God; yea, more insensible than the inhabitants of heathen lands, upon whom the light of truth hath never shined.

How different is the scene which is presented in those happy families, where the voice of prayer and thanksgiving consecrates every day! where the word of God is

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