attribute which has hitherto been exercised for the deliverance of his creatures, will clothe itself in terrors for the ruin of the impenitent. Consider the wretchedness of the unconverted and worldly at that awful hour, "when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord." Already, my brethren, has the city whose history and state we have been now contemplating, been made to feel the terrors of Divine indignation. At the present moment, instead of possessing a flourishing church, it has but a few individuals even professing the religion of Christ; and these, destitute of his word, and ungoverned by its commands, and uncheered by any of its delightful promises. And let it be remembered, that these outward calamities are but the prelude to that final punishment of which the text speaks. Think of the fulfilment of these threats in the world of spirits, and through all the ages of eternity. Think of this "sword of two edges," when, according to the expression of the Prophet," bathed in heaven," it shall sweep away the ranks of the finally unconverted, and consign them to the "second death." Think of arming even the Saviour of the world against you. Think of curses flowing from the only lips which could intercede for you; and judgments inflicted by the very hand which is stretched out to stay the instrument of vengeance, and quench the fires of eternal punishment.

IV. But, in the fourth and last place, let us turn to the far more delightful employment of considering the PROMISES WITH WHICH OUR TEXT CLOSES. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." Among the false professors in Pergamos-those unhappy individuals, baptized indeed into the faith of Jesus, but neither treading in his steps nor breathing his spirit-there were to be found some simple and faithful servants of God, steadily" fighting the good fight of faith," struggling with the flesh within and the world without, carrying the war even into the enemy's country, and winning every day fresh trophies under the banner of the Cross. To them were these promises made. But let all individuals engaged in the arduous conflict of religion, all the good soldiers of Christ, listen to the voice from heaven, which, in the language of the text, cheers them onward in the perilous march, assures them of a portion of the prize even here, and of the certainty of their future and eternal triumph.

"To him that overcometh," it is said, "I will give to eat of the hidden manna. As the Jews were fed with "angels' food," with "manna from heaven," in the wilderness, so even here shall the bread of heaven be showered down on those who have rejected the impurities of sense for the pleasures of the sanctuary. And when this conflict is over, and the Christian soldier has sealed his victory, by the death of faith, he shall sit with angels at "the marriage-supper of the

Lamb," and feed on the bread of eternal life, and drink of its waters, from the hand of his Redeemer. Joys unknown to others, the "hidden manna," shall be given him. Every hope shall be accomplished; every longing be satisfied; and he shall be filled out of the "fulness of Him that filleth all in all." He shall "hunger no more, neither thirst any more; but the Lamb, who is in the midst of the throne, shall lead him by living fountains of water; and God shall wipe away all tears from his eyes."

But, it is said also, "I will give him a white stone." This expression may possibly refer to the custom prevalent among the Romans, of presenting to the absolved or acquitted person a white stone, in testimony of his acquittal. Such a mark of acquittal, it is stated in the text, shall be presented to the man absolved through the blood of his Redeemer, and by the compassion of his God. Or this expression may, perhaps, with still more propriety, be referred to the custom, said to prevail among the Jews, of presenting, to such of the Priests and Levites as were considered in a state of purity befitting their high office, before they entered on the service of the sanctuary, a stone, on which were engraven both the name of the individual, and the incommunicable name of Jehovah. And, in like manner, it is here intimated, that there shall be presented to the victorious soldier of the Cross a stone, stamped with the "new name" of the Saviour of sinners-with the Name whose value and attractions are known to none but those who receive it"—who, in the trying hours of this earthly pilgrimage, have prayed in that name, have confided in it, honoured it, and ven

tured upon it all concerns of the soul, and all the interests of eternity; on you, if constant and victorious, shall be conferred all the privileges pledged to the world by the sacred "name" of the Messiah-the "Anointed One of God." O how glorious is the scene which the text, thus considered, unfolds to us! Behold the faithful follower of a crucified Saviour, struggling, perhaps, in the last agony between life and death; pitied and wept over by the by-standers; every object of his earthly affection fading on his eye, and the shadows of death darkening the whole field of vision. Wait for a moment, and then follow him but a step beyond that last conflict. The chain is broken; the spirit is free; he has met his Lord in the air; the white stone of acquittal is presented to him; his doubts and fears are dispersed for ever; he is borne on angels' wings to the region of unalterable happiness and love! Oh, who would detain him here? who would not seek the same Lord, and live in the same Spirit, that he might enter into the same world of peace and glory?" Blessed Lord, may we be among the privileged number who thus overcome. Thou alone canst save us. Thou alone canst cast our transgressions into the depths of the sea,' and bestow upon us a title to eternal life. Give us constancy to thine own great Name;' courage in the profession of thy faith;' a deep and universal hatred of all sin, and love of all virtue. Pardon us, sanctify us, fit us for heaven; and then, in thine own good time, take us to it."-May such, my Christian brethren, be the prayer of every individual in this assembly; and may every part of our daily practice correspond with it! May we be

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"followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises!" And, finally, may the "God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after we have suffered a while," if suffering be necessary to us, "make us perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle To Him be glory for ever and ever."

us.

SERMON XII.

THE CHURCH OF SARDIS.-NOMINAL RELIGION.

REV. iii. 1-6.

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received, and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names, even in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same