centuries would appear but as a span long; and their days, and the certainty of dying, and the dread of their approaching diffolution would pall the appetite for the other part of the promise, the good things that were to be the confequence of their obedience; and cause them to quit the world with regret, and perhaps with ingratitude for the most exquisite enjoyments of a limited existence.

And even admitting (what I think with good reason we should admit) that the notion of a future ftate was entertained by some of the wifest of the Jews, (though not expreffed in their law) yet did it exert itself so faintly on the bulk of the people, that the comfort it afforded them,

was little (if any thing) more preferable

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able to certain death, and a final diffolution; than a doubtful hope is to a certain danger. And it is a nice point to determine, in which cafe they would be the happiest ; whether in a temporary enjoyment of all worldly bleffings, under an affurance of going into the land where all things are forgotten, never to ex

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any more; or to live in the fame enjoyment in painful fufpence, with perplexing thoughts of a dubious eternity.

The law of Mofes exprefsly promifes length of days to the whole nation of the Jews, or a continuation of their existence to the longest period of human life; proportioned (we may be fure) to the frame and conftitution of every individual; and

this not barely in confequence of their living in temperance, soberness, and chastity; which naturally produce a long life; but moreover (as the notion of a reward implies) by the donation of God himself; who would conftantly watch over them, and preferve the lives of the righteous from the many various accidents. of nature, and in the hottest conflicts with their enemies; their minds vigorous and lively; and their bodies, active, healthful, and strong.

This, and nothing lefs, was implied in the promise of God by Mofes by the word life. But what is all this to the life promised by the gospel? What are a thousand years to eternity? As a drop to the ocean !---Eternity! An ocean of ages! Extended, with

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without bounds; unfathomable, incomprehenfible. To die is natural, is necessary to the body. But to live for ever! is the glorious privilege of human fouls, in their own nature' immortal and of divine original; and to have their bodies raised, and refined from corruption, and rendered fit to accompany them to endless ages. This is the great reward promised by Jesus Christ to all that obey his gofpel; and fo far exceeds the life promised by Mofes; that they who look for the former, are always defirous to finish the latter; for their "wifh is," with St. Paul, "to die "and to be with Christ, which is far

better." So far is it from being our interest to live here, that "to "die is gain :" and on this fingle. account, the eternal duration of our existence,

existence, the fanction of the gofpel, must infinitely transcend that of Moses.

What is all the ftrength, beauty, and activity of a mortal, corruptible body, to that of the same body refined, spiritualized, glorified, incorruptible, immortal? Like coarse utenfils of brittle clay, to durable ornaments of burnished gold or filver.---What is the duration of these mouldering mansions, to that of those, which are prepared for us----eternal in the heavens? What is the present power and activity of the foul, presfed down, confined, and encumbered with heavy, fluggish flesh; to the free and unconftrained vigour and energy of the fame foul enlarged, expanded, and purged from error, and the

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