dant in their nature, there is a DURATION assigned to them which raises them above all other objects in a manner which no language can describe, and which the Infinite Mind can alone understand. It is the restoration of the Divine image, and of that image as never to be effaced, or in the slightest degree sullied. It is, in consequence, the possession of complete happiness, and of that happiness as never to be invaded, in the smallest measure, by its opposite. It is to be admitted to the Paradise of God, and to go no more out for ever. It is to be possessed of everlasting light, and beauty, and strength, and gladness. In life, when all things else may fail us, these spiritual blessings never fail. In death, where every other stay must be insufficient, these are all-sufficient. In the day of doom, when all that earth contains shall be burnt up, these will only begin to be fully ours. In eternity, they shall progress, and bear new fruits, that the worship of heaven may be a lowlier worship, and that the utterance of its praises may clothe the redeemed with a lovelier brightness, and fill them with a more amazing joy. Well may the Christian exclaim-The lines have fallen unto me in pleasant places, I have a goodly heritage.

IV. A further consideration, which should induce an immediate and earnest pursuit of these surpassing benefits, is the Certainty of Obtaining them, if they are duly sought. If required to betake ourselves to a path of much difficulty and

danger, we not only insist on being assured that the end proposed in doing so is good, and worthy of so much toil and hazard; but, before committing ourselves to it, we must see a prospect of success. And even when our movements have been regulated by the wisest circumspection, what is more common than failure? What language is more frequently reaching our ears from the lips of the worldly than that of disappointment? Whether fame, or wealth, or pleasure, be the pursuit, and in whatever direction these may be sought, how few among the many who hope to succeed are really successful? Every path is crowded with competitors, multitudes seeking what a few only can possibly obtain. Men labour all their life long to get gain; and die in poverty. They plan, and strive, in the hope of becoming distinguished, or powerful; and find their lot in obscurity and contempt. Indulging an easy faith, they look onward to many a scene of earthly enjoyment, only to learn, as they approach the enchanted ground, that, instead of gazing on realities, they have been fascinated by the creations of their own fond hopes.

An attempt to prove that this deceptiveness and uncertainty are thus intimately connected with earthly pursuits, or to make it plain that the false anticipations and vexatious failures adverted to, belong, with slight modifications, to every section of the human family, would be an effort to demonstrate what every man must, more or less, see and feel to be true. Hence, could we persuade

ourselves that successful worldliness is inseparable from perfect happiness, it is clear that this is a state which a few only are permitted to realize. In this case, the course before us must be one in which the chances, so to speak, must be fearfully against us-one in which crowds appear whose fallen and shattered state must serve to multiply our own probabilities of failure; while nothing can be descried, beyond a scattered remnant a little more fortunate, to afford the least ground of hope, that we may not be found to labour in vain, and spend our strength for nought. Thus, could we attach to worldly prosperity a value much greater than has ever been found in it, or even claimed for it, this chilling uncertainty might well teach us to wish that some path to happiness were discovered, where, instead of this abounding mockery, those who seek may find.

Such a path has been discovered. Of that narrow way in which the Christian soldier is maintaining his warfare, we have to affirm, that, in addition to its being the only way that can possibly lead to the true ends of human existence, it is the only one in which there is the certainty of success. The worldly may succeed, the Christian must. Believers are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. He who began the good work in them will carry it on until the day of Jesus Christ. They may be conducted through a multitude of changing scenes; but this ever-varying complexion of the present has a constant and intimate reference to

the unalterable arrangements of the future. The forgiveness of their sins, their growth in grace, and their ultimate admission to the mansions of the blessed, these have all the certainty which the promise and the oath of the Eternal can impart to them. I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day. God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us. I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

FINIS.

R. CLAY, PRINTER, BREAD-STREET-HILL.

I.

The LIFE and OPINIONS of JOHN DE WYCLIFFE, D.D. Illustrated principally from his unpublished Manuscripts, with a Preliminary View of the Papal System, and of the State of the Protestant Doctrine in Europe to the Commencement of the Fourteenth Century. With a finely engraved Portrait by E. Finden, from the original Picture by Sir Antonio More, now an Heir-loom to the Rectory of Wycliffe, Richmondshire. Two Vols. 8vo. Second Edition, much improved. Price 1. 1s.

"We feel indebted to Mr. Vaughan for having rolled away from English protestantism the reproach of indifference to this its great confessor, and for enabling the future historian and philosopher, both to analyse the mental phenomena that mark the extraordinary course of this Reformer, and to confute the gratuitous aspersions upon his character and opinions. -In Mr. Vaughan, Wycliffe has found an historian whose diligence has left no source of intelligence unexamined, and whose own stores of information upon ecclesiastical history and antiquities have contributed materially to illustrate his age and sentiments.”—Church of Ireland Magazine.

"A work on the scale of that before us was a desideratum. The chasm is now supplied. Mr. Vaughan has executed his task with learning, sagacity, and spirit, and with more impartiality than either of the preceding (Lewis, Gilpin) biographers."-New Monthly Magazine, Feb. 1829.

"Mr. Vaughan has written laboriously, ably, independently. Wycliffe's arguments and appeals are invariably brought forward in their own behalf. His works are given, both in dissection and in liberal detail, and are thus made more accessible to the general reader than they would have been in their original form.”—Eclectic Review.

"There seems to be no repository of ancient literature in the empire which has escaped the industry of Mr. Vaughan. To the labours of this gentleman I have great obligations to acknowledge. His diligence has enabled him to ascertain the date of many of Wycliffe's performances with an approach to precision which had never before been attained, and thus to trace out, with greater success than any former writer, the progress and developement of the Reformer's convictions."-Professor Le Bas. Rivingtons' Theological Library.

II.

MEMORIALS of the STUART DYNASTY, including the Constitutional and Ecclesiastical History of England, from the Decease of Elizabeth to the Abdication of James II. Two Vols. 8vo. Price 11. 4s.

"Of Mr. Vaughan's talents and acquirements as a writer, we have already spoken favourably in our notice of his elaborate work, 'The Life and Opinions of Wycliffe.' In the present volumes, we discover the same industry and research; the same prudence on doubtful or differently represented points; the same unyielding integrity; and the same elevated tone of patriotic and moral feeling, while, as a literary composition, we think the work before us is better executed."-New Monthly Magazine.

"Mr. Vaughan is the author of 'The Life and Opinions of Wycliffe,' a work remarkable for the qualities which will be found to distinguish the present performance,—research, clearness, and candour. There exists a large party in the country, who care little about the interests of sects or establishments, so that truth be got at and justice prevail. Among these, Mr. Vaughan will find some who will think that he has done the state some service. We can safely recommend the work as an able one,-the result of great industry and of deep conviction."-Monthly Magazine.

"This publication is entitled to our praise, both for its research, and its spirit of imparti. ality." Literary Gazette.

"Mr. Vaughan has given a very fair and candid view of this period; and his remarks, always dictated by great liberality of sentiment, are worthy attentive perusal."—Athenæum. "The noblest qualities which the historian can display, especially requisite on this portion of history, Mr. Vaughan possesses in a very high degree: his Memorials have evi. dently been compiled with the greatest care, at a vast expense of time and labour; and his service to the cause of truth will, we are persuaded, be proportionate."--Congregational Magazine.

III.

The NATURE and DURATION of the PAPAL APOSTACY. A DISCOURSE. Price 2s. 6d.