184 THE PRIVILEGE OF THE [BERM. XL. felicities of the futureworld, which are infinitely superior to all things wecan enjoy in this life. But while we con- tinue here on earth, under the difficulties and hardships of the present state, " we have need of patience, that when we have done the will of God, we may receive the promises ;" Heb. x. 36. And we have need of all those peculiar advantages to be set beforeus, which can belong to our stations here on earth, on purpose to support our patience, to bear us up under present burdens, and make us active in present duties : Although it must be still confessed, that all those advantages of this life, joined with our present sins and sorrows, are much infe- rior to the actual taste and fruition of the joys of heaven, where sin and sorrow are known no more. This thought very naturally leads me to the improve- ment and conclusion of my discourse, which I shall wind up briefly in these foùr practical inferences : Inference I. Since there are many virtues and duties whichbelong only to this present life, "letus lose no op- portunity for the practice of them, for the next day, or the next hour, may put it for ever out ofour power to practise them," Eternity is a long duration indeed, but it will never afford us one season for visiting the sick, for feeding the hungry, or for charity and meekness towards those who injure us : Eternity itself will never give us one opportunity for the pious labours of love toward the conversion of sinful acquaintance and relatives. O let us not suffer this precious lamp of life to burn in vain, Or weeks, and days, and hours to slide away unemployed and useless. Let us remember, that while we are here, We work for a long hereafter; that we think, and speak, and act with regard to an eternal state, and that in time we live for eternity. Let us call up all our powers to action and diligence, that not a day of our short lives may pass away, but what may turn to our account in the years of eternity. While God is pleased to delay our heaven, let our continuance on earth be filled up with the various exercise of such graces as are suited to our present stations. Let this he a new spring and motive to our zeal, that we are doing such honours to God and our Saviour here on earth, of which none of the saints above are capable, and for which this life is the only season : And let it appear in the day of retribution, that the
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