LECTURE XLIX.

THE POWERS OF THE WORLD TO COME.

HEBREWS vi. 5.

"The powers of the world to come ;”

THAT is to say, belonging to, and operating from, that world which, as to us, is "to come," though now existing. And by "powers," we easily understand, forces,-energies, agencies,―influences,-virtues,—and these in action upon their proper subjects.

Now, we are subjects to be acted upon. Our nature has almost its whole exercise, we might almost say, the verification of its existence-in being acted upon, by influences and impressions, from things extraneous to it. If our imagination could, for an instant, admit so fantastic, and indeed monstrous, an idea, as that of one human being existing, and nothing else, this idea could not stay before the mind. It would, in its very conception, be the idea of an existence immediately shrinking into nothing, -having no inherent sufficiency of existence to exist even for an instant. We easily conceive of the Divine Being existing in the eternal absence of all other existence; with nothing to contribute to Him, or act upon Him. But all creatures must have their existence, as it were, substantiated to them, by means of something from without them. How many things are acting, how many causes are producing their effects, on us! Would they were all good ones! it is alarming to reflect how far otherwise is the fact. "The powers of the world to come." salutary, beneficent order of influences,

But

There is one pure, tending to work the

absolute, supreme, eternal good of our nature. But it confounds the mind to reflect, what proportion this class of influences bears to others, in the actual operation on mankind.

This world, too, has "powers," which it exerts, we do not say in rivalry with the "powers" of the other, but with a fearful preponderance of efficacy. Behold the evidence of the mighty, extended, incessant, predominant operation of the powers of this world! Is it not as evident to our view, as the very face and colour of the earth, that incomparably a greater proportion of human spirit and character is conformed to this world than to the other?

But, there may be persons to say, "And how should it be otherwise, seeing our relations to this world are so immediate, so many, and so essentially constituting our present condition, in which this world has the most peremptory and inevitable demands upon us? How can men but be conformed to what they are, by the necessity of their condition, so intimately and constantly implicated with ?" The answer would be, certainly, that to a considerable extent, this is inevitable, and not wrong. There is a body composed of this world's elements, intimately involved in them, and depending on them; through this, the present world will have a great effect on the spirit. The necessary care of temporal well-being keeps the soul in close communication with this world, at innumerable points. The limitation of our direct sensible knowledge to this world, gives great power to the world's operation on us. Under such a constitution of our existence, this world has "powers" which will and must, to a considerable extent, assimilate the human spirit; and, to a considerable extent, they may, rightfully, do so. But to what extent? Is not that a most serious question ?

The answer would be obtained by means of one or two other plain questions, which a man should ask himself.

For example; "Do this world's influences act upon me, so, that I habitually and practically forget the other world? so, that I am reluctant even to think of the world to come as a personal concern? so, that I feel that my sojourn here is really not answering the purpose of a preparation for that world to come? so, that I am sensible, on reflection, that I am actually in a wrong state of mind for entering that world? so, that I have not a decided, habitual, strong affection for the objects there? so, that it is a gloomy thought, that I am constantly approaching that world? so, that it would be alarming and terrible to receive a warning that I should very soon be there?" Let conscience

answer such plain questions of trial.

If these questions cannot be answered, in some degree satisfactorily, there should be a solemn movement of alarm in the soul, to think under what unhappy dominion it is held a captive. Like a man who, proceeding toward his distant home or country, finds himself, in his journey, circumvented, and arrested, and detained, by a band of men of malignant aspect, and dark and menacing purpose. To think!"Here is the brief, introductory portion of my existence, yonder is its awful immensity; and I am engrossed, absorbed, by the little local concerns of this diminutive tract! Here is the immortal spirit which belongs to heaven. I let it give its main best energy of study, and care, and affection, and passion, to things which will concern me but for a few short years at the most. There is the world to come,' actually approaching; I might perceive its signs,-feel its gale,—see its gleams,—hear its sounds,-be sensible of the vicinity of its spirits, and, I am virtually saying, 'Let those omens retire! Keep back, thou mighty economy, and leave me undisturbed here, to my little world of trifles!' That world to come' comprehends the sum, the perfection of everything, the

sublimest, the best, the happiest. But what is it all to me? I feel no congeniality nor attraction.”

But, is not this a lamentable and fearful state for the soul to be m? But, what is to be done? What, but to implore that "the powers of the world to come" may be brought upon us with irresistible force? and that we should make earnest efforts, if we may express it so, to place ourselves exposed to them? This is to be done in the way of directing the serious attention of the mind, to that world. Let us fairly make the trial-what agency, what influences, that world can convey upon us. proof of its influential power has been displayed on very many, in effects the most salutary and noble.

The

One of these effects is, that it causes the unseen to predominate, in our minds, over what is seen; the future over the present; and these are great and admirable effects. From that world, come the influences to fix and keep us in one great sovereign purpose of life; and that, a purpose high above all the mere interests of this world. From that world, comes the enlightening and active principle which, at once, exposes the nature of sin, and renders and keeps it odious to the soul. From that world, comes the supporting, animating power for endurance of the ills of life, and for overcoming the fear of death. In short, "the powers of the world to come" form the antagonist forces against the noxious operation of the influences of this world. And, is not all this infinitely desirable and indispensable? Look, how it fares with those who are going on through life under no such influences! But, think how it fares with ourselves, in proportion to the deficiency of them! Well may the reflection often strike us, "If we had but more of those influences acting on us!"

Let sometimes, employ our thoughts on the qualities and circumstances of "the powers of the world to come."

Consider, for example, they are influences emanating from objects and realities which preceded the very existence of this world, and will remain after it shall be demolished; from God, and Christ, and Angels; from Eternity; from everlasting Truth; from whatever region is that of the sublimest glory in the universe. They are forces of operation, from a source whence an awful energy of operation is extended to the dark world of punishment. Oh, how different an agency of power from that which we, here, may invoke and feel!

They are "powers" of influence which all the best beings conspire to send. For, even the departed saints are placed, as it were, in combination with God, the Mediator, and the Angels, in sending a beneficent influence on us below;-by their memory, by their example,-by their being displayed to our faith as in a blissful state above,—and, (we may believe,) by their kind regard and wishes for those below. And good and wise men have thought it not irrational to suppose that they may, sometimes, even be employed in real actual ministries here on earth. These "powers" of the other world we are regarding chiefly under the character of influences, proceeding at the will of God, and conceived as exclusive of personal agency. But, far oftener than we suspect, there may be the intervention, though invisible, of such an agency.

All these "powers," these forces of influence, are sent, through the medium, and in virtue of the work, of the Mediator; and bear in them a peculiar character, derived from Him. These "powers" from the other world, are of such quality and force, that they can direct and compel, and combine, "all things to work for good." They are "powers" which attract toward where they come from; which discipline, and refine, and prepare, the soul, for its grand future destiny, and to which it may surrender itself without