vines, and glorious pastures, and rich olive-fields, ministers to the
enjoyment of those who had all in God, though its milk, and oil, and
honey, could not be enjoyed with exclusiveness of appropriation? Yet
over and above and beyond this, there was a more blessed fulfilment of
the promise; there was "a city which had foundations"--built and made
by God--toward which the anticipation of this Canaan was leading them.
The Kingdom of God was forming in their souls, for ever disappointing
them by the unreal, and teaching them that what is spiritual, and
belongs to mind and character alone can be eternal.

We will illustrate this principle from the common walks of life. The
principle is, that the reward we get is not the reward for which we
worked, but a deeper one; deeper and more permanent. The merchant
labours all his life, and the hope which leads him on is perhaps
wealth: well, at sixty years of age he attains wealth; is that the
reward of sixty years of toil? Ten years of enjoyment, when the senses
can enjoy no longer--a country seat, splendid plate, a noble
establishment? Oh, no! a reward deeper than he dreamed of. Habits of
perseverance: a character trained by industry: that is his reward. He
was carried on from year to year by, if he were wise, illusion; if he
were unwise, delusion; but he reaped a more enduring substance in
himself.

Take another instance: the public man, warrior, or statesman, who has
served his country, and complains at last in bitter disappointment,
that his country has not fulfilled his expectations in rewarding
him--that is, it has not given him titles, honours, wealth. But
titles, honours, wealth--are these the rewards of well-doing? can they
reward it? would it be well-doing if they could? To _be_ such a man,
to have the power of _doing_ such deeds, what could be added to that