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copious draughts of bliss from the fountain of eternal joy. The promises, which have been a ground of support to their souls on earth, will be fully accomplished in heaven, where all their hopes shall be completely realized. And then they will be no longer sojourners and pilgrims in a strange land, but dwell for ever and ever in their Father's house, in which are many mansionso.

Moses was indeed greatly honoured, in being permitted to hold converse with God, and to see him, though but in part, whilst hid in the cleft of a rock 9. And this was all that he, or any mortal, could behold of Uncreated Deity; the refulgence of whose glory is so dazzling, that no human being can contemplate it and live".

But how surpassing great will be the felicity of the saints, when they shall be allowed to gaze on all the splendour and perfections of the Majesty of Heaven! Even the borrowed radiance of an angel would terrify us here"; but in the bright world above, believers will be prepared, by the spiritual change which will pass on their souls and bodies, to contemplate the Divine Glory, in its highest display, with unveiled faces, and without an intervening cloud. And the imposing sight, so far from exciting consternation, will transport their souls with ineffable joy, and transform them "into the same image, from glory to glory."

6. The happiness of heaven will be greatly augmented by a large accession of knowledge. The highest attainments made by the disciples of Jesus, in this imperfect state, will not bear the most distant comparison with those lofty heights of wisdom

• John xiv. 1-4.
"Rev. i. 17. xix. 10.

49 Exod. xxxiii. 22.
⚫2 Cor. iii. 18.

*ib. v. 20.

which they will acquire in the world of glory above. A near access and approach to the Lord will qualify their glorified spirits to comprehend more clearly his nature and eternal godhead, his boundless wisdom and power and goodness, his unsullied justice and righteousness, and his unimpeachable veracity and faithfulness. The native lustre of the Divine perfections will be constantly unfolding itself to their capacious minds, which will be able to make every improvement that can increase their felicity.

Their knowledge of heavenly truths will not be gained by the same tardy process of learning by which it is usually acquired here, but by immediate intuition; and it will be absolutely perfect in its nature and degree. "Now we see through a glass (or mirror) darkly; but then face to face: now we know in part; but then shall we know even as also we are known. And when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." Though, at the same time, there will, it is most probable, be ample scope in heaven for the exercise of our intellectual powers, in contemplating the wisdom of God, which will furnish matter for continual improvement, throughout the countless ages of eternal duration.

Besides a knowledge of the exalted perfections of God, the saints will more fully understand the nature of that misery from which they have been rescued by the mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ. In heaven, they will distinctly see the guilt and the folly of sin, and acknowledge the justice of God in condemning the wicked to everlasting punishment: and the display of his righteous judgments will excite their awe and admiration. There, too, all those 1 Cor. xiii. 9-13.

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difficulties in the moral government of God, and all those trying dispensations of his providence which. have staggered our faith and perplexed our hearts, will be solved and cleared up; and the equity, kindness, and attention, with which it will then appear that Jehovah has acted toward us and all mankind, will raise in us admiring thoughts of his unbounded goodness.

There they will be able to appreciate the unparalleled love of a gracious Saviour, who shed his blood to reconcile them to an offended God, to make them his beloved children, and to purchase for them a title to the enjoyment of endless glory. A survey of bliss so great, of mercy and compassion so unexampled and undeserved, will lay a foundation of incessant joy, and gratitude, and praise.

7. The perfection of holiness, which Christians will possess in heaven will be another source of inexpressible pleasure. There they will be completely holy, in thought, desire, and affection; and the sanctity of their state will insure perpetual joy. Sin can have no moré dominion over them, because it will be entirely excluded from those pure regions "wherein dwelleth righteousness." No sinful sions, no unhallowed propensities and lusts, will agitate their bosoms; no perversity of mind disturb their repose; since they will feel such a perfect acquiescence in the good pleasure of God, as will preclude the least opposition to His holy will.

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They will not be any longer within the reach of temptation, nor be liable to fall away from their integrity. Being freed from the influence of sensual appetites; those enticing baits, by which they were once too easily taken, will have no power to seduce them any more. Vested with a "spiritual

body"" adapted to that glorious condition, their souls will experience no hinderance in the sublime and holy employments of the celestial world.

Our service and worship will also be perfect, both in end and aim. Admiration of the wisdom, justice, and compassion of God will prompt us to love and serve him, not only for what he has done, but for what he is in himself-the sum and substance of all excellence. There will be nothing in heaven to quench our zeal, or abate the highest fervour of devotion. No drowsiness will oppress our souls; no dislike to or weariness in spiritual exercises will afflict our minds. Nor shall we have any cause to complain of languid endeavours after holiness; for all our intellectual powers will be actively employed in praising and adoring God, without any fatigue or intermission. "They shall serve him day and night, in his holy temple".

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8. The society to which believers will be indissolubly united, will afford another ground of real pleasure. If we think it no small gratification to enjoy communion with good and wise men on earth, what exquisite pleasure will accrue to us, in the Church above, from associating with "angels and archangels, and all the company of heaven!" who will stimulate us, by their example, to the practice of every thing which God approves.

And, with what heartfelt delight shall we recognise those pious and beloved friends "with whom we took sweet counsel, and walked together" in the ways of God here below! That delightful and endeared union begun on earth, which has been interrupted by death, will be revived again, and ceRev. vii. 15.

tt 1 Cor. xv. 44.

mented in bonds of everlasting love, too strong to be broken any more.

Yes, O transporting thought! such a general harmony, both in sentiment and feeling, will pervade the immense regions of heaven, as will perpetuate a reciprocal affection among the saints and the household of God."

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And, oh, how blissful will it be, to see ourselves surrounded by those, who, though once sunk in sin and ignorance, have been made wise and holy, meet to be partakers with ourselves of the inheritance of the saints in light;" men of every climate and complexion-the European, Asiatic, African, and American; constituting "a great multitude which no man can number, of all nations and kindreds and people and tongues, standing before the throne of God, clothed with white robes, and palms of victory in their hands "u!" How joyful will it be, to unite with the whole ransomed Church in swelling the chorus of praise, and in making the vault of heaven ring with acclamations of thanksgiving; saying, Alleluia! salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God!"

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Thus, we learn that heaven affords a perfection, a perpetuity of bliss indescribable; comprehending every excellence which can minister solid satisfaction to the mind. The possession of it will raise the redeemed, in some respects, to a level with angels and archangels'; whilst the sweet repose, the absolute freedom from pain, disease, danger, and death, and the enjoyment of the most substantial pleasures, will render heaven all that the most enlarged souls can desire.

9. How natural is it for every thinking person to uu Rev. vii. 9. * ib. xix. 1.

Luke xx. 35, 36.

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