union with Christ, as admitted to the blessed mansions of their Father's house.

" I beheld,” said John," and, lo! a great multitude which no man could number, standing before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice; saying, Salvation to our God, and to the Lamb! And the angel said, These are they who have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb ; therefore are they before the throne *.

This shall in due time be said of all the redeemed and renewed in Christ; for Jesus,

; by dying, not only delivered his people from hell, but purchased heaven; therefore it is styled in scripture, a purchased possession ; an inheritance of the saints in light; a crown of glory, which God will give. When the Redeemer finished his work on earth, he ascended up on high, to prepare heaven for all his followers; and he graciously promised, that yet a little while, and he would come again to receive them to himself, that where he is, they may be also. His people may

therefore,

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therefore, on the most solid grounds, greatly rejoice in the lively hope of the glory to be revealed. Christ purchased it for them by his precious blood, bequeathes it to them in the new covenant, possesses it for them as their forerunner, and is preparing them for it by all the dispensations of his providence and race.

You, then, who have built upon the foundation laid in Zion, may lift up your head with joy, for your redemption draweth nigh. When he who is your life shall appear, then shall ye appear with him in glory. You shall be exalted with your risen Head, to a state of celestial glory and uninterrupted consolation. Secure from every danger, unutterably happy, and ravished with everlasting joy, you shall rehearse to surrounding spirits the varied events of your pilgrimage, and invite them to join your unceasing praises.

But, how superior to all our present conceptions, must be the holiness and happiness of heaven! How different from the present state of things, and from that delightful access which saints on earth ever enjoyed with their heavenly Father, in their nearest

and

and happiest intercourse! Here all our ser-vices are imperfect and defective, and stained with much weakness and pollution. Our praises and prayers are easily interrupted, and soon grow languid. Here the cares of this world intrude, and mar our most spiritual devotions. Here painful discoveries of unworthiness stop our mouths when pleading for spiritual blessings, and fill our hearts with sorrow; so that we worship with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

: But our celestial, unceasing services above, will be without imperfection or dismay; no unseen Saviour; no frowning God; no vain thoughts, nor foolish imaginations; no agonizing impressions of unpardoned offences, or of unsubdued corruptions ; but one perpetual, everlasting song of praise to him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his blood, and raised us up to be kings and priests to our God.

Then shall we learn, far better than we can do in this world, the meaning and extent of the saying in our text, that they who have laid hold on the hope set before them shall have strong consolation; or rather, we shall learn that its extent passes all know

ledge :

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ledge; that after all which has been said concerning heavenly bliss by the most eloquent tongue, or conceived by the most enlarged imagination, there is in it a height and depth, a breadth and length, unsearchable and unbounded.

We conclude the present discourse with one plain observation, from the view we have given you of the Christian's privileges and prospects. Think how great must be the misery of those, who have no part nor lot in the hopes and joys of which we have been speaking; and be sincerely concerned to know if these consolations belong to you. Your days are hastening to an end; you have no security for the continuance of health or life; no certainty that you shall obtain those earthly pleasures which you desire, or, if obtained, that you will enjoy them long. How dreadful, then, to have no comfortable prospect beyond the grave, or no security for joining the society of the saints in light! Be intreated, then, to seek that better part which cannot be taken away; and labour with persevering diligence, that whether living or dying, you may belong to Christ.

Now,

Now, unto him who is able to keep you from falling, to sanctify you wholly in soul, body, and spirit, and to present you blame- . less before the throne with exceeding great joy, be all blessing, and honour, and glory in the highest, for ever and ever. Amen.