probability that there will indeed be a full and complete renovation or restitution of all things.

The earth, antecedent to the deluge, was the identical earth which we now inhabit; yet such a mighty change was produced in its surface and atmosphere as greatly to abbreviate the life of man. There will, doubtless be a change also at the Lord's Advent, and we think, still more mighty, in proportion to the change required for the personal enjoyment and longevity, which are so unambiguously predicted; farther, in proportion as the effects produced by elementary fire are more powerful than those effected by water. This word "new," says Campbell, is here used in some such way as when a converted man is called a new creature. I am the same person as I was before conversion, yet am I a new man.

God pronounced his creation,-" yea, every thing that he had made," to be "very good," but sin converted the earth into a curse. Why then should we wonder that God should again effect such changes as can best, if not alone, consist with the happiness and length of days of his regenerated people? Why, instead of such a change of the earth's surface should we conceive its utter annihilation to be necessary, and that before it has blessed mankind to such an extent as would alone seem worthy the design for which it was created? There is nothing debasing nor contracted in the supposition,-nothing carnal, as some have imagined. How inexpressibly happy may God render us in this new creation, without translating us to the heaven of heavens ! How happy the moments which it has pleased God to bestow on some spiritually minded individuals, even as things are now constituted, so as nearly to exclude the idea of a more exalted bliss! Yet, alas, we know how rare and short

lived such periods are, from present temptation, and from the many infirmities of our nature! And when it is considered how few are the portions of our globe which conduce to health, comfort, and pleasurable existence, compared with the baneful effects of its soil and atmosphere generally, we perceive its utter unfitness to procure the enjoyments and benefits so largely and explicitly foretold. Why, then does it appear strange or improbable that God should restore and constitute it more perfect for a limited period; -one also which must be better introductory than the present to a heaven of endless duration? or, as though a succeeding eternity of bliss were not sufficient to satisfy our expectations? There can be no satisfactory reason suggested for protesting against a future residence on earth. It will not then be deemed a vile and unsuitable habitation. It can no more be deemed vile than will those personal changes which the righteous shall simultaneously experience. All things were created by and for Christ, both "visible and invisible." At the creation, the sons of God shouted for joy. We are equally assured, that " all things in heaven" (Gr. in the heavens) "and on the earth shall be" finally "gathered together in one in Christ, in whom also the saints have an inheritance." Were the earth, therefore, to be utterly destroyed at the coming of our Lord, these assurances must remain unfulfilled, and the triumph of Satan, whose temptations produced the curse, would be then complete. But he shall be dethroned, his power destroyed, "and there shall be no more curse." Christ has purchased

"The Jews still express world by saying "heaven and earth;" wherefore when the apostle would express this world, he calleth it heaven and earth, meaning the world that now is; but, saith he, "we look for new heavens and a new earth," that is a world to come. Now the words which in Heb. ii. 5, the apostle useth to denote this world to come, are "wherein dwelleth righteousness."-Dr. T. Goodwin.

that inheritance, (the inheritance of the earth,*) which man had lost; and thus," according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. This happy period is identical with that in which 66 ALL NATIONS shall call Him blessed," and "when ALL THE EARTH shall be filled with his glory."

Our compassionate Redeemer thought it no dishonour to come to this earth, and why should it dishonour him to reign Over A PARADISE OF HIS OWN CREATION ?" In this empire He will associate with him his beloved people, gathered out of every kindred, tongue, and nation, and they shall reign ON THE EARTH." See Is. LXv. 8-10, 17-25.

"It has been justly observed, 'that those who have attained the greatest degree of what may be termed a Christian taste, whose hearts are attuned to the contemplation and the enjoyment of God in his works, are those who have the highest relish for the grandeur and the beauty of natural scenery.'" But if we reflect on the unspeakable degrees of happiness to be derived from the presence of our glorious REDEEMER, and the indescribable gratification of rendering him such worship, praise, and glory as our love and gratitude will excite ;-if we contemplate the universal peace, affection, harmony, and joy which shall every where abound,-what more can those desire who were once aliens from GOD? until that great and final period arrive, when Christ having completed the entire mediatorial scheme of redemption, and having prepared his saints for the unutterable glories of heaven,-" shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father, that God" (or, Deity,) "may be all in all,"-i. e. the UNIVERSAL SOVEREIGNTY of the

* Psalm XXXVII. 9, 11, 22, 29, with Mal. v. 5. See also Psalm LXXVIII. 69; CIV. 5, 24 with 31.

Triune Jehovah, in the glorious effulgence of his nature and attributes.

"To represent this doctrine as a matter of mere speculation, the truth of which we need not be solicitous about, is doing great injustice to it, seeing it is highly practical in its tendency and right use, and next to the fundamental articles of the Christian faith, most worthy to be embraced; as it unfolds many dark enigmas in the course of providence, explains and justifies God's dealings with men, and displays his justice, mercy, and goodness, in the kingdoms of this world; thereby supplying increase of matter for our thanksgiving and praise to his adorable majesty: it exalts the character and the dignity of our blessed Saviour, as the Repairer of every breach in the system of this world, the Redeemer from every curse, the Reconciler of all things unto God in himself, and the Restorer of Paradise forfeited and lost: it opens a new world of faith, exhibits a ravishing scene of the divine wonders in nature, renewed and perfected, and represents all things as brought under subjection to Him whom God hath appointed to be king over all the earth: and, lastly, it gives accomplishment to the end for which God created man, making him a little lower than the angels, that he might take his delights with the children of men, and bless them, and that they might worship in righteousness and true holiness; that so all his works, both in the heavens and under the heavens, might praise him. These are not speculative niceties, but subjects of high importance and influence, enlarging the heart in love towards God and man, and serving as so many incentives to piety of life, and the practice of every relative duty and social virtue. They fire the heart with an ardent longing 'to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living,' and to

behold our Saviour and loving friend on his glorious throne, distributing his gifts and blessings among his redeemed ones; whilst we, with our brethren, in our several classes, rejoice together in love and the discharge of every endearing office, free from sorrow, and free from sin."*

There are many passages of Scripture relative to this subject, some of which may be arranged as follows, and from which the reader will derive ample satisfaction:

Isaiah LXV. 17. Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered nor come into mind.

Isaiah LXVI. 22. For as the new heavens and new earth which I will make, shall REMAIN before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain. See Is. LI. 6-8, 16. Revelation XXI. 1, &c. I saw a new for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

heaven and a new earth;

We think that the expression, "There was no more sea," signifies that the present condition of mankind shall no longer exist;-that their turbulence, as that of the sea, shall no longer be experienced throughout its various regions;-no more that sea from amidst which arose the four great and destructive beasts of Daniel, chap. VII. 23, and the beast described by John, Rev. XIII. 1.

Mr. Begg remarks: "In the same Psalm which predicts that when the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in His glory,' praise is ascribed to God on account of this change of the heavens and the earth. Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure; yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be

*The Rev. Thomas Hartley, A.M., in a work entitled Paradise Restored, as quoted from the Apology for Millennarianism,