"be opened, and the ears of the deaf "shall be unstopped, then shall the "lame man leap as an hart, and the "tongue of the dumb shall sing, for in "the wilderness shall waters break "forth, and streams in the desart:“and an high-way shall be there, and

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a way, and it shall be called the way

of holiness:-the redeemed shall walk "there, and the ransomed of the Lord "shall return and come to Zion with

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songs and everlasting joy upon their "heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow, and sighing shall flee "away*"

The dullest head, and the coldest heart, must feel animated, and warmed, by these expressions of salvation. If we reckon ourselves in the happy number of the redeemed, the ransomed of the Lord, we must feel those exultations, which the spirit of poetry, excited by the spirit of prophecy, must

* Is. xxxv. 4, &c.

necessarily produce in the regenerate breast.

When we are told of the converted, that their conversation is in heaven, we are led to expect the opening of a new era in morals, that "old things have passed away, and that all things have "become new*." In considering the

case.

effect of christianity this ought to be the And from those who are the called according to the promise of God; that is, from those who have obeyed the heavenly calling, and rest in the terms of salvation offered in, and by, the merits of our blessed Redeemer, this is certainly to be expected. I do not mean to affirm that even these are in a state wholly without sin; for no such state is to be found on this side the grave; neither is unsinning purity of life ever contemplated as a state possible to be attained, though recommended as a condition perpetually to be sought after,

* 2 Cor. v. 17.

in the divine writings. Even St. Paul says, "not as if I had already attained, "either were already perfect*." But I do aver, for the comfort of the converted sinner, and the consolation of all those who shall have been drawn by Divine grace from a state of inveterate sin and wickedness to a state of holiness and faith, that they are in the way of salvation, and that God, even their own God, will give them his blessing. Oh! happy ye, who have passed over the flood of sin, and are stepping upon that shore where there will be a perpetual spring. Happy! who have been convinced of your former delinquencies, who have renounced the sins of unfaithfulness, and avouch before your God that no such shall cleave unto you, Happy! who have been blessed with contrition, conviction, confession of your sins, and by repentance, faith, and obedience have laboured to "make your

Phil. iii. 10.

* calling and election sure." Happy! in having, through your Saviour, conquered those passions, prejudices, and solicitations, which are the rocks and whirlpools, the obstructions and impediments of the divine life. The time is come when you are called upon to rejoice: "your warfare is accomplished, your iniquity is pardoned *."

"I knew a man in Christ," said St. Paul," whether in the body I cannot

tell, or out of the body I cannot tell, "God knoweth: such an one caught << up to the third heaven; and I knew "such a man, whether in the body or "out of the body, I cannot tell, God "knoweth : how that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeak"able words which is not lawful (that " is, not possible) for man to utter; "of such an one will I glory +." The manifestation of the Divine vision, is such a proof of the Divine favor, that

the true believer cannot but receive it as an earnest of celestial happiness. Even Balaam, with all his faults, was in an extacy of heavenly thought when he heard the words of God, and saw "the vision of the Almighty, falling ❝ into a trance but having his eyes "open*." But into no superstitious trance let us fall. Divine contemplation opens the purest sources of mental enjoyment; not that contemplation which indulges phantasies of understanding, which convokes mystic visions, and which experiences, or pretends to experience, high enthusiastic raptures, but that which is founded in reason, supported by the word and will of God. Let no presumptuous thought overpower the humble mind of the true servant of the lowly Jesus. He is no subject of personal revelation, but of personal obedience. "No prophecy of the Scripture is of any private

*Numb. xxiv. 4.