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4. The conquests obtained by true godliness, justify the assertion of the apostle. The laurels of a Cesar are weeds, compared with those of the man, who, strong in the power of God, is enabled to overcome sin and self, to brave the malice and rage of Satan and the world, to overcome death, and look beyond the grave, not only with resignation but with triumph.

Theoph. Thanks to my beloved Philemon for the views which he has given me of the present pleasures and advantages of godliness. I am constrained to say, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!"

Phil. That wish is a commendable one, so far as it goes, but it does not go far enough. I trust, grace hath taught you to desire the life, as well as the death of the righteous; for, 'tis in vain that we wish for the holy enjoyments which are reserved in heaven for the saints of God, unless our souls are regenerated and sanctified by the Holy Spirit in the present state.

Theoph. True, my valued friend, and I trust what the Lord hath joined together, we should'not desire to separate. But, you have hitherto only taken a view of the advantages of true godliness on this side the river; the subject now calls our attention beyond the present state, and assures us that godliness hath promise of the life that is to come.

Phil. It is but very little that the best and brightest of God's people in this militant state, know of the glories of a future world, for what mortal can describe, what eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath even entered into the heart of man to conceive. There is a fourfold view given us in the Scriptures of the felicities

of the heavenly world, which includes all that I am capable of comprehending concerning it.

1. That the blessed inhabitants of that holy state, behold the smiling face of Jesus without a vail: hence, the apostle says, "We know, that when he shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see him as he is;" and again, "They shall see his face, and his name shall be in their foreheads." And if it be so sweet, and sweet it is, to get a glimpse of Jesus by the eye of faith on earth, what must it be to dwell in his presence above. 2. The Scripture assures us, that, entire conformity to the holy image of Jesus, is another blessed privilege of the saints in light. So long as we are in this vale of misery, we shall more or less be the subjects of sorrow, because we still bear about with us a body of sin and death; every sigh we breathe, and every pang we feel, remind us that this is not our rest, because it is polluted, but, there the blessed inhabitant will no more say I am sick, and the people who dwell there shall have all their sins forgiven, and done away for ever. 3. We are taught by the sacred record, that happiness without mixture and without measure, is the portion of the church above. They shall be eternally satisfied when they awake up in the likeness of their Lord: and, 4. What crowns the whole is, that inconceivable happiness of which they are admitted to partake in the presence of the Lamb, shall never know an end. "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat, for the Lamb in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them to fountains of living waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from

their eyes."

39* "And so, saith the apostle, shall we be for ever with the Lord."

Theoph. Blessed declaration! and well might that highly favored servant of the Lord, add, "Wherefore comfort one another with these words." Oh, for more of that soul-refreshing presence of our Redeemer, which is the sure earnest of blessings so great and so undeserved.

Phil. To that prayer, my inmost heart says, Amen! And now, my Theophilus, even from the faint sketch of the godly man's character and comforts, does it not evidently appear, that he alone is the estimable and happy man, who has through Divine grace attained the blessed art of walking humbly with his God; though in a changing world his heart is steadfast trusting in the Lord, he seeks peace and pursues it; and while the giddy herd of empty professors, are perpetually on the wing after something new, and frequently embitter their days, by drinking into an angry and self-important spirit, he possesses an holy indifference to the Shibboleths of party rage, and like a deep river glides smoothly and silently along, following the example of his divine Master. His delight is to do good unto all men, but especially to the whole household of faith, looking for the mercy of God unto life eternal, not as a profitable servant, but as a pardoned sinner. Thus, my Theophilus, may we go forward, until grace is consummated in glory, until we meet to part no more, to “behold the King in his beauty, and eternally enjoy that land, which is yet afar off."

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Having now introduced thee, my reader, to the company of my two friends, before I bid thee farewell, let me put one plain, but important question to thy conscience. What dost thou think of the subject they have been discussing? Can the slavery of sin and Satan, or the empty pleasures of the world, afford enjoyments, or lead to comforts like theirs? If thou art capable of serious thought, I know thou wilt answer, No! Then, let me add another question, Art thou acquainted with their Master? What dost thou think of Christ? Dost thou say, He is to thee all and in all! If so, I bless God on thy behalf. Or art thou as yet a stranger to Him? Then it is not yet too late to seek Him. "Ask, and thou shalt receive; seek, and thou shalt find; knock, and the door of mercy shall be opened unto thee." So shalt thou say, from happy experience, that the ways of God are ways of pleasantness, and all his paths are peace. And with thine heart join the blessed apostle in his testimony, that "Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come."

K.

A MEDITATION.

I AM surrounded on every side with mercies: and yet feel myself a vile, unthankful wretch. I seem to grow

more insensible of them, as they are poured upon me more abundantly from the Lord. Nothing suits my evil nature but a furnace. I am seldom well, except when I am ill. Bitter cups sweeten my heart, strength

en my appetite, and melt my soul. Lord, bless me with a broken heart, and lead me weeping all the way to Canaan, weeping at my own vileness, and weeping at the love of Jesus. Oh! the depth of that mercy which can look on such vileness!-Oh! the riches of that love which has purchased this mercy! Seldom do we think of the agonizing woe of Jesus; and when we do think of it, how little are our hearts affected with it! "They shall look on him whom they have pierced, and mourn." But where is this Gospel mourning? We are piercing him daily, but who is mourning daily? mourning with sweet sorrow, made up of shame and love? Some are mourning for the world; some are mourning for perfection; some are mourning for their own sins, and cause enough they have; yet who is mourning at the sight of a crucified Jesus? Oh! the wonders of that cross! Here let me lie, and love, and weep. Nothing crucifies sin and self like this cross, and nothing kindles humble love like it.

SANCTIFICATION.

ARCHBISHOP USHER was a man of distinguished learning, piety, and diligence. The following circumstance will shew that his humility equailed his other valuable endowments.

A friend of the archbishop repeatedly urged him to write his thoughts on SANCTIFICATION, which at length he engaged to do; but a considerable time elapsing, the performance of his promise was importunately claimed.

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