being made new creatures in Christ Jesus-being made partakers of the divine nature; but though this transformation be produced by the renewing of the Holy Ghost, yet it is not entire, while we remain in the body. The outlines of the new creature are sketched on the soul, when the new birth unto righteousness takes place; and by the subsequent operations of the divine Spirit the figure is gradually completed, but the exquisite beauty of the complexion is not given till the Saviour appears, when we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

"Hence the best of men, have to complain of their evil propensities, stubborn prejudices, and irregular passions; which so oppress, and appal them, that they now often exclaim, O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" Ah!. the bitter sighs that arise from their sorrowful breasts, while they silently deplore these sad effects of human depravity-these remains of corruption and sin, which disgrace the soul, disturb its peace, and obstruct its progress in the divine life. But, when death has done his office, these complaints shall all instantly subside. The very moment the imprisoned spirit is set at liberty, it is made perfect.† It springs, as it were, into life; for here it could hardly be said to live. It is healed of every

disease, and becomes perfectly healthful and happy. It breathes the pure air of the celestial regions, free from all the oppressions of this gross atmosphere. It recovers its original beauty, freedom and glory. Every corruption is totally eradicated from the heart; and every virtuous, holy and divine principle implanted there, is at once ripened to a state of maturity. In short, as it is created after the image of God in knowledge, righteousness and true holiness,* so it henceforth exerts all its powers in the pursuit of these great objects, with infinite ease and pleasure, and without a possibility of their enduring any disturbance or opposition whatever. Thus it beholds the face of God in righteousness, and awakes out of this world into the other with the divine likeness.†—And now what a blessed change is this? And in how different a state does the Christian find himself from that he was in a moment before, when he animated a frail and mortal body !"

As so little is said of the internal economy of the heavenly world, or of the specific employments that engross the attention of the redeemed, it will be impossible for any one to give a minute description, that shall afford satisfaction, to the inquisitive mind; but I think that the Scriptures afford us a sufficient portion of information, to enable us to form some indistinct conception of

* Eph. iv. 24. and Col. iii. 10.

C

† Psa. xvii. 15.

the sources of our most exquisite enjoyments. We shall see God. What an impression will be produced on the mind, when his majestic form is first beheld! when his paternal voice is first heard! when he lays aside the Majesty of the Creator, and assumes the mildness, and complacency of a father, receiving into his immediate presence, his beloved child! How strong! how deep! how refined! how superior in delicacy and sublimity to every other impression which we have ever felt! To stand unawed in the presence of such awful grandeur: unruffled amidst such a bright effulgence of uncreated glory as will then move around us-unabashed under the brightest emanations of purity, will impart such a high degree of conscious dignity, that we shall feel like sons of God, whose glory is no longer concealed under the vail of humanity, but openly seen and universally admired.-The Psalmist when anticipating this celestial vision says, "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness."* And the apostle John exclaimed with rapture," Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."+

If we read the New Testament with attention

*Psalm xvii. † 1 John iii. 2.

we shall discern strong marks of a reciprocal affection between the Redeemer and his disciples: and it is the prospect of enjoying each other's society, that gives to heaven its most powerful charm. When pouring the word of consolation into their wounded spirit just before his departure, after having assured them, that he was going to his Father's house to prepare a place, he adds, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself: that where I am, there ye may be also.* When the eventful hour drew near, in which he was to finish the work he came to accomplish: in his last prayer, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me; for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world."+ Having assumed the human form-endured the contradiction of sinners-drank the bitter cup— worn the crown of thorns-and died the ignominous death of the cross to redeem his chosen people, he feels such an intensity of affection for them, that he will make them partakers of his own glory. "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."t

* John xiv. 3. + Ibid. xvii. 22.

Rev. iii. 21.

When Stephen, the first martyr, fell a victim to the rage of his enemies, just before he expired "he looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.'"*

When the apostle of the Gentiles, who had seen the glories of the invisible world, was devoutly meditating on his latter end, and anticipating his departure from this scene of his earthly labours, he exclaimed, "I have a desire to depart and be with Christ which is far better, than to enjoy the highest honours, or the most refined pleasures which earth can impart. And allow me to ask you, whose eye may now be perusing these pages, if your prevailing desire does not beat in unison with the sentiments and wishes of these holy men? Yes, if you are redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, and if his Spirit dwell within you, I know it does. I know that you expect that a large portion of your bliss in the heavenly world will arise from the visible pre

Acts vii. 55,—59.