down and engrave these words in the temple of eternity, Blessed are they which are called to the marriage-supper of the Lamb, Rev. xix. 9.

Many persons take a great delight in music, and are even ravished with the sweet harmony of the concording sounds; therefore the Holy Spirit, to inculcate to us that heaven abounds in all manner of pleasures, not only tells us, that in that blessed abode, there are millions of angels and glorified saints, but also represents them as standing about the throne of God, and singing forth his divine praise; and even acquaints us with somewhat of the substance of their celestial hymns. The prophet Isaiah, speaking of those wonderful seraphims, that fly round about God's glorious throne, informs us, that one cries unto another, and says, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory, Isa. vi. 3; and the apostle St. John, describing to us those triumphant saints that stand before this magnificent throne, tells us, that they play upon their harps, and sing a new and most excellent song; that they have always in their mouths the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb, and that heaven resounds with their sacred hallelujah, or allelujah; which signifies praise to God, or celebrate the praises of God.

There is no one of an ingenious nature, but loves peace and rest; for which reason, the glory and happiness of paradise is represented to us under this lovely and pleasing idea, as in the 4th chapter of the Hebrews, We which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, I have sworn, that they should enter into my rest. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterwards have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God: for he

This caused old

lettest thou thy servant Finally, the holy city is

that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest. Simeon to cry out, Lord, now depart in peace, Luke ii. 29. called Jerusalem, which signifies the vision of peace; and God himself makes it this rich promise, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, Isa. lxvi. 12. If the peace which God grants to believing souls in this life passeth all understanding, Phil. iv. 7, what will be the full enjoyment of this eternal peace in the kingdom of heaven? Neither the tongues of men, nor angels, are able to express its dignity and excellence.

Lastly. Because men are lovers of pleasure, recreation, and pomp, and seek, for the most part, to drive away care, and to enjoy themselves; the happiness of paradise is represented to us by pleasures, rejoicings, and eternal triumphs, as in Psal. xxxvi. S, Thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures; and in Psal. cxxvi. 5, They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. And God himself, speaking of that most blessed time, saith by his prophet, Behold, I create new heavens, and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be you glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy, Isa. lxv. 17, 18. Therefore, when the Holy Ghost represents to us the state of the glorified saints, he not only declares, that God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and that there shall be no more death, nor crying, nor pain, and that sorrow and mourning shall flee away; but he, also adds, that in their mouths there shall be songs of praise, and upon their heads everlasting joy, as a pre

cious crown, which shall never be taken from them, Rev. xxi; Isa. li. For this cause they so earnestly excite' and animate one another to this glorious and triumphant joy, in the above quoted words, Let us be glad, and rejoice, and give honour to the Lord our God, Rev. xix. 7.

All our senses shall partake in these heavenly and ever-during pleasures. Our eyes shall behold, with transports of joy, the sacred countenance of our Redeemer; the riches and wonderful beauties of his palace; the glory and magnificence of his kingdom. Our ears shall be ravished with the music of the blessed saints, the sweet melody of angels, and the unspeakable harmony of the church triumphant Our smelling shall rejoice in the sweet perfumes of the bride-groom, Cant. i. whose garments smell of myrrh, Psal. xlv. S, and in the grateful odours of his vine always blooming, Cant. ii. Our taste shall be satisfied by the bread of angels, the hidden manna, the fruits of the tree of life, the waters springing up into everlasting life, and the new wine of the kingdom of heaven. Our arms shall embrace the Saviour of the world, and our feet shall walk about the streets of the golden city, the heavenly Jerusalem, and we shall follow the Lamb, whithersoever he goeth, Rev. xiv. 4.

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Although I speak to you in this manner, I persuade myself Christian souls, that you plainly perceive, that both these expressions, and all others of the same nature, are not to be understood according to the letter; they are but dark shadows and imperfect images of the good things of the life to come. You have not forgot what I before quoted from the apostle, That eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the

heart of man, the things which God have prepared for them that love him, 1 Cor. ii. 9 ; and that this great God, whose treasures are inexhaustible, doth in us, exceeding abundantly, above all that we ask or think, Eph. iii. 20. So that when you set before you every thing that is the most beautiful, the most lovely, the most glorious, and the most pompous in the world, you must confess within yourselves, without doubt, the happiness of heaven is infinitely above all this. It is so far above all earthly enjoyments, and so much surpasses the most elevated thoughts and conceptions of man, that it is utterly impossible to describe it in its proper colours, or to paint it to the imagination as it really is.

Expect not, therefore, Christian souls, to meet in heaven with a paradise resembling your gardens; nor with flowers like to those that enamel and adorn your parterres; nor with fruits like to them that hang upon your trees assure yourselves that God will shew you things infinitely more pleasing and delightful, and more permanent. Fancy not to find there a city built like ours, which shall really be enriched with silver and gold, pearls and precious stones; but hope for something more noble and magnificent; than all the richest and most stately cities in the world, where God will cause you to see, not only the beauty of silver, the purity of gold, the whiteness of pearls, and the bright lustre of precious stones, but also, something far more beautiful and pure, a more perfect white, a greater brightness, and a more ravishing lustre. Think not to receive any material crown, or to sit upon thrones like to those of the kings and princes of the earth, but aspire after something more glorious, and which cannot be shaken.

I am also persuaded, Christian friends, that you ex

pect not in heaven to find tables covered as those of the rich men of the world, nor to pamper yourselves with feasts, like those prepared for the nuptials of earthly princes. Without doubt your faith hath in view something more glorious and magnificent; your soul hungers for more exquisite meats, and thirsts for more delicious drinks; you are too well instructed to think to live in heaven an animal and sensual life; such a gross and carnal conceit is only fit for the imaginary paradise of the impostor Mahomet.

In this life that we live upon earth, there are two things that manifestly prove our natural infirmity. The first is our eating and drinking, which are absolutely necessary to make up the breaches caused by labour, and the natural heat that spend and feed upon the radical moisture, which serves as oil to maintain the lamp of life. The other is marriage, instituted by God for the preservation of the human race. But in paradise our life shall be altogether angelical, spiritual, and heavenly. Our bodies shall no longer be subject to corruption or alteration, and shall have no more want of food than the stars, and the other celestial bodies. Accordingly the Holy Spirit expressly tells us, That we shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the sun light on us, nor any heat, Rev. vii. 16. That is to say, as we shall no longer lie under a necessity to eat and drink, so the most scorching heats, and the fiercest flames shall have no power to hurt our bodies, when they shall have put off all sensual and earthly qualities, and shall be clothed with light and glory. Likewise, there shall be no need of propagating the species, or of multiplying persons by marriage; for besides, that we shall be free from the passions of flesh and blood, the number of