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mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as chrystal. And the wall of it was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. In this sacred place a sacred society will be collected, consisting of an innumerable company of angels, together with the spirits of just men made perfect: a society holy and harmless, replete with wisdom and goodness, without spot or blemish, and every one glowing with benignity and love. With this glorified assembly the poor in spirit shall take up their abode, as parts of the same family, breathing the same spirit, manifesting the same perfections, and living with them in an everlasting interchange of affectionate sentiments and gracious offices. In such a place, and associated with such a company, how inconceivable a degree of happiness must needs be enjoyed!

But, beyond all this, the highest blessed

ness of heaven will consist in the view and contemplation of God himself. The redeemed shall see the King in his beauty, seated upon the throne of eternity, surrounded with power and great glory. In our Lord's parting prayer for his disciples, we find this remarkable petition-Father, I will that they whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may that they may behold my glory. He could ask nothing more desirable, nothing more ravishing, for his devoted followers than an admittance to the beatific vision. And to this request the beloved disciple seems to allude in his first epistle; Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet 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. Beyond this, nothing can be wished or imagined--to behold the infinite and unsearchable Creator of all worlds, clothed in all his majesty, and encircled with an endless train of perfections and glories! Yet all this, in the completest manner, shall be permitted to the saints. Their views of the great God shall not be distant and obscure, as they necessarily were in the present

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state; but they shall see Him face to face. Their contemplation of his adorable attributes shall not be transient and variable; but fixed and constant. Their fellowship with him shall not be limited and restrained; but free and familiar. And in the exercise of these high privileges, they shall possess a fulness of joy, a satisfying and superabundant degree of beatitude, to which we are now unable to stretch our thoughts. Such will be the final lot of those, concerning whom our gracious Master expresses himself thus-Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

And now, brethren, who would not wish to be counted in this truly honourable class? Who would not be content to become poor and low, insignificant and despicable in the present world, with such a termination of their course in view? But the blessedness of these chosen ones begins long before the termination of their earthly course. Even while they continue in this house of their pilgrimage, they are inexpressibly dear to God. And lest, from occasional appearances, we should ever entertain a doubt of this, our Heavenly Father hath repeatedly

asserted it in the most absolute terms-Thus saith the Lord, the heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: but to this man will I look, even unto him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my word. Of all the interesting sights which the world can afford, that of a man evangelically poor in spirit is especially calculated to attract and fix the divine regard. The glorious God will pass by the thrones of kings and the palaces of princes, that he may intently gaze upon such a man, as a spectacle of wonder and a monument of his richest grace: to this man will I look, saith the Lord, and he shall be mine in that day, when I make up my jewels.

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Be persuaded, then, my brethren, to cast your lot with this little band of choice and excellent spirits, lightly indeed esteemed among men, but rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom. We read of some, in the days of our Lord, who made broad their phylacteries, and occasionally wore them as frontlets between their eyes: but these happier men have the name of God engraven in their foreheads, and bear continually about them the marks of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As pilgrims and strangers they are peacefully journeying through the wilderness of this world, to a better inheritance reserved for them in heaven; whither they are hastening to sit down at the marriage supper of the Lamb. Let us join their company, and go with them; for they will assuredly do us good, and help us forward in the

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way everlasting till we joyfully take our places, with them, in the presence of their Father and our Father, their God and our God. Finally, men and brethren, Let that mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and, being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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