2. To exhort us to prepare ourselves for this estate ; and let us labour that we may be such as may be counted meet to minister before the Lord in his heavenly temple. To this end —
[1.] Let us hasten the acts which belong to our consecration, and attend upon them with more seriousness, which is the cleansing of the soul from the guilt and stain of sin. From the guilt of sin : Kom. v. 1, 2, * Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ ; by whom also we have access by faith unto tills grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.' Comfortable access to God here in the world depends upon our justification ; the more clear that is, the more we are fitted to come before the Lord. From the stain of sin : Mat. v. 8, ' Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.' Though all see enough of God to satisfaction, these see more than others do. Therefore the more we cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, the more of God shall we see, and the sooner shall we be admitted into his blessed presence. It was an old observation, even among the heathens, ov ^iXel 0609 uTTodv^cTKet veo<;, that he whom God loveth dieth young. Not that all that die young are beloved of God ; but ordinary observation will teach you this, that let a man more than ordinarily improve in purity of heart, though God may lend him to the world for an example for some time, yet they are taken to God sooner than others ; or if they are
SERMONS UPON REVELATION I. 5, 6. 105
continued in the world, they are continued under more weaknesses, and do with more earnestness expect their translation to the everlasting priesthood.
[2.] Let us begin our sacrifices, and discharge our priestly office now, and perform all the duties which belong to our ministration with more fidelity. Some of our duties are proper only to the present state, as consecrating ourselves to God, and using ourselves for God ; that is out of date then, for our consecration is over before we come there. It is undeniable that the blessed spirits all live to God : Luke xx. 38, ' He is not a God of the dead, but of the living, for all live unto him.' But there is no need of giving up ourselves to God, for then we possess God. Mercy is useless in an estate where misery cannot approach ; therefore now it must be exercised. None are priests in heaven but those that have acted the priest's part upon earth. But praise holds good now, and then too : Ps. cvii. 22, 'Let us sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.' This is to tune our instruments, and to be fitting ourselves for our everlasting work.
[3.] Let us be more frequent and often with God ; for the throne of grace is the very porch of heaven ; by it we pass to the throne of glory. Surely that life upon earth is best which is likest to the life of heaven : Ps. Ixxxiv. 10, ' For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand : I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.' Prayer giveth us the nearest familiarity which a man in flesh can have with God, and is the best preparation for our entrance upon our everlasting priesthood. A man acquainted with a God beforehand is not to seek for a God to pray to when he cometh to die, nor for a mediator to intercede for him, nor for a spirit of adoption to fly to God as a reconciled Father. Having been frequently enter- tained and accepted by God, he can the better resign his spirit into his hands, and with more confidence wait for this nearer attendance. Alas ! to go out of the world into unknown and unseen regions, where we are wholly strangers, how sad is that ! Who will venture into the ocean who hath not learned to swim in the shallow brooks and streams ? Communion with God in a way of grace is the way to communion with him in a way of glory. We go to see him face to face whom we have seen by the eye of faith, to live with him in heaven with whom we have lived upon earth. Species non Iceiijicat in patria, quern Jides non consolatur in via — Sight will not be joyful to him in heaven whom faith hath not comforted upon earth. He that hath often heard and accepted us will not reject us.
3. Let us be more apprehensive of the greatness of the privilege of drawing nigh to God, that we may improve it accordingly. The priests were sanctified to draw nearer to God than the common people, and employed in his holy service. Yea, nearness of ministration before the Lord is the felicity of the glorified. How must we improve it ?
[1.] Partly to be ashamed of our loathnessto draw nigh to God, and our weariness of his special service. Oh, let us not shun God as an enemy, and be loath to come into his special presence, or backward to converse with him.