It is recorded of Alexander, that entering with Hephasstion, his favourite, into the pavilion of Darius' mother, then his prisoner, she bowed to the favourite, as having a greater appearance of majesty, thinking him to be Alexander ; but advised of her error, she humbly begged his pardon ; to whom the generous king replied,! ' You did not err, mother, for this is also Alexander.' Such was their affection, that whoever was taken of them, the other was taken in him ; the less ascending in the greater, without degrading the greater in the less. This is a copy of the holy love of the blessed ; but Avith the same dif- ference as between the description of a star with a coal and its l)eauty in its proper aspect. And where all is love, all is delight. Oh, how do they enjoy and triumph in the happiness of one another ! With what an unimaginable tenderness do they embrace ! What recipro- cations of endearments are between them ! Oh their ravishing couver- Kation and sweet intercourse ! for their presence together in heaven is not a silent show. In the transfiguration Moses and Elias talked with Christ. With what excellent discourses do they entertain one another ! If David felt such inward pleasure from the sense of God's favours that he could not restrain the expression of it, but invites the saints, ' Come and hear,, all ye that fear the Lord, and I will tell you what he has done for my soul ; ' certainly in heaven, the blessed with ■overflowing affections recount the divine benefits, the admirable methods
^ Kon enasti, mater, nam Lie Alexander est. — Curt. 1. 3.
136 DR manton's funeral sermon.
whereby the life of grace was begun, preserved, and carried on in the midst of temptations ; the continual succession of mercies in the time of their hopes, and the consummation of all in the time of their enjoy- ment. How joyfully do they concur in their thanksgivings to God for the goodness of creation, in making them reasonable creatures, capable to know, love, and enjoy him when they might have been of the lowest order in the whole sphere of beings ; for his compassionate care and providence over them in this world. But especially for his sovereiga mercy in electing them to be vessels of honour ; for his powerful grace in rescuing them from the cruel and ignominious bondage of sin ; for his most free love, that justified them from all their guilt by the death of his only Son, and glorified them with himself. They are never weary in this delightful exercise, but continually bless him for his mercy that endures for ever. We may judge by the saints here, when they are in a fit disposition to praise God, what fervours they feel in their united praises of him in heaven. The psalmist in an ecstasy calls to all the parts of the world to join with him : ' The Lord reigns, let the heavens rejoice, and the earth be glad : let the sea roar, let the fields be joyful, and all that dwell therein.' He desires that nature should be elevated above itself, that the dead parts be inspired with life, the insensible feel motions of joy, and those that want a voice break forth in praises to adorn the divine triumph. With what life and alacrity will the saints in their blessed communion celebrate the object of their love and praises ! The seraphims about the throne cried to one another, to express their zeal and joy in celebrating his eternal purity and power, and the glory of his goodness. Oh the unspeakable pleasure of this concert, when every soul is harmonious, and contributes his part to the full music of heaven ! Oh, could we hear but some echo of those songs wherewith the heaven of heavens re- sounds, some remains of those voices wherewith the saints above triumph in the praises, in the solemn adoration of the King of spirits, how would it inflame our desires to be joined with them ! ' Blessed are those that are in thy house, they always praise thee.'
[3.] The fulness of joy in heaven is undecaying, for the causes of it are always equal; and those are, the beatific object revealed, and the uninterrupted contemplation of it.
Whilst we are here below, the sun of righteousness, as to our per- ception and sense, has ascensions and declinations, accesses and recesses; and our earth is not so purified but some vapours arise that intercept his cheerful, refreshing light. From hence there are alternate succes- sions of spiritual comforts and sorrows, of doubts and filial confidence in the saints. It is a rare favour of heaven when an humble believer in his whole course is so circumspect as not to provoke God to appear disj)leased against him ; when a christian (as those tutelar angels spoken of in the gospel) always beholds the face of his heavenly Father, and converses with him with an holy liberty. And what a torment the hiding of God's face is to a deserted soul, only they know who feel it. External troubles are many times attended with more consolations to the spirit than afflictions to sense ; but to love God with a transcendent affection, and to fear he is our enemy, no punish- ment exceeds or is equal to it. As his loving-kindness in their esteem