(1) We should cheerfully obey the laws of heaven. According
to the Apostle, the standard of our living, and its sanctions, and
its way of thinking and proceeding, and, in a word, our city, with
its interests and its objects, being in heaven, the earnest business
^ "W. Sinclair. » A. H. Strong, Miscellanies, ii. 170.
384 CITIZENSHIP IN HEAVEN
of our life is there. We have to do with earth constantly ar ~ '^^ ways most various ; but, as Christians, our way of having i< '' with the earth itself is heavenly, and is to be conversant v*iuu heaven. What we mainly love and seek is in heaven ; what we listen most to hear is the voice that comes from heaven ; what we most earnestly speak is the voice we send to heaven ; what lies next our heart is the treasure and the hope which are secure in heaven ; what we are most intent upon is what we lay up in heaven, and how we are getting ready for heaven ; there is One in heaven whom we love above all others ; we are children of the kingdom of heaven ; it is our country and our home ; and some- thing in us refuses to settle on those things here that reject the stamp of heaven.
^ The great states of old had their strongly-defined popular characteristics. Athens was learned. Sparta was brave. Corinth was luxurious. What is to be the strongly-marked feature of those who belong to the Christian commonwealth ? Why, expressed in one word, it is holiness. " As he that hath called you is holy, so be ye holy, in all manner of conversation." Priests in His temple, our robes should be clean. Soldiers in His service, our arms should be bright. Saints in His earthly courts, we should bring no spots to our feasts of charity. Having hope of admission to the city of the living God, we should purify ourselves even as He is pure. And thus God's will is done on earth as it is done in heaven.
(2) We should carry the atmosphere of heaven wherever we go.
•[j We read that in certain climates of the world the gales that spring from the land carry a refreshing smell far out to sea, and tell the watchful pilot that he is approaching some desirable and fruitful coast for which he has been waiting, when as yet he cannot discern it with his eyes. Just in the same way it fares with those who have steadily and loyally followed the course which God has pointed out to them. We sometimes find that they are filled with peace, hope, and happiness, which, like those refreshing breezes and reviving odours to the seaman, are breathed forth from Paradise upon their souls, and give them to understand with certainty that God is bringing them into their desired haven.
^ I remember Mr. Gladstone, some fifteen or twenty years ago, giving commendation to a little instrument then devised for the enrichment of the vocal organs. It was a form of inhaler, and by some happy combination of elements it was supposed to
9
PHILIPPIANS III. 20, 21 385
ens hithe the vocal chords with the fine, enriching air of Italy. It j ojossible for our mind and soul to do their work in the sweet, clea,,, air of heaven. We can be breathing mountain air even while we are trudging through the valley. And this air, after all, is our native air ; when we are away from this we are in circum- stances that poison, and vitiate, and destroy. But we can exercise the' privileges of a higher citizenship, and we can " draw in breath in the fear of the Lord." ^
(3) If heaven is our true home, we shall find our delight in learning more about it. Our hearts will be centred there.
^ Some years ago a traveller who had recently returned from Jerusalem, was in the society of Humboldt, and was greatly astonished to find that the old philosopher knew as much about the streets and houses in Jerusalem as he did himself. He asked Humboldt how long it was since he had visited Jerusalem, and received this reply : " I have never been there, but I expected to go sixty years since, and I prepared myself." Should not the heaven to which we expect to go be just as familiar to us, so far at least as what the Bible has told us of it is concerned ? ^
^ The progressive apprehension of the Divine idea must be closely connected with the hope of its fuller manifestation, and to one who is full of sympathy with his fellow-men, the most welcome manifestation would be in the political life of mankind. ... In the days when, not in fancy but in sober seriousness. Vane built his splendid political theories, and Cromwell seemed about to embody them in act, when even the common people saw the dominion of the saints at hand, Milton might well " see in his mind's eye a noble and puissant nation rousing itself, like a strong man after sleep," and even rise in thought from the perfection of earthly politics to the city of the heavenly host. But it is hard for men who are versed in political theories which have all been found wanting, and whose eyes are dimmed with the dust that rises from the hubbub of modern life, to see the history of mankind " orbing itself to a perfect end." ^