But what is the redemption of the body, in comparison of the redemption of the better part, our souls? I must, therefore, say to you believers, as the angel said to _John_, “Come up higher,” and let us take as clear a view as we can, at such a distance, of the redemption CHRIST has purchased for, and will shortly put you in actual possession of. Already you are justified, already you are sanctified, and thereby freed from the guilt and dominion of sin: but, as I have observed, the being and indwelling of sin yet remains in you; GOD sees it proper to leave some _Amalekites_ in the land, to keep his _Israel_ in action. The most perfect christian, I am persuaded, must agree, according to one of our articles, “That the corruption of nature remains even in the regenerate; that the flesh lusteth always against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh.” So that believers cannot do things for GOD with that perfection they desire; this grieves their righteous souls day by day, and, with the holy apostle, makes them cry out, “Who shall deliver us from the body of this death!” I thank GOD, our LORD JESUS CHRIST will, but not compleatly before the day of our dissolution; then will the very being of sin be destroyed, and an eternal stop put to inbred, indwelling corruption. And is not this a great redemption? I am sure believers esteem it so: for there is nothing grieves the heart of a child of GOD so much, as the remains of indwelling sin. Again, believers are often in heaviness through manifold temptations; GOD sees that it is needful and good for them so to be; and though they may be highly favoured, and wrapt up in communion with GOD, even to the third heavens; yet a messenger of Satan is often sent to buffet them, lest they should be puffed up with the abundance of revelations. But be not weary, be not faint in your minds: the time of your compleat redemption draweth nigh. In heaven the wicked one shall cease from troubling you, and your weary souls shall enjoy an everlasting rest; his fiery darts cannot reach those blissful regions: Satan will never come any more to appear with, disturb, or accuse the sons of GOD, when once the LORD JESUS CHRIST shuts the door. Your righteous souls are now grieved, day by day, at the ungodly conversation of the wicked; tares now grow up among the wheat; wolves come in sheeps clothing: but the redemption spoken of in the text, will free your souls from all anxiety on these accounts; hereafter you shall enjoy a perfect communion of saints; nothing that is unholy or unsanctified shall enter into the Holy of holies, which is prepared for you above: this, and all manner of evil whatsoever, you shall be delivered from, when your redemption is hereafter made compleat in heaven; not only so, but you shall enter into the full enjoyment of all good. It is true, all saints will not have the same degree of happiness, but all will be as happy as their hearts can desire. Believers, you shall judge the evil, and familiarly converse with good, angels: you shall sit down with _Abraham_, _Isaac_, _Jacob_, and all the spirits of just men made perfect; and, to sum up all your happiness in one word, you shall see GOD the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and, by seeing GOD, be more and more like unto him, and pass from glory to glory, even to all eternity.
But I must stop: the glories of the upper world croud in so fast upon my soul, that I am lost in the contemplation of them. Brethren, the redemption spoken of is unutterable; we cannot here find it out; eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the hearts of the most holy men living, to conceive how great it is. Was I to entertain you whole ages with an account of it, when you come to heaven, you must say, with the Queen of _Sheba_, “Not half, no, not one thousandth part was told us.” All we can do here, is to go upon mount _Pisgah_, and by the eye of faith, take a distant view of the promised land: We may see it, as _Abraham_ did CHRIST, afar off, and rejoice in it; but here we only know in part. Blessed be GOD, there is a time coming, when we shall know GOD, even as we are known, and GOD be all in all. LORD JESUS, accomplish the number of thine elect! LORD JESUS, hasten thy kingdom!