The talk they had mean while with the shining ones was concerning the glory of the place. There, said they, with the innumerable company of angels, are the spirits of just men made perfect. There is the paradise of God, wherein you will see the _tree of life_, and eat of the fruits thereof. You shall be cloathed with light and immortality as with a garment. All tears will be wiped from your eyes, and you will know no more pain, or sorrow, or death; for the former things are past away. You are now going to _Abraham_, _Isaac_, and _Jacob_, to the patriarchs and prophets, to the righteous men of all ages, whom God in their generations _took away from the evil to come; and that are now resting upon their beds, each one walking in his righteousness_.
They asked, and what are we to do when we are there? It was answered, “You are there to receive the comforts of all your toils that are past, and to have joy for all your sorrow. You are to reap what you have sown, even the fruit of all your prayers and tears, and works, and sufferings. And there you will enjoy the perpetual sight of the Holy One; yea, you shall _see him as he is_: and shall love, and praise, and serve him, and magnify his name all the days of eternity.”
“And when the Son of Man shall come in his glory, you shall come with him in the clouds of heaven; you shall sit with him in the seat of judgment, when he passeth sentence on all the workers of iniquity. Also, when he shall return to the throne of his Majesty on high, you shall go up too, with the sound of the trump, and drink of those rivers of pleasure, which flow at his right-hand for evermore.”
Now, while they were thus drawing near the gate, behold a company of the heavenly host came out to meet them; to whom their conductors said, “These are the men that have loved our Lord while they were in the world, and that have left all for his sake; and we have brought them hither, that they may go and see their Redeemer’s face with joy.” Then the heavenly host gave a great shout, saying, _Blessed are they that are called to the marriage-supper of the Lamb_.
They then compassed them round on every side, some having trumpets in their hands, and continually sounding as they went, and praising Him that liveth for ever and ever. In the mean time both their looks and gestures shewed how welcome _Christian_ and _Hopeful_ were.
Now when they were come up to the gate, they saw writ over it in letters of gold, _Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city_.
Then the shining ones called to them within the gate, saying, “These are come from the city of _Destruction_, through the love they bear to our King.” They then gave in their certificates, which they had received at the beginning. These were carried to the King, who immediately sent, and commanded to open the gate, that _the righteous nation_, said he, _that keepeth the truth, may enter in_.
Now I saw in my dream, that these two men went in at the gate, and lo! as they entered they were transfigured, and their raiment was glittering, and white as snow. There were also given to them golden harps, wherewith to praise him that sat upon the throne, and the Lamb that liveth for evermore. It was then said to them, _Well done, good and faithful servants, enter ye into the joy of your Lord_.
Just then _Ignorance_ came to the river-side, and got over with little difficulty: for one _Vain-hope_, a ferryman happening to be there, carried him over in his boat. So he ascended the hill, and coming up to the gate, immediately began to knock. He was asked by them that were within, “Whence do you come? and what would you have?” He answered, “I have eat and drank in the presence of the King, and he hath taught in our streets.” They asked again, “Have you any certificate?” But he answered never a word. So they told the King, who commanded, and they bound him hand and foot, and took him up and carried him through the air, to the door that I saw on the side of the hill, and cast him in there. Then I saw that there was a way to hell, even from the gates of heaven. So I awoke.
A Word of Advice to SAINTS and SINNERS.
*1. A WORD of advice to my own heart and thine. Thou partakest of the ordinances of God. Thou dost well. But if thou hast not the blood of Christ at the root of all, they will prove but painted pageantry to go to hell in.
Try every day, on what bottom thy hope of glory is built, and whether it was laid by the hand of Christ. If not it will never be able to endure the storm that must come against it. Satan will throw it all down, and great will be the fall thereof.
*_Glorious professor!_ Thou shalt be winnowed; every vein of thy profession will be tried to the purpose: ’tis terrible to have it all come tumbling down, and to find nothing to bottom upon.