the other hand, that their joys shall be multiplied that hasten after the Lord " Jesus Christ, who is the true God and eternal life*^." Yes, verily, they shall greatly rejoice ; as it is said, " Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, rejoice." To them shall be vouchsafed,
L Peace of conscience —
[This is unknown to any human being, except to him who believes in Christ. Others may have the insensibility of beasts, or the confidence of fanatics : but the tranquillity of mind which arises from a sense of God's pardoning love upon the sovd is altogether unknown to them. They possess it not. They cannot possess it, because God is not in reality recon- ciled towards them. There are no means of acceptance with God, but those provided in his Gospel : and, whether men are rejecting his Gospel as infidels, or substituting something else in the place of it, they are equally cut off from all hope of its benefits. But the Believer in Christ is fully accepted of his God: and, "being justified by faith, he has peace with God:" and he may say, with undoubting assurance, "The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance, and my cup"."]
2. Holiness of heart and life —
[Here, also, the Believer stands elevated above all the rest of mankind. Others may be fair as whited sepulchres : but the Believer is " renewed in his inward man," and trans- formed into the divine image in righteousness, and true holi- ness." And need I say what a source of happiness this is ? The prophet tells us, that " the work of righteousness is peace, and the effect of righteousness is quietness and assurance for ever^." And to the same effect the Psalmist, speaking in his own as well as in the Messiah's name, informs us : " 1 have set the Lord always before me : because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope^."]
3. The prospect and possession of everlasting glory—
[He has a title to eternal life, and even the begun posses- sion of it in his souP. Hence, in the language of David and the Messiah himself, he is privileged to say, " Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell : thou wilt shew me the path of life : in thy presence is fulness of joy : at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." As to the full enjoyment of heaven,
^ 1 John v. 20. e ver. 5. ^ Isai. xxxii. 17.
g ver. 8, 9. '' John iii. 30. 1 John v. 11, 12.
513.1 GOD HIMSELF HIS PEOPLE's PORTION. 73
I attempt not to describe it. No words can paint it ; no ima- gination can conceive it. But it shall be the assured and ever- lasting possession of all who believe in Christ.]
What, then, shall I say? [" Hasten after" this blessed Saviour, determining never to relax your diligence, till you have fully " apprehended him, and been finally apprehended of liim." See what exertions the Pagans make, in order to please their gods of wood and stone. See, too, with what indefatigable zeal the worldling serves his gods, accounting his whole life little enough for the attainment of the object of his pursuit, whether it be pleasure, or riches, or honour. See also the self-denying exercises of him who is labouring to establish a righteousness of his own, instead of submitting to the righteousness which is of God through faith in Christ. And shall any of these do more for their gods than you for yours ? Shall not the Saviour of your souls be counted worthy of all that can possibly be done or suifered for him ? I say, look at the earnestness of others in the service of false gods, and stand amazed at your lukewarmness in the service of him who has redeemed you to God by his own most precious blood. There is nothing which idolaters of all the different classes will not "give to their respective gods:" and let there be nothing withheld from your Lord and Saviour : yea, " give your whole selves'" to him; and let your whole body, soul, and spirit, be sanctified to him, henceforth, and for evermore.]