proceeds to paint their happiness as most sublime, not only on account of the deliverance they have experienced, but on account of the continued communications of all spiritual bless- ings to their souls r And well may we expect them to
"return with singing," when they consider from what paths they have been brought, and to what a glorious state they are " coming ;" and, above all, by what a price they have been ransomed, even by the blood of God's only dear Son. Had they been " redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold," they could not but rejoice ; but having been ransomed " by the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spots," they are filled with wonder ; and are ready almost to account it all a dream4; like Peter, who, when de- livered from prison, could scarcely credit his deliverance, but "thought he saw a vision u." Doubtless this joyous frame does not exist in all alike, nor in any equally at all times : their remaining infirmities are sometimes called forth to the wounding of their consciences, and the clouding of their souls. Even Paul himself sometimes cried, " O wretched man that I am ! who shall deliver me ?" But still, by renewed applications of the blood of Christ to their souls, their consciences are purged from guilt, and their joy in the Lord is revived. Thus, whilst they go through the valley of Baca, they find wells of salvation, from which they draw water with joy, and are re- freshed ; and thus they go on from strength to strength, till they appear before God in Zionx.]
2. At their journey's end — [It has been just observed, that " sighing and sorrow" occa- sionally interrupt the Believer's joy ; and indeed they follow him at a greater or less distance all his journey through : but when once he arrives at the gate of heaven, those blest inha- bitants, " joy and gladness," come forth to meet him ; and " sorrow and sighing flee away." Then is his joy uninterrupted and unmixt ; for he is introduced into " the presence of his God, where there is fulness of joy, and pleasure for evermore." Could we but get a glimpse of him in those sacred mansions, could we behold the raptures with which he tunes his harp to the praises of his God and Saviour, truly, we should proclaim him blessed beyond all expression or conception. Let us then look into heaven ; (for so it is permitted us ;) and let us listen to his voice. Methinks we hear the full chorus of the redeemed, singing, " Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing^!" And, if we inquire concerning them,
r Jer. xxxi. 11 — 14. See also xxxiii. 11. s 1 Pet. i. 18, 19. 1 Ps. cxxvi. 1, 2. « Acts xii. 9. x Ps. Ixxxiv. 6, 7.
y Rev. v. 9—13.
915. j THE WAY TO ZION. 97
" Who they are? and Whence they came?" we shall be in- formed distinctly, not that they were innocent in themselves, or had done so many good works, but, that " they had washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb : therefore are they before the throne of God." And that which constitutes no small measure of their happiness is, an inward consciousness that it shall continue for ever without any mix- ture, intermission, or end : " They shall hunger no more, nor thirst any more ; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat : for the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes2." What an amazing change is this, even from the best state that can be enjoyed here below ! Well may it be said, " Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord ;" for, whilst every thing painful has for ever passed awaya, they are unceasingly occupied in the immediate vision and complete fruition of their God.]