1
Eph. iii. 17.
m Eph. v. 30.
» 1 Cor. vi. 17.
0
John i. 14.
p 2 Cor. iii. 18.
enabled by him so to " comprehend the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of his unsearchable love, as to be filled by means of it with all the fulness of Godq." In a word, " He lives in you, and is your very life r;" and from that very circumstance you are assured, that " at his future coming you shall appear with him in glory8" ]
From this time also you may bid an eternal fare- well to evil of every kind —
[You may have trials ; but " they shall all work together for your good1:" they shall all prove only blessings in disguise. Moral evil shall no more prevail over you. Penal evil, so far as it is the loving correction of a Father, you may yet feel ; but, as a vindictive process of a Judge, you shall never feel it to all eternity. Not one of your sins shall ever be remembered by himu; nor shall any one of your corruptions retain an allowed ascendant over you x. God engages that he will " per- fect that which concerneth youy," and " finish in you the good work he has begun2." Though you be the least of his little ones, " he will not suffer you to perisha:" nor shall any prevail to " pluck you out of his hands V Therefore, even whilst you are yet conflicting with evils of various kinds, you may rest assured, that " none of them, how great or formidable soever they may be, shall ever separate you from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord0."]
And is not here abundant ground for joy ?
[Well does David say, " Let the children of Zion be joyful in their Kingd." I say then to you, in the name of Almighty God, " Rejoice in the Lord alwaye;" " rejoice evermore f:" yea, " though now ye see not your beloved Saviour with your bodily eyes, yet, believing in him, it is both your privi- lege and duty to rejoice in him with joy unspeakable and glorified8." In fact, " if you do not sing, and shout, and rejoice in him with all your heart, the very stones will cry out against youh."
Whilst I say this, I am far from recommending to you a tumultuous joy. A tender contrite spirit must be retained in the midst of all your joy. Even in heaven are his redeemed people all prostrate before him, whilst they sing with all ima- ginable love and gratitude his praise1. A similar prostration
i Eph. iii. 18. r Gal. ii. 20. s Col. hi. 4.
* Rom. viii. 28. u Heb. x. 17. x Rom. vi. 14.
y Ps. cxxxviii. 8. z Phil. i. 6. a Matt, xviii. 14.
b John x. 28, 29. c Rom. viii. 38, 39. d Ps. cxlix. 2.
e Phil. iv. 4, f I Thess. v. 14. si Pet. i. 8.
b Luke xix. 40. « Rev. vii. 11.