210 1 JOHN', i.s, g. [117T.
we should he religious: we should study ^o know and do the will of God. Then we should be happy in sickness as well as health, and in the prospect of death no less than in the midst of earthly enjoyments.]
3. The connexion between grace and glory — [The saints in glory are called " saints in light;" and in order to partake of their inheritance, we must be " made meet for it"." An unregenerate sinner would not be happy, even if he were in heaven. There is a total difference of character between them that are saved and them that periish : tliose who are saved, love God, and delight in him, and make it the labour of their souls to glorify him: whereas they who perish, would, if they were able, pluck him from his throne: it would be glad tidings to them if they were informed that he exists no longer. Such precisely is the difference be- tween saints and sinners in this world ; the one find all their happiness in serving God ; the other say in theii* hearts, " We wish there were no God." Neither tlie one nor the other indeetl attain the same degree of holiness or wickedness in this world that they will in the next : but in all other respects their characters will continue the same that they are in this life. If ever then we would have fellowship with God in heaven, we must begin it here : and, if ever we would dwell with him in the regions of everlasting light, we must now be " brought out of darkness into the marvellous light of his Gospel*^," and '* walk henceforth as children of the light and of the day ^"
"001.1.12. MPet. ii.9. ''Eph.v.S.