they shall be admitted to the realms of bliss. That they will not be able to join with those who are already before the throne, is evident ; for not any share of the glory do they arrogate to themselves ; they ascribe it all to Him who bought them with his blood : And be it known to you, that not one soul shall ever be joined to that Blessed Assembly, who is not like-minded with them, and has not learned already to give the entire and undivided honour of his salvation to "the Lamb that was slain."]
1. The benefits o/" Redemption as experienced by them- selves—
[Wonderful was the honour to which they were exalted, all being " kings and priests unto God ;" " kings," to exer- cise dominion over all the enemies of their salvation : and " priests," to offer spiritual sacrifices before him for ever and ever.
To a yet further extension of their privileges also they ex- press themselves as looking forward, when they add, " And we shall reign on the earth." Some have thought, that, in the Millennium, the saints will come down from heaven, and reign on earth a thousand years. But I rather understand the expressions which refer to that period, as importing, not that the departed saints will actually rise from the dead, and reign on earth, but that, so universal will be the reign of piety at that period, that it will appear as if all the departed saints had risen to dwell on earth. This is certain, that the day is coming, when " the saints shall take the kingdom," and piety shall reign as triumphantly on the face of the globe, as hitherto im- piety has reigned : and, in the prospect of this, the saints in glory may well rejoice, and consider themselves as partici- pating in the blest event !
And all these benefits, both to themselves and to the world at large, they trace to the death of Christ as the one procuring cause : " Thou wast slain," and hast brought us thereby into this ha])py state. To the same blessed source also must ue trace all our privileges, and all our hopes ; tasting redeeming love in all, and giving the glory of them all to " the Lamb that was slain."]
But, as it does not at first sight appear how this song could arise from the occasion that called it forth, I shall proceed to mark, IIL The connexion between the two —
Recal to mind what the occasion was. The book which was sealed with seven seals contained all the purposes of God towards his Church and people for ever and ever. And none but the Redeemer himself
was