any part of it doubted : for every thing which had been spoken respecting it, was true, and might be fully relied on.
NoM' this at first sight appears to have been superfluous : but it was in reahty no more than what our necessities re- quired. When the soul is bowed down with pains and sor- rows, it needs support: and there is no support equal to that which this vision affords. Our trials are but for a time : and eternity is near at hand : and the very troubles which we are called to endure, are subservient to our best interests, and conducive to the augmentation of our happiness to all eternity. Look at the saints of old, and see Mhat supported them in all their trials. What enabled the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to leave their country and kindred, and to live as pilgrims and sojourners on the earth? " They looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God''." What enabled the martyrs of following ages to sus- tain their accumulated afflictions i They " looked forward to the Resurrection," when they should possess " a better and an enduring substance*." It is to that period that our blessed Lord teaches us to look, as affording us a rich compensation for all that we can now endure fi r his sake^. And it is the prospect of that time which reconciles all the Lord's people to the diversified afliictions of this present life. Hence it was necessary that we sliorJd have the fullest testimony respecting the certainty and the excellency of that future state.
Know then, (hat state does indeed await you : know, that *' light is sown for the righteous :" and " though weeping may endure for a night, joy will come in the morning."]
2. Were in actual existence —
[The voice which attested the truth of these things, added also, " It is done." The very glory of which the vision spake, is actually begun. Thousands and millions are already in possession of it. What a blessed thought; to those espe- cially who have been bereaved of pious friends or relatives ! They are already joined to the general Assembly and Church of the first-born : their spirits are already perfect ; perfect in purity, and perfect also in felicity. Think of the dying thie^ when, on the very night of his crucifixion, he was received into the presence of his Lord in Paradise ! AVe wonder not that " Paul desired to depart and to be with Christ," account- ing that infinitely better than the happiest state on earth. Nor do we wonder that he made light of every tlung which stood between him and the consunmuition of his bliss ^; and longed for the dissolution of his earthly tabernacle, that he migiit
Iiave
-^ Heb. xi. 10. ' Heb. x. 34. & xi. 35.
' Matt. V. 12. « Horn. viii. IS. 2 Cor. v. 1—4.