have it reared anew in that better world'' Let us only
think how near we are to that blissful state, and nothing will be able to damp our ardour, or retard our progress, in the pursuit of it,]
Contemplate heaven then, I intreat you : Con- template it,
1. As an object of pursuit —
[What is there in the whole universe that is worthy to be put in competition with it ? Oh ! blush that you can have your heart engaged about the vanities of time and sense, and that these eternal realities occupy so little of your atten- tion ]
2. As an object of expectation —
[Can you really believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has given you a title to this blessedness, and ever be weary in the pursuit of it ? The wonder is, how you can be content to live in this poor wretched world, when there is such blessedness awaiting you at your departure from it. Go and survey it from day to day : take Pisgah views of it : anticipate it : get such a sense of God's presence Avith you, as shall be a fore- taste of it : and be daily " looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day," when you yourself shall be privileged to say, " He hath made all things new."]
3. As an object of actual fruition —
[Ask of " those who came out of gi'eat tribulation, and washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, and are now in the immediate presence of their God:" ask them, Whether they regret any labours or sufferings which they ever endured in their way to that bliss. Ask them too. How, with God's help, they would live, if they were again permitted to begin their course on earth ? Ask yourselves too, what thoughts you will have of your present conduct, if ever you should reach those realms of bliss ? These will be profitable considerations to you : they will place all present things in their just point of view : and will aid you greatly in running the race that is set before you.]
^ It being delivered on the night of his late Majesty's funeral, the audience were here led to contemplate the blessed exchange which his Majesty now experienced. And the same may be done on occasion of any one who dies in the Lord. See llev, xiv. J3.