holy joy, when there is nothing in his state which does not rather call for rivers of tears ? But if any one doubt what answer he must return to these questions, let him go to his chamber, and see whether he be competent to form his mind to these sublime employments ; and he will soon find that no power but that which created our souls at first, can form them anew after the Divine image.]
2. We cannot enter into the kingdom of glory —
[There is a meetness for the heavenly inheritance1 ', which every one must attain, before he can enjoy the felicity of the saints in light. As, on earth, no occupation can afford us pleasure, if we have not an inward taste and relish for it, so, in heaven, we must have dispositions suited to the state of those above. But where is this disposition to be obtained, if not in this life ? Can it be thought that there shall be " repentance in the grave," and that we shall become regenerate in a future state ? Shall he, who never supremely loved his God, become at once inflamed with devout affection towards him ? Shall not he, who never was renewed after the Divine image, rather behold with dread and horror the holiness of God, and tremble at the sight of that Lamb, whose dying love he despised, and whose blood he trampled under foot ? Shall he, who never sought one hour's communion with God in secret, delight to have no other employment to all eternity ? No ; " as the tree falleth, so it lieth ;" " he that was unjust will be unjust still; and he that was filthy will be filthy still." As there is this reason on the part of man, so is there a still more cogent rea- son on the part of God. God has declared, with repeated and most solemn asseverations, that " except a man be born again, he shall never enter into his kingdom.'" And has he spoken thus merely to alarm us ? "Is he a man that he should lie, or the son of man that he should repent?" Will he dishonour himself to favour us ? Will he violate the rights of justice, holiness, and truth, in order to save those, who, to their dying hour, rejected and despised his proffered mercy? If all the world tell you that you shall be admitted into heaven, believe them not: for the Judge of quick and dead has with the strongest possible asseverations declared, you never shall. Let us not then deceive ourselves with such vain hopes : for they can ter- minate in nothing but disappointment and ruin.]
Address —
1. The unregenerate —
[You cannot surely be at a loss to know your real state, if you will examine candidly whether you have ever expe- rienced such a change in your views, desires, and pursuits,
r Col. i. 12.