They will be exempt from all influence of sin or temptation —
[Sin now defiles their very best services. Satan is also unwearied in his endeavours to corrupt them^ These are sources of much pain to them at present. But the souls of all in heaven are made perfect^: nor can any unclean thing enter to defile them**. Their triumph will be complete and ever- lasting*^.]
They will dwell in the immediate presence of their God—
[Their capacity of enjoying God will be wonderfully en- larged : they will behold him not darkly, as now, but face to face"^. The Saviour's glory will be the object of their devoutest admiration®. Their delight in him will surpass their present conceptions ^ They shall know that their happiness will be eternal s. Then will every desire of their heart be fully satisfied^.]
Infer —
1. How desirable is it to be numbered among God's people !
[The rest described is the portion of them alone. God himself declares that the wicked have no part in it': their portion will be very different'^, and its duration also will be
e Matt. xi. 28. ' Matt. xi. 12. « Acts xiv. 22.
" Rev. xiv. 13. y Rev. xxi. 4. ^ 2 Cor. xi. 3.
^ Heb. xii. 23. ^ Rev. xxi. 27. ^ isai. Ix. 20.
^ 1 Cor. xiii. 12. ^ John xvii. 24. f Ps. xvi. 11.
« Rev. xxii. 3 — o. ^ Ps. xvii. 15. ' Isai. Ivii. 21. ^ Ps. xi. 6.
endless'. Who then would not wish to be numbered with the saints ? Who does not desire to participate their inheritance ? But we must first be conformed to their character. We must renounce self-confidence, and believe in Christ. It was un- belief which excluded the Israelites from Canaan'^. Let us fear lest the same evil principle rob us of the heavenly rest".]
2. With what delight may God's people look for- ward to death !
[The hour of death is often an object of terror to the godly, but it should be welcomed as a season of joy. Does not the husbandman rejoice in his wages, the mariner in his haven, the soldier in the spoils of victory ? Much more should the Christian rejoice in the approach of his rest. Let us then long after it, like the holy Apostle"; and let us labour to attain it in full confidence of success p.]
1 Rev. xiv. 11. m Heb. iii. 18, 19. " Heb. iv. 1, 11.
o '2 Cor. v. 2. P 2 Cor. v. 6, 8, 9.