his love, his mercy, his faithfubiess, are ever before their eyes. They have such views of him and his perfections as worcis cannot describe ; and such fellowship with him as a carnal man has no idea of^ The impure may mourn and even " howl upon their beds ;" but the pure, like Moses of old, have near access to God, and see "him who is invisible*;" and by this sight are strengthened, supported, comforted, and sanctified.]
2. They shall behold the beatific vision in heaven — [Thither the unclean can never be admitted ". As well mio-ht " light have communion with darkness, or Christ with Betial," as they participate the blessedness of heaven. If it be asked, " Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord, and stand in his holy place ?" the answer is, " He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart''." To him a glorious inheritance is pro- mised : for him a place in the heavenly mansions is prepared : a seat upon the very throne of God liimsclf is reserved for him. There shall his organs of vision be strengthened to behold all the glory of the Godhead. At present he " sees God only as through a glass, darkly ; but then will he behold him face to face. Now he knows God only in part ; but then he will know him, even as he himself is known >."]
Address —
1. The gay and dissipated —
[Perhaps you refrain from gross iniquity ; and therefore " imagine yourselves pure, though you are not washed from your inward filthiness''." In this notion you are countenanced
by the world at large : but " let no man deceive you
with vain words : for because of inward, as well as outward impurity, the wrath of God cometli upon all the children of disobedience''." "Your bodies are the temples of the Holy Ghost; and if any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy ^" Nevertheless, if you deeply repent of your past sins, you shall be forgiven "=; and if you believe in Christ, you shall be both sanctified and saved**.]
2. The professors of religion —
[How many who have run well for a season have been hindered and turned aside through the prevalence of their o\\ti evil passions ! We need not go back to David and Solomon : there is not a place where religion has made any progress, but
s 1 Johni. 3. t Heb. xi. 27. " Eph.v.5. Heb.xii. 14,
* Ps. xxiv. 4. y 1 Cor. xiii.l2. ^ Prov. xxx. 12.
a Eph. V. 6. 2 Pet. ii. 9, 10. ^ I Cor. iii. 16, 17.
c Jam. iv. 8, 9. d i Cor. vi. 9—11.