Part 172

§ 7. Compare the joys above, with the comforts thou hast here received in ordinances. Hath not the Bible been to thee as an open fountain, flowing with comforts day and night? What suitable promises have come into thy mind; so that with David, thou mayest say, _Unless thy law had been my delight, I should then have perished in mine affliction_? Think then, "If his word be so full of consolations, what overflowing springs shall we find in God himself? If his letters are so comfortable, what will the glories of his presence be? If the promise is so sweet, what will the performance be? If the testament of our Lord, and our charter for the kingdom, be so comfortable, what will be our possession of the kingdom itself?"—Think farther, "What delights have I also found in the _word preached_? When I have sat under a heavenly, heart-searching teacher, how hath my heart been warmed? Methinks I have felt myself almost in heaven. How often have I gone to the congregation troubled in spirit, and returned joyful? How often have I gone doubting, and God hath sent me home persuaded of his love in Christ? What cordials have I met with to animate me in every conflict? If but the face of Moses shine so gloriously, what glory is there in the face of God? If _the feet of them that publish peace, that bring good tidings of salvation, be beautiful_; how beautiful is the face of the Prince of Peace? If _this treasure_ be so precious _in earthen vessels_; what is that treasure laid up in heaven? _Blessed are the eyes that see_ what is seen there, _and the ears that hear the things_ that are heard there. There shall I hear Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, John, Peter, Paul; not preaching to gainsayers, in imprisonment, persecution, and reproach; but triumphing in the praises of him that hath raised them to honor and glory." Think also, "What joy is it to have access and acceptance in prayer; that I may always go to God, and open my case, and unbosom my soul to him, as to my most faithful friend? But it will be a more unspeakable joy, when I shall receive all blessings without asking, and all my necessities and miseries will be removed, and when God himself will be the portion and inheritance of my soul." As for the Lord's supper, "What a privilege is it to be admitted to sit at his table, to have his covenant sealed to me there? But all the life and comfort there, is to assure me of the comforts hereafter. O the difference between the last supper of Christ on earth, and the marriage-supper of the Lamb at the great day! Then his room will be the glorious heavens; his attendants, all the hosts of angels and saints; no Judas, no unfurnished guest, comes there; but the humble believers must sit down by him, and their feast will be their mutual loving and rejoicing." Concerning the communion of saints, think with thyself, "What a pleasure is it to live with intelligent and heavenly Christians? David says of such, _they were all his delight_. O what a delightful society then shall I have above? Had I but seen Job on the dunghill, what a mirror of patience? and what will it be to see him in glory? How delightful to have heard Paul and Silas singing in the stocks? How much more to hear them sing praises in heaven? What melody did David make on his harp? But how much more melodious to hear that sweet singer in the heavenly choir? What would I have given for an hour's free converse with Paul, when he was just come down from the third heaven? But I must shortly see those things myself, and possess what I see." Once more, think of praising God in concert with his saints. "What if I had been in the place of those shepherds, who saw, and heard the heavenly host singing, _Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men_? But I shall see and hear more glorious things. How blessed should I have thought myself, had I heard Christ in his _thanksgivings to his Father_? How much more, when I shall hear him pronounce me blessed? If there was such joy at _bringing back the ark_, or at _rebuilding the temple_; what will there be in the _New Jerusalem_? If the _earth rent_, when the people rejoiced at Solomon's coronation; what a joyful shout will there be at the appearing of the King of the church? If, _when the foundations of the earth were laid, the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy_; what a joyful song will there be, when the world of glory is both founded and finished, when the top-stone is laid, and when _the holy city is adorned as the bride, the Lamb's wife_?"