such is the nature of things visible, that they lead us to those that are invisible.

Glory is not to be considered after

a philosophical manner, being al

tural.

To inquire metaphysically into the nature of this excellent glory, is not together superna- our intention: we desire not to speak other things than what is written. Subtle inquiries are cold, having small influence on the affections, the inflaming of which is our aim. A gospel view of glory, in a Scripture dialect, is our design. That the Scriptures term heaven "a city," and again a bride," shows that all emblems come wonderfully short, in representing such inconceivable things; and therefore discourses thereof are not to be examined according to vulgar rules. Glory may be understood, either of the supernatural elevation of the creature, or as the manifestation of God to the creature: the glory, then, to be revealed is a supernatural perfection, and that in kind. Natural wisdom ever so intense, is not glory: the splendour of the sun, though a thousand stages gradually augmented above what it is, is still but natural glory, and not a supernatural elevation. Every thing is perfect, beautiful, excellent, or glorious (which terms express the same) in its own kind; but, in heaven, all are supernaturally excellent, as being elevated far above the reach of their natural beings.

All creatures, from the highest to the

supernatural ele

What baser things than dust! and lowest, are the yet that is admitted within the New sively capable of Jerusalem: yet may intellectual beings be said, by way of eminence, to be only capable of glory: and then we may say, glory is the highest actual elevation of a creature,

vation.

66

Nothing leads us so excellently to

glory, as grace its

in its being, faculties, virtues, operations, and relations, by which it is enabled to enjoy God to the full. Grace being an endowment above the strength of nature, what is it else the knowledge of but young glory? For the know- forerunner. ledge of the one will lead us by the hand unto the knowledge of the other: as glory is grace in the bloom and fullest vigour, so grace is glory in the bud and first springing; the one is holiness begun, the other holiness perfected; the one is the beholding of God darkly, as through a glass, the other beholding him face to face, I Cor. xiii. 12. Christians, are you considering, that in part you are glorified already? Though it be small, like a grain of mustard-seed," and obscured by corruption and mortality; a little patience, and you shall see it grow out wonderfully, in all dimensions, and flourish, and bloom, and be fruitful and fragrant through never ending ages. You have tasted that the Lord is good; you shall swim, ere long, in the oceans of goodness. You have had his amiable countenance lifted up upon you; a little hence shall for ever dwell under the noonday rays of his glorious face. Some drops of celestial joy have fallen into your hearts, and enraptured them; you shall enter into the ocean itself ere long. You are walking with the Lamb, in the days of your pilgrimage; you shall follow him anon whithersoever he goes, Rev. xiv. 4. May ye not then attain to some conception of glory? the tree may be known by its seed; the direct rays, by the reflex. As for you, worldlings, who know not what it is to have communion with God, the very

ye

natural consideration of such dazzling glory may rouse up your senses, and cause you to understand what you never heretofore considered.

Saints get some discoveries

more

be termed glimps

es of glory.

every one that

The saints, on this side of time, are evident than thro' not seldom more than victors; they a glass, which may have sights above that of faith. Oh the sights! oh the sweetness! oh the raptures, more like those of overcomers, than fighters, which the saints experience! Why may we not, then, attain to some apprehensions of the glory above? May not the experience of ourselves and others lead us into the discovery of wonderful things? No doubt, the new creation is a supernatural elevation, which we shall never be able to attain unto, through the ordinary influences of the Spirit on our faculties; his marvellous light is of another nature, than that common light which he communicateth to “ cometh into the world," John i. 9. Natural excellency, ever so gradually perfected, is still natural; gradual difference changes not the kind: join all common graces of reprobates together, could they make up a saving or supernatural ? Many carnals make not a heavenly; many material excellences make not up a spiritual: grace is a heavenly, new, principle infused, not the perfecting of what has been already in the worldling. O sirs, beware of being beguiled here: the intense natural knowledge of divine mysteries, with the overflowings of love and joy arising therefrom, may dazzle our own eyes, and the eyes of the spectators; but look that you have heaven indeed within you, else you cannot enter there. Oh to be partakers of the Divine nature! Oh for

the noble mind of Christ! Oh to be transformed in the spirit of our minds! Cause thy wind to blow on our dry bones, and we shall live, Ezek. xxxvii. 9. Be not beguiled, sirs; as ye sow, so shall you reap, Gal. vi. 7. Have you the immortal seed within you? Look well to it, let it not be choked with cares, anxieties, and vanities. Though the beginning appear small and inconsiderable, the end will be wonderfully glorious and excellent: the wonders to be manifested upon thee, will be the perfection of what thou hast got already : "If the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he shall also quicken your mortal bodies, by his Spirit that dwelleth in you," Rom. viii. 11.

All things invite to this excellent

study; and there against it.

is no argument

We heartily beseech you, to step up to the top of mount Pisgah, and take a view of our blessed country: what have you to say against the business? Come, and see," will answer all your objections: whatever you can say against the matter, will prove it. Speak ye of melancholy? Oh what sweetness is here! Of inability, and dimness of knowledge? Oh the lightness of this city! all things are obscure and smoky below. Speak we of hinderances from our necessary worldly affairs? Oh how does the sight of this glory oil the wheels, and cheer up to every duty! Will any term it an unknown subject? Nothing more fruitful, and fuller of varieties; nothing more lightsome than glory! Art thou worldly-minded? Oh, then, study heaven! the excellency of the one will cause the other to disappear. Thinkest thou hell and destruction are more to be considered by thee?

Come, and thou shalt behold, that the discovery of glory discovers all things, since there is no danger for a trembling, broken-hearted sinner : the way to glory is the path of life, the new and living way. "We are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire; but unto mount Sion, the heavenly Jerusalem, the innumerable company of angels, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, to God the Judge of all, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel," Heb. xii. 22-24.

This skill is only from above, and to

Thou inexhaustible Original of all be begged of God. light, life, and fulness, draw up our minds to thee, from this proper habitation of the devil and his slaves; and hold us ever with thee, lest we fall down to this dunghill again : "Then shall we be joyful in glory, we shall sing aloud on our beds; we shall speak of the greatness of thy kingdom, of the excellency of thy Majesty, and of the glory of thine inheritance in the saints in light then shall we go out with joy, and be led forth with gladness: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before us into singing: then shall we renew our strength, we shall mount up with wings, as eagles: we shall run, and not be weary; and walk, and not be faint." Psa. cxlix. 5; cxlv. 5, 6, 11, 12; Eph. i. 18; Isa. lv. 12; xl. 31.