Jerusalem, and a blessed tide of holiness and peace set in, bearing down every barrier, and covering the earth with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

5. This leads to a last point, on which Scripture seems to give some intimation. I mean the advantages to be gained in attaining this Divine knowledge from the INTERCOURse and ministRY of the risen SAINTS. It becomes us, as creatures entirely ignorant and sinful, except as God graciously pardons and teaches us, to speak of such a point as this with more than usual reverence and caution. But if the fact of Christ's premillennial advent be once established, the conclusion from it cannot, one would think, be doubtful. Are we not taught that God will bring all the saints with Him? that they shall receive their resurrection bodies at the sound of the archangel's trump; and that they shall have their residence with their glorified Saviour, in the holy city of New Jerusalem, "which comes down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband?" (Rev. xxi.) Are we not taught that the saints shall subordinately share with Christ in His rule over and upon the earth? and that the rebuilt earthly Jerusalem, the abode of men in the flesh, shall be distinct from the heavenly, the abode of the risen

saints? Remembering, then, that the world to come, of which we speak, is not to be ruled by the ministry of angels, but put in subjection to the saints; that the broken link of union and communion between the heavenly and the earthly, which was broken by man's sin, will be repaired; that, the works of the devil being effectually destroyed, the cherubims and the flaming sword will no longer debar man's access to the tree of life; in short, that there will be the closest possible connexion and communication between the new heavens and the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness,-may we not gather,

that in that more than Paradisaic communion with heavenly beings which men in the flesh will then enjoy, the greatest facilities will be afforded for the acquisition and diffusion of the mysteries of Divine knowledge; and that such prophecies as that of the text will then receive their fullest and most glorious accomplishment. What else does the apostle mean when he describes the nations of them that are saved walking in the light of the heavenly Jerusalem? or the Psalmist, when speaking of the time when ALL the works of Jehovah shall praise Him, he says, "Thy saints shall bless thee, they shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom and talk of thy power, to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts

and the glorious majesty of his kingdom?" (Ps. cxlv. 10-12.) May there not be an intimation of this given in the fact of which we are told in connexion with our Lord's resurrection, that "many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many?" (Matt. xxvii. 52, 53.)

But I forbear, thankful to catch so glorious a glimpse of coming blessedness, and waiting in patient hope for its full discovery, when our gracious Lord shall see that we are able to bear it. Of this we are sure, that it would greatly add to the happiness of glorified saints to be permitted thus to tell to the sons of men of the grace and glory of their Saviour and King; for even now, next to the happiness of speaking to the King, is the happiness which his servants feel in speaking of Him. And if such be the happiness now, when the flesh is weak, and the spirit often oppressed and weighed down by the pollutions of sin,—what will it be when the spirit is free, through atoning blood, from every stain, and filled full of joy with His continual presence; and when this vile body, too, is changed and fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working, whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself? Verily,

"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." (1 Cor. ii. 9, 10.)

Such, then, Christian brethren, appears to me the teaching of Scripture on this glorious and comprehensive subject. The texts which have been quoted or referred to, ought to be carefully studied, for they have been written for our learning. One thing is certain, unless we have altogether erred in discovering the mind of God, these are things which must shortly come to pass. In our present state of imperfection and darkness, it does not become us to ascend the chair of infallibility, or to be arrogant in maintaining that every particular of our own views must be right, and to condemn all who cannot see exactly as we do. This would be as if we had forgotten the rebuke, “Surely ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you." But after years of patient study and prayer, these are things which are most surely believed amongst many whose duty it is not to be ashamed of Christ, or of His Word.

And this even our opponents must allow. If we be wrong in some particulars, we can lose

nothing which they hope to gain. For the spiritual effects produced by the views we have endeavoured to establish are elevating and sanctifying, and designedly, as I think, more so than any other views. St. John, in his First Epistle, ch. iii. 3, and St. Peter, in his Second Epistle, ch. iii. 14, shew their legitimate influence: "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure;" "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless."

66

If there be error in the views which lead us to be more earnestly prayerful for the Saviour's glory, and more diligent in preparing for it, it will be an error of love, and desire, and anxiety to give a suitable response to His own assurance, Surely I come quickly." If such practical effects be indeed produced in our own individual cases, we can lose nothing even if mistaken on some minor points. We shall gain everything by looking to Jesus and for Him. By looking to Him, we shall walk warily in these dangerous days,―by looking for Him we may humbly hope to be found among those to whom He shall appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

In closing the subject, permit me, Christian brethren, to suggest that it ought to lead to the