282, T-Á'EAüENLÍ` CONTENXPLATION 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 çhoir ! 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 hosts 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 a joy at bring- ing 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 ! 8. Compare the joys thou shalt have in heaven, with what the saints have found in the way to it, and in the foretaste of it. When did God ever reveal the least of himself to any of his saints, but the joy of their heart was answerable to the revelation? ,in what an extacy was Peter on the mount of transfiguration ! Master,. says he, it is good for us to be here: let us make three tabernacles ? one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias, As if he had said, " O let us not go down again to yonder persecuting rabble ; let us not return to our mean and suffering state. Is it not better to stay here now we are here ? Is not here better company, and sweeter pleasure ?" How was Paul lifted up with
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