294 AN EXAMPLE OF earth. This body is not like that we had, nor this soul like the soul we bad, nor this life like the life we lived. We have changed our place and state, our clothes and thoughts, our looks, language, and company. Before, a saint was weak and despised ; but now how happy and glorious a thing is a saint ! Where is now their body of sin, which wearied themselves and those about them ? Where are now our different judgments, reproachful names,- divided spirits, exasperated pas- sions, strange looks, uncharitable censures? Now we are all of one judgment, of one name, of one heart, house, and glory. O sweet reconciliation ! Happy union! Now the gospel shall no more be dishonoured through our folly. No more, my soul, shalt thou la -. ment the suffering of the saints, or the church's ruins,. nor mourn thy suffering friends, nor weep over their dying beds, or their graves. Thou shalt never suffer thy old temptations from Satan, the world, or thy own flesh. Thy pains and sickness are all cured ; thy body -shall no more burthen thee with weakness and weari -. ness; thy aching head and heart, thy hunger and thirst, thy sleep and labour, are all gone. O what a mighty change is this ! From the dunghill to the throne ! From persecuting sinners, to praising saints ! From a vile body to this which shines as the brightness of the firmament ! From a sense of God's displeasure, to the perfect en- joyment of him in love ! From all my doubts and fears, to this possession, which puts me out of doubt ! From all my fearful thoughts of death, to this joyful life ! Blessed change ! Farewell sin and sorrow for ever ; fare - well my rocky, proud, unbelieving heart; my worldly, sensual, carnal heart; and welcome my most holy, hea- venly nature. Farewell repentance, faith, and hope; and welcome love, and joy, and praise. I shall now have my harvest, without ploughing or sowing; my joy with- out a preacher, or a promise; even all from the face of God himself. Whatever mixture is in the streams, there is nothing but pure joy in the fountain. Here shall I be encircled with eternity, and ever live, and ever, ever, praise the Lord. My face will not wrinkle, nor my hair be grey; for this corruptible shall have put
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