iGioap.16.] EXEM.rzaEMu. 249 God, who is love itself, shall perfectly love me, and rest in his love tome, as I shall rest inmy love to him; and rejoice over -,one with joy, and joy over me with singing, as I shall rejoice in him ! 2. i' Hownear is that most blessed, joyful day ! It comes apace. He that shall come will corne, and will not tarry,' Though myLord seems to delay his coming, yet a little while and he will be hem. What is .a few hundred years, when they are over? How surely will bis sign appear! How suddenlywill he seize upon the careless world, even ' as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth unto the west!' He who is gone hence shall so come. Methinks I hear his trumpet sound 1 Methinks I see him coming in clouds, with his attending angels, in majesty and glory ! 3. O, secure .sinners I! what nowwill you do ? where will you hide yourselves ? what shall cover you ? Mountains are gone ; the heavens and the earth, which were, are passed .away ; the devouring fire bath consumed all, except yourselves,who must be the fuel for ever. O that you could consume as soon as the earth, and melt away as did the heavens ! Ah, these wishes are now but vain ! The Lamb himself would have beenyour friend; he would have loved you, and ruled you,.and now have saved.you; but youwould not then, and now it is too late. Never cry, Lord, Lord : too late, too late, man. Why dost thou look about ? can any save thee ? Whither dost thou run ? can any hide thee ? 0, wretch, that hast brought thyself to this ! 4. " Now, blessed saints, that have believed and obeyed! this is the end offaith and patience. This is it for which you prayed and waited. Do you now repent your sufferings and sorrows, your self-denial and holy walking ? Are your tears of repentance now bitter or sweet? See how the Judge smiles upon you ; there is love in his looks; the titles of Redeemer, Husband, Head, are written in bis amiable, shining face. Hark, he calls you q 'he bids you stand here on his right hand. feasr not, for there he sets his sheep. O joyful sentence! 4 Come, ye blessed of myFather, inherit the-kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.' He takes you by the hand, the door is open, the kingdom is his, and therefore yours ; there is your place before his throne! The Father receives you as the spouse of his Son, and bids you welcome to the crown of glory. II*
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