254 APPEARANCE BEFORE MOD tSERM. XIV. holy society of spirits, and shall feel no more restraints for ever? "(We who have been detained from the house of God, by the uncharitable laws of men, or the painful providence of God, with what a divine relish shall we embrace our liberty in that day, and be eternally free from all forbidding laws, and all imprisoning provi- dences?) O how heartily should it engage our affections to one another, and increase the pleasure of our worship, when we come to wait on God together here below, to think that we shall worship God 'together in the upper world? How should it unite the hearts of our congregations one to another in divine love, and make christians for ever forbear wrath and anger here, since theymust be ever- lasting fellow-worshippers above? (What a glorious joy will it be to you who are the heads and rulers of this family, who have so often joined in sweet devotion here on earth, when you shall meet each other there, and worship together before the throne in heaven ? What a mutual endearment, and mutual delight does such a prospect raise between the nearest re- lations: How doth it exalt the sweetest passion, heighten and refine the warmest love? What a blessed transport will it be to the parents, to find their children there, en- gaged in the same work ? And what a joyful meeting will it be to you, the children, the hopeful offspring of this house, to find each other in that company, and to see your pious parents with you ? With what a glorious and unspeakablejoy shall parents render up their ac- counts to God in this language, " Lord, here am I, and the children that thou bast given me;" imitating the words of the Lord Jesus, giving up his account to his Father.? Heb. How will our glness increase, and our souls enlarge themselves in holy joy, to behold our christian friends, . and_our dear relatives, standing in the. same assembly, as fello<i--worshippers at the throne? How will the heads of this, family, rejoice, if their whole household should be found there, whom they have endeavoured tO encou-, rage in their way to heaven, by a religious care to main tain household worship? how will the joyof faithful mi- nisters be advanced by every one of their hearers, .whom,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=