Watts - Houston-Packer Collection BX5207.W3 S4x 1805 v.2

SERM. "{XXVII.I THE CHRISTI NHS TÁEASZ'RE. 12! This thought leads me onward in the survey of this rich inventory of a christian, and carries my thoughts into the invisible regions, and into far distant futurities. 2. Not things present only in this visible world; but things invisible' in other worlds are also yours; and were appointed for your benefit. These are numbered by the apostle among the riches and possessions of the saints. Is there a heaven built on high, with many palaces Of light in it? Theywere built and furnished for- your re- ception. " It is the inheritance of the saitits in light;' Col. i. I. Are there mansions of unknown glory, well prepared by our Lord Jesus Christ, since his ascent to heaven? He assures us in his last words, that they art prepared for you, John xiv. 2, 3: hi myfather's house aremany mansions.; Ifit were not so, Iwould have told you, Igo to prepare aplace for you. And ifI go and prepare a placeforyou, I will come again and receive you to myself; : that where I am, there ye muy be also, Each of these mansions stands waiting for those saints, for whom they are provided; and they are all adorned with rich and magnificent furniture, in theperfect beauty of holiness. The angels, in their shining Orders, are ordained to be your attendants : Those hòly inhabitants of the upper blessed world, " encamp round about those that fear the Lord, Ps. xxxiv.7 . and are appointed as guards to his children, by their heavenly Father. "Are they-not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation ?" Heb. i. 14. They wait upon your dying beds, and convey your souls to the bo- som ofAbraham. Luke xvi. 22. Happy souls, who have so illustrious a guard, to secure a convoy to the'far dis- tant and unknown regions of light and joy. The veryhell that is provided to punish impenitent-sin- ners, though we cannot say it was. built for you, chris- .tians; yet it has been of glorious and terrible service, to awaken your souls out of a natural and guilty state. When the Spirit of God in the ministry of his word has opened the mouth of hell, and brought the flashes of that furnace into your face; it has awakened your con- sciences in time past, and driven you to seek refuge in the arms of Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to o

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