I s THE RIGtiT 6VEMENT OF LII E. [SEi2 Gt. XZXt7C; souls when we are in heaven ? And what if the rich an overflowing .grace of God shouldreward us on this ac- count with growing glories ? And " those who turn ma- ny to righteousness in this manner, should shineas stars with increasing lustre ?" Some divines have supposed, that the mischievous in- fluenceof the works and lives of the wicked shall increase their torment : And perhaps, Jeroboam, who set up the calves at Dan and Beth-el, and who made the land of Israel to practise idolatry for some hundreds of years lifter his own death, might feel yearly more intense ago- nies of conscience, and his hell grows seven times hotter, This is a dreadful thought, and should terribly awaken and impress those sinners who have diffused their iniqui- ties far and wide; who have corrupted whole families, and cities, and nations, And spread their poison through succeeding ages. And why may not the joy and crown of St. Paul increase and brighten by the conversion of sinners, through sixteen hundred years, by the influence of his holy writings amongst all the christian nations ? And thus not the Thessalonians alone, but the inhabit- ants of Great Britain shall be the matter of his glory and his joy ? O it is a blessed thing to multiply good instruc- tions, and counsels, and exemplary practises of holiness : and to hear of them after we have gone to heaven, either by ministering angels, or by souls newly arriving there, that they still yield on earth a further crop and harvest ofhonour to Christ, and profit to men. Such tidings as these cannot but raiseand advance our ownjoy: As your zeal and labour in active service shall find a retribution every way, answerable, so your patience un- der sufferings shall meet with a proportionable reward. 2 Coy. iv.- 17. " 1órour light afflictions, which are but for a moment, are working .for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." Life is the only seasons as I shall shew afterwards, for this sort of exercise ; and the longer we endure sorrows here honourably, the richer shall our rewardbe hereafter, though the reward is notof merit but of free grace. How many saints are there in heaven exalted toemt rent stations in that upper world, And sonic who wear, perhaps, the crown of martyrdom, and enjoy the prizes of victory over a thousand temptations. after they have
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