412 A SOUL PREPARED FOR HEAVEN. [DISC. Vm. 4. The great God not only weans our hearts from those things that are not to be enjoyed in heaven, but he gives us a holy appetite and relish, suited to the provi- sions of the heavenly world, and raises our desires and tendencies of soul toward them. By nature our minds are estranged fromGod, and from all that is divine and holy ; we have no desires after his love, nor delight in the thoughts of dwelling with God ; Put when divine grace has effectually touched the heart, it ever tends up- wards to that world of holiness and peace. So the nee- dle, when it is touched by the loa.dstone, ever points to the beloved polar-star, and seems 'Uneasy when it is di- verted from it, nor will it rest till it return thither again. Do the sweet sensations of divine love make up a great part of the heavenly blessedness ? The soul is in some measure fitted for it, who can say with David in Ps. iv. 6. " Lord, lift thou up upon me the light of thy countenance, and it shall rejoice my heart more than if corn, and wine, and oil abounded, and all earthly bles- sings were multiplied upon me ; for in thy love is the life of my soul, and thy loving kindness is better than life ;" Ps. lxiii. 3. Is the felicitating presence of God to be enjoyed in the future world, and shall we see his face there with un- speakable delight ? Then these souls are prepared for heaven, who can say with the Psalmist, Ps. xlii..2. " When shall I come and appear before God ?" When shall I have finished my travels through this wilderness, that I may arrive at my Father's house ? " This one thing have I desired, that I may dwell in the house of God for ever, to behold the beauty of the Lord there ;" Ps. xxvii. 4. " It is enough for me that I shall behold thy -face in righteousness, and I shall be satisfied when I awake out of the dust with thy likeness ;" Ps. xvii. 15. " With my soul have I desired thee, '.0 Lord, in the night, in the darkness of this desert world I have longed for the light of thy face, and with my spirit within me I will seek thee early ;" Is. xxvi. 9. " Whom have I in heaven but thee, neither is there any on earth that I de- sire beside. thee ;" Ps. lxxiii. 25. O when shall the day come when there shall be no more distance and estrange- ment of my heart from God, but I shall feel all my powers for ever near him
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