SECT. II.] THE HAPPINESS OP SEPARATE SPIRITS. 38$ sions of them return, every spirit there would exercise the same grace, and that in a more glorious and perfect man. tier, fin-their very natures are all over holy. III. The last thing I shall mention, wherein the per- fection of the saints above consists, is, their constant peace and exalted,joy, without any mixture of sorrow or uneasiness : and this is joy and peace in perfection. If our knowledge, our love, and our - holiness are im- perfect on earth, our joys must be so.' The Mistakes and the follies to which we are liable here below, the guilt that pains the conscience, and the sin that is restless and ever working within us, will bring forth fruits ofpresent sorrow, where they do not produce the fruit of eternal death. A saint in this world will groan under these bur- dens; and it is divinely natural for him to cry out, O wretched man ! who shall deliver mefrom the body of this death? Rom. vii. 24. Thus there are many things that are within us, and that belong to us in this world, that forbid the perfection of our joys. And besides all these, we are attached and tied down to many other uneasinesses, while we dwell'on earth. 'I his world is a fair theatre of the wisdom and power of God, but it is hung round and replenished with temp- tations to fallen man, proper for a state of trial ; soft and flattering temptations, that by the senses are ever draw- ing away the soul fromGod and heaven, and breakingin upon its divine repose and joy; and while we are sur- rounded with a thousand dangers, we cannot be said to dwell in perfect peace. The follies and the crimes of others afflict the soul of a good man, and put hirn,to pain, " as the righteous. soul of Lot was vexed in Sodom from day to day with their unlawful deeds;" 2 Pet, ii. 8. The greater vexations, and the little teazing accidents of life that attend us, disturb the sacred rest of the 'saint, and ruffle or wound his spirit. And the best of men on this account are sometimes ready to cry out with David ; Psal. cxx. 5, 6. Woe is me that Isojourn in Meshech, a#Td dwell in the tents of Kedar :Iy soul bath long dwelt with them that hate peace. O that I hadwin 4. like a dove, for then would Illy away, and be at rest ; Psal. Iv. 6. And sometimes God himself is absent froal the soul VOL. III. C
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=