SECT. II!.] THE HAPPINESSOP SEPARATE SPIRITS. 405 kingdom of heaven;" Mat. viii. i 1. Now surely this rich variety of language, whereby the hea, enly state is proposed to us in scripture, must intend a variety of en- tertainments and employments, that may in some mea- sure answer the glory of such expressions. It is not only the powers of our understanding that shall be regaled and feasted in those happy regions with the blissful vision of God and Christ, but our active pow- ers shall doubtless have their proper entertainments too. When angels are so variously and delightfully employed in service for God, in his several known and unknown worlds, we cannot suppose the spirits of just men shall be eternally confined to ,a sedentary state of inactive contemplation. Contemplation indeed is a noble pleasure, and the jey of it rises high when it is fixed on the sublimest ob- jects; and when the faculties are all exalted and refined. But surely such a sight of God and our dear Redeemer as we shall enjoy above, will awaken and animate all the active and sprightly powers of the soul, and set all the springs of love and zeal at work in the most illustrious instances of unknown and glorious duty. . I confess heaven is described as a place of rest, that is, rest from sill and sorrow, rest from pain and weariness, rest from all the toilsome labours and conflicts that we endure in a state of trial ; but it can never be such a rest as lays all our active powers asleep, or renders them use- less in such a vital and active world. It would diminish the happiness of the saints in glory to be unemployed there. Those spirits who have tasted unknown delight and satisfaction in many long seasons of devotion, and in a thousand painful services for their blessed Lord on earth, can hardly bear the thoughts of paying no active duties, doing no work at all for him in heaven, where business is all over delight, and labour is all enjoyment. Surely " his servants shall serve him there, as well as worship him. They shall serve him perhaps as priests iii his temple, and as kings, or viceroys, in his wide domi- nions, for they are made kings and priests unto God for ever ;" Rev. v. 10. But let 'us dwell a little upon their active employ, ments, and perhaps a close and attentive meditationmay lead us into an unexpected view and notice of their sa- p3
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