SECT. THE HAPPINESS OF SEPARATE SPIRITS. 425 For every such convert is a new trophy of divine grace. And when the spirits of the just in heaven shall in silt-, cessive seasons behold one and another of their old rela- tives and acquaintance on earth entering in at the gates, and received into heaven, can we imagine there is no new joy amongst them ? Do the pleasures of ,angels increase when they see a man brought into die state of grace, and shall not the souls of men testify their exultation and de- light, when they see one of their fellow-souls, perhaps a dear and intimate friend, translated to the state ofglory! Surely every increase of that happy world shall diffuse increasing joy through the holy ones that dwell in it; and those shall have the sweetest taste of this joy, that had the dearest concern in it. O the transporting and celestial gratulations that pass between tsvo souls of in- timate endearment at their first meeting there ! The last argument that I shall use, . and it is also the last instance I shall mention, wherein the knowledge and the pleasure of glorified saints must receive addition and improvement, is, the great resurrection-day. The spirits of men are formed on purpose for union with bodies, and if they could attain complete happiness in the highest degree without . them, what need would, there be of new creating their bodies from the dust ? Upon this supposition the resurrection itself must seem to be almost in vain. But it is evident from the word Of God, that the spirits of the just, with äll the perfec- tions that belong to a separate state, wait yet for greater perfection when their bodies shall be restored to them ; for as they suffered pain and agony in the body, they shall have a recompence ofpleasure too. " All the days of their appointed time they wait, till this blessed change shall come ;" Job xiv 14. " God shall call and the dust of the saints shall answer; God the Creator will have a desire again to the work of his Own hands," verse 15. and the happy souls will have a desire to be rejoined to their old companions. O glorious hour ! O blessed meeting-time ! a magni- ficent and divine spectacle, worthy toattract the eyes of all the creation'. When the long-divided parts of human nature shall be united with unknownpowers and glories F When these bodies shall be called out of their long dark dungeon, all fashioned a-new, and all new. dressed in im-
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