454 THE HAPPINESS OF SEPARATE SPIRITS. DISC. II. The things of heaven are not to be expressed in any fo- reign language. Among the various themes of christian contemplation, he took peculiar pleasure in the doctrines of grace, in the display of the glories of the person of Christ, God in our nature, and the wondrous work of redemption by his cross. He adored him as his Lord and his God : And while he trusted in his righteousness as the great Media- tor, and beheld him as his crucified Saviour, he was ever zealous to maintain the honours due to his divine nature and majesty. And we may be sure this is a study in which he is still engaged, and he spends the days of his eternity in the pleasurable contemplations ofhis glorified Redeemer, and the sacred mysteries of his cross, and his throne, which things the angels desire to pry into. His practice in lite was agreeable to his christian prin- ciples, for he knew that the grace of God, that brings salvation to men, teaches them to deny all ungodliness, and to live sober, righteous and religious lives, that in all things they may adorn the doctrine of God their Sa- viour. Now that this part of his character is continued and exalted in the region of blessed spirits, is too evident to need any amplification or proof ; for holiness in every part of it is made perfect there, and all under the sweet constraint of love. His conversation was pious and learned, ingenious and instructive : He was inquisitive into the affairs of the learned world, the progress of arts and sciences, the concerns of the nation, and the interest of the church of Christ: And upon all occasions was as ready to commu- nicate as he was to inquire. What he knew of the things of God or man, he resolved not to know them only for himself, but for the benefit of all that had the honour of his acquaintance. There are many of his friends that will join with me to confess, how often we have departed from his company refreshed and advanced in some useful knowledge. An.d I cannot but reckon it among the blessings of heaven, when I review those five years of pleasure and improvement, which I spent in his family, in my younger part of life ; and I found.
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