460 THE HAPPINESS OP SEPARATE SPIRITS. DISC. II. promised glories of another world, when I meet with disappointments here ? They had a large share of christian experience, a rich stock of divine and spiritual observations by much con- verse with God and with their own souls. What have I got of this kind for the support of my soul ? or are all these strange things to me ? Believe me, my dear and honoured friends, these are matters of infinite importance; I am sure you will think so one day : And I trust and persuade myself, you think them so. now. I cannot give myself leave to imagine that you put these thoughts far from you. Some of you have made it appear that they lie next your heart, and that your souls are deeply engaged in the ways of God and goodness. O that every one of you would give the same comfort and joy to your friends ! Be not satisfied with a mere negative holiness, an unspotted character in' the eyes of the world ; but let the world know that you dare be religious, and profess universal piety in a degenerate age. Let those that honour the memory of your parents, and love your souls, rejoice in your public christianity. Let them know, that there are the foun- dations of heavenly glory laid within you all, and the bles- sed work begun on earth, that shall surely be made per- fect among the spirits of the just in heaven. And methinks I would not have you contented with the lowest seat there ; but stir up yourselves to a most unwearied pursuit of holiness in the sublimer degrees of it. And thus labouring in the christian race, contend for some of the brighter prizes, some of the richer crowns of glory. Be'not satisfied to sit at a great distance below your parents departed, even in the heavenly country: But strive with a holy ambition that you may come near them, that the whole family together may arrive at some superior degrees of blessedness. And O may divine grace grant me the pleasure to be a witness to your ex- alted stations, and to worship and rejoice amongst you there ! Amen.
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