415 / 652
SECT.
II!.]
THE HAPPINESS
OP
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 meditation
may
lead
us
into an unexpected
view
and
notice of their sa-
p3