.586 lAPPINESS OP SEPARATE SPIRITS. frequent discourse ; yet they are so entertaining, that T knew not how toleave them. But I would not spend all my time on coin- mon topics, while I am paying honour to the memory of an un- common christian. I proceed therefore to the next general head. Sect. III. Of the various kinds and degrees ofthe employ- ments andpleasures ofheaven. Having shewn that by the spirits ofju,st'men in my text we are to understand the souls of all the pious and the good that have left thebody and having described their perfection as a state ofcompleteknowledge, holiness andjoy; the third thing I am to consider, is, what sort of perfection this is, or what are some óf the special characters of it. And here I beg your attention to somepleasing speculationswhich are agree- able to the word ofGod, and to the nature and reason of things, and which have often given my thoughts a sacred entertainment. I. It is such aperfection as admits of great variety of employ- ments and pleasures; according to the various turn and genius of each particular spirit. For the word perfection does not necessarily imply a state of universal and constant uniformity. That the mindof every man here on earth has a different turn of genius, and peculiar manner of thought, is evident to every wise observer. And why should not every pious mind or spirit carry to heaven with it somuch ofthat turn and manner, as is natural and innocent ? I grant it is a possible thing, that manydifferent geniuses ofmen onearth may perhaps be account- ed for by the different constitution ofthe body, the frame of the brain, and the various texture of the nerves, or may be ascribed to the coarseror finer blood, and corporeal spirits ; as well asto different forms of education and custom, &c. These may be able to produce a wondrous variety in the tempers and turnsof inclination, even though all souls were . originally the same : But I dare not assert that there is no difference betwixt the souls themselves, at their first creation and union with the body. There aresome considerations would lead oneto believe, that there are real diversities of genius among the spirits them- selves in their own nature. God, the'great Creator, Math seemed to delight himself hi a rich variety of productions in all his worlds which we are ac- quainted with. Letus snake à pause here, and stand still and survey the overflowing riches of his wisdom, which are laid out on this little spot of his vast dominions, this earthly, globe on which we tread ;' and we may imagine the same variety and riches overspreading allthose upperworlds which we call planets orstars. What an amazingmultiplicity of kinds of creatures dwell on this earth ? Ifwe search the animated world and survey it, we shall find there are some that fly, some that creep or slide, and
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