404 MArpszzSS OF SEP:tRAZ'E SPIRYTS. bodybe raised from the dust, nor live so long destit'ute of all melodious joys, or of that spiritualpleasure which shall supply the place of melody, till our organs of sense shall be restored to us again. But is all heaven, made up of praises? Is there no prayer there ?' Let us consider a little : What is prayer, but the desire ofa created spirit in an humble manner made known to its Creator ?' Does not every saint above desire to know God, to love and serve him, to be employed for his honour, and toenjoy the eternal continuance of his love and its own felicity ? Maynot each happyspirit in heaven exert these desires in a way of solemn. address to the divine Majesty? May not the happy soul acknow- ledge its dependance in this manner upon its Fatherand its God ? Is there no place in theheart ofa glorified saint for such humble addresses as these ? Does not every separate spirit there look' and long for the resurrection, when it is certain that embodied spiritson earth who have received the first fruits of grace and glorygroan within themselves, waiting for the redemption of the Godaj ? lion.. viii. 23. And may we not suppose each holy soul sending a sacred and fervent wish after this glorious day, and lifting up a desire to its God about it, though without the uneasi- ness of a sigh or agroan ? May it notunder the influence of di- vine love breathe out the requests of its heart, and the ex- pressions ofits zeal foi'the glory and kingdom of Christ ? May not the church above join with the churchesbelow in this language, Father,. thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven? Are not the souls of the martyrs that were slain, repre- sented, to us as under the altar, cryingwith a loudvoice, how long, OLord, holyand true? Rev. vi. 9, N. This looks like thevoice of prayer in heaven. Perhaps you will suppose there is no such service as hear- ing sermons, that there is no attendance upon the word of God there. But are we sure there areno such entertainments ? Are there no lectures of divine wisdom and grace given to theyounger spirits there,, by spirits of a more exalted station? Ormay not our Lord Jesus Christ himselfbe the everlasting teacher of his church ? May he not at solemn seasons summon all heaven to hearhim publishsome newand surprizing discoveries, whichhave never yet been made known to the ages of nature, or of g. ace, and are reserved to entertain the attention, and exalt the pleasure Of spiritsadvanced toglory ? . Must we learn all by the merecontemplation of Christ's person ? Does be never make use of speech to the instruction and joy of saints above ? Moses and Elijahcame down once from heaven tomake a visit to Christ on mount Tabor, and the subject of their converse with him was his death and departure from this world ; Luke ix. 31. Now since our Lord is, ascended to heaven, are these holy souls cut
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