DISCOURSE IL 408 there is nothing written in the books of nature, the records of providence, or the sacred volumes of grace, but may minister materials at special seasons for the holy conference of the saints on high. No history nor prophecy, no doctrine nor duty, no command -nor promise, nor threatening in thebible, but may re- cal the thoughts of the heavenly inhabitants, 'and engage them in sweet conversation. All things that relate to the affairs of past ages and pasbworlds, as well as the present regions of light and happiness where they dwell, may give them new themes of dia- logue and mutual intercourse. And though we are very little acquainted whilst we are on earth, with any of the planetary worlds besides that which we inhabit, yet who knows how our acquaintance may be extended hereafter, amongst the inhabitants of the various and distant globes ? And what frequent and swift journeys we may take thither, when we are disencumbered of this loadof flesh and blood, or when our bodies are raised again, active and swift as sun-beams? Sometimes we may entertain our holy curiosity theré, and find millions of new discoveries of divine power and divine contrivance in those unknown regions; and bring back from thence new lectures of divine wisdom, or tidings of the affairs of those provinces, to entertain our fellow- spirits, . and to ,give new honours to God the Creator and the Sovereign. So a pious traveller in our lower world visits Africa or both the Indies : At his return he sits in a circle of attentive admirers, and recounts to them the wondrous products of . those climates, and the customs and manners of those distant countries : He gra- tifies their curiosity with some foreign varieties, and feasts their eyes and their ears at once : Then at the end of every storyhe breaks out into holy language, and adores the various riches and wisdom of God the Creator. Toproceed yet one step farther. Since there are different degrees of glory, we may infer a variety of honours-as well as delights prepared for the spirits of thejust made perfect. Some part of the happiness of heaven is described in scripture bycrowns and thrones, by royalty and kingly honours: Why may we not then suppose that such souls, whose sublimer graces have pre- pared them for such dignity and office, may rule the nations, even in a literal sense ? Whymay not those spirits that have past their trials in flesh and-blood, and come off conquerors, why may they not sometimes be appointed visitors and superintendants over whole provinces of intelligent beings in lower regions, who are yet labouring in their state of probation ? or perhaps they may be exalted to a presidency over inferior ranks of happy spirits, may shine bright amongst them as the morning-star, and lead on their holy armies to celestial work or 'worship. The Scripture itself gives us a hint of such employmentsin the angelic ç c 2
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