420 HAPPINESS OF SEPARATE SPIRITS. ed spirit with a frequent change of pleasures, and gives room for perpetual increase. Sect. V. Of the means of attaining this perfection. My fourth and last enquiry is this, how do these good spirits of just men arrive atthis perfection. I answer, by the deatli ofthe body, and their departure from flesh, and blood. You will ask what reasons are there, why their departure from the body should bring them into this perfect state ? I will content myselfto men- tion these four : I. Because atdeath their State of trial is ended, and the time of recompence begins by divine appointment : Now all their im- perfections must end with their state of trial. This is the account of things in the scripture r lieb. ix. 27. It is appointed for all men once to die, and after death thejudg- ment. At the hour of death those words are spoken aloud in the most dreadful or most delightfullanguage ; Rev. xxii. 11. He that is unjust or filthy let him be sostill : He that is righteousand holy let him be so still. And then upon the determination of the state, c the reward or recompence follows, ver. 12. My reward is with me, to give to every man accordingas his works shall be. Many inconveniences and imperfections, and difficulties, are proper for a state of trial, andby these methods we are trainedup for glory. Christ hi elf wakignorankóf manytl' s in the de of hi trial, his knowledge one th was ierfect, sis joys e so o: for hegrew in wisdom and knowledge, he was aman of sorrow , and acquainted with grief Though he were a Son, yet he learned obedience by the things that he suffered, and the Captain of our Salvation was made perfect through sufferings; Heb. v. S. and ii. 10. But when the time of probation and suffering ceases, then perfection is come, and glory appears. I-Iail, blessed spirits above, who have passed your state of trial well ! You have run the laborious race under many burdens; and you have received theprize. You have fought with mighty enemies, you have overcome a thousand difficulties, and you enjoythe crown. No more shall you complain of the mixture of error with your knowledge, no mors shall you groan under the perplexities of thought, the tumults of passion, the burdens of indwelling iniquity, nor cry out because of oppressing enemies or sorrows: The hour of your trial is finished. You have been sincere and faithful in your imperfect services, and you are arrived at the worldof perfection. H. At the hour of death the spirits of the just leave all the natural and the sinful infirmities of flesh andblood behind them, which are the causes and springs of a thousand imperfections. The very natural circumstances and necessities of the body, and the inconveniences that attend it in this frail state, do very
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