Q24 TDR WORLD TO COME. his favourites Monica any thing !mean bestow nponthem to make them happy is rvfemion, and for ever ? All creatures are un- der his+psu+sattt view and immediate command ; there is not the least of them can give disturbance to any of the favourites of heaven, who Ahvell in the midst of their Creator's love ; nevi's there any creature that can be employed towards the com- plete happiness of the saints on high, but is for ever under the disposal of that' God who has made all things, and it shall be em- ployed upon every just occasion for the display of his love -to his saints. Some`have imagined that that " perfect satisfaction of soul which arises from a good conscience, speaking peace inwardly in the survey of -'its sincere desire °to please God in all things, and having with uprightness of heart fulfilled its dusty," is the supreme de4ight of heaven ; but it is my opinion God has never made 'the felicity-of 'his creatures to be drawn so entirely out of themselves, er'from the spring of their own bosom, as titis notion seems to imply. God himself will be all in all tohis creatures anti all their original springs of blessedness as well as .being,;, are in shim and must be derived from him : It is therefore tle overflowing sense of being beloved by a God Almighty and eternal, that is the supreme fountain of joy and blessedness to every reasonable nature, and The endless security of this happiness is joy everlasting in all the regions of the blessed above. Now a taste of this kind is heavenly blessednesss even on this earth, where God is pleased to bestow it on his creatures ; and the glimpses of it bring such extasies into the soul as can hardly be conceived, or revealed to others, but it is best felt by them who-enjoy it. 'SECT. `VU. " Foretastes of heaven in the fervent ego. tiocs of soul in' love to Jesus Christ." What the love and strong affections of the blessed saints above towards Jesus Christ their Lord and Saviour may impress of joy on their spirits, is not possible for us to learn in the present state; -but there are some who have even Itere on earth felt such transcendent affections to Jesus the Son of 'God, even fhòugh they have never enjoyed the sight of him, yet they 'love him with most intense and ardent zeal ; their devotion almost swallows them up and carries them away captive above all earthly things, and brings them near to the heavenly world. There is an unknown joy which arises from such intense love to an object so lovely and so deserving ; such is that which is spdken concerning the saints to whom St. Peter wrote ; 1 Pet. i. 8. whom having not seen, ye love, in Whom though now ye .see him not, yet believing ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. It is through this divine 'Mote of love and joy, and glory cammunicOtett by 'the blessed
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