are most apt to cloy us.

All of them, in

deed, are so contrived as to yield us but very little happiness. If they go off quickly, they signify nothing; and if they stay long, we are sick of them. After a full draught of any sensual pleasure, we loathe it, and hate it as much after the enjoyment, as we longed for it in the expectation. But the delights of the other world, as they will give us full satisfaction, so we shall never be weary of them. Every repetition will be accompanied with a new happiness. In the felicities of heaven these two things shall be reconciled, which never met together in any sensual delight, long and full enjoyment, and yet a fresh and perpetual pleasure. As in God's presence there is fulness of joy, so at his right hand there shall be pleasures for evermore.

2. The happiness of the other life is not only incomparably beyond any happiness of this, but it is very great in itself. It is usually in holy writ described by such pleasures as are manly and excellent, infinitely more pure and refined than those of sense; and if, at any time, the Scripture descends to the metaphors of a feast—a banquet—a marriage,—it is plainly in condescension to our capacities. But the chief ingredients of this happiness, so far as divine wisdom has thought fit to reveal it to us, are the perfection of our knowledge, the height of our love, the perpetual society and

friendship of all the blessed inhabitants of heaven, and their joyful concurrence in cheerful expressions of gratitude, and in incessant praises and admiration of the fountain and author of this bliss. And what can be more delightful than to have our understandings entertained with a clear sight of the most perfect being, with the knowledge of his works, and the wise designs of his providence; than to live in the reviving presence of God, and continually to attend on him whose favour is life, and whose glory is much more above that of any of the princes of this world, than the greatest of them is above the poorest worm.

But then, besides the improvement of our knowledge, there shall be the most delightful exercise of love. When we come to heaven, we shall enter into the society of the blessed angels, and of the spirits of just men made perfect; that is, freed from all those infirmities which now render the conversation even of the best of men sometimes troublesome to one another. And this blessed society, being all united by love, shall join in gratitude to him that sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb that was slain, to God even our Father, and to our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood; and shall sing everlasting songs of praise to God for all his works of wonder; for the effects of that infinite goodness, and admirable wisdom, and

almighty power, which are clearly seen in the creation and government of the world; for his favours to mankind; for the benefit of their beings; for the comfort of their lives; and for all his merciful providences towards them in this world; but above all, for the redemption of their souls by the death of his Son; for the forgiveness of their sins; for the gracious assistance of his holy spirit; and for conducting them safely through all the snares and dangers, troubles and temptations of this world, to the secure possession of that glory and happiness which they shall then be partakers of.

3. This happiness shall be eternal. And though this be but a circumstance, and does not enter into the nature of our happiness, yet it is so material a one, that all the felicities which heaven affords would be imperfect without it. God hath so ordered things, that the inconsiderable delights of this world should be transient, but that the great and substantial pleasures of the other should be as lasting as they are excellent; for heaven, as it is an exceeding, so it is an eternal weight of glory. And to be thus secured in the possession of our happiness is that which completes it, and banishes all fear and trouble from the minds of the blessed.

O vast eternity! how dost thou swallow up our thoughts, and entertain us at once with delight and amazement! This is the very

height of happiness; here we may stand secure, and look down with scorn upon all things below! And how inconsiderable do they appear, compared with the vast and endless enjoyments of a future state! But oh! vain and foolish souls! to be so little concerned as we are for eternity! To deprive ourselves of everlasting felicity, for the pleasures of sin, which are but for a season! Blessed God, why hast thou prepared such a happiness for those who never seek after it! Why is such a price put into the hands of fools, who have no heart to make use of it! Prov. xvii. 16; who fondly choose to gratify their lusts rather than to save their souls, and sottishly prefer the temporary enjoyments of sin before a blessed immortality!

4. The happiness of heaven is far above any thing that we can now conceive. In this imperfect state we are not capable of a full representation of the glories of the other. We cannot now see God and live. We are now but children, and we speak as children, and understand and think as children concerning these things. But in the other state we shall grow up to be men, and then we shall put away these childish thoughts; now we know but in part, but when that which is perfect is come, that which is imperfect shall be done away; now we see through a glass darkly, but then we shall see face to face ; now we know in part, but then we shall know even as also we are known, 1 Cor. xiii. 10, 11.

The second thing to be considered concerning our future happiness, is, the way whereby we may be made partakers of it; and that, in short, is by the sincere endeavours of a holy life, in and through the mercies of God in our Lord Jesus Christ. He indeed is the author of our salvation, but obedience is the condition of it. So the apostle tells us, that Christ is the author of eternal salvation to them that obey him, Heb. v. 1. It is the grace of God in the gospel that brings or offers this salvation to us; but then it is by denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and by living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, that we are to wait for the blessed hope, Tit. ii. 12, 13. Our Saviour promises this happiness to the pure in heart, Matt. v. and elsewhere the Scripture excludes all others from any share in this blessedness. So the Apostle assures, that without holiness no man shall see the Lord, Heb. xii. 14.

And holiness is not only a condition, but a necessary qualification for the happiness of the next life. So that if we live wickedly, if we allow ourselves to indulge in the practice of any known sin, we render ourselves unfit for eternal life. By this means we defeat all the designs of God's grace and mercy towards us, and make ourselves incapable of that happiness which he offers. Heaven is, in Scripture, called an inheritance among them that are sancified, and the inheritance of the saints in light.