is able to defeat or alter the sentence. And is it poffible that we can banish the thoughts of this for one moment, or that we can think of it with cold and unaffected hearts? The Second thing that deferves the peculiar notice of believers is, the gracious defign of our Lord's appearance. "He fhall appear the fe"cond time, unto falvation." 1 Some may, perhaps, be at a lofs to conceive what should remain to be done for the falvation of the faints, after their fouls are admitted into heaven. But if we reflect a little, we shall be fenfible, that even after the foul's admiffion into heaven, there are feveral things to be done by Chrift for his people, which will increase their happiness, and render their falvation more perfect.-For, ift, At his fecond coming, Chrift will raise the dead bodies of his fervants, which will, without doubt, be a confiderable addition to their felicity. The fouls of the faints are reprefented in Scripture as waiting and longing for the refurrection of their bodies. Hence their flesh is faid to rest in hope: and, therefore, when this hope is fulfilled at Chrift's fecond cond appearance, we may juftly conclude, that the joy of the soul shall be heightened and improved; efpecially when we confider the wonderful change which fhall be wrought upon the body itself. When, in the morning of the refurrection, the trumpet shall found, and the graves fhall be opened; when that which was fown in weakness and difhonour, shall be raised in power and glory; when the formerly vile body fhall not only be refined, but fashioned like unto the glorious body of the Redeemer, with what triumph and exultation fhall that fong be fung! "Death is fwal"lowed up in victory."—" O death, where "is thy fting? O grave, where is thy victo? The fting of death is fin, and the ftrength of fin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jefus Chrift.". ry 2dly, in that day the church, which is called the body of Christ, shall be complete; which muft add to the happiness of every faint in particular. For the feveral members of that Spiritual body being closely united, not only to the head, but alfo to one another, each of them muft neceffarily partake of the happiness and glory of the whole.. Muft not every child of God be more joyful when the whole family is affembled in the immediate presence of their Father, and not one member is wanting? If there is joy in heaven at the converfion of one finner, though afterwards he hath a waste and howling wilderness to pafs through, and many a toilfome and dangerous ftep to take ere he arrive at the end of his journey; how much greater joy fhall there be in the heavenly Jerufalem, when the many fons of God are all brought home to glory? 3dly, Then alfo fhall believers be folemnly acquitted by the Judge himself, and publicly acknowledged in the presence of an affembled world. "They fhall be mine," faith the Lord," in that day when I make up my jew"els." Having washed them with his blood, and fanctified them by his Spirit, he will not be ashamed to call them brethren, but will confefs them before his Father, and prefent them at his throne, without fpot and blemish. -And, - 4thly, To complete the happiness of the faints, then fhall there be the cleareft difcovery of all God's works, and the most full and open open manifeftation of his glorious perfections. When all his great defigns are accomplished and brought to their intended iffue, then shall the wife order, and harmonious contexture, of divine Providence be clearly discerned, the moft intricate and perplexed difpenfations shall be explained and vindicated: and it shall then appear, to the full conviction of the whole admiring family of God, that all things have wrought together for their spiritual improvement and eternal felicity. This fhall be the day of folemn triumph, the grand jubilee, upon the finishing of all God's works from the creation of the world, upon which ensues the refignation of the Mediator's kingdom. For although Chrift fhall continue through eternity to be the head of his church, yet the prefent manner of his administration shall then ceafe. He fhall then deliver up the kingdom to the Father, that God, or the undivided Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, may be all in all. This fact is diftinctly afferted (1 Cor. xv. 24.-28.), "Then cometh the end," faith the Apostle," when Christ shall have deliver"ed up the kingdom to God, even the Fa"ther; when he shall have put down all rule, "and all authority and power. For he muft "reign till he hath put all enemies under his "feet. The laft The laft enemy that shall be deftroy"ed is death. For he hath put all things un"der his feet. But when he faith that all "things are put under him, it is manifeft that "he is excepted which did put all things un"der him. And when all things shall be sub"dued unto him, then shall the Son also him"felf be fubject unto him that put all things "under him, that God may be all in all.' Thus you have heard how Chrift's fecond coming fhall complete the falvation of his people, and increase that happiness at the refurrection which commenced at their new birth; and and which, though greatly improved. by the release of the foul from the earthly tabernacle, was not carried to its full perfection at death. The manner of our Lord's appearance, when he comes upon this gracious defign, is the Third particular in the text, which comes now to be confidered. He fhall appear the "fecond time, without fin, unto falvation." When in the fullness of time God fent forth |