shall his servant be. Now the living is tied to the dead; and my soul is a stage of strife, and a field of war. But it is but a little moment, and that which is perfect shall come; perfect holiness, and perfect peace; eternal serenity, and a serene eternity.

O my sins, I am going where you cannot come; where no unclean thing shall enter,c. or any thing that defileth. Methinks I see all my afflictions and temptations, all mine infirmities and corruptions falling off me, as Elijah's mantle at his translation.

O my soul, dost thou not see the chariots of fire, and the horses of fire, come to take thee up? Be thou as poor as Lazarus,d yet God will not disdain to send a party of angels to conduct thee home. How canst thou doubt of ready reception, who hast such a friend in court, who will lead thee with boldness into his Father's presence? If there were joy in Pharoah's court, when it was said Joseph's brethren are come;e 99 surely it will be welcome news in heaven, when it is told "Jesus his brethren are come." My soul, fear not to enter, though the Lord be clothed with terror and majesty: for thy Redeemer will procure thee favour, and plead thy right. I am sure of welcome, for the Father himself loveth me. I have tasted and tried his love; and when I had played

aJohn xii, 26. b1 Cor. xiii, 10. a Luke xvi, 22. eGen. xlv, 16.

cRev. xxi. 4. John xvi, 27.

the wicked prodigala yet he despised not my rags, but fell on my neck, and kissed me; and heaven itself made merry over me. Much more will he receive me gladly, and let out his love upon me, when presented to him by his Son, in his perfect likeness, as a fit object for his everlasting delight Fear not, O my soul, as if thou wert going to a strange place. Why, heaven is thy country, and thy home. Wilt thou doubt of leave, or fear of welcome, when it is thine own home? Why, my soul, thou wast born from above, and there is thy kindred, and thy Father's house; and therefore thou shalt surely be admitted. And then I shall see the glorious prepartions of eternal love, and the blissful mansions of the heavenly inhabitants.

Doubtless it shall be thus. These are not sick men's dreams, or children's hopes. The living God cannot deceive me. And may not I certainly promise myself what the Lord hath promised me? I will sooner think that all my senses are deluded, and what I see, and feel, and taste, is but a fancy; than think that the living God will deceive me, or that his unchangeable covenant will fail. Now I am a son of God, but it doth not yet appear what I shall be: but this I know, I shall be like him, and see him as he is b

I know it shall be thus. Why, what seaLuke xv. b1 John iii, 2.

curity should I ask of God? He hath given me all the assurance in the world. And though the word of God be enough; yet he, willing to show more abundantly, to the heirs of promise, the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath; that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, I might have strong consolation.a O unreasonable unbelief! What! shall not the oath of a God put an end to thy strife!

O my God, I am satisfied; it is enough! Now I may be bold without presumption, and boast without pride; and will no more call my duty "arrogance," nor my faith "a fancy."

O my soul, there is but a short life betwixt thee and glory; where holy angels, and glorified saints, shall be mine associates; and love and praise mine only employment. Methinks I hear already how the morningstars sing together, and all the sons of God shout for joy. O that I could come in for one! But it was said unto me, I should rest yet for a little season, but I shall stand in the lot at the end of the days.

It is well, Lord--thy word is enough; thy bond is as good as ready payment. The Holy Ghost tells me, that life and glory abide me; that look what day I loose from the body, the same day I shall be landed in

a Heb. vi, 17, 18. bJob. xxxviii, 7. Dan. xii, 13.

paradise. Amen! It is as I would have it.

b

But this is not all: when my body hath slept a short time in the dust, Christ will call to it, "Come up hither." Ah true yoke-fellow! it will be hard parting, but welcome meeting. I could not leave thee, but to live with Christ. But he will raise thee to a glorious temple; and when he shall appear, will bring me with himself in glory, and then I shall re-enter thee as a royal mansion, wherein I shall abide with the Lord for ever. For as we have served our. Redeemer together, so we must be glorified together with him. And when the Lord hath married us both together again, then will he marry us both unto himself. For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the last day upon the earth: and though, after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh I shall see God; whom I see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another, though my reins be consumed within me, My Lord hath already told me, how it shall be; he hath set down the time, and shewed me the robes of immortality, and the crown of life, that I must put on: and the throne of glory, and the seat of judgment, that I must set in. He hath told me the manner in which I shall be presented to him, and espoused by him: he hath told me where he will set me, and

a Luke xxiii, 43. Col. iii, 4. cJob. xix, 25.

what he will say to me; and how he will acknowledge my mean services, and remember what I have forgotten: How he will praise the works that I have been ashamed of, and reward me openly, for what I have buried in secrecy; and not forget the poorest alms that I have given for his name. Then will he confess me before his Father, and before the angels of God. Thus saith the true and faithful witness; and we know that his testimony is true.

Ah, my soul, see that thou make not God a liar.c

O, my God, I have believed thy report; and do look for all these things, according to thy promise. I know thou intendest me but a very little while in this lower region. This world is but the house my pilgrimage, and my soul now is but like a bird in the shell; but when the shell is cracked, then shall she take wings like a dove, and soar aloft to thee, and flee away, and be at rest.

Yet I doubt not thy care for my despicable dust. I know that nothing will be lost. I know not where they will lay me, but thy wakeful eye observeth, and will not be to seek at what door to knock; nor at what grave to call for me. I believe, and am sure, that I shall come a glorious piece out of thy hands; fair as the moon, clear as

a Mat. xxv, 35, 37. bMat. vi, 4. John v, 10. dJohn vi, 39.