theless they are propofed to us as Objects of our Defire and Hope, and we should be preparing, and praying, and hoping for them.

But although the future Happiness of the Saints does in Part remain a Myftery, yet there is fo much of it revealed in the Holy Scriptures, as may well make us aftonished at the Riches of the divine Goodness, and as may excite in us earneft Longings to be Partakers of them.

We that believe in Chrift, have in Poffeffion, even now while we are paffing through the Wilderness of this World, much to rejoice in, and comfort our Souls. For we have an Almighty and a moft loving Saviour, a faithful Redeemer, who will keep what we have committed to him. We have an Intereft in all the Promises of the Gofpel: Many and precious Promifes, which are yea, and amen, fure and certain in Chrift Jefus. We have God for our Father, and are made his Children and Heirs.

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The Lord is my Portion faith my Soul, therefore will I hope in him. Lament. iii. 24.

O how many joyous Predictions concerning the Saints, do we find in the Word of God? They fhall have Treasures in Heaven, as we may conclude from Chrift's faying to the Multitude, who heard his Sermon on the Mount, Mat. vi. 19, 20. Lay not up for yourselves Treasures upon Earth,, where Mcth, and Ruft doth corrupt, and where. Thieves break through and teal: But lay up for yourfelves Treasures in Heaven, where neither Moth, nor Ruft doth corrupt, and where Thieves do not break through, nor steal.

The Inftruction of our Saviour in these Words, import, that there are Treafures in Heaven, and a Prediction, that they who diligently use the Means fhall obtain them.

It is alfo predicted, that the Saints fhall judge the World, and judge Angels: In 1 Cor. vi. 2, 3. Where the Apoftle fays to the Church of God at Corinth, to thein that are fanctified in Chrift Jefus, (chap. I. ver. 2.) Do ye not know, that the Saints hall judge the World? - Know ye not that we fall judge Angels?

Thefe Interrogations imply, that there was a Prediction, that the Saints fhall judge the World, and judge Angels: And that the Truth predicted, was well known to the Chriftians at Corinth.

I do not pretend to explain the Things predicted, but obferve, that they imply great Honour and Glory, intended for the Saints,

LET

LETTER VIIÏ.

Of Predictions of Events, fubfequent to the Day of Judgment, which will be astonishingly terrible to the Wicked, and inexpreffibly happy and glorious to the Saints.

MAY now obferve, that there are Predictions of Events, fubfequent to the Day of Judgment: Events, that will be brought to pafs at the End of the World, aftonishingly terrible to the Wicked, and inexpreffibly happy and glorious to the Saints.

As to the Wicked it is foretold, That the Hea vens and the Earth which now are, by the fame Word (of God) are kept in Store, referved unto Fire against the Day of Judgment, and Perdition of ungodly Men. 2 Pet. iii. 7. Who at the Day of Judgment will be condemned to that dreadful Fire.

In ver. 10. It is faid, But the Day of the Lord, will come as a Thief in the Night, in which the Heavens fhall pass away with a great Noife, and the Elements ball melt away with fervent Heat, the Earth

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Earth alfo and the Works that are therein shall be burnt up.

And in this burning World it plainly feems, that the Damned are to have their Habitation: Here seems to be the Lake, that burneth with Fire and Brimstone.

In Rev. xxi. 8. It is faid, But the Fearful and Unbelieving, and the Abominable, and Murderers, and Whoremongers, and Sorcerers, and Idolaters, and all Liars, fhall have their Part in the Lake, which burneth with Fire and Brimftone; which is the fecond Death.

The Predictions relative to the Saints, fubfequent to the Day of Judgment, may well excite Joy.

For bebold, (fays God,) I create new Heavens, and a new Earth, and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into Mind.-But be you glad, and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for bebold I create ferufalem a Rejoycing, and her People a Joy. Ifa. lxv. 17, 18.

And the Apoftle Peter fays, Nevertheless, we according to his Promise (in the last cited Text,) look for new Heavens, and a new Earth, wherein dwelleth Righteoufnefs. 2 Pet. iii. 13.

In Rev. xxi. 1. &c. The Predictions are thus expreffed, viz. And I faw a new Heaven. and a nev Earth: for the first Heaven and the first Earth were paffed away; and there was no more Sea. (No Water to quench, or abate the Fire of the burning Earth.) And I John faw the holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down from God, out of Heaven, prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband: And I beard a great Voice out of Heaven, faying, beho'd, the Tabernacle of God is with Men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be kis Pecple, and God kimfelf fhall be with them, and be their God: And God fhall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes;

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and there fhall be no more Death, neither Sorrow, nor Crying, neither fhall there be any more Pain, for the former Things are paffed away. And he that fat upon the Throne, faid, behold I make all Things new: And be faid unto me, Write; for thefe Words are true and faithful. And he faid unto me, it is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End: I will give unto him that is athirst, of the Fountain of the Water of Life freely. He that overcometh fball inherit all Things, and I will be his God, and be fhall be my Son.

The great, the marvellously great, the inexpreffibly great Events, which will follow the Day of Judgment, although they are now many Thousands of Years diftant, yet will furely be brought to pafs. Nevertheless, they fhould have the fame Influence on us, as if they were to happen at the End of our Lives: Because we have only the fhort and uncertain Time of our Continuance in this World, for feeking an Interest in Christ, and the Pardon of our Sins, and Peace with God, and the Sanctification of our Natures, and the Salvation of our Souls.

We have only the very little Time of our fojourning on Earth, for fecuring a Deliverance from all the Curfes, the Miferies, the Punishments, and Torments predicted against the Unbelieving, the Impenitent, and Difobedient in this Life, and against them after Death, and after the Resurrection, and after the Day of Judgment, and the End of the World.

We have only a fhort Space of Time for laying up for ourselves Treasures in Heaven, and obtaining a Share in all the Bleffings, the Felicities, the Joys, and Glories predicted for fincere Chriftians in this Life, and after Death, and after the Refurrection, and after the Day of Judgment, and the End of the World But fhort as it is, it