bare deliverance from all possible evil; he has attained to the experience of perfect joy. He is now in possession of all positive and supreme good. He feels the joy that arises from a retrospection of the toils that he has endured, the dangers that he has escaped, and the difficulties that he has surmounted. He feels the joy of conquest, while he looks down upon his vanquished foes, so far beneath his feet, and finds himself exalted to honour and glory, waving the victor's palm, bearing the laurels of triumph, and wearing the crown of signal and illustrious conquest. He feels the joy of possession. He has reached the home for which he journeyed through the wilderness. He inherits the Canaan for which he left Egypt. He enjoys the recompense for which he suffered. He receives the wages for which he laboured. He reaps the harvest in joy that he sowed in tears. He feels the joy in heaven above, for which, on earth, he wept and strove. His is the joy of prospect, also; the joy of the most delightful anticipation. Whatever amount of felicity he may feel, arising from the pleasing review of his past history and the most complete satisfaction with his present state, he has still greater joy in the happy anticipation of the most delightful future that awaits him. The joys of conquest, the joys of agreeable associations, and the joys of pleasurable employment, are crowned with the joy of cheering prospects and glorious hope, the blessed hope of immortality, and the pleasing expectation of "eternal glory." He feels the joy of wonder to find himself in such a Canaan after all his murmurings in the wilderness; the joy of amazement at the mercy and grace that, in spite of his waywardness in the desert, conducted him safely to

such a paradise of glory; and the joy of astonishment that, much as he heard, read, and conceived of the bliss of heaven, his thoughts are so infinitely exceeded in the glory that is revealed. And what shall we say more of the felicities of heaven, and the bliss of the spiritual emigrant safely arrived in the better land ?

"We may speak of its pathways of gold,
Of its walls decked with jewels so rare;
Of its glories and pleasures untold;

But what must it be to be there?"

It is happiness complete; it is pleasure perfect; it is joy unspeakable,-joy transporting,-fulness of joy! It is heavenly! it is divine! It is everlasting joy!"

How delightful it is to stand on the top of Pisgah, and behold the triumphal entrance of the christian hero into the glorious capital of the universe. How encouraging to see the spiritual mariner strike his sails and moor his vessel, in the harbour of heaven. How interesting to witness the weary pilgrim's safe arrival at home, where the way-worn travellers rest together. What welcomes are here from the happy settlers! What greetings from the native population! What blessings from the gracious Governor of the better land! What transporting scenery is here! What charming melody! What perfect felicity is here!

"And is this heaven? and am I there ?

How short the road!

how swift the flight! I am all life, all eye, all ear;

Jesus is here, my soul's delight.

Here is the heavenly Friend that hung
In blood, and anguish, on the tree :
Whom Paul proclaimed, and David sung,
Who died for them, and died for me."

Yes, it is heaven, for Christ is there; and christians will soon be there also. Perhaps, christian reader, you are a sufferer for Christ, on your way to the kingdom? Well, be of good cheer, you shall reign with him too! and, if faithful, you will soon be there. A few more hills to climb, and you will enter into rest! A few more stiles to get over, and you are at your Father's house! A few more rivers to ford, and then you have crossed the last! A few more battles to fight, and the last enemy is conquered! A few more tempests to brave, and you will have reached the peaceful, happy shore. "For joyful Canaan's just before! Sweet spring is coming on! A few more storms of wind and rain, and winter will be gone." Heaven will make amends for all! 'Tis almost done! 'Tis almost o'er! You're nearly there! Keep pursuing! Fight on! Tug at the oar! Look upward, homeward, heavenward-" That so an entrance may be ministered unto you abundantly, into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

CHAPTER XII.

Che Perpetual Possession.

"THEY SHALL INHERIT THE LAND FOR EVER.”. Isa. 60. 21.

Having described to you the "Present World,” and proved to you the existence of a "future state ;" having furnished you with information respecting "The better country," with its "Gracious Sovereign," "Generous natives," and "Happy settlers," together with the "necessary preparation," the "wilderness journey," "the final departure," and "abundant entrance," of the spiritual emigrant; it remains only for us to observe, that, whatever be the nature and extent of his celestial inheritance, it is permanent as to duration, and most probably progressive in respect of improvement. Consider what we say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things, pertaining to the perpetual possession of the christian settler in the promised land. Observe

1.—It is eternal glory.

"Eternal glory by Christ Jesus.”—1 Pet. v. 10. This is a distinguishing characteristic of the heritage of the saints of the Most High; they shall pos

It

sess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. It is one of the chief glories of the work of Jesus Christ that he hath obtained eternal redemption for us, and perfected for ever them that are sanctified. We shall be for ever with the Lord, if happily, we are presented faultless before the presence of his glory, who is the only wise God our Saviour. If we can but toil our way through the wilderness, ford the river in safety, climb the hill of Zion, and cross the threshold of heaven, having once entered in through the gates into the city; we shall go out no more for ever. is said of a Roman emperor, that he once brought together everything magnificent that his extensive empire produced; and as the pageantry, with the multitude of his nobility, and himself at the head of it, was borne through the principal streets of his capital, he exclaimed in the pride of his heart, "What is there wanting here to complete felicity ?" A courtier replied, "continuance." Lift up your eyes, now, and look on the rich and extensive possessions of the happy settlers in the better land; see all its delightful scenery; the tree of life, the pastures green, the golden streets, and silver stream. Hear all its melodies, its golden harps, celestial lyres, its anthems, concerts, and harmonious choirs. Feel all its transports, all its charms, its joys ecstatic, and its holy calms. Climb its blest mountains, bound o'er its verdant vales, and smell the fragrance every flower exhales. Pass through its woods and groves, bask in its bowers, and drink the honey from its fruits and flowers, and tell us what is wanting here to make felicity complete ? However delightful the Paradise of God may be, it is an Eden of everlasting happiness. However happy