recompense, and save you." Let me conjure every weak, and every afflicted soul to contemplate these blessed inhabitants of heaven. How changed are they from what they once were! praises incessantly occupy their tongues, which once breathed out only complaints, and told of fears and apprehensions. Not a complaint can you make which they have not made: not a temptation can you describe to which they were not exposed. All your weakness they felt: all your trials they endured. Some, like Lazarus, were afflicted with poverty: some, like Job, were plunged from the height of prosperity to the lowest depth of adversity; some, like David, were harassed by severe persecutions; some, like Lot, were vexed by the unrighteousness of those around them; some, like Eli, were cursed with unrighteous children; some, like Peter, were shut up in prison; some, like Manasses, felt all the anguish of remorse! some, like the apostles and the noble army of martyrs, were stoned or sawn asunder; yet, now, their sufferings have been long forgotten, or are remembered only to bless God, who counted them worthy to suffer for his name's sake." spent in heaven effaces for ever the afflictions endured upon earth. O! look to them, then, and indulge the delightful hope that one day "God may wipe away all tears from your eyes," and compensate all your sufferings. For the better confirmation of your faith, let me lastly refer you to the means by which this wounderful change was accomplished in them. "They washed their One moment robes, and made them white with the blood of the Lamb." They bear in their hands the palm, as an emblem of victory in the good fight of faith; and they are clothed with white robes, to denote the purity of their hearts under the regenerating influence of the Holy Spirit. The first point to which our attention is here directed, is that "blood of the Lamb," in which their robes have been washed and made white." This image is designed to show, that it was to the efficacy of the death of Christ they trusted as the atonement for their sins. Christ was to them the hope of glory; that is, they founded all their hope of glory upon him. Their robes were formerly defiled and stained by sin; but they were washed, they were cleansed, they were justified, they were glorified," by Christ. He it was who gave them heaven, and who gave them the preparation for it. He is the Lord of the world above; he has the keys of death and hell;" openeth, and no man shutteth; he shutteth, and no man openeth. To him, trusting in his grace and mercy, they applied, as to the Saviour of mankind; and he heard their cry, and was gracious and merciful unto them. He delivered them out of the "terrible pit and the mire, and set their feet upon a rock." 66 Behold then, the secret source of the wonderful change wrought in them-this grand translation from earth to heaven, from ruin to glory. The Son of God came down from heaven "to seek and to save those that were lost." They heard of his love; they needed his power; they approached him in faith; they received him as their Lord; and he acknowledged them as his disciples, interceded for them, delivered them out of their distress, and raised them to eternal glory. And is his arm shortened, that it cannot save? Is his ear heavy, that it cannot hear? Has he intermitted his gracious work? Are there no trophies of his power to be suspended in the kingdom of glory? Yes; he is the same, yesterday, to-day, and for ever." Approach him, then, with true faith and fervent prayer; "fight the good fight of faith," as they did, and you also shall receive the palm of victory. Seek for the sanctifying influence of the Spirit, and you shall receive the robe of righteousness granted to them. VENN. SCRIPTURAL SELECTIONS. AFTER this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and And one of the elders answered saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.-Rev. vii. 9-17. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.-Rev. xxi. 4. WHO are these in bright array? Tuning their triumphant song? Wisdom, riches, to obtain; New dominion every hour. These through fiery trials trod; These from great affliction came; Now before the throne of God, Sealed with his eternal Name: Clad in raiment pure and white, Victor palms in every hand, Through their great Redeemer's might More than conquerors they stand. Hunger, thirst, disease unknown, And, for ever from their eyes God shall wipe away their tears. |