to operate for their spiritual good, which seemed to wear a different aspect, and to have a contrary ten. dency-conducts them along through dangers, which they thought it impossible to escape, and delivers them from many hidden evils of which they had no apprehension, until after they had past them.

He employs his angels as ministring spirits to the heirs of salvation, and directs all the methods of his providence to their ultimate safety and happiness.

When the saints, once arrived to the heavenly world, shall from thence take a review of past scenes, I question not, but they will be filled with thankful admiration of God's great and marvellous works towards them, while they dwelt below. They will then see, how they were delivered from such a danger, rescued from such a temptation, and carried safely above such a snare. They will then see, how such an adversity roused them to a sense of duty, such a disappointment prevented some fatal transgression, such a prayer was answered, which they thought had been lost in air, such a desire was în mercy denied, and such an event, though strongly deprecated, was productive of substantial good. They will then see, how they have been mysteriously conducted along through this dangerous and ensnaring world, and brought at last to the realms of security and joy. They will find the truth of the Saviour's promise-What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. It will be no inconsiderable part of their felicity, to see the mysteries of Providence unfolded, and the intricate scenes, which once perplexed their reason, and tried their faith, all unravelled, and made plain to their view. They will then admire the order of those providences, which once looked like confusion; the wisdom of those dispensations, which once appeared unaccountable; and the kind intention of those

divine works, which once, they thought, were against them. They will then tune their harps to the heavenly song-Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty, just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

But the most surprizing scene of all, is the glory and felicity of the heavenly state into which they have entered.

While they dwell on earth, faith looks up to the superiour world, with high and lively expectation. It meditates with pleasure on the image of heaven drawn in the sacred pages, and anticipates a small portion of the good which is there. It believes that the boldest description of language-yea, the loftiest flight of imagination falls far short of the glorious reality. But when they actually arrive to yonder world, how will they be surprised to find the vast disparity between former conceptions and present enjoyments! When they perceive themselves in the immediate presence of the all glorious Jehovah, in the company of the blessed Jesus, and surrounded by congratulating angels and fellow saints; When they feel themselves discharged from their conflicts with sin and temptation, and freed from every perverse and untowardly motion: When they find every virtuous disposition suddenly ripened to its proper perfection; their minds expanding to admit new and vast ideas of God and the works of God; and their spiritual affections now purged from the foul dregs of sensuality and worldly care, and rising aloft in the purest and warmest devotion-What will they say?-With what songs will they express the rapture of their joy? They will know the truth of the Apostle's sentiment-a sentiment, which, under severe trials below, they could scarcely realize. I reckon that all the suffer. ings of the present time, are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed. These VOL. I.

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light afflictions, which are but for a moment, work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Then the great Redeemer will be forever glorified in his saints, and eternally admired in them who believe.

Come then, ye saints, commit all your cares to God. Why your anxiety about the events of time? Why your fears of affliction, poverty and death ?— Why fails your courage, when dangers seem to await you?-Why sink your spirits, when adversity presses upon you? - Your God is King of saints. Just and true are his ways-great and marvellous are his works. Who shall not fear and glorify his name? Trust your God, and he will sustain you; call on him, and he will hear you; seek him, and he will deliver you in all your troubles. His grace is with you-his providence watches over you-his angels encamp around you. O taste and see that he is good. Blessed is the man who trust eth in him. Fear him, ye his saints; for there is no want to them who fear him.

This troubled scene of things will soon be closed. Glory and joy await you in a purer and brighter world. There you will give praise to God for all his works; yea, for many of those works which now cause anguish and grief.

Let it be your only solicitude to walk worthy of him, who has called you to his kingdom and glory. You have set your faces toward heaven; go on with constancy and courage in the path of righteousness and truth, looking forward to the glory which will soon be revealed. Under every affliction and temptation, maintain your confidence and hope; for light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

And after these things I heard a great voice of muchpeople in heaven, saying, Allelujah, salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God. For true and righteous are his judgments, for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. And again they said, Allelujah; and her smoke rose up forever and ever.

THIS great whore, which corrupted the

earth with her fornication, and which, in the 17th chapter, is called Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots, is supposed, by interpreters, to be the Church of Rome. She had been the chief promoter of idolatry and superstition, which, in the language of scripture, are often stiled fornication and adultery. The 18th chapter describes the destructions of this idolatrous power, and the general lamentation, which, on that occasion, should be heard among the nations connected with her. But while those nations mourned, the church of God should give thanks, and heaven itself should join in the

praise. In our text the heavenly church is introduced, as uniting with the church on earth, in a hymn of adoration and thanks to the great Ruler of the world, for the happy revolution which he had made in favour of true religion for the great salvation which he had granted to his suffering servants and for the righteous punishment which he had inflicted on their implacable enemeis.

We will make some observations on this seraphick hymn which has now been read.

I. The number of the heavenly inhabitants is vastly great. John heard the voice of much people in heaven.

The angels, who kept their first state, are an innumerable company. The saints, who came out of great tribulation, are called a multitude, which no man can number. There are nations of them who are saved.

If in that period of Christianity, when idolatry and superstition most prevailed, and when the violence of persecution obstructed the influence of religion, there were such multitudes brought to glory, How inconceivably great must be the final number of happy beings, when all who were saved before that period, all who have been saved since, and all who shall be saved in the unknown succession of future ages, shall be collected in the heavenly world?

The time marked in the text, is when Babylon the great, or the antichristian church, is totally destroyed. After this Satan is bound a thousand years, pure religion spreads without opposition, the nations walk in the light of God's church, and into it the kings of the earth bring their riches and their glory. If there are much people in heaven at the time pointed out in the vision, how amazing will be the number at the consummation of all things!

It must be pleasing to a benevolent mind to look forward, and contemplate the vast sum of human