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It is otherwise in this world, ruined as it has been by sin. Here "the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint." 1 And what men universally feel, they with one consent complain of. In one way or other, every child of Adam is exclaiming, "I am sick!" For, with some,

1. The Body is is indeed formed to be so. Its death begins, at the very moment its existence begins and every hour of life is wearing away its substance; sometimes imperceptibly, often by attacks of painful disease. And when these attacks can no longer be parried, then comes the last sickness; no matter what-it has its commission, and executes it. Strong or feeble, aged or youthful, the body falls like the mown grass; and the grave with its worms performs the rest.

But in heaven there is nothing of all this. On the contrary, as here death and sickness begin with life, there life begins at the moment that our bodies die. In due time, the body itself shall be a partaker of that life for though sown in corruption, it shall be raised in incorruption; . . . . and then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory."-On earth, again,

2. The Heart is sick-sick of "hope deferred," 3 of rash and ill-judged wishes, of continual disappointments. Nothing can be more plain, than that this world is a scene of broken hearts, and disappointed hopes. Youth, I know, thinks otherwise: but youth has its experiment still to try; and is apt to forget that there must be hope at first, or there could be no disappointment afterwards. Alas! you will find that hope is all that the world has to offer: and if you seek no other hope than that of the world, even that 1 Isaiah i. 5. 2 1 Cor. xv. 42.54.

3 Proverbs xiii. 12.

will shortly cease to delude you.

While it lasts,

present vexation may be softened by it; when it loses its power, nothing remains but repining, murmuring, heart-sick despair.

In heaven, no heart saith, "I am sick." No disappointment, there, of former hopes; all is actual bliss. Even hope finds no admission there. "We hope for that we see not; "1 but in heaven all is sight, and knowledge, and solid experience. Even the continuance of its bliss is not properly the object of hope; it is certain and sure. Not a single doubt or sigh will ever reach its meanest inhabitant.-On earth, moreover,

3. The Soul is sick.-And here, believe me-little as this may be accounted of-here is the most deadly ingredient in the sorrows of this world. Created in the "image" and "likeness" of God, we were formed for purity, holiness, and obedience; and for a happiness arising out of such a state of the soul. But that corruption, which has alienated the heart from God, is become also the means of punishment to the guilty offender. Our lusts war in our members," 3 and " bring forth fruit unto death." 4 All the misery in the world may be traced up, more or less directly, to the influence of our corrupt nature. Worldly men cannot or will not see this. But the spiritual Christian feels it, and "groans, being burdened"5 under this "bondage of corruption."6 Take the seventh chapter of the Romans, as a picture of the sickness of his soul, occasioned by the "sin that dwelleth in him.” Every real Christian will enter into the Apostle's description, and say, "Oh wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" In heaven, O thou wretched soul, this source of

1 Romans viii. 25. 4 Romans vii. 5.

2 Genesis i. 26.
5 2 Cor. v. 4.

3 James iv. 1.
6 Romans viii. 21.

unhappiness shall be no more. "They that shall be accounted worthy to attain that world, and the resurrection from the dead," will find a spiritual resurrection completed in their souls, and the original image and likeness of God restored. No indwelling sin will remain, to suggest evil, when we "would do good:' no Tempter, to recommend to us forbidden pleasures: no apostate, rebellious world, to revile, ensnare, persecute the friends of God. All will be perfectly holy, without the possibility of an evil thought; and therefore perfectly blessed, without one idea of future or present sorrow. No inhabitant, there, will ever again say, "I am sick.”

or

Still-as there can be no doubt that memory will accompany the soul into its heavenly habitation—it may be imagined by some, that the recollection of sins committed on earth must interfere with its entire felicity; producing somewhat of the feeling expressed in our solemn Communion service- the remembrance of them is grievous unto us.' But the apprehension is groundless. That a deep sense of unworthiness will exist, there is no doubt; even the sinless angels feel this. But the painful sense of guilt will be for ever excluded, by the fact here named as the second part of the heavenly blessedness

II. THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION IN HEAVEN : "the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity."

I am aware, that the very terms in which I have stated this glorious truth may remind you of St. Paul's declaration, that, even now, "there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.”1 You will also call to mind another Scripture truth, not less

1 Romans viii. 1.

applicable to the present life; "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." Both of these are doctrines, on which we cannot place too high a confidence in this world of woe, they are the very bread of life to our souls; may you and I feed on them in our hearts by faith, with thanksgiving!'

Nevertheless, in the heavenly world, these truths will carry with them a peculiar lustre, which can never belong to them here. For instance

1. The forgiveness of sin will then be more certain. It cannot ever be more certain that God is willing, and that Christ is able, to save those who repent and believe in him but it may be much more certain, that I am a real penitent and a true believer. Here the most watchful Christian is yet subject to doubts and fears. His "hope through grace" is a "good" one, doubtless; but it is still only hope-not actual certainty and perhaps those who are most confident of their own state, might sometimes do well to doubt a little more. I say again, Forgiveness is certain to

"The

the real believer: but who is certain of himself? This question cannot be asked in heaven. people that dwell therein" are those who shall be forgiven; and of their dwelling there it will be impossible to doubt. Here I am' (will each happy soul exclaim) in the haven where I would be; and, because I am here, I know that I am henceforth forgiven my iniquity."'-May I not add, that

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2. The forgiveness of sin will then be more complete? Not that I would suggest a suspicion, that God has any reserves, when he professes to pardon the penitent believer in Jesus. Far from it! Rest assured, that if you truly "confess your sins, he is faithful and just to forgive your sins, and to cleanse you from all un1 Psalm xxxii. 1. 2 2 Thess. ii. 16.

righteousness." 1 What is it not written-" Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea ?"? Can any remission be more complete?

It is, therefore, not so much the forgiveness itself, as the consequences of it, which will then be more entire and full. Many of the effects of sin here remain unrelieved; affliction-labour-and, above all, the inward spiritual conflict. These are not inconsistent with a state of salvation; yet are they painful memorials, "humbling us and proving us," and furnishing the Tempter, from time to time, with the means of destroying our peace. But in heaven there will be no more of these bitter fruits of former transgression. Death is "the last enemy; 3 and when he is "destroyed," nothing more will remain to interrupt the transports of the forgiven. "They shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance; "4 living on thy smile-delighted with thy glory.

What taste have you, my friends, for a heaven like this? You wish for rest from the sorrows of life: but is it Rest in God that you desire? is it deliverance from sin? is it the forgiveness of your iniquity? God has provided no other heaven: beware, therefore, lest you indulge expectations, which have no warrant in the word of truth. Heaven is Holiness! Do you covet such a promotion ?—If so,

What preparation are you making for a heaven like this? 66 Except a man be born again, he cannot enter into it"-" cannot see it."5 Are you praying for this; and by patient and self-denying labour striving to mortify every disposition, that would render you "unfit for the kingdom of God?"

1 1 John i. 9.
4 Psa. lxxxix. 15.

2 Micah vii. 19.
5 John iii. 5.3.

31 Cor. xv. 26. 6 Luke ix. 62.

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