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to all his subjects; every one of whom will be holy and happy, glorious and immortal. Every one will be full of joy; and every one will taste the most refined pleasures. "In thy presence is fulness of joy, at thy right-hand there are pleasures for ever

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4. The only law of that glorious kingdom, is, THE WILL OF GOD. He is absolutely perfect, and his will is a perfect law. Heaven will be an absolute monarchy, full of perfection and glory. It is fit that earthly monarchs should be limited, because they are imperfect; but the eternal God should be under no control. He can will nothing but what is wise and good. Happy would it be for mortals if they would now obey his will. All the subjects of God in heaven obey the divine will cheerfully, constantly, and universally. One spirit inspires the whole. This being the case, heaven will be a place of perfect order, harmony, and love. How unlike the disorderly kingdoms of this world, where ten thousand various and contradictory principles cause perpetual confusion!

The saints are heirs of this kingdom, and Christ will put them into full possession. It is a possession which was purchased by his blood, and which is given to all who overcome the world, the flesh, and the

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devil. "He that overcometh shall inherit all things: and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."

5. The kingdom was prepared for them from the foundation of the world. Hence it appears evident, that God designed man for heavenly glory, when he created him at first; and had Adam proved faithful when God placed him in a state of probation, it is probable he would have been translated to heaven, without seeing death. His descendants might have been upon the same plan; each one might have been raised from earth to heaven, without -passing through the vale of death.

It is said to the saints, The kingdom. prepared for you. Are we, therefore, to infer that a certain number was elected to glory from the foundation of the world, and that the rest were reprobated to damnation? Some wise and good men have thought so; but we cannot receive their opinion. Predestination sets aside the necessity of a general judgment, and totally destroys every idea of rewards and punishments. For how can God judge men for what he fore-ordained? How can he either reward or punish those who acted in all things by irresistable necessity? Heaven, no doubt, was prepared for the saints on the right-hand; but it does not follow that

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it was not prepared for sinners on the left. If there be any truth in the word of God, it was prepared for all; and had all used the appointed means, not one of the human race would have been banished into hell. Hell was not prepared for man'; but for the devil and his angels.

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We should often meditate upon that glorious kingdom. Every thing that a good man desires will be found there in perfection. Let us set our affections upon things above; and, amidst all our other necessary cares, let us be most careful to find our way to heaven. Many of our friends are gone before, and are now with Christ and God. They wait to welcome us to those happy regions. Let us not trifle in the way; but press forward with all our might. Our sufferings will soon end; and glory will soon begin.

"Now unto the king eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.

Amen.

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