In Heb. xii. 28. The Apostle speaking in the Name of all true Believers, fays, Wherefore we receiving (the Promife of) a Kingdom, which cannot be moved, let us have Grace, whereby we may Serve God acceptably with Reverence, and God'y Fear.

From thefe Predictions it evidently appears, that all true Believers at the Day of Judgment, will receive from Chrift their faithful Redeemer, and righteous Judge, an Inheritance; an Inheritance that fadeth not away; a Kingdom that fhall not be moved, and a Crown of Righteoufnefs, a Crown of Life, and fhall reign in Life by our Lord Jefus Christ.

But who can defcribe the glorious Inheritance? Who can give an Account of the Nature, and Extent of the Kingdom which the Saints fhall hereafter poffefs?

A Crown is a Sort of Cap, constructed with Jewels, and other coftly Materials, which is fet on the Heads of Kings, as a Badge or Sign of Majefty, Authority and Power: But the Crowns that will be given to the Heirs of God, when they fhall receive the Kingdom prepared for them, will be no fuch material Ornament: But they will have Crowns more excellent and glorious : But who can explain them?

The Holy Scriptures have not unfolded these Things. Things of transcendent Value and Glory. Eye hath not feen them, nor hath the Ear heard by any Revelation from God, what they are; nor is it poffible for human Minds to form any certain Ideas of them.

We cannot live by Sight, we must live by Faith: The Things which God hath prepared for them that love him, are far more excellent, than can be expreffed by the Words Inheritance, a Kingdom, and a Crown. But while we remain in this World, they remain under a Veil. Never

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theless they are propofed to us as Objects of our Defire and Hope, and we fhould be preparing,: and praying, and hoping for them.

But although the future Happiness of the Saints does in Part remain a Mystery, yet there is fo much of it revealed in the Holy Scriptures, as may well make us aftonished at the Riches of the divine Goodness, and as may excite in us earneft Longings to be Partakers of them.

We that believe in Chrift, have in Poffeffion, even now while we are paffing through the Wilderness of this World, much to rejoice in, and comfort our Souls: For we have an Almighty and a moft loving Saviour, a faithful Redeemer, who will keep what we have committed to him. We have an Intereft in all the Promises of the Gospel: Many and precious Promifes, which are yea, and amen, fure and certain in Chrift Jefus. We have God for our Father, and are made his Children and Heirs.

The Lord is my Portion faith my Soul, therefore will I hope in him. Lament. iii. 24.

O how many joyous Predictions concerning the Saints, do we find in the Word of God? They fhall have Treasures in Heaven, as we may conclude from Chrift's faying to the Multitude, who heard his Sermon on the Mount, Mat. vi. 19, 20. Lay not up for yourselves Treasures upon Earth, where Meth, and Ruft doth corrupt, and where Thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourfelves Treasures in Heaven, where neither Moth, nor Ruft doth corrupt, and where Thieves do not break through, nor steal.

The Inftruction of our Saviour in thefe Words, import, that there are Treasures in Heaven, and a Prediction, that they who diligently use the Means fhall obtain them.

It is also predicted, that the Saints shall judge the World, and judge Angels: In 1 Cor. vi. 2, 3. Where the Apoftle fays to the Church of Godat Corinth, to thein that are fanctified in Chrift Jefus, (chap. 1. ver. 2.) Do ye not know, that the Saints hall judge the World? Know ye not that we fhall judge Angels?

Thefe Interrogations imply, that there was a Prediction, that the Saints fhall judge the World, and judge Angels: And that the Truth predicted, was well known to the Chriftians at Corinth.

I do not pretend to explain the Things predicted, but obferve, that they imply great Honour and Glory, intended for the Saints

LET.

LETTER VIII.

Of Predictions of Events, fubfequent to the Day of Judgment, which will be aftonishingly terrible to the Wicked, and inexpressibly happy and glorious to the Saints.

MAY now obferve, that there are Predictions of Events, fubsequent to the Day of Judgment: Events, that will be brought to pass at the End of the World, aftonishingly terrible to the Wick ed, and inexpreffibly happy and glorious to the Saints.

As to the Wicked it is foretold, That the Heavens and the Earth which now are, by the fame Word (of God) are kept in Store, referved unto Fire against the Day of Judgment, and Perdition of ungodly Men. 2 Pet. iii. 7. Who at the Day of Judgment will be condemned to that dreadful Fire.

In ver. 10. It is faid, But the Day of the Lord, will come as a Thief in the Night, in which the Heavens fhall pass away with a great Noife, and the Elements fhall melt away with fervent Heat, the

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Earth alfo and the Works that are therein shall be burnt up.

And in this burning World it plainly feems, that the Damned are to have their Habitation:. Here seems to be the Lake, that burneth with Fire and Brimstone.

In Rev. xxi. 8. It is faid, But the Fearful and Unbelieving, and the Abominable, and Murderers, and Whoremongers, and Sorcerers, and Idolaters, and all Liars, fhall have their Part in the Lake, which burneth with Fire and Brimstone; which is the fecond Death.

The Predictions relative to the Saints, fubfequent to the Day of Judgment, may well excite Joy.

For bebold, (fays God,) I create new Heavens, and a new Earth, and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into Mind.-But be you glad, and rejoice for ever in that which I 'create'; for bebold I create Jerufalem a Rejoycing, and her People a Joy. Ifa. lxv. 17, 18.

And the Apoftle Peter fays, Nevertheless, we according to his Promise (in the laft cited Text,) look for new Heavens, and a new Earth, wherein dwelleth Righteoufnefs. 2 Pet. iii. 13.

In Rev. xxi. 1. &c. The Predictions are thus expreffed, viz. And I faw a new Heaven, and a new Earth: for the first Heaven and the first Earth were paffed away; and there was no more Sea. (No Water to quench, or abate the Fire of the burning Earth.) And I John faw the holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down from God, out of Heaven, prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband: And I beard a great Voice out of Heaven, faying, behold, the Tabernacle of God is with Men, and be will dwell with them, and they shall be kis People, and God kimfelf fhall be with them, and be their God: And God fhall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes;

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