CHAP. VIII.] Meetness for Heaven. [HEAVEN shall not conceal their wickedness. Accordingly the one shall be absolved and glorified, the others condemned and punished for ever. In short, without violation of his own righteous establishment in the gospel, God cannot receive the unholy into his glory. Heb. xii. 14.. (3) Besides the legal bar that excludes unsanctified persons from the beatific vision of God, there is a moral incapacity. Suppose that justice should allow omnipotence to translate such a sinner to heaven, would the place make him happy? Can two incongruous natures delight in one another? The happiness of sense is by an impression of pleasure from a suitable object. The happiness of intellectual beings arises from an entire conformity of dispositions. Unless God therefore recede from his holiness, which is absolutely impossible, or man be purified and changed into his likeness, there can be no sweet communion between them. Our Saviour assigns this reason for the necessity of regeneration in order to our admission into heaven; That which is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit.' According to the quality of the principle, such is what proceeds from it. The flesh is a corrupt principle, and accordingly the natural man is wholly carnal in his propensities, operations and end. The disease is turned into his constitution. He is dead to the spiritual life, to the actions and enjoyments. that are proper to it. There is also in him a surviving principle of enmity to that life; not only a mortal HEAVEN.] Meetness for Heaven. [CHAP. VIII. coldness to God, but a stiff aversion from him; a perpetual resistance and impatience of the divine presence that would disturb his voluptuous enjoyments. The exercises of heaven would be as the torments of hell to him, while in the midst of those pure joys his inward inclinations vehemently run into the lowest lees of sensuality. Therefore till this contrariety, so deep and predominant in an unholy person, be removed, it is utterly impossible he should enjoy God with satisfaction. As it was necessary that God should become like man on earth, to purchase that felicity for him; so man must be like God in heaven, before he can possess it. Holiness alone prepares men for celestial happiness; and that is against the corruption and above the perfection of mere nature. I shall now proceed to consider more particularly what is requisite in order to our obtaining of hea ven. CHAP. IX. Faith in the Redeemer is indispensable to all who partake of his salvation-Heaven must be chosen as our supreme happiness, and sought as our last end-The choice of heaven must be sincere and constant, and must regulate our judgment and affections-The sincere choice of heaven will make us aspire to the highest degrees of holiness in the present state. FAITH in the Redeemer is absolutely required of all that will partake of the salvation purchased by him. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son: that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life,' John iii. 16. This is the spirit and substance of the gospel, therefore I will briefly unfold it. The Son of God having assumed human nature, and performed what was necessary for the expiation of sin, the Father was so pleased with his obedience that from his lowest state he raised him to divine glory, and gave him supreme authority and all-sufficient power to communicate that glory to others. Thus our Saviour declares; 'Thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.' John xvii. 2. And he exhorts the people to labour for that meet which endures unto eternal life, HEAVEN ] ' which the Son of man shall give unto you; for him hath God the Father sealed.' John vi. Now this glorious life is not given to all, but only to those who are united to him. As Adam, the principle of the carnal corrupt nature, derives guilt and death to all his progeny; so Jesus Christ, who is opposed to him, the head and prince of the renewed state, communicates life and glory to his people. The apostle expresses it, As in Adam all die,' his natural descendants being involved in his condemnation; even so in Christ shall all be made alive.' 1 Cor. xv. 22. That is all who are spiritually united to him shall partake of his glorious resurrection. And St. John tells us, He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son hath not life.' 1 John v. 12. Having the Son, upon which our right to eternal life depends, is believing in him. Faith has a principal efficiency in receiving Christ, therefore is expressed by that act. 'As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,' and consequently heirs of glory; even to as many as believe on his name.' And Christ is said to dwell in our hearts by faith, Ephes. iii. 17. This is not a mere assent to the doctrines of the gospel concerning the dignity of his person, that he is in so high and glorious a relation as to be the eternal Son of God; or concerning the infinite value of his merits, whereby j he is able to save all that come, unto God by him ; and his merciful compassionate nature to embrace returning sinners, and the excellency of the benefits CHAP. IX.] Meetness for Heaven. [HEAVEN. purchased by him; but it is such a belief that sways the will and affections to receive him on God's terms for our salvation. Faith is seated in the whole soul, in the mind and heart, and accepts of Christ entirely as prophet, priest and king. The parts of the Mediator's office are inseparably connected, and all the effects of them are communicated to the same persons. Jesus Christ is made of God to believers, ' wisdom,' to cure their ignorance and folly; ' righteousness,' to abolish their guilt; sanctification,' to renew their natures; and redemption,' to free them at last from the grave and bring them to glory, 1 Cor. i. 30. From hence it is clear that the faith which is justifying and saving, includes in its nature a dependance upon Christ as a powerful and merciful Mediator, able and willing to reconcile us to God, and make us for ever happy in his favour. Also a sincere resolution of obedience and subjection to all his holy commands, even to the plucking out of the right eye, and the cutting off the right hand, the parting with the most pleasing or profitable sins. For the promises of God that are the rule of faith, make an offer of Christ upon these conditions to us. Him hath God exalted with his right hand, to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.' Acts v. 31. Only the justified shall be glorified; those therefore who desire a partial interest in him as a Saviour, out of absolute necessity to escape hell, and will not out of love submit to him as their Prince, have not that |