17. The true Believer meditates on the coming Aforn of the Children of God
EXHORTATION.
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself, even as he is pure."—1 John iii. 2, 3. A true Christian should daily consider three things: what he is, what he possesses in God—a father, a benefactor, and the best of friends—and what has yet to expect at the hands of God, heavenly pleasures and bliss. Such contemplations tend to keep alive in his soul the flame of love to God, and cause sin to lose its charms and power over him. 1. True believers have great glory even in this life; they have the pardon of their sins, are the sons of God and heirs of heaven, have peace with God, consolation in affliction, bliss of the soul, rest in God, and a Mediator; compared with this, silver, gold, money, and kingly crowns are as nothing. 2. They have great glory to expect in the life hereafter. They shall enter into heaven, see the triune God, associate with the saints and angels, COMING GLORY OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD.
and, freed from all sin, sorrow, toil and pain, rise in the body to eternal life.
3. The true believer anticipates this with joy, draws consolation from it in sorrow, and is assured that the time will come when all trouble will turn to endless rejoicing.
4. He must not forfeit this glory by a sinful life in this world's sins, but must consider that he is destined for something better.
5. He stands fast in faith and regards the things of earth as a fleeting show, which he must leave behind, but often sends his heart before to where he longs to dwell for evermore.
How good and gracious art thou, O eternal
God, that thou hast not only created man for great glory at first, but that even after his fall thou hast again promised exceeding glory to all who would accept of thy grace, and follow the impulse of thy Holy Spirit in faith and holiness. For such regenerate and sanctified souls may rejoice over great glory even in this present life. They are the children of God, invested with the righteousness of Christ; the Holy Spirit dwells in them, they are at peace with thee and have thy favor, grace and love, which they are always at liberty to claim in their prayers, and to obtain thy help and thy mercy in their troubles. This 11*
THE TRUE BELIEVER MEDITATES ON THE glory will be still increased in the life hereafter; for when the soul is severed from the body, it shall joyously attain the sight of thy face, it shall be presented to thy saints, and filled with the joys of heaven. And after the resurrection, the body likewise shall reach this glory; it shall be transfigured and shall shine as the sun. O my
God! give me thy grace always to have this glory before my eyes. O preserve me in faith and piety, that when the world would seduce me I may consider that I am thy child, and that I have still to expect at thy hands eternal glory and happiness, so that I may never love the world again, to the neglect of the glory of heaven. Help me to act cautiously, so that at the end of my life I may truly say, I have fought the good fight, I have run my course, I have kept faith, henceforth I shall wear the crown of righteousness, which the just judge will give me, and not me alone, but all who love his coming. Amen.
1. What boundless store is mine! God's love, God's very essence
Falls to my happy lot, e'en in this mortal presence. The glad, the joyous thought! 'tis mine, all, all, is mine!
It fills my beating heart with rapture most divine. COMING GLORY OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD. 127
2. For o, the Lord is mine! his fatherly affection Returns each morn anew, and gives me fresh protection. He is my sword, my shield, my comfort and my guide, True friend and champion bold, whatever me beide. 3. And Jesus, too, is mine, to save and to redress me; Can suffering or tears, the grave or death, distress me? His righteousness is mine, his merit and his grace, His blood and saving death; what can all these efface? 4. The Holy Ghost is mine; he leads me to the portal Which I shall enter when my life no more is mortal; He is an earnest of the peace that is to come
When I with Christ shall dwell in his eternal home. 5. For heaven itself, is mine, with all its bright enjoyment, The purchase of my Lord's wounds, death, and sore annoyment. Alive or dead, I know that Jesus for me died,
And by his sacrifice I shall be glorified.
EVENING PRAYER FOR SATURDAY.
EVENING PRAYER FOR SATURDAY.
When I walk in darkness the Lord is my light
O most merciful and gracious God! another day has come to a close, and with it also another week; but thy mercy endureth forever. The mountains may be removed and the hills may fall, but thy grace shall never depart from thy children. This eternal grace has preserved me during another week. Now I know, what I did not at the beginning of this week, that in health I should be spared to see its close. Thy mercies have been many during this week. Thou hast heard my prayers, directed my steps, and richly loaded me with blessings. Thou hast watched over me, given me good counsel, and guided me; not a day has passed that I have not received gifts of grace, love and mercy, from thee, yea, not an hour has gone by that the stream of thy blessings has not been poured out upon me. How great are thy grace, love and mercy! But I also remember my sins at the end of the week. My trespasses have been many. I have sinned in thought, word, and deed, by failing to do right and often doing wrong. I feel that I have not been as watchful, prayerful, and devoted as I ought to have been. I have not devoted as many hours to thee as I should have done. O
EVENING PRAYER FOR SATURDAY
Lord, forgive me these sins; rebuke me not in thy wrath, nor chastise me in thy sore displeasure. Be thou a wall of fire round about me this night, and graciously preserve me and my family from all harm and danger. The end of this week reminds me of the end of my days, that I am one week older, and so much nearer to eternity. The last week, day, and hour of my life is rapidly approaching, upon which a long eternity is to follow, therefore help me so to spend all my weeks, days, and hours, that I may never dread thy sight. Here I am but a pilgrim; but in heaven is my native land, where thou wilt wipe away all tears from the eyes of thy children, and delight and satisfy them with eternal joy. I would now lay aside all my earthly labors and cares, and prepare myself for the approaching Sunday, which I mean to spend in praying, singing, and the contemplation of thy Holy Word. Grant me the grace of the Holy Spirit, that all its sacred hours may be consecrated to thee, and that my devotions may not be hindered by the intrusion of the world and sin. Amen. THE TRUE BELIEVER THANKS GOD