are torn asunder by the ravages of the grave-Hence moralists and divines are not unfrequently expatiating on the precarious tenure by which are held the blessings of mortality. Human bliss is of such an uncertain duration, that in comparison with it, "the spider's most attenuated web is cord-is cable-it breaks at every breeze." Indeed, "half man's learning is the world's epitaph." The elegy and the monumental stone every where indicate, that here is no continuing city. Incessant is the removal of human beings from amidst their dearest connexions and most beloved enjoyments. Not a public print do we take up but proclaims the relative-the friend-gone down to the grave, the common-indiscriminate-all-engulphing receptacle of mortality.—It is the house appointed for all living. To renew these connexions in a better world, must impart a refined gratification. Companions in the toils of mortality, associates in a preparation for future bliss, that bliss enjoyed together, will be heightened and improved. Incidents will be recollected, which, during their earthly pilgrimage facilitated their progress towards Heaven. Mutual advices and exhortations will be remembered with gratitude. Every event which has urged them on to glory, honour, immortality, and eternal life, will be found to have generated an indelible impression their hearts. upon This pleasing idea is extended, by the great and good DR. WATTS, to our acquaintance with pious and learned men, whose writings have benefitted us on earth. "Nor is it (says he) improper nor unpleasant to suppose, that among the rest of their celestial conferences, they shall shew to each other the fair and easy solution of those difficulties and deep problems in divinity, which had exercised and perplexed them here on earth, and divided them into little angry parties! They shall look back with holy shame on some of their learned and senseless distinctions, and be ready to wonder sometimes what trifles and impertinencies had engaged them in dark and furious debates! Darkness and entanglement shall vanish at once from many of those knotty points of controversy, when they behold them in the light of Heaven*!" The very supposition of such an intercourse in the celestial world, should here on earth conduce to the exercise of unfeigned candour, however branded by the name of indifference, and excite to the indulgence of Christian charity, in spite of the clamours of an ignorant and besotted bigotry. Certain it is that the New Testament speaks of Heaven under the image of a FAMILY. This sentiment implies a knowledge of each other. Abraham is described as knowing the rich man, and the rich man as knowing Abraham and Lazarus. The chil dren of God are to come from the East, and from * The World to come, by ISAAC WATTS, D. D. and MURRAY'S Power of Religion on the Mind, in Retirement, Affliction, and at the approach of Death-exemplified in the testimonies and experience of persons distinguished by their greatness, learning, or virtue. the West, to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, (whom, of course, they must know), in the kingdom of Heaven! Upon that beautiful passage of Scripture, Col. i. 28. That we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus, Dr. Paley remarks-" I understand St. Paul to express his hope and prayer, that at the general judgment of the world, he might present the fruits of his ministry the converts whom he had made to his faith and religion, and might present them perfect in every good work, and if this be rightly interpreted, then it affords a manifest and necessary inference that THE SAINTS in a future life will meet, and be KNOWN again to one another! For how, without knowing again his converts in their new and glorified state, could St. Paul desire or expect to present them at the last day?" This eminent divine then adds "I do allow that the general strain of SCRIPTURE seems to suppose it, that when Paul speaks of the spirits of just men made perfect, and of their coming to the general assembly of the saints, it seems to import that we should be known of them, and of one another-that when CHRIST declares that the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, it imports that they shall be disclosed to those who were before the witnesses of our actions. I do also think that it is agreeable to the dictates of reason itself to believe, that the same GREAT GOD, who brings men to life again, will bring those TOGETHER whom Death hath separated." To refer back to ancient divines, take the opinion of the pious and sagacious BAXTER "I must confess as the experience of my own soul, that the expectation of loving my friends in HEAVEN principally kindles my love to them on earth! If I thought I should never know them, and consequently never love them after this life is ended, I should in reason number them with temporal things, and love them as such, at the same time allowing for the excellent nature of Grace; but I now delightfully converse with my pious friends in a firm persuasion that I shall converse with them for ever; and I take comfort in those of them that are DEAD or absent, as believing I shall shortly meet them in HEAVEN, and love them with a heavenly love that shall there be perfected!" Dr. Richard Price has a masterly dissertation on the junction of the wise and good in HEAVEN. His concluding words are these. "The dark and dreary grave has now nothing in it that should make it appear terrible. To virtuous characters it is no more than a bed of rest till the morning of a JOYFUL RESURRECTION! We have, as CHRISTIANS, Something better to support us under the anguish produced by the death of friends than the cold alternative of the ancient philosophers, that either they are happy, or returned to the state they were in before they were born. We may exult in the expectation of finding them again, and of renewing our friendship with them in a better country! The worst that DEATH can do is to cause a short interruption in our intercourse with them, or to re move them from our sight for a moment. We shall soon follow them, be raised with them to new life, and take possession with them of an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. Such are the hopes which the blessed gospel gives; and well may they elevate our minds above these scenes of mortality, dry up our tears in every season of sorrow, and inspire us always with a joy unspeakable and full of glory!" Reader-hast thou ever seen the REPRESENTATION of the resurrection of a pious family from the grave at the last day? Never was the pencil of the artist more happily employed. The group is sublimely impressive. Every countenance is filled with surprise-every feature is burnished by joy. The Father, the Mother, the Children at different ages, and even the hoary Grandsire, are seen bursting the cerements of THE TOMB, and rising to the transcendant honours of immortality Whilst on thy glowing canvass lost we gaze, When freed from earthly sin and earthly care, Restor❜d to all the most endearing ties Which Parents, Children, Lovers, Friends, can share! Meet and receivé rewards which TIME can ne'er destroy *! * A discourse entitled, The final Congregation of good Characters in Heaven, concludes the second volume of Sermons for the Use of Families, by the Rev. Edmund Butcher, of Sidmouth. A THIRD VOLUME is just pub |