Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. (1771 Vol 1).djvu/32

 thoughts of being happy, and that too for all eternity hereafter, methinks should teach us to bear up under every calamity here, not only with submission, but a holy joy. Good ! the very idea of what we are to be in glory, transports me while I am writing. There, there, Mrs. H. we shall see the blessed, whom our souls have so eagerly thirsted after in this life, surrounded with glory, and attended with myriads of his holy angels, who will rejoice at our safe arrival to their happy mansions, and with repeated echoes welcome us to heaven. There, there, we shall not only see, but live with him and enjoy him too, not for a day, a month, a year, an age, but to all eternity. And who can tell the pleasure, comfort, peace, joy, delight, and transport, a glorified saint will feel in the possession of his wished-for, longed-for, ever adorable, ever gracious, blessed, beloved, triune, and that for ever? Surely the happiness will be so great, that eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither can the heart of man conceive the thousandth part thereof. And yet, great as it is, I not only wish, but have good hope through, that not only you and Mr. H. but all my christian friends, and even I myself through grace, shall one day be partakers of it. The way and means we know. "If any one, says, will come after me (to glory) let him renounce himself." i. e. make his own will no principle of action, be no self-pleaser, "and take up his cross" patiently (whether of sickness or outward circumstances, &c.) "and then let him follow me," follow me in a way of duty here, and he shall follow me to glory hereafter. May we all be such followers of the blessed ! And why should we despair of becoming such? What is there in 's doctrine or example but that we may all, through the assistance of the Holy Spirit, imitate him in? Suppose it does oblige us to be a little stricter than our neighbours? Suppose it does forbid us spending too much time in the seemingly-innocent entertainments of the age? Suppose it does command us to be constant and frequent in prayer, in watchings, fastings, and other acts of mortification? Suppose it does bid us not to indulge our unruly passions; but to learn of to be meek, patient, and lowly? Suppose it does compel us to redeem our time, to fill up every day with proper duty and devotion? Yet, what in all this, that is terrible? Has not such a behavi