Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 2.djvu/117

Rh those pictures with the original events from which, by Divine anticipation, they were drawn, will never, perhaps be vouchsafed to mortal eyes. In a future state of being, when the ways shall be all at length made plain, it may be one of the happy employments of the Blessed to contemplate the Church as it was on earth; to see how fully all that was predicted of it by the voice of inspiration was, throughout the period of its duration on earth, fulfilled, and how amply  redeemed the promises which He had made to His Holy Institution; manifesting in it, from generation to generation. His Glory;—not indeed to sinners in the flesh,—but to the countless myriads who surround His throne,—to perfected Saints and unspotted angels,—and, in a word, to all the sinless and glorified Creation.

In that retrospective view it will undoubtedly be seen, that the world, in systematically afflicting the Church, is but doing its appointed part. May the part assigned to ourselves be the happier one of witnesses for truth and defenders of His Holy Institution. May we, seeing in all things,—habitually contemplating the  as now revealed to the eye of faith alike in His Church and in His world,—prepare ourselves, through His Grace, for that fuller and more perfect contemplation of Him, which shall hereafter be the privilege of the redeemed in Heaven.