from a deep sense of unspeakable obligation, and not in compliment nor from custom,that all Angels cry aloud, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain." He is of more worth to them-than all the glories of creation; than all the wisdom of Providence; than all the wealth of eternity: for He alone is "the brightness of the Father's glory, and the express image of his person." Only in Christ crucified is the heart of God fully unveiled; and as their chief happiness must for ever spring from His love, Angels may well sing, "Worthy the Lamb;" seeing the Lamb is both the mirror and the miracle, the Alpha and Omega, of the paternal love of their God and our God, of their Father and our Father! Now, how far do you sympathize with them, in this preference and pleasure? How near come to the innumerable company of

are you

66

Angels," in thus recognising and admiring the

Lamb "in the midst" of every thing, and as the glory of all things? Mark well both your sentiments and emotions, now that you see all angelic eyes turned to Him, and hear all angelic harps tuned to Him, equally as "to Him that sitteth upon the throne!""What think ye of Christ ?"-How do you feel toward Him? Are you gratified-delighted-stimulated by the love and allegiance, the homage and gratitude, thus given to the Saviour by all the heavenly hosts? If so-you have "drank into the same spirit" with them. How else could you enter into, and participate in, their highest views and holiest feelings? Nature

does not teach these lessons, even in Heaven: who then but the SPIRIT could have taught you on earth?

Thus, it was not in compliment at all, nor in prophecy merely, that Paul said to believers, "Ye are come to an innumerable company of

Angels." He was stating a fact in Christian experience, as sober as it is sublime. We " are come" to the same conclusions, as Angels, in regard to the Godhead, the glory, and the grace of the Saviour. We "

are come to the

same resolution as Angels, to crown Him, Lord

of all.

We 66

are come to the same maxim as

Angels, to desire to look into the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

This is no accident! This is not one of the forms which a refined taste or a powerful imagination can give to the desires of the heart. No, indeed it is not in this direction, that genius leads, or that mere education can draw, the affections of the soul. The Holy Spirit has come near, both as a Teacher and a Sanctifier, to the soul, that comes thus near to the innumerable company of angels, in thought and feeling.

Whatever encouragement there is in this

view of Christian experience, will be increased,

by tracing our resemblance to the spirits of just men made perfect. For we 66 are come " still nearer "to the general assembly and Church of the first-born," than to Angels, in our love and gratitude, if we have really come by faith" to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling.' Our first prayerful and penitential approach to Him for salvation, made us one with all the Redeemed in heaven, exactly in proportion as it made Him "all in all" in our hopes; and every subsequent attempt to "wash our robes in the blood of the Lamb," has brought us nearer to the forms and spirit of their grateful worship.

Be not afraid to look at this fact! It is the fact in your own case,-if you have come to Christ himself. Besides, you expect to come, at last, into the society of all the Saved, and to

come up to all the height of their love and gratitude. You cannot relinquish this hope. Indeed, one great reason why you cling to this hope, is, because you feel quite sure that, should you reach heaven, there is nothing you would not do, willingly and warmly, in order to express, before the throne, your

"Wonder, love, and praise !"

And then, you do not leave these altogether unexpressed, until you are in heaven.

You

could not keep up any hope of joining in the New Song there, if you did not try to sing it here. You could not postpone all your gratitude to the Saviour, until you see Him as he is. The shortness of time, as well as the length of Eternity, is a reason, with you, for trying to do and feel now, something of what you intend then.

You are right! Well; nothing will help you more in this good habit, than marking how