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understanding, or deceit beguile their souls;[1] lest, in a word some jewel in the crown He designs for them should lose a portion of its brightness from their longer conversation in a world so full of snares, so alien, yet so trying to their hearts. And it is well for them that he does so. Here their very blessings were imperfect, their trials ofttimes very sore: now "they are in peace." Shall we not congratulate with them that they at least are gainers, however great our loss? May they not say to us, "If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I go to my Father?"[2] May they not justly recall to our thoughts, as we commune in spirit with them, the saying of the apostle, that to "depart and be with Christ is far better?"[3] May they not convey to our souls, not the truth only, but some portion even of that blessedness, which is now inalienably theirs? May they not whisper to our hearts how calm and peaceful is their repose, how exalted their contemplations, how exquisite their delights, and how sweet the refreshments of God's mercy which reach them there? May they not in some way show us how white are their robes, how pure and spotless their redeemed spirits?[4] What on earth can equal, or be compared with one, even the least of all their joys, if it were only the certainty, that they are saved? For we know full well that whatever doubt humility
