mediate state of being, where the really good put away their errors and infirmities in fully preparing for the angelic life; and where the really evil are stript of their seeming, but hypocritical good, and prepared for the abodes of shame. It is in this intermediate state all are judged, and pass thence to their final abode, where the good have an addition to their acquired blessings; but from the evil are taken away all their seeming good and hypocritical coverings, which served them only in gaining their evil ends. How impressive are these words of Jesus,—"Whosoever hath, to him shall be given: and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth so have." (Luke viii. 18.)
Reader! if thou canst receive it, this present life, which is neither heaven nor hell, but between the two, is a kind of intermediate state, allowed, in mercy, to try and to prove thee in all thy ways. Choose thou, then, this day, whom thou wilt serve! choose the good and refuse the evil—love truth and righteousness—live close to God here, and thou shalt be blessed hereafter! A little while, and we shall pass into that spiritual world, or intermediate state, where the light of heaven, in its accurate discrimination, shall make apparent the real quality of the inward life, and appoint to each his home.
O think of these things to-day! for know that,
"Between the two extremes
Of earth and heaven there lies a mediate state;—
A pause between the lightning lapse of life,
And following thunders of eternity."
