as could not appreciate their real excellence-they had to be covered by a vail, for no ordinary Christian could have endured the blaze of excellent glory which flashed out upon the apostle's spirit from the holy of holies!

We have another instance of Heaven and earth meeting, in the experience of the saints. It was when the shekinah of celestial glory settled down, like a luminous cloud, upon Tabor, enfolding the Saviour and three of his disciples. Two glorified saints appeared in that heavenly place. The voice of God was heard there. Saints in the body, and saints out of the body, communed with each other in that element of heavenly bliss. So overwhelmingly joyous was the hour, that the disciples would fain have dwelt there forever. So sweetly impressive was the scene, that long afterwards Peter refers to this vision and communion in that "excellent glory."

These instances are sufficient to show us what is possible, and what God will do for his saints whenever their own circumstances, and the occasion, are of sufficient importance to call for such encouragement. Who will say that foretastes similar to these, have not often sustained martyrs at the stake, to whom we know that the raging flames were as refreshing and pleasant as the soft fannings of the zephyr, in the summer evening twilight?

That God graciously adapts the communication of these encouraging foretastes to the emergencies of the saints, is both reasonable and scriptural. He gives strength as the day; and shows Himself a very present help in trouble. When the people are weary, and cry

out, Now, Lord, it is enough, let us die, then He shows them clusters from Eschol, and pomegranates, and figs, from the land of promise. So, in the case of the saints when they grow weary, and their burdens press them sorely, he shows them first-fruits from Canaan; and says, Behold the earnest of your inheritance, eat and live. Often when the path of discouragement has grown too distressingly dark, "He visits them in the night," and makes

The opening heavens around them shine,
With beams of sacred bliss.

8

CHAPTER V.

Foretastes of Beaven at the close of Life.

The last end

Of the good man is peace. How calm his exit!
Night-dews fall not more gently to the ground,
Nor weary worn-out winds expire so soft.

BLAIR.

WE have spoken of heavenly foretastes. We have spoken of the Medium in which they are realized; of the Organ in the saint by which they are received; and of the Agent by which the blessed realization is effected; and we have also referred to some scriptural instances of such blessed meetings of Heaven and earth, in the experiences of the saints as are involved in this idea of foretastes. A moment's reflection will lead us to believe that, as the Christian life is progressive, these foretastes become always more full, satisfying, and intensely delightful the nearer he approaches the close of life. This is manifest from those expressions with which various of the people of God, in all ages, have closed their earthly pilgrimage. This explains their willingness to be offered up, their joyful hope of Heaven, and their desire to depart. It seems proper then, that, to render our meditations

on the foretastes of Heaven complete, we should linger yet for a short time around the closing scenes of the earthly life of saints, and catch what inspiration of comfort we can from their dying words.

It is a pensive pleasantness which a Christian enjoys in walking forth amid the sober scenes of nature in the solemn stillness of the eventide. The departed day, the coming, lonely night, and the passionless scene of sweet serenity which lies around him, dispose his mind to think, and his heart to feel, aright. A similar evening scene is presented to us in the solemn retirement of the chamber of death. The day of toils and tears is now past. Sweet home feelings come over the spirit. The spirit feels the curtains, which shut out a vain and restless world, drawn as by unseen hands around it, and in that sense of peace and security which passeth all understanding, it awaits the repose of death. a repose which knows a blissful waking in the morning of eternal day. How blessed is that place where the saint prepares to unclothe himself of the habiliments of earth, to rest forever in the bosom of his God! The very air is wisdom, and every whisper we hear, is the language of a higher sphere. From the whole past life, now just closing, there come blessed recollections, as messengers of peace, to make the scene hopeful; and, from before, dawn down upon the departing spirit the smiles of heavenly welcome. The evening scene of the saint is blest, and gives blessing. Let us go with him to the portal, and our spirits shall drink in the holy light, which streams out upon us through the bright vista as he passes beyond our sight.

Thus on he moves to meet his latter end,
Angels around befriending virtue's friend;
Sinks to the grave with unperceived decay,
While resignation gently slopes the way;
And, all his prospect bright'ning to the last,
His Heaven commences ere the world be past.

It may be remarked that closing scenes of life have two aspects, bright or dark, calm or terrible, according to the character of him who dies. When a mortal draws near to death, there appears, as once to Israel, a pillar to guide him; but as that pillar which led Israel was "darkness" on the side of the Egyptians, and "light" towards those whom God loved and led, so is the guide which lifts the veil and beckons to the dying. The Jordan has an instinctive sense of who it is that approaches, and prepares accordingly to receive him. If it is an enemy of God, it swells, and foams, and frowns, and throws high its gaping waves to take him fearfully into its cold embrace; if it is one whom God loves, its surface grows serene, and anon breaks into smiles, as the features upon the face of a sleeping infant. When Jonah entered the ship, "the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against him," and he said: "I know that for my sake this tempest is upon

When the Saviour entered, the sea felt his presence, "the wind ceased, and there was a great calm!" Blessed are they that are with him! With joy will they exclaim, as they go down with him into death's dark waters: "What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!" To the righteous there ariseth a light in the darkness. In their experience is the prophecy fulfilled: "It shall