the spirit. They shall be sanctified wholly: and seeing Christ in glory, "as He is, they shall be like him." But the promise in the text has a still further meaning. It means, that those who hunger and thirst after Righteousness, not only shall have the things which they long for, but shall also be perfectly satisfied with it. It shall come up to, and even go far beyond their largest wishes. "They shall be filled." They shall find the joys of heaven to be full and satisfying. They have chosen GOD for their portion, and they shall find Him to be their exceeding great reward. They shall then feel that perfect holiness is perfect happiness. When they "awake up after GoD's likeness they shall be satisfied with it." 66 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the Sun light on them, nor any heat for the Lamb, which is in the midst of the Throne, shall feed them: and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and GoD shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."* What glorious truths are these, my brethren! How justly may it be said of the persons in the text, that they are Blessed! May all of you, who hunger and thirst after Righteousness, make that use of these glo * Rev. vii. 16, 17. rious truths, which you ought to make of them! May they comfort and encourage you under present troubles, and stir you up to a patient continuance in well-doing! It is true, that you now labour and strive, but your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord!" You now "sow in tears;" but you shall "reap in joy." You now "hunger and thirst" but hereafter, you “shall be filled." You may be tempted to think that your trials are hard. You may be tempted to fear that you shall fail at last. You may be tempted to keep back something, which God and your conscience bid you to give up. Yield not to these temptations. "Be faithful unto death, and you shall receive a crown of life." Go on in the narrow way of faith and holiness. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left. This narrow way will surely lead to heaven; and heaven will as surely make amends for all that you have lost or suffered on the road. 66 Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard; neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him." * Set these things before you. See them now by faith. Soon you shall enter into the full possession and enjoyment of them. * 1 Cor. ii. 9. But while the text gives such comfort to those of whom it speaks, what must we say to persons of a contrary character? If we may hope, my brethren, that there are some who hunger and thirst after righteousness, we cannot but fear also, that there are others who hunger and thirst, but not after righteousness; others who are "labouring after the meat which perisheth," not after that meat which endureth unto everlasting life: who are eagerly following some worldly perishable thing, to the neglect of God, of their soul, and of eternity. O that such persons could be convinced of their folly and danger! You are seeking happiness where you can never find it. You are toiling for that which will not repay your labour. You now think that if you could obtain such and such a thing, which you long for, you should be happy. In this uncertain world, it is very probable, that you never may obtain it. But if you should, you will be as far from happiness as you are at present. You will find something still wanting to complete your happiness. For in truth, none of those things which you are seeking, can satisfy the longings of the soul. Have you not hitherto found this to be the case? Have your plans of worldly happiness answered? Have you ever obtained one single thing, which, when obtained, has made you as happy as you before expected that it would have made you? If one wish have been gratified, has not another been disappointed? If one trouble have been taken away, has not another risen? You have surely found things thus; and thus you must always find them; so long as you hunger and thirst, but not after Righteousness. Be warned by past experience. "spend money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which satisfieth not. Seek first the kingdom of GOD and his Righteousness." Be concerned for your soul. Make it your grand business to provide for another life. So shall you find rest and peace here, and happiness and glory hereafter. No longer If you reject this advice, tremble for the consequences. The rich man, whọ received his " good things" in this world, was tormented in the next. So will it surely be with you. Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty; |