pursue the train of reflection thus suggested, after the same manner, into the succeeding stages of "the intermediate state," "judgment," " hell," "heaven," and its accompaniments: being probably encouraged herein by the inquiry concerning "the Happiness of the Blessed," which had been for some time more particularly engaging my thoughts, but not with a view to an immediate connexion between the two works. When, however, I came to arrange my treatise on "the Happiness of the Blessed" in its present form, these latter poems, such of them at least as had been then written, seemed to fall not unaptly into the intervals between the sections; and I thereupon added others for the intervals not already provided for, until in the end the whole treatise thus acquired its actual uniformity. Such is the history of the present publication : the two members of which may be hereby perceived to have somewhat more of connexion, than might at first sight be supposed. But, whatever be their connexion, each of them, so far as regards its particular subject, is independent of the other. And either or both may, I trust, be made subservient to the welfare of the reader both in this life, and in that which is to come: for which end may Almighty God grant his blessing upon them for the sake of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. RD. D. & C. POSTSCRIPT TO THE FOURTH EDITION. A FEW additional "Musings" were inserted in the third Edition, marked *: and to the present Edition have been annexed a few others, distinguished by the mark **, having reference to some important events in the History of our Reformed Church. Feb. 7, 1837. POSTSCRIPT TO THE FIFTH EDITION. FOUR" Musings," relative to the persecutions of the Sister Church of Ireland, have been inserted in this Edition, with the mark of ***. Jan. 4, 1841. CONTENTS. ** The first reference denotes the subject of each Section; the next I.—Introductory-Consideration of the subject suggested by 56 The Prospect of Heaven a motive to exertion IV.—Contemplation of Heaven weans the Affection from Earth 70 II.-Recognition of each other probable, from Exhortation to III. The Recognition of each other probable, from Observa- The Reward of Christian Benevolence V.—The Recognition of each other probable, from what is Revealed concerning the Future Society of the Blessed 111 The Re-union of Friends in Heaven VI.-The Recognition of each other probable, from what is Revealed concerning the Future Feelings of the Blessed 115 DIFFERENT DEGREES OF HAPPINESS AMONG THE BLESSED. |