292 NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 



raphims and cherubims with heavenly ejacula- 

 tions, whilst we are made to grope in darkness 

 unutterable, and to lament there the impiety of 

 life ; and debar'd repentance after death, because 

 to reject it when proffred unto us : for in the 

 grave there's no contrition ; nor after judgment 

 is there any revocation. 



This is a sad and deplorable sentence, beyond 

 the reach of sorrow to contemplate : for if but 

 to consider the janglings in hell, and the mur- 

 muring complaints of the damned in torments, 

 that belch out blasphemies to confirm their im- 

 pieties ; and by spiritual pride prophane the 

 beauty of holiness ; and would, if possible, cor- 

 rupt the creation, prostituting to idols, and the 

 ides of time ; and as much as in them lies, per- 

 vert and poison the sacred oracles of judgment 

 and justice. But what tongue can express the 

 glorious raptures, and beatifical visions the saints 

 enjoy, with the seraphick harmony of the bless- 

 ed hierarchy ; whilst penitents pass by the gates 

 of hell, to the heavenly triumphant joys of eter- 

 nity. 



O, what love so convincing and stupendously 

 manifest, as a Saviour to die for unregenerate 

 sinners ! to affix himself to the cross of death, 

 to fasten our souls to eternal life ! to load his 

 body with the burden of sin, to purchase for 

 sinners the seal of redemption ! This is that great 



