O ye blest scenes of permanent delight! Full without measure, lasting without bounds! A perpetuity of bliss is bliss. I trust our dear friend and Brother is now in the enjoyment of this unspeakable felicity; to this all the people of God were predestinated by the Father—for this they were redeemed by Jesus—for this they are called by the Holy Spirit, made partakers of a divine nature and preserved unto this kingdom and glory. This inheritance is sure to all the seed; but there must be a preparation for it, a calling out of the world, a good hope through grace; the pardon of sin, and a receiving the righteousness of God our Saviour. There must be a knowledge of Jesus, union to him and communion with him; this is our meetness for glory; and however uncandid it may be deemed, I am bold to affirm, that no man can behold the face of God with joy, without those blessings in time. Hear this Ye opposers, transgressors of every degree, And formal professors, the worst of the three. As it respects our departed Friend, it appears he had lived in nature’s darkness, sin, and misery, like the rest of mankind, till about a year ago, when it pleased the Lord to lead him to hear the Gospel as preached by unworthy me. I believe the passage I had occasion at that time to discourse on was, _Look not upon me because I am black_, _because the sun hath looked on me_. I rather suppose his convictions began about this time; the word laid hold of his heart; he saw himself a lost sinner, justly condemned by the Law, which he soon found to be spiritual, that it cursed him for a sinful thought as well as sinful works. The fears of death, the guilt of sin, the suggestions of Satan, and the dread of judgment and eternity, were all felt by him.—He found himself shut up in unbelief, and neither might or power of his own could extricate him.—He was at the same time sadly tried in circumstances, so that the hand of God seemed to go out against him in every direction. But that most blessed Spirit of all grace, who had taken possession of his soul, and given him light to see and life to feel himself a sinner, also begot in him a living hope, that he should be delivered. The Holy Spirit convinced him of unbelief, and at the same time operated on his mind as a spirit of faith. He convinced him of his carnal enmity, yet operated as a spirit of love. Thus the blessed Spirit generally deals with his dear people. Our Brother, amidst all he felt, attended constantly on the word—and he that waiteth on his Master shall be honored, and so he found it.