The works of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. in nine volumes (volume 1 of 9)Watts, Isaac
Religion
The works of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. in nine volumes (volume 1 of 9)
Watts, Isaac
Dissenters, Religious -- England; Sermons, English -- 18th century; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
Those of us who have been long restrained from all the pleasure and
profit of public ordinances, what a blessed release will it be to our
souls, when we shall be dismissed from the bonds of flesh, into that
great and holy society of spirits, and shall feel no more restraints for
ever? We who have been detained from the house of God, by the
uncharitable laws of men, or the painful providence of God, with what a
divine relish shall we embrace our liberty in that day, and be eternally
free from all forbidding laws, and all imprisoning providences?
O how heartily should it engage our affections to one another, and
increase the pleasure of our worship, when we come to wait on God
together here below, to think that we shall worship God together in the
upper world? How should it unite the hearts of our congregations one to
another in divine love and make christians for ever forbear wrath and
anger here, since they must be everlasting fellow-worshippers above?
What a glorious joy will it be to you who are the heads and rulers of
this family, who have so often joined in sweet devotion here on earth,
when you shall meet each other there, and worship together before the
throne in heaven? What a mutual endearment, and mutual delight does such
a prospect raise between the nearest relations? How doth it exalt the
sweetest passion, heighten and refine the warmest love? What a blessed
transport will it be to the parents, to find their children there
engaged in the same work? And what a joyful meeting will it be to you,
the children, the hopeful offspring of this house, to find each other in
that company, and to see your pious parents with you? With what a
glorious and unspeakable joy shall parents render up their accounts to
God in this language, “_Lord here am I, and the children that thou hast
given me_;” imitating the words of the Lord Jesus, giving up his account
to his Father; Heb. ii. 13.
How will our gladness increase, and our souls enlarge themselves in holy
joy, to behold our christian friends, and our dear relatives, standing
in the same assembly, as fellow-worshippers at the throne? How will the
heads of this family rejoice, if their whole household should be found
there, whom they have endeavoured to encourage in their way to heaven,
by a religious care to maintain household worship? how will the joy of
faithful ministers be advanced by every one of their hearers, whom they
shall find in that blessed church above? _Ye are our crown, and our
glory, and our rejoicing in that day_; 1 Thess. ii. 19, 20.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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