them. I behold him there manifesting himself, and causing his face to shine upon those who look up to him, so as to refresh and cheer their spirits, to make them brisk and lively, and able to run 'with patience the race that is set before them.' I behold him there continually issuing forth his Holy Spirit, to actuate and influence the administration of his word and sacraments; that all who duly receive them may thereby grow in grace, and be fruitful in every good word and work. I behold the Sun of righteousness shining with so much power and efficacy upon his church, that all the good works which are done in it, though imperfect in themselves, do notwithstanding appear through him as good and righteous in the sight of God himself, and are accordingly rewarded by him. In short, as the sun was made to govern the day, so I behold the Sun of righteousness as governing his church, and ordering all things both within and without it, so as to make them work together for the good of those who love God, till he hath brought them all to himself, to live with them in the highest heavens, where they also shall, by his means, shine forth as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father for ever."1

Could we keep these and such-like thoughts of our blessed Saviour always fresh in our minds, could we be always thus looking upon him, as the Sun of righteousness shining continually upon us and his whole church, what holy, what heavenly, what comfortable lives should we then lead? We should then despise the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, as nothing, as less than nothing, in

1 Matt. xiii. 43.

204 THOUGHTS UPON THE BEATIFIC VISION.

comparison of this most glorious Sun and his righteousness. We should then, with St. Paul, 'count all things but loss in comparison of the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord,' and should 'count them but dung, that we may win Christ, and be found in him; not having our own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." We should then leave gazing upon the trifles of the lower world, and should be always looking up to the Sun of righteousness, so as to be enlightened by him. With such a light as will discover to us the glories of the other world, together with the way that leads to it.

We should then abhor and detest the works of darkness, and walk as the children of light, and accordingly shine as lights in the world. And then we should have the light of God's countenance shining continually upon us, enlightening, enlivening, and refreshing our whole souls, and purifying both our hearts and lives, so as to make us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; in that everlasting light which comes from the Sun of righteousness, who liveth and reigneth, and shineth with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God blessed for ever.

1 Phil. iii. 8, 9.

2 Psal. xxxiv. 5.

THE END.

THE

GREAT NECESSITY AND ADVANTAGE

OF

FREQUENT COMMUNION.

BY

[WILLIAM BEVERIDGE, D.D.

LORD BISHOP OF ST. ASAPH.

WITH

AN INTRODUCTORY ESSAY, BY THE REV. H. STEBBING, M. A.

INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.

THE religion of Christ offers two blessings of incalculable worth to the human soul: salvation is the prime object of anxiety to an awakened mind, and salvation sends forth the living light of hope from every passage of the gospel. But the soul once taught to trust in divine mercy, then aims at the perfect performance of the divine will; and conformity, in purity and holiness, with the divine image. To answer the desires which thus rise ir the soul conscious of, and thankful for, redemption, the gospel abounds in offers of grace; and every faithful believer in the Saviour, regards its sanctifying influence as not less essential to his happiness than redemption itself. Wherever there is faith there is a holy anxiety for renovation : in proportion as the terrific nature of sin is discovered, the mind grows wretched under its pressure; and the love of God increasing, truth, purity, and holiness are sought as a bright and precious