privilege indeed, to have the bread of life; this hidden manna, it is hidden from the world, and given only to those who through faith and patience lay hold on eternal life. How happy are those that have the white stone of absolution, and have in it a new name written! Once indeed they were children of darkness, children of this world; but now, through grace, they are made children of light, they have the image of God impressed upon their souls; and though the world know it not, yet the persons that receive this inestimable privilege, find, at least sometimes, a change in their heart, and can rejoice in their future hopes, that however it goes with them here, yet they can be contented, knowing it will not be long e'er they be past the inconveniences of their present pilgrimage, and shall then be admitted into the heavenly Canaan, where all troubles, and sorrows, and calamities, shall be done away, and they shall enjoy God world without end.

Amen.

Chap. iii. 5. He that overcometh, the same

shall be clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. How many motives are here to perseverance? Just now a promise of hidden manna to eat, now of white raiment to clothe the person that overcomes. This white raiment is the righteousness of Jesus Christ, in which poor sinners must be clothed. If they should have nothing but their own righteousness to appear in, they would not be able to stand in the judgment. How blessed and happy are all those for whom this white raiment is prepared! They are assured that their name shall not be blotted out of the book of life. It is an inestimable privilege to have their names registered in heaven, for to them Christ saith, that he will confess them before his Father, and before his angels, to be owned, approved, and commended before men and angels, and the great assembly of the just. This should excite us to be diligent and faithful to the end, that at the last we may

overcome, and be sharers of these great benefits that are promised unto those who are clothed with this white raiment.

Ver. 11. Behold, I come quickly; hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. We, not knowing how soon our Saviour may come, ought to be watchful, careful, and diligent, and hold fast faith and a good conscience, that so we may hold out to the end, that none may deprive us of our

crown.

Ver. 12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God; and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God; and I will write upon him my new

name.

To be a pillar in God's temple is an high honour, it is a fixed place; no danger of being removed, if once set there: and God will write his name upon it, and own it for his own, and engrave the name of the city

I

Jerusalem which is above, as a token that they are denizens and inhabitants of the New Jerusalem, and then the Lord will write upon him a new name.

The Lord knows them that are his, he distinguisheth them from the rest of the world. Happy are those that be in such a case. Blessed are those whom God hath chosen to be a pillar in his temple.

Ver. 21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me on my throne, even as I also overcame, and am sat down with my Father on his throne.

Who would grudge at a little pains, and labour, and difficulties, if at last he may overcome his spiritual enemies? Here is a gracious promise that our blessed Saviour makes, that if we do overcome, though it must be by his grace, his strength and assistance, he will grant us to sit with him on his throne. What an honour is this to be conferred upon poor mortals! What, to sit with Christ and his holy angels upon a throne! Well may we say with the apostle,

Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, what God hath prepared for those that love him.

If we do overcome a few difficulties, and deny ourselves some small things for Christ's sake, will he thus amply reward us, by admitting us to be sharers with him in the glories of heaven? He hath said it, and his word shall stand, that if we overcome we shall sit with him, even as he hath overcome, and is set down with his Father. Our Saviour indeed did the whole will of his Father, and overcame all the hardships and difficulties that he met with, in accomplishing his Father's good pleasure. He was

despised of men, he was spit upon, he was mocked and buffeted, and at last crucified; and yet how meekly did he submit to all this! We find him in his greatest agonies saying, Not my will, but thine be done; and, the cup that my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? And shall I dispute his will and pleasure ? Our Saviour endured the cross, despised the shame, and is now set down at the right hand of the throne of