The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 09 (of 32)

by John Wesley

And with that Christian broke out with a loud voice, “I see him, I see him again!” And he tells me, When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee. Then he presently found ground to stand on, and the rest of the water was but shallow, till they came to land. Upon the bank they saw the two shining men again, who there waited for them; and as soon as they were come out of the water, they saluted them saying, We are ministring spirits, sent forth to minister to the heirs of salvation. Thus they went along towards the gate. Now the city stood on a mighty hill, but the pilgrims went up the hill with ease, having left their mortal garments behind them in the river. Though therefore the foundation on which the city was built, was higher than the clouds, they mounted up with speed, through the regions of the air, flying as upon the wings of the wind.

The talk they had mean while with the shining ones was concerning the glory of the place. There, said they, with the innumerable company of angels, are the spirits of just men made perfect. There is the paradise of God, wherein you will see the tree of life, and eat of the fruits thereof. You shall be cloathed with light and immortality as with a garment. All tears will be wiped from your eyes, and you will know no more pain, or sorrow, or death; for the former things are past away. You are now going to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to the patriarchs and prophets, to the righteous men of all ages, whom God in their generations took away from the evil to come; and that are now resting upon their beds, each one walking in his righteousness.

They asked, and what are we to do when we are there? It was answered, “You are there to receive the comforts of all your toils that are past, and to have joy for all your sorrow. You are to reap what you have sown, even the fruit of all your prayers and tears, and works, and sufferings. And there you will enjoy the perpetual sight of the Holy One; yea, you shall see him as he is: and shall love, and praise, and serve him, and magnify his name all the days of eternity.”

“And when the Son of Man shall come in his glory, you shall come with him in the clouds of heaven; you shall sit with him in the seat of judgment, when he passeth sentence on all the workers of iniquity. Also, when he shall return to the throne of his Majesty on high, you shall go up too, with the sound of the trump, and drink of those rivers of pleasure, which flow at his right-hand for evermore.”

Now, while they were thus drawing near the gate, behold a company of the heavenly host came out to meet them; to whom their conductors said, “These are the men that have loved our Lord while they were in the world, and that have left all for his sake; and we have brought them hither, that they may go and see their Redeemer’s face with joy.” Then the heavenly host gave a great shout, saying, Blessed are they that are called to the marriage-supper of the Lamb.

They then compassed them round on every side, some having trumpets in their hands, and continually sounding as they went, and praising Him that liveth for ever and ever. In the mean time both their looks and gestures shewed how welcome Christian and Hopeful were.

Now when they were come up to the gate, they saw writ over it in letters of gold, Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city.

Then the shining ones called to them within the gate, saying, “These are come from the city of Destruction, through the love they bear to our King.” They then gave in their certificates, which they had received at the beginning. These were carried to the King, who immediately sent, and commanded to open the gate, that the righteous nation, said he, that keepeth the truth, may enter in.

Now I saw in my dream, that these two men went in at the gate, and lo! as they entered they were transfigured, and their raiment was glittering, and white as snow. There were also given to them golden harps, wherewith to praise him that sat upon the throne, and the Lamb that liveth for evermore. It was then said to them, Well done, good and faithful servants, enter ye into the joy of your Lord.

Just then Ignorance came to the river-side, and got over with little difficulty: for one Vain-hope, a ferryman happening to be there, carried him over in his boat. So he ascended the hill, and coming up to the gate, immediately began to knock. He was asked by them that were within, “Whence do you come? and what would you have?” He answered, “I have eat and drank in the presence of the King, and he hath taught in our streets.” They asked again,“Have you any certificate?” But he answered never a word. So they told the King, who commanded, and they bound him hand and foot, and took him up and carried him through the air, to the door that I saw on the side of the hill, and cast him in there. Then I saw that there was a way to hell, even from the gates of heaven. So I awoke.