of in this world, so also the mutual love which exists between
the soul and God in the Beatific Vision, is the source of the most
perfect happiness possible.

But there is another feature of that unspeakable happiness, which we
must now consider. Love must not only be mutual to produce happiness;
there must, besides, be neither fear nor suspicion that either of the
parties will prove false. Every one knows that when a suspicion of
that nature fastens upon the mind of one who loves, his happiness is
at an end; and there is no telling to what extravagant excesses his
jealousy may lead him.

This imperfection, which blasts so much happiness in this world, will
never find its way into our heavenly home. For the soul not only sees
that He who loved her from eternity will continue to do so
everlastingly; she not only sees the utter impossibility of God's
ever despising her; but she, at the same time, sees the impossibility
of her ever proving false to Him. She not only sees God as He is, but
she also sees everything else as it is. However beautiful, therefore,
creatures may be in heaven, she always sees in God a beauty and
perfection so vastly, so infinitely superior, that it is impossible
for her to be captivated by creatures, as she was in this world. She
loves all the companions of her bliss, it is true; but she loves them
all in God, and for God. She loves them because they are His, and
because he loves them. She loves them too, because they are so holy,
so beautiful, and so much like God, and, therefore, deserving of her
love. But her chiefest, her absorbing love is centred in God, and
remains centred there forever. Never can there come a day when she
will see a growing coldness in God for her. Never shall there dawn a
day when she will discover in herself a growing coldness for God;
and, consequently, there never shall be a day when her exceeding
happiness will fade away or be lessened. Rather, she sees the dawn of
a glorious day when her happiness will be increased, perfected, and
completed in the resurrection of the body--a day when other joys and
pleasures will be added to those she now enjoys in the Beatific
Vision.

CHAPTER V.

THE BEAUTY AND GLORY OF THE RISEN BODY.

We have seen in the foregoing chapters that, in the Beatific Vision,
the human soul sees, loves, and enjoys God, and that her essential
happiness consists in that unfailing, blessed vision. But, although
the blessedness she now enjoys is