The paterne of wholsome words. Or a collection of such truths as are of necessity to be belieued vnto saluation separated out of the body of all theologie made euident by infallible plaine proofes of Scripture. And withall, the seuerall vses such principles should be put to, are abundantly shevved. A proiect much desired, and of singular vse for all sorts of Christians. By N. Bifeild [sic], preacher of Gods word at Isleworth in Middlesex.

CHAP. XXVIII. Of the glory of heauen. (Book 28)

1. Cor. 2.9.

But as it is written, The things which eye hath not seene, neither eare hath heard, neither came into mans heart, are, which God hath prepared for them that loue him.

HItherto of the princi∣ples that concerne the resurrection, & the last iudgement: The principles that concerne the glory of heauen follow.

There are foure principles con∣cerning the glory of heauen.

The first concernes the great∣nesse of it: It is vnspeakable, and in respect of vs heere on earth,

incomprehensible, 1. Cor. 2.9. as in the beginning.

1. Ioh. 3.2. Dearly beloued, now are we the sonnes of God, but yet it doth not appeare what we shall bee, and we know, that when we shall ap∣peare, we shall be like him; for wee shall see him as he is.

Colos. 3.3.4. For yee are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

When Christ which is our life shall appeare, then shall wee also ap∣peare with him in glory.

2. Cor. 12.4. How that hee was taken vp into Paradise, and heard words which cannot bee spoken, which are not possible for man to vt∣ter,

Reuel. 2.17. Let him that hath an eare heare, what the spirit saith vnto the Churches: to him that o∣uercommeth will I giue to eate of the manna that is hid, and will giue

him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth sauing he that receiueth it.

Psal. 16.11. Thou wilt shew me the path of life, in thy presence is the fulnesse of ioy, and at thy right hand there are pleasures for euer∣more.

Psalm. 31.19. How great is thy goodnesse, which thou hast laid vp for them that feare thee, and done to them that trust in thee, euen be∣fore the sonnes of men?

The second concernes the continuance of it, and so it is eternall; and therefore is this life called eternall life, and im∣mortality, Matthew 25. vers. 46. And these shall goe into euerlast∣ing paine, and the righteous into life eternall.

2. Timoth. 1.10. But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Sauiour Iesus Christ, who

hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality vnto light, through the Gospell.

1. Pet. 1.4. To an inheritance immortall, and vndefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserued in heauen for you, &c.

2. Cor. 5.1. For wee know, that if our earthly house of this taberna∣cle be destroyed, we haue a building giuen of God, that is, an house not made with hands, but eternall in the heauens.

The third concernes the cause of it: Heauen is the gift of God, and proceeds onely from his free grace, and not for any merit in vs, Luk. 12.32. Feare not little flocke, for it is your Fathers pleasure to giue you a kingdome.

Titus 3.4. But when the bounti∣fulnesse and loue of God our Saui∣our toward man appeared; not for our righteousnesse, but according

to his mercy he saued vs, &c.

Ioh. 3.16. For God so loued the world, that he hath giuen his onely begotten Sonne, that whosoeuer be∣leeueth in him should not perish, but haue euerlasting life.

Rom. 6.23. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eter∣nall life, through Iesus Christ our Lord, &c.

1. Pet. 1. all the chapter.

The fourth concernes the per∣sons that shall enioy it: the elect of God onely obtaine this glory, 1. Cor. 15.50. &c. This say I bre∣thren, that flesh and blood cannot in∣herit the kingdome of God, neither doth corruption inherit incorrupti∣on.

Reuel. 21.27. And there shall en∣ter into it none vncleane thing, nei∣ther whatsoeuer worketh abominati∣on, or lies, but they which are written in the Lambes booke of life.

1. Cor. 6.9. Know ye not that the vnrighteous shall not inherit the kingdome of God? be not deceiued: Neither fornicators, nor Idolaters, nor adulterers, nor wantons, nor buggeres, &c.

Rom. 2.7. That is to them which by continuance in well doing, seeke glory, and honour, and immortality, eternall life.

10. But to euery man that doth good, shall be glory, and honour, and peace, to the Iew first, and also to the Grecian.

The vses follow, and are either for instruction, or for consolation.

First, for instruction: and then the doctrine of the glory of hea∣uen should worke diuers im∣pressions vpon our hearts.

1. We should with all ear∣nestnesse importune God, to en∣able vs to behold by the effectu∣alnesse of contemplation, the

greatnesse of that felicity, is pro∣uided for vs in heauen: wee are naturally extreamly vnable for the contemplation of it, wee should beseech God by his spi∣rit to force open our eyes, and make vs able to stand and gaze with admiration at the glory to come, Ephes. 1.18.19. Rom. 5.2.3.

2. Our hearts should be fiered with an ardency of desire, and endeauour to praise the glorious and free grace of God, which hath without our deserts ap∣pointed vs vnto such glory; wee can neuer walke worthy of hea∣uen, till wee be fitted to a daily and affectionate praise of Gods loue to vs therin: All ages should stand and wonder at such rich grace and tender kindnesse of God in Iesus Christ, Ephes. 1.6. Ephes. 2.7.

Thirdly, it should raise vp in vs a wonderfull estimation of the godly, who are therfore the onely excellent Ones, because as prin∣ces of God they are borne heires to so great a Kingdome: No meanesse of their outward con∣dition should abate of our reue∣rence to them, that are so rich in faith, and heires of such glorie, &c. Psalm. 6.3. Iames 2.5.

And seeing we must liue with them for euer, we should choose them, as the most happie com∣panions of our liues here, and re∣ceiue them, as Christ receiued vs to glorie, Rom. 15.7. 1. Ioh. 4.7.17, &c. And liue in all peace with them, Ephes. 4.23. And for this reason husbands should make much of their godly wiues, as heires with them of the same grace of God, 1. Peter 3.8. And Masters should vse with all re∣spect

their religious seruants, knowing that of the Lord, their verie seruants shall receiue the reward of inheritance, Colos. 3.23.24.

Fourthly, it should exceeding∣ly raise the price of godlines, and make vs with all heartie affecti∣on deuote our selues to weldo∣ing, seeing there is such an vnua∣luable gaine ariseth vnto such, as with patience and painefulnesse continew in doing good: wee should be abundant in the worke of the Lord; if for no reason, yet because of the great reward in heauen, 1. Cor. 15.58. Rom. 2.7.10.

Fifthly, it should make vs to take off our affections from the World, with disdaine and indig∣nation at our selues for being so foolish, as to settle our hearts on things below. And since neces∣sitie

enioynes vs to vse the world, this religious hope should make vs vse it, as if wee vsed it not, ex∣pressing all sobrietie and tempe∣rance, and contempt of those transitory things, and setting our hearts there, where those match∣lesse treasures are. What profit is it to win all this World, if our soules bee shut out of Heauen? and what losse can it be, if wee loose this World, and find our right vnto the World to come? This doctrine should make vs feelingly know, and professe our selues to bee strangers and pil∣grims here; & to desire to be no other, then such, as long to be ab∣sent from hence, that we may bee present with the Lord in this glo∣rie.

1. Cor. 7.31. Col. 3.1.2. 1. Pet. 1.13. Matth. 6.19.20. Matth 16.25.26. Heb. 11.13. 2. Cor. 5.6.

Sixthly, we should be especi∣ally carefull to be all that, that is required vnto eternall life.

And so in generall we must be sure, wee bee borne againe, else Christ is peremptory, wee cannot enter into the Kingdome of hea¦uen, Ioh. 3.5. Heauen is an inheri∣tance, and therefore we must first be sonnes. That glory must pe∣netrate into our hearts by the beames of it, so as we be changed from glorie to glorie, 2. Corint. 3.18. Wee must enter into the first degree of eternall life, and that is in this life, we must beare the image of Christ.

And in particular, we must di∣stinctly looke to these things:

1. We must be carefull to be prouided of the meanes to teach vs the way to heauen; we must la∣bour for the meat, that endureth to eternall life, Iohn 6.27. As

knowing, that the preaching of the Gospell is the power of God to saluation, Rom. 1.16. Rom. 10.14.

2. We must seriously studie the mysteries of this Kingdome, and keep our selues close to pro∣fitable things, which may edifie vs, Matth. 13.11. Titus 3.8.9.

3. We must purge our selues as he is pure, we must seriously, and soundly imploy our selues in the duties of mortification of our corruptions, 1. Iohn 3.3. And euerie man tha•• hath this hope in him, purgeth himselfe, as he is pure, &c.

4. We must be sure, that the tempter deceiue vs not in our faith: for that is our euidence for those things, which are not seene, and that makes them (as it were) present, Heb. 11.1. Now faith is the ground of things which are hoped

for, and the euidence of things which are not seene.

1. Thes. 3.5. Euen for this cause, when I could no longer forbeare, I sent him that I might know of your faith; lest the tempter had tempted you in any sort, and that our labour had been in vaine.

1 Pet. 1.7. That the triall of your faith, being much more precious then gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fier, might be found vnto your praise, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Iesus Christ.

2. Cor. 13.5. Proue your selues, whether you are in the faith: exa∣mine your selues, know yee not your owne selues, how that Iesus Christ is in you, except you be repro∣bates?

For by faith Christ liues in vs, Gal. 2.20.

5. We must be sure, wee bee not ashamed of Christ in this

World, and that we doe not de∣nie him here on earth, but con∣trariwise, Matth. 10.32. Whosoeuer therefore shall confesse mee before men, him will I confesse also before my Father, which is in heauen.

Vers. 33. But whosoeuer shall de∣ny me before men, him will I also de∣nie before my Father, which is in heauen.

6. Wee must get the earnest of this inheritance, which is the spirit of promise: for that will stablish vs, Ephes. 1.14. 2. Cor. 1.22.23.

For when God giues glorie in heauen, then the spirit of glorie rests vpon men in this life, 1. Pet. 4.14.

And the spirit is our earnest, either by anointing vs with sa∣uing grace, (for they assure vs as infallibly of this kingdom, as the oile poured on the Kings, did as∣sure

them of their Kingdome) or by refreshing, and satisfying our hearts, in hearing the promises, or receiuing the Sacraments, or answering our prayers:

But in all this we must remem∣ber these things:

1. To do this worke first: first, seeke the Kingdom of God, Mat. 6.33. deferre not the time to the last gaspe.

2. To doe it constantly: Let him that is righteous be righte∣ous still, Reuel. 22.

3. Praying in the holy Ghost, and keeping our selues in the loue of God, Iude, 20.21.

4. To doe it violently: Hea∣uen shoul suffer violence, Matth. 11.12.

5. To doe it humbly, renoun∣cing all our owne merits, and a∣scribing all to the free grace of God, and the merits of Iesus

Christ, Rom. 6.23. Ephes. 2.8.9.

For heauen is an inheritance, and therefore comes by fauour, not by purchase; and besides, we are adopted children too, and not naturall.

6. Hauing finished al things, to stand fast, and hope perfectly for the grace of God to bee brought vnto vs at the reuelati∣on of Iesus Christ, 1. Pet. 1.13.

Secondly, these principles may serue for singular consolation, and so

1. Against the instabilitie of this present life, while wee looke vpon our abiding Citie in Hea∣uen. Thus the Patriarches com∣forted themselues, Heb. 11.13.

2. Against the griefe for the death of our friends, why doe we sorrow for them, that are so hap∣pie?

3. Against the many afflicti∣ons

of this life, the feare and care of which should bee swallowed with the hope of eternall life, as these places shew, Rom. 8.18. For I count, that the afflictions of this present time, are not worthie of the glorie which shall be shewed vnto vs.

2. Cor. 4.17.18. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, causeth vnto vs a farre most excel∣lent, and an eternall waight of glory, while wee looke not on the things which are seene, but on the things which are not seene: for the things which are seene are temporall; but the things which are not seene, are e∣ternall.

4. Against the feare of death: for these principles teach vs to be∣lieue, that the dead are blessed, Reuelat. 14.13. Then I heard a voice from heauen saying vnto me; Write, Blessed are the dead, which hereafter die in the Lord: euen so

saith the Spirit: for they rest from their labours, and their workes fol∣low them. And that this death will be quickly swallowed vp of victorious life, 1. Cor. 15.16.17. The sting of death is sinne, and the strength of sinne is the Law.

But thanks be to God, which hath giuen vs victorie through our Lord Iesus Christ.

These comforts will bee the more abundant, if wee consider, either, first, the particulars of this glory; secondly, or the properties of it.

For the first, our glory in hea∣uen may be thus shadowed out;

It consists of perfection of ho∣linesse and happinesse.

Our holinesse shall then bee perfect, we shall be without spot or wrinkle, Ephes. 5.27. Gods people shall then bee all righte∣ous, Isaiah 60.21. Thy people also

shall be all righteous. And this per∣fection shall be both of Nature, and of Action.

In nature we shall be perfectly holy, which may bee considered in respect of the holinesse.

First, of our soules; secondly, of our bodies; thirdly, of our soule and bodie together.

First, in our soules there shall bee

1. Exquisite knowledge; wee shal then know as we are known, when that which is in part is done away: we shall no more vn∣derstand as children, but shall haue our minds enlightned a∣boue the knowledge of Prophets and Apostles in this world: for God himselfe shall be our euerla∣sting light, 1. Cor. 13.10.11.12. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be abolished.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I vnderstood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I be∣came a man, I put away childishnes, or childish things:

For now we see through a glasse darkely, but then shall we see face to face; now I know in part, but then shall I know, euen as I am knowne.

Isaiah 60.19. Thou shalt haue no more Sunne to shine by day, nei∣ther shall the brightnes of the Moone shine vnto thee: for the Lord shall be thine euerlasting light, and thy God thy glory.

2. Freedome of will, when all the impediments of desire and endeuours shall bee taken off, which now as fetters hinder vs in communion with God, and as cords, hale vs after vanitie: where it shall bee also as easie to doe good, as to desire it.

3. Vnspeakeable charitie; our

hearts being fild with al those af∣fections, that are now any way re∣quired in the word of God, either toward God or man, 1. Cor. 13.8 Loue doth neuer fall away, though that prophesying be abolished, or the tongues cease, or knowledge vanish away. What is now the life of our liues more, then to loue and to be beloued? This earthly loue is but a sparke in comparison.

Secondly, in our bodies, there shall be a perfect conformitie of all the members for the seruice of God and the soule, they shall bee no more weapons of vnrigh∣teousnesse, as they haue been, Rom. 6.13. Rom. 6.19.

Thirdly, in both body and soule, there shall be,

1. The perfect Vision of the ad∣mirable beauties of God, which of it selfe is more worth then the possession of the whole world,

and this Vision of God shall not onely be mentall by contempla∣tion, of which 2. Cor. 12.2. but also corporal; for so Iob auoucheth Cap. 19.25. For I am sure my Re∣deemer liueth, and he shall stand the last on earth.

Vers. 26. And though after my skin wormes destroy this bodie: yet shall I see God in my flesh,

Vers. 27. Whom I my selfe shall see, and my eies behold, and none o∣ther for mee, though my reines are consumed within me.

We shall then see him perfect∣ly in the creatures, and haue him perfectly in our selues, and be∣hold the Trinitie in the glorie of it after a way now vnutterable.

2. The perfection of the image of God in both: we shall then be, as hee is, partaking perfectly of the diuine nature, 1. Iohn 3.2. 2. Pet. 1.4. which is signified by

those pure white garments, men∣tioned, Reuel. 3.4.5. & 6.11. & 7.13. & 19.8.

Thus shall we be perfect in na∣ture.

The perfection of our acti∣ons, or obedience shall then bee obtained, wee shall then serue God, & loue our brethren with∣out all defect. We shall praise God with the Angels to all eter∣nitie: for that shall be the maine outward seruice of God: for pra∣yer shal thē cease, Reuel. 4.10.11.

Thus of the perfection of holi∣nesse.

The perfection of happines shal haue in it diuers things.

The first part of our felicity is acknowledgement in the kingdom of heauen; which is a worke of Christ, declaring vs in particular to bee elected of God, and his children, and friends. And this

is more comfortable, because we shall thus bee proclaimed the heires apparant of heauen be∣fore God, and all his holy An∣gels, Matth. 10.32. Whosoeuer therefore shall confesse mee before men, him will I confesse also before my father which is in heauen.

2. Glorious liberty reserued for the sonnes of God vnto that day, of which, Rom. 8.21.

And this liberty may be con∣sidered two waies, viz.

• 1. From what we shall bee free.
• 2. To what we shall bee free.

For the first, we shall then be free:

First, from the torments and miseries of the damned in hell, wee shall haue an eternall dis∣charge from that most fearfull place, which is promised vs al∣ready in this life, Rom. 8.1.

Now then there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus, which walke not after the flesh, but after the spirit, &c.

Reuel. 20.14. And death and Hell were cast into the lake of fier: this is the second death, &c.

Secondly, from the displea∣sure of God; he will neuer be an∣gry with vs any more, there shall be no more curse, or Anathema, Reuel. 22.3. And there shall bee no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lambe shall be in it, and his seruants shall serue him.

Thirdly, from sinne, and the power to sinne: our holinesse shal be better then Adams in Pa∣radise; he might sinne, but wee shall be confirmed, as the Angels of heauen: so as we shall not on∣ly bee free from sinne, but from the possibility to sinne, Ephes. 5.26.

Fourthly, from all aduerfary power; we shall neuer more bee molested by diuels, nor by wic∣ked men, either spirituall, or cor∣porall. There shall be a perpetu∣all triumph without warre; all our enemies shall bee cast into the lake of fier, Reuel. 21.8. Re∣uel. 20.14. Reuel. 22.3. As wee shall not loose a friend; so wee shall not feare an enemy.

Fifthly, from all infirmitie in our natures; as from ignorance, and all disabilities, from sor∣row, discouragement, hardnesse of heart, feare, and perturbati∣ons, Reuel. 21.4. And God shall wipe away all teares from their eyes, and there shall bee no more death, neither sorrow, neither crying, nei∣ther shall there bee any more paine; for the first things are passed. And so also from all such graces, as suppose either imperfection

in vs: such as faith, hope, and re∣pentance: or misery in the crea∣tures without vs, as griefe, anger, feare, hatred, and the like, 1. Cor. 13.

Sixthly, from all inferiority, and subiection, and seruitude, none shall bee vnder the iurisdi∣ction of others: all Oeconomicall, Politicall, and Ecclesiasticall relati∣ons shall then cease. Wee shall sit downe with Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, in the kingdome of heauen, Matth. 8.11.

Seuenthly, from all labour and affliction of life. Their la∣bours shall cease, and afflictions shall bee cast into the sea, they shall enioy an eternall Sabbath, the true Canaan, Reuel. 14.13. Then I heard a voice from heauen, saying vnto me; Write, blessed are the dead, which hereafter die in the Lord, euen so saith the spirit, for

they rest from their labours, and their workes follow them, &c.

Heb. 4.9. There remaineth ther∣fore a rest to the people of God, &c.

2. Thes. 1.7. And to you which are troubled, rest with vs, when the Lord Iesus shall shew himselfe from heauen with his mighty Angels, &c. And by labors, I vnderstand also all the paines or difficulties we are at, euen about the seruice of God: for God shall bee all in all.

Eighthly, from all shame and blushing: There shall be nothing but honour and praise to all e∣ternity: whereas in this world the inward shame of some of∣fence imputed, or committed, make life it selfe many times a burthen, and there is little ease to the minde, but in remem∣brance of the day of Christ, when it shall be remoued.

Ninthly, from all enuie: en∣uie is said to be bitter, 1. Cor. 3.3. But when charity shall be per∣fect, then shall that property of not enuying bee made perfect too, 1. Cor. 13.

Tenthly, from all interrupti∣on both in holinesse and felici∣ty; which in this life is grieuous, and ariseth many times from good things, and good persons as well as euill.

Eleuenthly, from all the means of a naturall life, and from the inconueniences too: there shall be no need of meat, drinke, sleep, marriage, raiment, physicke, nor the light of the Sunne: For there shall be no hunger, thirst, heate, cold, darknesse, or the like grie∣uances, but wee shall liue as the Angels of heauen, &c.

And so in a word we shall bee free from the first things, Reuel.

2.4.

Thus much of what wee shall be free from.

Now followes, what wee shall be free to.

First, we shall bee free of hea∣uen, the most holy place, Heb. 10.19. Seeing therefore brethren, that by the blood of Iesus we may be bold to enter into the holy place.

Paradise: Luk. 23.43. Then Ie∣sus said vnto him, verily I say vnto thee, to day thou shalt be with me in Paradise.

Our fathers house: Iohn 14.2. In my Fathers house are many dwelling places: if it were not so, I would haue told you, I goe to prepare a place for you.

The new Ierusalem: Reuel. 21.2. And I saw the holy City, new Ie∣rusalem, come downe from God out of heauen, prepared as a Bride trim∣med for her husband.

The heauē of heauens, which for lightnes, largenes, purenes, de∣lightfulnes, and all praises of a place almost infinitely excels all this visible world. Nor shall the godly be restrained only to hea∣uen, but they shall be free of the new earth, wherein dwels righ∣teousnesse, 2. Pet. 3.13. But wee looke for a new heauen, and a new earth, according to his promise, wherein dwelleth righteousnesse, &c.

Secondly, we shall be free to the enioying of the happy socie∣ty of all the glorious Saints and Angels of heauen, Hebr. 12.22.23. But ye are come vnto the mount Sion, and to the City of the liuing God, the celestiall Ierusalem, and to the company of innumerable An∣gels.

And to the congregation of the first borne, which are written in hea∣uen,

and to God the iudge of all, and to the spirits of iust and perfect men.

Thirdly, to the glorious pre∣sence of God, and the Lambe; we shall alwaies dwell in the Kings presence, Reuel. 21.3. And I heard a great voice out of heauen, saying, behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himselfe shall be their God with them.

Reuel. 21.23. And the City hath no need of the sunne, neither of the moone to shine in it: for the glo∣ry of God did light it, and the Lamb is the light of it.

Reuel. 22.3.4. And there shall be no more curse; but the throne of God, and of the Lambe shall be in it, and his seruants shall serue him.

And they shall see his face, and his name shall be in their fore-heads.

Fourthly, to all the treasures of heauen; which are vnexpres∣sable, shadowed out by some comparisons; as by being free to eate of the tree of life, Reuel. 22.2. In the middest of the streete of it, and of either side of the riuer was the tree of life, which bare twelue manner of fruits, and gaue fruit e∣uery moneth, & the leaues of the tree serued to heale the nations with, &c.

As also by being free to drink of the water of life freely, Reuel. 21.6. And hee said vnto me, It is done, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, and I will giue to him that is athirst of the well of the waters of life freely: euen out of a riuer, that is pure as Chrystall, Reuel. 22.1. And hee shewed me a pure riuer of water of life, cleare as Chrystall, proceeding out of the throne of God, and of the Lambe: And such like.

Thus of Liberty.

The third part of our felicity in heauen is maiesty: al the god∣ly shall be there seated as Prin∣ces in thrones of Maiesty, and prince-like splendor, being crow∣ned with crowns of glory; which glory shall be so great, that the Kings of the earth are supposed to bring all their glory and ho∣nour to it, and yet all too little to shadow out this exceeding glory of all the Saints, Reuel. 3.21. To him that ouercommeth will I grant to sit with me in my throne, euen as I ouercome, and sit with my father in his throne.

2. Tim. 4.8. For henceforth is laid vp for me the crowne of righte∣ousnesse, which the Lord the righte∣ous Iudge shall giue me at that day: and not to mee onely, but vnto all them also that loue his appearing.

Reuel. 21.24. And the people

which are saued, shall walke in the light of it, and the Kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honour vnto it.

Which as it imports a per∣fection of splendor in euery Saint, so it doth not dissolue the degrees or orders of glory, euery man shall bee aduanced in his owne lot, Dan. 12.13. But goe thou thy way, till the end be; for thou shalt rest and stand vp in thy lot at the end of the dayes.

1. Cor. 15.40. There are also heauenly bodies, and earthly bodies; but the glory of the heauenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is ano∣ther. Patriarches, Prophets, Euan∣gelists, Martyrs, shall not want their eminency in heauen.

The fourth is dominion, and rule ouer all creatures; that which we lost in Adam, shall be perfectly restored in heauen, af∣ter

the last iudgement, Reuel. 2.26. For hee that ouercommeth and keepeth my words vnto the end, to him will I giue power ouer nations.

The fifth is possession of all the pleasures, which are at Gods right hand, vnutterable ioyes, ri∣uers of pleasures. This is that, which in a sparing language is called the time of refreshing, Act. 3.19. Amend your liues there∣fore, and turne, that your sinnes may be put away, when the time of re∣freshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

Psalm. 16.11. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is the fulnesse of ioy; and at thy right hand there are pleasures for euermore. For if the ioy of the godly in this life be called, 1. Pet. 1.17. A ioy vnspeakable and glori∣ous.

And if the Lord giue them drink

out of the riuer of thy pleasures in this world, as Psal. 36.8.9. How much more shall it exceed all language in heauen! called the masters ioy.

The felicities which I haue here mentioned, are for the most part common both to soule and body.

Now there is a peculiar felici∣ty in heauen belonging to the bodies of men, which consists in that maruellous transfiguration of them to a condition, in respect of qualities, farre aboue what they are, or can be in this world. Our bodies in generall shall be made like the glorious body of Christ, though on earth they are but vile, Philip. 3.21. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like vnto his glorious bo∣dy, according to the working, wher∣by hee is able euen to subdue all

things vnto himselfe.

They shall enioy eternall health, but of the glory of the body I haue entreated before, in the vse of the doctrine of the Re∣surrection.

Thus of the parts of this glory.

The Adiuncts of it follow.

And so there bee foure things in the consideration of the glo∣ry to come, should much affect vs.

First, that it is a glory vnspeak∣able, that is, it is so great, that no language on earth can describe it. For though we mention those foresaid parts of it, yet our nar∣row hearts and mouthes are in∣finitely straitned, in comparison of the full glory of man in these things, 1 Cor. 2.9. But as it is writ∣ten, The things which eye hath not seene, neither eare hath heard, nei∣ther came into mans heart, are,

which God hath prepared for them, that loue him, &c.

Secondly, that it is certaine, and we cannot be disappointed of it: else it were vncomfortable to heare of so much felicitie and holinesse, and yet not bee sure to possesse it. The certaintie of it, that God will bestow such glory, may appeare diuers waies.

1. There is an act or ordinance for it in Gods eternall Counsell, 2. Tim. 2.19. But the foundation of God remaineth sure, and hath this seale; The Lord knoweth who are his, and, Let euery one that calleth on the name of Christ depart from ini∣quitie.

Ephes. 1.4. As he hath chosen vs in him, before the foundation of the world, that wee should bee holy, and without blame before him in loue.

Rom. 8.30. Moreouer, whom he predestinate, them also he called;

and whom he called, them also he iu∣stified; and whom hee iustified, them he also glorified.

Matth. 25.34. Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit ye the Kingdome prepared for you, from the foundati∣ons of the world.

2. Christ purchased it with his blood, Ephes. 1.14.

3. Christ hath made interces∣sion, when he was on earth vnto his Father, that hee might haue his redeemed Ones to be where he is, Iohn, 17.11. And now am I no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee, holy Father, keepe them in thy name.

Vers. 24. Father, I will that they which thou hast giuen mee, bee with me, euen where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast gi∣uen me: for thou louedst me before the foundation of the world.

4. God hath made vs many

promises, and giuen vs not onely his word, but his oth to assure it vnto vs, Heb. 6.17. So God willing more abundantly to shew vnto the heires of promise, the stablenesse of his Counsell, bound himselfe by an oath,

Vers. 18. That by two immuta∣ble things, wherein it is impossible that God should lie, we might haue strong consolation, which haue our refuge to hold fast the hope that is set before vs, &c.

5. He hath sealed to it, not only in the Sacrament, but by his spi∣rit, which will bee our witnesse, and is our earnest, Ephes. 1.13. Wherein also after that yee beleeued, you were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise.

Vers. 14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance, vntill the redemp∣tion of the possession purchased vnto the praise of his glory.

6. He hath begun eternall life in vs already.

7. Christ is gone into heauen of purpose to prouide a place ready for vs, Ioh. 14.3. And though I goe to prepare a place for you: I will come againe, and receiue you vnto my selfe, that where I am, there may ye be also.

Heb. 10.19. Seeing therefore bretheren, that by the blood of Iesus we may be bold to enter into the ho∣ly place,

Vers. 20. By the new and liuing way, which he hath prepared for vs through the vale, which is his flesh.

Thus of the certaintie of it.

The third thing is the eterni∣tie of it, all this glory were the lesse, if it were thought, it would euer end: but it shall neuer end: for

1. Nothing of it shall be lost, or decay.

2. There shall bee no death there: for death and hell are cast into the lake of fier.

3. There shall be no old age, or withering condition in men that possesse it: it withers not, 1. Pet. 1.4. To an inheritance im∣mortall, and vndefiled, and that fa∣deth not away, reserued in heauen for you.

4. God being all in all, there shal be no wearinesse, no fulnesse of affections, or satietie, no loa∣thing.

Diuines are wont to shadow out eternity, by the similitude of a little bird drinking vp a drop of water out of the sea; if euery ten thousand yeeres the bird should come & drink vp but one drop, yet the sea might bee dry at length: but yet this lasting of the sea, is nothing in comparison to the lasting of the glory of hea∣uen.

Fourthly, and vnto these may bee added the proximity of it: the day of the Lord is at hand. It were some lessening of our happines, if it were a long time to it.

FINIS.