The everlasting joys of heaven: or, The blessed life of a Christian, in grace here; and in glory here-after. Set forth for the comfort and encouragement of all those that desire to fear the Lord; / by John Hart, a servant of Jesus Christ. Recommended to the reader, by Obadiah Sedgewick, and Iohn Downam, ministers of the Gospel.

This Meditation of Eternity, where it fastens upon the soul, works great Matters into it.

The Meditation (I say) of our Change, and Eternal Glorious E∣state to come for Eternity: it works, stamps, and makes strange impressions of wonderfull matters [ 1] upon the soul, as 1. A willingnesse to put off our Earthly house for that Eternal in the Heavens: for, [Such are supposed to have Eter∣nal life already abiding in them,] 1 John 5.13. which no Murtherer or such like can have, and may Know that they have Eternal life, which is in Christ their Head, who is true, and the true God Eternal life, 1 John 5.20. They have a Spring of Eternal life abiding in them, a Well of water of life, springing up unto Everlasting life; not contented with this world, but

having hearts more in heaven then on earth.

2. Then again it makes us do all [ 2] earthly things with a subordina∣tion to this eternal estate, so as all things may further, and no∣thing may wrong or hinder it, and so to improve our time, unto the utmost advantages, which may fur∣ther the same contrary unto wick∣ed men, who are the most abusers and prodigall of time, not follow∣ing their rule. Ephes. 1.4. To redeem the time. But the Saints on the o∣ther side, as they improve their time so they desire to do all things exact∣ly with subordination unto heaven∣ly things (especially heavenly things more immediately ushering eternity.) Whereunto as all their thoughts and meditations bend, so do they tend towards eternity in all things, because, in all their actions, they have a design upon eternity, doing all things as though they were to

answer all at the last day, when yet they know, that their sins before that time, are done away and cove∣red, Jerem. 31.34. Micah, 7.18. And this meditation of death, and eternity of heaven after the same, it maketh us also abundant in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord: and makes us work through all difficulties unto this eternall estate, doing all things unto that end, not drawing back or indent∣ing with God. For, seeing it know∣eth, that there is no determination-of this estate, it makes (what it cā) a suitable endeavor of Eternity upon earth, to work in all things toward the same. And yet more (it filleth the soul ful of honourable thoughts not to be contented to sit down any more doting upon these earthly things on this side of eternity] as we have formerly done, setting our eyes upon that which is vanity and

vexation of spirit, nothing, yea lesse then nothing, compared with eterni∣nity. For here as David speaketh Psal. 119.19. We may see an end of all perfection and earthly glory whatsoever in this life. But of this heavenly perfection, as there is no, so we can see no end thereof. And this meditation of death, and eter∣nity following after it, makes this impression upon the soul also (as is usuall in disputations) To state the grand businesse of heaven and earth aright, to weigh all things in the ballance of the Sanctuary, where∣in they are found light, nothing yea lesse then nothing compared, with this eternity of heavenly glory to be revealed: and so to look for, or expect no great mat∣ters, where they are not to be found, But to use this world, and all things therein as though we used them not and ther fore laieth this conclusion for an invincible ground, that all the

afflictiōs of this life, are not worthy of that glory which shall be shewed unto us, so great that the whole creatiō is said to groan & wait for the revela∣tion theoreof, with the manifestation of the sons of God. Rom. 8.18. Called therefore the fervent desire of the creature, waiting, groaning, and travelling in pain with them, to be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into the glori∣ous liberty of the sons of God. And therefore in all the murmur∣rings and tossings of the body in this life, it quiets the same with ho∣ly Bernard his speech unto his body, to be contented to suffer and wade through all the exigents of this life patiently, because the time of the body is not in this life, but in the world to come, wherin our frail bo∣dies shall be made like unto Christs glorious body, Phillip. 3. And it (further to comfort us in our weary journey) assures us, That all

this life time is nothing else, but a time to sit and prepare us for to be Inhabitants of Heaven for ever, to learn the language of Canaan in; to be indowed with those superna∣tural habits of heavenly graces; putting on the Lord Jesus Christ in all his holy vertues; so by view∣ing of the exceeding rich and preci∣cious promises, [to be partakers of the Divine Nature.] And as it was said of those Virgins that were to be brought unto King Ahashuerosh, Est. 2.12. They were first to be fit∣ted and persumed a year, one half thereof with Oyle of Myrrhe, and the other with sweet Odors. So this Impression of Eternity shews us, that all our life time here, is no∣thing else but our persuming time, to fit us with the fragrancie of all heavenly graces and endowments, that then willingly and chearfully we may mount up out of the Wil∣dernesse of this world, as it is said

of the Church, Cant. 5.6. perfu∣med with Myrrhe and Incense, and all the Spices of the Merchants; fraught with the full fragrancie & sweetnesse of all Heavenly Graces.

And Lastly, It makes us that not onely we are not content to sit downe quietly doting on these earthly things on this side of eterni∣ty (as is said) but further, It en∣flames the soul, sets it on fire, and furnisheth it with grounds and arguments to attain to a habit of sigh∣ing and groaning earnestly to be cloathed with our house which is from heaven, not onely from the excellencies of all that glory and e∣minence shewed of this heavenly house (which is abundantly enough to make us to long after the same) but also, in regard of those grievous and heavy pressures, and burthens wherewith we are pressed down in this life: as what can we name wherewith we are not more or less

pressed down or burthened? so that that we have just cause to sigh and groan earnestly for this our heaven∣ly house.

The body it self, is a heavy lump∣ish corruptible body, subject to much toil labour and wearinesse, which maketh us to sigh and groan much; besides the trouble and noi∣somenesse of so many troops of diseases and sicknesses, which ac∣company the condition of our frail bodies, causes of continuall sighing and groaning. But in heaven all sick∣nesses and diseases shal haven an end, with perfection of health for ever, and the body shall be no more lumpish or heavy as now, but a nimble spirituall body, Philip. 3.21. Where they shall follow the Lamb wheresoever he goeth, it being hea∣ven wheresoever Christ is, or shall shew himself; the body then being nimble and spiritual, able to mount upwards or downwards, backwards

or forwards, as swift as thoughts are now.

[ 3] And then, wonderfull weights and pressures, we have from others and from our own spirits, pressing them down; burthens by the Sym∣pathizing with others, weeping and mourning with them that weep, in prison with them that are im∣prisoned, and so forth of all other miseries bearing a part with them. And the bearing with the passions and infirmities of others is also a great burthen; to stoop to them and bear with them, as Nurses and Parents do with their Childrens infirmities. [ 4] And the wicked con∣versation of others is also a great burthen unto us, for which, David, Lot, and Ieremiah, were so grieved and burthened. And from others also we endure Slanders and Per∣secutions of all sorts; yea, and it is also some burthen unto us, [ 5] That we are not able to do more good

unto others, and help them in their miseries. But in heaven all these things shall have an end, all shall love and joy alike, all be of one will, mind, and affection; no mis∣constructions, passions, distempers, mistakings can be there; no Slan∣ders, Tale-bearers, or reports shall vex there; no Sorrow, Griefe, or Want shall be there, no objects of our compassion to grieve us, all shall have enough with a conver∣sation suitable unto heaven.

And here our spirits have griev∣ous burthens, vexing our spirits: and our affections of love and joy, are disordered, either set on wrong ob∣jects, or doting too much on earth∣ly things, or coming far short in joying or loving of God, whom we should joy in with all our might, and love with all our strength and delight, and can never joy in, or delight too much: these presse us down, as was said of Christ, that his

soul was heavy even unto death, so these depresse us, and make us lumpish, and (as it were) rounds his about with sorrow. Now a Man that hath a little glimpse of the glory excellency and eternity of this hea∣venly estate by faith, knowing that then all sorrows and tears shall be wa∣shed and done away, cannot chuse but groan earnestly to be cloathed with its house which is from heaven. Because in heaven there shall be no more erring in our affections, which shall all be placed on the right object; and then there shal be no more fear of doting upon the creature, or of the excess, degree, or measure of our love to God, or joying in him, whom we cannot too excessively love: for as on earth we cannot love him too much, so in heaven we shal not be able to love him too little.

And here our ignorance is great, and a burthen to us, a great toil and labour to attain knowledge, and

a burthen to be such non-profici∣ents to profit so little and slowly in search thereof; yea having attai∣ned a little knowledge, then it is a burthen to know so little of that we should know, and that so much remains yet to be known; we are ignorant of. And when our know∣ledge is here at the height, then is our burthen greatest of all, be∣cause then we most of all see into our own misery and want in know∣ledge (especially in heavenly things) so that that falleth out to be true which Solomon saith, that he who increaseth knowledge, encreaseth sorrow. But in heaven, the soul shal not be capable of any ignorance, but as soon as the interposing veil, be∣twixt the soul and heaven shall be re∣moved, as soon as this curtain shall be drawn, it shal be filled (as it were) in a moment with perfection of all knowledge, more then all this world ever had since the creation, were it

altogether in one: so that now both our ignorance and knowledge, when we know are a great burthen unto us, and causes of groaning earnestly, and sighing for our house, which is from heaven.

Our callings are also some bur∣then unto us, be what they will, on way or other there is weari∣somnesse or vexation in them, and even the ministry it self a great burthen to undergo, as Paul speak∣eth of himself, undergoing the care of all the Churches. But in heaven no burthens, wearisomenesse, or pres∣sures shalbe in any thing we go about, but all done with ease, and much faci∣lity and cheerfulness.

Then also, there is a bondage of corruption in the wil, refractory un∣to all goodnesse, prone unto al e∣vill, in all holy duty still going whi∣ther our flesh would not, which is unruly and untamed, so as we have great warring betwixt the flesh and

the spirit, which is a terrible bur∣then, not to be able to perform that good we would, and led cap∣tive unto that we would not. But in heaven the wil shal be renewed changed, and newmolded, that there shal be no reluctancy, or drawing backe nor the least jot of any incli∣nation to depart from the exact will of God in all things. Because by this time we being perfectly holy, Gods will and ours must of necessity be all one, and so the currant of our affections run for ever in one chan∣nell.

And unto all these more then all the rest, we not onely burthen∣ed, pressed down, and wearied with the many actings of sin, and surroun∣ded about also and invironed, with the dwellings thereof in us in this body of death: which though sometimes it lie still ready as an Armie round about us in readi∣nesse

to ambush and come upon us, we know not how, where, nor when, like a lurking serpent still waiting to sting and suddenly sur∣prize us, which body of death made St. Paul, though otherwise a man of an invincible courage to master vanquish and overcome all afflictions, and make a tush and light matter of them, as sorrowing (saith he) yet alwaies rejoycing; as having nothing and yet possessing all things, 2 Cor. 6.10. being a strong man to master these and all other crosses, yet cry out on this (as too hard for him) Rom. 7.24. O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death. But in heaven there shall be no more sorrows, crying tears, or cause of complaints. Our death, will be the death, of this body of death, no sor∣row or shame, or complaints in hea∣ven, no ambushes of sin can lie there, nor Serpent shall creep in into that

Paradice to seduce us anymore: we shall for ever be freed from this body of death, and have a body like unto Christs glorious body. In all which respects and many more, these me∣ditations and impressions of eterni∣ty of glory in the life to come, ma∣keth such reflexions upon us, to make us to sigh and groan ear∣nestly, to be cloathed with our house which is from heaven unlesse in,