The parable of the pilgrim written to a friend by Symon Patrick ...

CAP. XIII.

A Description of the City Jerusalem: and of the happiness be should there meet withall.

I Have no faculty (it must be confessed) of making good descriptions of those places which I have seen; and therefore it must not be expected that I paint you exactly a place which I know but by report. It is suf∣ficient that I tell you nothing but the truth, and do not imitate them who fill their Maps with Chimaera's

of their own brain; though I do not compleatly de∣lineate every part of it, but leave many spaces void to be filled up by your self when you shall have the hap∣piness to arrive there. Know then, that as to the sci∣tuation of this City, it is agreed by all to be incompa∣rably sweet, beyond the fairest place that this world of ours doth afford. For it is seated on a very high mountain, loftier then Olympus it self; which yet is said to lift its head above the clouds, and to be ob∣noxious to none of our storms and tempests; and to be deprived of the Sun beams by nothing else, but on∣ly the night it self. It is advanced I say far above the highest part of this heavy earth and foggy air, aspi∣ring into the purer sky; where the Sun never with∣draws its rayes, and where there is not the least shad∣dow of mist or vapour, either to obscure its light, or to offend the most delicate sense that can be con∣ceived. There are nothing but pure and fragrant odors which perfume that happy climate; there is a perpetual calm and quiet which reigns in that noble region; there is no noise but that which infinitely de∣lights and charms the soul into still and quiet medita∣tions. But that which is of greatest remark and most to be remembred is, the glorious Prospect which a place of this advantage yields. All the world here presents it self before ones eyes; and makes them the center in which, the beauty and glory of it conspires to meet. I would not have you think I mean a world so small as that, which we inhabit upon this Globe of Earth; but one which comprehends the Sun and Moon and all the other adjoyning orbs which are there beheld to move in comely measures about that Prince of lights. Those balls of Fire also which you see fixed in the firmament so remote from you, will fall into

your better view: who though they seem here but like blinking candles and sickly flames; will there ap∣pear most noble lights, designed for some greater end, then to lend us a feeble comfort in the night. It will be infinitely contenting to see the beauty and fair pro∣portions of every part of this vast frame; the fitness, usefulness and correspondence of it to all the rest of its neighbouring parts; together with the exact and admirable order of the Whole. And can you imagine into what transports it will cast your soul to hear the praises of the Creator sung by all his Works of won∣der? And yet that is another priviledge of this bles∣sed place, by the advantage of whose holy silence, you will receive the chearful hymns wherewith every creature you behold, doth celebrate the wisdom, po∣wer and goodness of him that made it. You have heard (no doubt) of the Musick of the Sphaeres, which they say would ravish souls from these mortal bodies, should it but strongly touch their ears; and there∣fore is almost drown'd by the noise and clatter of this lower world. This is it which I am now commending to you, that sweet concent which all creatures make among themselves, that rare harmony which there is in the motion of all the heavenly Orbs; which strikes the mind so agreeably, that one cannot chuse but dance for joy together with them. But it is the pro∣per entertainment of those who dwell in that still Region, in which alone it can be distinctly heard; and where an everlasting song to the Creator of all doth melt their hearts to joyn in consort with that Universal harmony.

But yet the place is nothing so considerable as the Persons that inhabit it; nor will it be so useful to draw

their pictures curiously as to describe their life and manners. Enquire not therefore of the vastness of this place, the stateliness of its buildings, the riches of their furniture, and such like things; but know that it is the City of the Great King: the seat of the Impe∣rial Majesty of Heaven and Earth: the place where the Lord and Governour of the whole world, whose Dominion is an everlasting Dominion, and who reigns through all Generations, keeps his Court. Do you not think it will be a pleasingly amazing sight to behold the Majesty of his Glory? Or, What greater happi∣ness can you wish, if you were to be the disposer of your own fortune, than alway to stand before the So∣veraign of the World, as one of his Ministers and At∣tendants; and to live in his blessed presence, as one whom he highly favours? To behold the wisdom of his Government, the righteousness and goodness of his Laws, the admirable contrivance of all his Works, the universal care which he takes of all his Creatures, the infinite extent of his Providence, and the power of his Authority, whereby he doth whatsoever he pleases in Heaven and Earth, and Sea, and all deep places. To see how he brings those things together which were removed far asunder; and dissolves the combinations and confederacies of those things which were closely united. To contemplate how he hereby makes those designs abortive, which were just bringing forth, how he disappoints the devises of the crafty, and confounds all the subtilty of the world, and catches it in its own snares. It will strangely transport you to see the beau∣ty of his Holiness, the splendor and brightness of his Understanding, the largeness of his Love, his uncor∣rupted Justice, his unexhausted Goodness, his im∣moveable Truth, his uncontroulable Power, his vast

Dominions, which yet he fills with his presence, and administers their affairs with ease, and is magnified and praised in them by the throng of all his creatures. These things I will leave to your own private thoughts, that I may have time to speak of the rest of the caelestial Inhabitants, but especially of the Kings Son, who is a principal ornament (if I may speak in so low a phrase) and a great glory to this place. And of him I shall need to tell you no more than this, that in his person there is to be seen at once the most illu∣strious Lover and Warriour that ever was. His Con∣quests have been innumerable. His Victories no Hi∣story but one of his own inspiring is able to recount. He hath trodden down the most potent and giantly enemies. He hath triumphed over the Powers of Earth and Air. He hath trailed the greatest Tyrant that ever was seen at his Chariot-wheels. And there is one universal triumph of his over all things still be∣hind, wherein there will be special marks of honour set on all the Citizens of Jerusalem, who are to bear a part in it; which will astonish and ravish all their hearts with Admiration, Love and Joy. This will be the most splendid shew, the most illustrious appea∣rance that ever the Sun saw; for all Angels, and all Men; all that ever have been, are, or shall be, will there be summoned to attend in some sort or other upon the Pomp of that great day. Then all the Ci∣tizens of Jerusalem will be seen with Crowns of Gold on their heads which this great Prince will bestow upon them; then they will appear on the Theatre of the world as so many Kings raigning together with him; and then all the Heavens will ring with shouts of joy and praise to him that redeemed them, as they march along in his train thorow the Air to Jerusalem.

For, as I told you, he is the most glorious Lover that ever was: and the greatness of his valour and cou∣rage, doth not at all extinguish his nobler flames. He is owner of the most tender heart that ever was in any breast; and hath rendred himself redoubtable to his greatest enemies by nothing more than this, that he hath won so many hearts, and triumphed over so many brave souls, who were vanquished by nothing else but the power of his mighty Love. Such a gene∣rous Lover he was, that though he was rich, he be∣came poor, that they on whom he had set his heart might be made rich. He laid aside the Robes of his Glory, that they might be invested with them. He took upon him the shape of a servant, that he might prefer them to be the Sons of God, and Heirs of a King∣dom. And at last he voluntarily, and without any compulsion but that of his Love, dyed upon a Cross to save the lives of those who were so far from having any resentments of Love to him, that they had the hearts of most desperate enemies against him. For you must know, that he is such a Lord of Love, that the hatred and malignity of men could not extinguish the fervours of his passion. All the discourtesies they could do him, were not able to prevail with him to lay aside his thoughts of kindness toward them. The innume∣rable affronts which he received could not make him go back to Heaven, and forsake this ill-natur'd world; till he had expressed all the Love conceiveable unto it. No, he dyed for those who took away his life. His bowels earned toward those who were ready to rake into them with their bloody hands. His heart burnt with affection to those wretches, that cruelly pierced it, and thrust it thorow with a spear. And therefore I cannot but think you would have

a mind to take a journey to Jerusalem, and judge your pains and travel well bestowed, if it were for nothing else but to see this Illustrious Person; especially to be∣hold him in all his glory, and his highest exaltation, who is the Patron of all good souls, the great Protector of all Pilgrims, the Guide and Rest too of all noble Travellers; and who bears a particular affection to your self, who hath suffered so much for you; who hath sent you so many messages of his Love, who hath en∣deared himself to you by a thousand favours, and was never contented till he brought you to himself, that you might be there where he is, and behold the glory which his Father hath given to him. There he in∣tends to entertain all pious men with an everlasting Supper, to make them a never-ceasing Jubilee; and treat them with such sumptuous magnificence, that there will not be tongues enough among them all to publish his praises, and their own thankfulness. Only you must remember that the entertainment he will give them, is himself, and that they will feast eternal∣ly upon his blessed face. Their happiness will be to see God, to behold the glory which is given to our Lord; that is to know him, and to be filled with his Wisdom, Love and Likeness.

And here, lest I should not be understood, and you should imagine the happiness of seeing God and his Son to be less than it is, let me stop a while to explain this part of my description to you, before I pass unto the rest. You must not then conceive that the pleasure of Jerusalem, is to sit whole Ages, and meerly to gaze upon the Divinity; or that they who enjoy the re∣pose of that happy place, do nothing else but feed their eyes with the beauties of our Saviours face: No, these

are the fancies of low and uninstructed minds, who know no higher enjoyments than those of sense. To see God, will be to have such a knowledge of him as gives our hearts a powerful touch, and strikes them with such a lively sense of him, that he turns them per∣fectly into his nature, and transforms them into the likeness of his divine excellencies. This glorious ob∣ject doth, as I may so speak, diffuse and spread it self all over inamour'd souls, and by a living heat doth animate them into the same disposition with it self. The beauty on which they fix their eyes, doth imprint its own form upon their hearts, and makes them fair and beautiful with the same lovely qualities which they delight to behold. They do not busie themselves there, as men imagine, in gaping upon the splendor and the many ornaments of that place, but they them∣selves become a part of its glory, and are changed in∣to that on which they fasten their eyes. They do not spend their time only in looking upon God, and cu∣riously prying into him; but they receive him into their hearts, and he enters into their souls. He doth not guild them with his beams, but they themselves be∣come Light in the Lord. There is not a glory only cast about them, but they receive such rayes of light from his face, as dart into their very hearts, and shine thorow their whole souls, so that they also become lu∣minous and bright. They are so ravished with his Goodness, that they are made Good. They are so affected with his Wisdom, that they become Wise. The sense they have of his incomparable Purity, renders them more Holy; and his dear Love so over-masters their souls, that they conform in all things to his hearts desire, and it seems as if both their hearts had but one and the same motion. In short, my meaning is, that

they are not happy at Jerusalem by any external in∣joyment of God (which is all the vulgar conceit doth reach, when we speak of seeing his glory) but they are inwardly moved by a powerful efflux from him, which quickens them into the same thoughts, will and desire with himself. Their souls are not outwardly painted with him, and some colours, as it were, of his Wisdom living Images of God, and really changed into a true resemblance of that which they behold. It is not some glory that appears before them which makes them blessed; but they are made all glorious within, and become themselves God-like creatures. They do not behold the Divinity only without themselves; but they see God within them, and looking into their own souls, there they find him, and are happy in him. And let me add this by the way, as I pass to other things, that such a knowledge and participation of God you must pursue in this world, if you mean to come to Jeru∣salem. You must here be partakers of a Divine Nature, and now be transformed by the renewing of your mind, proving what is that good, and perfect, and acceptable will of God.

But I think it is time to lead you to other Spectacles which are worthy your sight, and to tell you that in this City, all the glorious Ministers of State to the King of Kings, have their Mansion-houses, and Noble Palaces. All the Heroes of ancient daies do here make their abode. Nay all the spirits of just men that are made perfect, do here inhabit and have their constant residence. And all those glittering Angels, and those brave minds that ever flourish in this heavenly Court, I believe you will think sufficient of themselues, if

there were nothing else to render this a very splendid place. The Laws indeed of which are such, that none can be permitted to live there but Noble men, persons of high birth, and illustrious descent; for they are all called the Sons of God. But that which gives them this Nobility, and stamps such an honourable title upon them, is not such poor things as swell the men of our world into an aiery and imaginary greatness; but the height of their minds, the purity of their hearts, and the excellent qualities wherewith they are en∣dowed, which intitle them to the kindred of God. In∣somuch that the meanest Pilgrim on the earth that is found worthy by reason of his virtuous disposition, and generous spirit, to be admitted a Citizen of Jerusalem; instantly becomes Noble, and is inrolled among the Princes of heavenly Progeny. Into this blessed so∣ciety then when once you are received, How delight∣ful do you think their company and acquaintance will prove? Are you not highly pleased now with a rare History, and could you not lend your ears for a whole day to hear the adventures of some one famous person? And yet these are nothing to the pleasures that they can entertain you withall. There were never such things yet reported, as the Inhabitants of Jerusalem will be ready to impart and communicate with you: Who can tell you a long story of the Love of God, and make a never-ceasing relation, an endless history of all the rare passages of his providence throughout the whole world. They can present you with a thousand Abrahams, and as many Josephs, whose adventures were so strange, that fiction is not able to invent any thing so surprising. Nay out of those Countries where you thought there was nothing but horrid deserts, sal∣vage souls, and barbarous customs; they may pro∣duce

you many worthy minds, whose renowned acts it will give you an infinite joy to have rehearsed.

But there is nothing, I believe, will touch you with a greater inclination to their converse, than the know∣ledge of the singular love and friendship that is be∣tween all the Inhabitants of that City: provided you be already touched with any sense of the pleasure of that noble passion. They are a people, I told you, of the most excellent nature, and the sweetest disposition in the world. They are void of all deceit and guile; of all hatred and envy, of all covetousness and self-love, of all anger and peevishness, with whatsoever other things there are that disturb our peace, and spoil our converse here below: So that they make the most agreeable society that ever was, and interchange to each others such pleasures as my tongue hath not ex∣pressions powerful enough to paint them forth. There is no strangeness at all among them. You can meet no body there, but they will entertain you with as much kindness and sincerity, as if they had known you many years. And when many come together in one place, there is no danger of their jarring, by reason of their different sentiments; but they bring a great addition of pleasure, and make the most delicious har∣mony that ever moved the heart of man. There they entwine in the dearest embraces. There they open to each other their very hearts. There they study to increase, not to diminish their mutual happiness. There they think all that another injoyes, is as if they did in∣joy it themselves. And what they have of their own, it is not for themselves alone, but for every body else. There you shall meet with no pale fears, no anxious cares, no fruitless wishes, no tormenting jealousies, and

no amorous sighs neither; for every one will love others as much as they desire, and wish for no return again, but only Love. If there be any particular Friendships there; they do not at all spoil the univer∣sal kindness of the place. Others will not be loved the worse for them, but rather loved better; because they will teach those united hearts the greatest Love. They may be esteemed also one of the beauteous spe∣ctacles of the place, and be reckoned among the grate∣ful varieties which will entertain us: When after the pleasures of a more general and large conversation, every one may retire to the company of those he loveth most.

There you will be met with such great and shining lights as St. Paul, who set all the world on fire with the flames of their love. You will fall into the company of those burning hearts who were martyr'd first by their own Love, and then by their Persecutors fury for the good of the world. And do you think they have put off their affections when they laid aside their rags of flesh? Did all their fire go out, when they suf∣fered a dissolution of their house of earth? Or shall we imagine that this generous passion is the off-spring of our body, and ows its being, birth and strength to this corporeal nature? We may not so defame and asperse the Love of our Lord; who no doubt hath a more tender heart in the heavens, then he had upon the earth. We may expect to find there more Love in the breasts of these holy Lovers who followed him, then here they were owners of; though they had then so much that it was large enough to embrace the whole world. They have not left their nature, but only its imperfections. They have not changed their

affections, but only heightned and improv'd them. And therefore judge how happy you will be in the acquaintance of such persons, and how much more happy in their excellent friendship. Your Love will be raised to a strange pitch, when you approach such intense and vastly increased flames. Your heart will be all Fire when you come near to such huge furnaces; the heat of whose Love in this cold region was so strong, that it would have forced a sensible soul to ex∣pire with them. And is the joy think you conceiv∣able which you will feel, when you find your self in the arms of those mighty Lovers? For my part I can imagine nothing but an Ecstasie, when we shall be placed in such great Hearts; which are nothing else but Love and Joy to see us at Jerusalem. I cannot pro∣pound to my desires a pleasure more charming then this, unless it be to joyn both heart and voice with the whole number of those glorious friends, to chaunt the praises of our Creator and Redeemer. And indeed it is beyond the measure of my poor skill to invent any words that can tolerably describe the Melodies which will then be made, when the glorious company of the Apostles, the goodly fellowship of the Prophets, the no∣ble Army of the Martyrs, the glittering Troops of Con∣fessors, and the innumerable Hosts of triumphant Souls, shall compose but one Quire to sing their An∣thems and Hallelujahs to the God of Love. But yet I am apt to think that their Musick will receive no small part of its graces from hence, that there will be no discord in their hearts nor jarring in their affections, but that Love will exactly tune them to a perfect har∣mony. Nay, this seems to be the sum of what we can say of the happiness of that estate, that it consists in a rapturous Love of God, and a most passionate Love of one

another. And truly this is a thing so inviting, and I have such a particular affection to this Ʋnity of Spirit among Brethren, that I should be tempted here to speak a little of that Charity which you ought to have to your neighbour (as I have already instructed you about that you owe to God) but that I have assigned another time and place for that discourse.