The Triumph of Mercy in the Chariot of Praise, Treatise · Chapter 12
CHAP. XII. The Centemplation Mount, or the Permanent Mercies of Heaven.
MOSES and XERXES took a view of their puiſſant Armies, the firſt from a Mountain in the Plains of Moab, Deut. 3.25.the other in the Plains of Abydus. One rejoyced to ſee the Land of Canaan and the goodly Range of Lebanon, extending 40 Miles in length, which Iſrael was now ready to poſſeſs. The other wept that his burthenſom bulk of Barbarous Nations within a 100Herod. l. 7. p. 401. years would raiſe ſo many heaps of Bones, or tumuli ſlightly turft over, where on Death might ſtand and blow his Trumpet of Triumph. Saints have but Jordans Valley to paſs through into Eternal Joys; while others waſting their precious time in vaine deſigns ſuddenly, ſlip into eternal wo. Saints militant after many a ſharp Combat enter victoriouſly into Paradiſe: And although ſome may encounter with Fainting, Drooping Qualms, yea it may be, ſet in a Cloud; yet what an extaſie of ſpirit will ſurprize them, who after many Labyrinths and Mazes of trouble unexpectedly enter the raviſhing Glories of Heaven! The beſt may labour under fears and tears, but one hour there makes amends for all. When theſe Miſts will be ſcattered in that Radiant Morning, and all Tears waſh'd away in thoſe Rivers of Pleaſure, which run through the Streets of New Jeruſalem.
Here the Inhabitants of the Earth build, plant, travel, ſail, and fight upon an Atom. The whole World is but an inviſible point to the external Convex of Heaven, and all its Inhabitants like the ſmall Duſt of the Balance,Iſ. 40.15. or a drop periſhing from the Bucket; nay, leſs than nothing, leſs than vanity. The ſmalleſt Atom that rejoyces in the Sun Beams at a Chamber Window, far tranſcends the whole Globe of Earth and Water, if a Man were imagined to ſtand in one of the fixed Stars, it could not be diſcern'd by the moſt curious Glaſſes; nay, if one ſtood in the Sun, this circumference of about 21000 Miles could not be diſcovered. For if the Sun be about 167 times bigger than this Earth,Gaſſend è Ptol. in Epicur. p. 784. as ſome Aſtronomers have determined (while others enlarge the Suns Diameter to to much vaſter extenſion) and yet appears to us not to exceed 32 Minutes of ſuch a Degree, whereof 360 meaſures the Circumambient Line of the Ecliptick, being its Race round about the Heavens: Then the Earth muſt needs ſhrink into the viſibility of a few ſeconds or leſs. Nay more, ſome have conceived by calculation, that the whole Orb of the Earth's ſuppoſed motion about the Sun, who is very probably the Centre of that Planetary Vortex, as the Carteſians call it, wherein we ſubſiſt, is but a point to the Syſteme or Sphear of the fixed Stars; and that if the Earth & all its annexed Beings were utterly annihilated, it would not be wanted, as being comparatively ſo inſiderable a Particle of the Univerſe.Plutarch. de placitis. l. 2. c. 13. Heraclides and the Pithagoreans held every Star to be a World.
What a ſmoak and ſmother do miſerable Mortals raiſe about a petty Kingdom? when Geometrical proportion may prove a Molehill to be vaſtly more conſiderable to the earth, than the Earth is to the Empyraean Circumference; then may an Ant ſhine upon a ſtraw a more glorious Emperour than we imagine.
If then the inferiour Pavement of Heaven, if the out Offices of the ſtarry Chambers be ſo magnificent, what's the Chamber of Preſence! that are thoſe Superceleſtial ſpaces,Mat. 13.43. where the Saints ſhall ſhine like ſo many Suns in the Kingdom of their infinitely Bleſſed Father? Let's a little contemplate the glorious State of the Saints after the Resurrection, as far as we with ſobriety and ſubmiſſion in this our Valley-ſtate may inquire into thoſe deep Myſteries by light from the Holy Scriptures.
The Bodies of Saints at that day ſhall be perfect and intire, lacking nothing in that foreign in that Day of Refreſhment,Act. 3.21. that Day of the Reſtitution of all things. They ſhall be as excellent & as perfect as Adams created in the vigour of youth; as perfect as Chriſts, who ſuffered and roſe in the ſtrength of his years. Into that Sarctuary above,Rev. 1.6. where all ſhall be Kings and Prieſts to the Father; no lame nor impotent perſon,Lev. 21.23. no crooked or maimed, no blind or deaf, no dwarf or child, none blemiſh'd with redundancy or deficiency of limbs, ſhall be admitted to ſacrifice the Everlaſting Praiſe. But all the Holy Ones of God that dyed under ſuch inconveniencies, ſhall be raiſed without ſpot or wrinkle; as the Spouſe in the Song; Thou art all fair, Song. 4.7. Phil. 3.21. foreignmy beloved, there's no ſpot in thee. For the Bodies of our Humiliation ſhall be like unto his moſt Glorious Body. Blind Iſaac ſhall grope no more, and Lame Jaakob ſhall halt no more: Withered David ſhall need no cheriſhers, and Solomon's Eccleſiaſtes ſhall weep no more Elegies over the Hoary head, and Palſie Hands, and the Trembling Legs of ſtumbling Age. Then all the inward ſenſes of Fancy, Imagination, and Memory ſhall flouriſh in a perpetual Spring.
For the Body ſhall be incorruptible, no inequality of temperament but a perennial conſiſtency between the active form and the impreſſed (but ſcarce paſſive) matter. The Peripatetick School fancies the incorruption of the Heavens to ariſe from its compoſing Quinteſſence diſtinct from the ſour Elements: But the contrary is evincible by the ſpots in the Sun, by certain nebulous appearances near the South Pole, by generation and abolition of Comets above the Moon; as that in Caſſiopeía, A. 1572, &c. Whatever may be determined in theſe points, yet 'tis moſt true of the glorified bodies of the Saints,Act. 13.34 that they ſhall remain incorruptible. 1 Cor. 15.42.They ſhall neither hunger nor thirſt more, nor be ſubject to the Influxes of Heavenly Luminaries on digeſtive matter.Rev. 7.16. Here we feed upon and drink in the materials of Corruption: But there neither Sun nor any heat ſhall light upon them, which are the great Fomenters of Corruption in purifying ſubjects.
For, 3dly. the Saints ſhall have glorious bodies. The Apoſtle oppoſes foreign,1 Cor. 15.43. Glory to foreign, Diſhonour: Want of Beauty renders the Body uncomely or diſhonourable. Three things make up a perfect Beauty; foreign, Symmetry, foreign, Genuine Colour, and foreign, Vivacity, when the Spirits fill the Face with a lively vigor and a cheerful brisk Alacrity. There will be no more bleak, meager, fixed Viſages; no more livid, leaden, blew, and pale; no more white, wan, or greeniſh Aſpects, but as the Angels are repreſented like Young Men with ſprightly and orient Countenances.Mark 16.5. Some ſay the Luſtre of Adam's Body drew the Creatures in Paradiſe to gaze upon his Beauty: How much more will they admire him hereaſter, if they ſhall remain as Spectacles of Divine Wiſdom;Rom. 8.21. when the Exquiſite Joy, running like Nectar in his Spirits, ſhall beautifie him with moſt attracting Aimiableneſs? when he ſhall play upon his Celeſtial Harp, like an alluring Orpheus, and all the Animals of the Woods and Mountains ſhall tread his Muſical meaſures? When the Saints ſhall ſhine tranſparent like Moſes from Mount Horeb, or as Chriſt in the Viſion to Habakkuk with Horns,Hab. 3.5. i. e. with Beams flaming from his Hands;Dan. 12.3. or as that glorious Triumvirate in the Mountain of Tabor. Then ſhall all the Senſes ſparkle in their foreign or tranſcendent Vigor, to render Heaven moſt delicious, when their Eagle Eyes may pierce into the Centres of all the Luminaries, and their quickned Ears ſhall pleaſantly air the Melodious Muſick of Legions of Angels.
Their Bodies likewiſe ſhall be wonderfully powerful without the leaſt gravitation; as our Bleſſed Lord's, which aſcended up from Mount Olivet at his pleaſure, and appear'd to Stephen and Paul when and where his Heavenly Wiſdom thought meet. I need not here inſiſt upon the nature of Gravity as a quality exiſtent in heavy Bodies, but rather as a force impreſt by a Magnetical Attraction of the Earth: So that whatever body is without or beyond the Atmoſphere of the Earth, knows no further gravitation or ponderoſity, but may walk at liberty in the Etherial, Regions; ſo that it is no incongruity to conceive, that Luminous Bodies being freed from the dark clogs and impediments of groſſer matter, as the Saints Bodies being like ſo many Stars, and fit for motion, may walk on the Sea, in the Air, and within the Heavens at pleaſure; if theſe concretes ſhall then abide.2 Pet. 3.13. Neither ſhall they be touch'd with any wearineſs more, receiving a continual afflux of ſpirits from the beatifick Viſion; and ſhall hence evade to be of immenſe ſtrength, inſomuch that ſome have fancied them to be of ability to tranſplant Mountains, nay the Earth it ſelf, without the Engines of Archimedes: Like the Celeſtial Intelligences that do circum agitate the Heavenly Bodies of the Stars.Pſ. 103.10. For they ſhall be like to Angels, who excell in ſtrength.
The Bodies of the Saints are alſo ſtyled Spiritual, in that they ſhall yield no reluctancy or renitency to the Agitation of their Spirits. They ſhall need no ſuſtentation or reparation by Meat or Drink, no relief by intervals of ſleep and reſt; there will be no night to raiſe cool vapors for the Brain,Pſ. 104.23. but ſhall be ſupported, quickned, and enlivened by the Emanations and Impreſſions from the Soul; and theſe Spirits influenced by Everlaſting Inundations from the Spirit of Chriſt, the Head of the Myſtical Body. The Sheaths of their Bodies ſhall not waſte or wear out,Dan. 7.15. or be cut in pieces by the two-edged ſwords of their Spirits. We faint, and are ſoon diſpirited by continuance even of Heavenly Duties. Our ſtrength is not that of ſtones,Job 6.12. nor our fleſh of Copper. Our Animal Spirits here in the Valley are groſſer and more unweildy, than our Bodies ſhall be in the Mount of Glory to motion, agility and delight in Spiritual Objects. [Spiritualia erunt, Auſtin. de civ. l. 14. c. 22.(ſays Auſtin) non quia corpora eſſe deſiſtent, ſed quia ſpiritu vivificante ſubſiſtent;] Our Bodies ſhall be Spiritual, not that they ſhall ceaſe to be bodies, but ſhall be ſuſtained by a quickning Spirit: And during the perſiſtency of that Spirit which is of immortal Linage, they ſhall continue with an indiſſoluble Union.
For the Spirit of God hath declared this future Immortality of the Body,1 Cor. 15.53. which is a degree of excellency beyond incorruption, becauſe the external ſorce of ſword and fire, of water and preſſure, may deſtroy that Body, which otherwiſe hath no internal principle of diſſolution. So that though there were granted ſuch a Noble Balſam of Life as the Adeptiſts glory of their Elixir, yet would it not avail againſt External Invaſions. But here our Gracious God hath brought Life and Immortality to light by the Goſpel purchaſe:2 Tim. 1.10. Here 'tis appointed for oil once to dye: But there,Heb. 0.27. Statutum eſt non mori; It's a ſtatute Law in Heaven,Rev. 21.4. there ſhall be death no more, nor ſickneſs or pain, thoſe warning Canons, thoſe preſaging Bells, that ring the loud Lectures of Mortality. There will be no Titans to raiſe any Babel Towers againſt thoſe ſublime and ſolid Manſions. When once the Saints have dipp'd their Bodies in the River of Jordan, and gone into Canaan, they are beyond the ſtory of Achilles, invulnerable and impenetrable all over.Rev. 22.2. The Leaf of the Tree of Life is taſted as ſoon as ever they come within the gates of Paradiſe & is Medicine for without as well as within;1 Pet. 5.4. and the Chaplet or Immortal Crown which they wear in Heaven is formed of the Leaves of that bleſſed and everliving Tree.
Since we have touch'd a while upon the Harp of the Body, let's take ſome view of that Divine Muſician the Soul, who is then ready to ſound the Praiſes of his Bleſſed Redeemer, who will find no ill humour to affect him reſulting from the Bodies Temperament, or the Copula, the connexive medium between them both: For cleare, ſerene, and joyful Spirits will nimbly circulate through all the Nerves, to aſſociate in the Council Chamber of the Brain, where the Animal Soul ſits as Queen Regent on the Glandula pinealis, the Pine Kernel, to diſpatch her winged Embaſſadors. There will be no inflammations, aduſtions, or corruptions of Blood, but all perfect ſanguine without impure mixture, no infected Air, no ſeculent Food to alienate the ſtate of Complexion. All the Humours will ſtand in aequilibrio, in exact poiſe to a Grain: No inconvenient objects to ſurprize, irritate, or diſcompoſe the Spirits to the leaſt alteration.
The Old Philoſophy held nothing to be in the underſtanding but what was firſt in Senſe; which if univerſally ſpoken, is but a Fable. For what are the connate and concreated notions of the Soul urged by the Platoniſts? And what are thoſe ſpiritual infuſions poured into the Hearts of Believers from Heaven,Job 32.8. & 38.36. Eccl 2.28. but clear Evictions that that Soul can act independent from the Body?. But how much more when they ſhall be enthroned in Glory;1 Cor. 15.28. when God ſhall be all in all, and the Soul ſhall be drawn into more immediate contemplation of God? Corporeal Species are in vaine to ſuck and draw in the Marrow of. Incorporeal Objects, when the Underſtanding and all its Powers ſhall equal, if not tranſcend, Heaven it ſelf in purity.
Then all the Faculties of the Soul ſhall be intended and amplified into a grand and auguſt capacity, to entertain more noble conceptions of the Myſtical Union of our Redeemer to the Deity, and of the Saints themſelves to their Beloved Saviour; of the ſevenfold Luminaries of the Spirit of Chriſt to the Saints;Rev. 3.5. of his Divine Communications and influences into the Soul: They ſhall behold thoſe ſtreams of the Rivers of light: They ſhall be able to diſcourſe with Angels without Interpreters; the Language of ſpirits ſhall be familiar. That Phraſe ſo frequent in the Hebrew Original of Scripture of God's ſpeaking to the Heart,Hoſ. 2.14. which is here ſometimes ſweetly perceived by Saints, ſhall be then explain'd. The gentle Voice which Auſtin heard in the Garden by Milan, Confeſ. l. 9. c. 12.that melted him into tears, and from whence he dates his. Converſion, ſhall be then more audible and more intelligible. Then, what is now one great portion of miſery in our lapſed ſtate, that we ſo little underſtand the nature of our own Souls, that Chriſtians run to Heathen Oracles to know what's foreign, and the firſt Act of an Organical Body, and ſuch Barbarous obſcurities, ſhall be hurl'd into the Ocean of Oblivion. Then we ſhall ſee the Face of our own Souls in Glaſſes of our own Poliſhing. Here we ſee foreign in a Riddle,1 Cor. 13.12. foreign Heſych. in a dark ſaying; and thoſe that would expound the ſoul confound it more. If they had ſtept with Endymion, they had dream'd more pleaſantly. Butthen the Eye of the Mind ſhall know no humour but Chryſtalline; the Retina ſhall be a capacious Net indeed to caſt over the Ocean of the Univerſe. There will ariſe a moſt perfect Union between the underſtanding, will, and affections, and no ſuch Combats about them, as ſome nice Quidditarians aſſign. There will be no inferior Appetite to ſuggeſt or abſtract from its refined Notions.
The gracious Habiliments of the Soul ſhall be more ſuperefluent; Gracious habits, nay, rather activities in perpetual motion ſpringing up to the brim and flowing over. God will pour in ſuch an unction of the ſpirit, that ſhall invigorate the wheels of the ſoul full of eyes to move by the Spirits inſtinct & conduct, like the viſion of Cherubims to the Prophet Ezekiel. Ez. k. 1. & 10.Such a fulneſs of excellency that ſwallows up all ſinful emulation and envy. Saints ſhall know with better ſatisfaction what are the Dimenſions of the Love of God in Chriſt Jeſus,Eph. 3.19. which will ſo adequately fill the Soul, that the Body ſhall require no ſuſtenance, but the Ambroſian Food of Divine Love and Glory.
Who could have imagin'd the Soul of a Man could have been Hypoſtatically united to the ſecond perſon in the Glorious Trinity? ſo that as he is the Son of Man he is ſaid to know the Thoughts of Men,Mat. 9.4, 6. Act. 17.34. to forgive ſins and to judge the world. To to glorious an extent can Omnipotent Power exalt the Soul of Man by union to the Deity.
The Saints moreover ſhall riſe up in ſome manner to that Excellent Eſtate of Intuition,Luk. 20.36. 1 Cor. 13.8. like to the Holy Angels, who draw not the Water of Knowledge out of the deep Well of Inferences and long Conſequences. This manner of gathering Intelligence per diſcurſum ſhall then probably vaniſh and periſh, and be extinguiſh'd by that Meridian Light of Eternity. Here we argue by premiſſes ex conceſſis ignota. We lay down Maxims, Poſitions, and Theorems; take ſome data & poſtulata, and deduce mediums from ſeveral common places of Arguments: As if we would ſearch out the Nature of a Star, an Animal, a Vegetable, or Mineral. We argue, if we can, à priori, from its Cauſes and component Principles; or, a poſteriori, from its Effects, and Properties. For inſtance in Antimony, when we conſider its Sulfur, its Salt, its bloud-red Oil, its Phlegm and Vinegar, its Faeces or Terra damnata, having opened it by Chymical Anatomy and other. Methods, we may infer ſomething, though but rudely of its Nature: Or when we obſerve its Power in ſeveral Effects, and Experiments, in cleanſing the Blood from Leproſies and Scorbutical Infections, or the Head and its Nerves from dizzineſs, ſwimmings, and paralytical or wateriſh reſolutions of the Tone of any its curious Engines by its Volatile Tincture: We conclude its powerful vertue in Phyſick, though as to the modus operandi, the Methods and Manner of its influence, we are ſtill at a loſs.
But alas! an Angel hath an othergueſs Knowledge by an intuitive ſpeculation into the profundity and depth of its Nature, without Argument or Proceſs of Medicinal Trials; which Method of ours is but a mean, low, and crazy inquiſition, and ſubject to foul Errors.
But in that Angelical manner we may deem, that the Soul ſhal arrive to that high dignity of penetrating into its Objects, by intuition far beyond what Adam, or Noah, or Solomon ever attained. What pleaſant work will the Material Beings (which may then ſurvive. the fatal Fire) adminiſter to the Souls Contemplation in that happy Pitch,2 Pet. 3.12, 13. whereby to glorifie and honour the infinite wiſe Creator of all? When as theſe things which we now handle by ſenſe, and the dwindling light of the Soul like, a Ruſh-candle in this Night of ignorance, being the Objects of our laborious and erring ſpeculations, are but middle beings between thouſands tranſcending theſe in Magnitude and Glory, and ſuch innumerable minute eſſences, vaſtly beneath us as to our power of inquiſition, as the others are in ſublimity beyond and above us. So that it may be queſtioned, whether the Majeſty of our infinitely to be adored Maker will in that day ſhine forth more radiantly in the Heavens, and other ſtupendious portions of his Workmanship for greatneſs or the unſpeakable curioſity of Nature in the leſſer Fabricks, which ſink beneath our obſervation for exceſs of littleneſs, which the Acumen of our Eyes are not able to diſcern.
Beſides theſe, upon what immaterial Objects may we (a little) imagine ſhall the Soul then feaſtits Paradiſian Faculties? Such as may entertain our thoughts with ſacred wonder, and ſit down in the duſt of aſtoniſhment, that their unconceiveable varieties will fill up the capacity, and run beſide the auguſt and comprehenſive Spirits of the Cherubims; and yet the Saints ſhall have and enjoy ſome cognizance of theſe tranſcendent pleaſures.
For the Soul in Glory ſhall have a neerer Union to Chriſt then now; nay than Angels themſelves:Heb. 2.16. For he took not upon him the Nature of Angels.Joh. 17.22. And our Bleſſed Lord prays that the Saints may be one, even as the Father and the Son are one: They ſhall conſtitute one myſtical body with the Son in a purer and cloſer Union than poſſible in this wilderneſs ſtate. The Hypoſtatical Union of Chriſt to the Deity is of a ſublimer nature than the moſt Glorified Creature can unfold: For the Angels do foreign, ſtoop and pry into the Myſtery of the Golden Mercy-ſeat,1 Pet. 1.12. and were fixed in that place continually to abide; and therefore the Cherubims in that Emblem were made of one piece of Maſſy Gold together with the Mercy-ſeat,Exod. 25.19.37.7. to ſhew not only the ſtanding of the Elect Angels by the vertue of Chriſt's Mediatorſhip,1 Tim. 5.21. but alſo to indicate that they could never exhauſt and drink in the Knowledge of the Myſtery of that Union,Mat. 18.10. though they are conſtantly beholding the Face of our Heavenly Father. Yet ſtill this Myſtical Union implies a Glorious Approximation of the Saints to Chriſt in ſome ſimilitude with Chriſts Union to the Deity:Joh. 17.12. For the Glory which the Father gave unto Chriſt hath Chriſt given to the Saints, who are bleſſed in Heavenly Places in Chriſt, and ſhall ſit down with him in his Throne,Eph. 1.3. as he is ſet down with the Father on the paternal Throne;Rev. 3.21. and as all Judgment is committed to the Son, ſo ſhall Saints alſo judge both the World and Angels. A glimpſe of this Glory in this State ſhines into the heart from the Spirit of Chriſt dwelling in Saints. They that are joyned to the Lord, Paul ſays not, ſhall pertake of, but, are one Spirit, 1 Cor. 6.17.and thereby in an unſpeakable manner become Partakers of the Divine Nature. Yet we muſt ponder on theſe Deeps with ſacred caution: For this Myſtical Union is infinitely diſtinct from Hypoſtatical. The Spirit of Chriſt, as he dwells in the Head though in a more eminent manner, yet ſo he alſo does intimè pervadere, enter into the Eſſence of the Souls of Saints: and this Inhabitation may be embleme… by the Rational Souls dwelling in the Animal Spirits of the Bloud. But in Chriſt the Head he dwells fully, and in the Members according to diſtinct meaſures and proportions.Col. 2.9. foreign.
Again, the ſtate of the Soul ſhall be admirable, not only in the Limpid Chryſtalline clearneſs of its glorified Eye, but the unclothed Majeſty of the Objects without Vails and Curtains, and the pure Emanation or Eradiation of their Beams into the Soul. Saints ſhall be like unto God, and ſee him as he is; a word that has no bottom, which Heaven it ſelf cannot ſufficiently expound to a finite capacity. We ſhall ſee him without the Glaſs of Reflection by Argument, as here, inferring his Divine Power and God-head from the Works of Creation, and without the Magnifying Glaſs of Ordinances, to help the weakneſs of our ſpiritual ſenſes, and without the Perſpective Glaſs of Faith and promiſes. They ſhall behold his Face, 1 Joh. 3.2. Rev. 22.4.1 Cor. 13.12. Joh. 14.8. Exod. 33.20, 23.and know as they are known. Philip's deſire of having the Father ſhewn ſhall then ſuffice indeed; when glorified Saints ſhall enjoy what was denied to Moſes, not only to contemplate the Being of Beings, but as the Cauſality, the Fountain, and Principle of all Eſſences; yea and comprehend with all Saints by the Spirit the unlimited,Eph. 3.16.19. unfathomable Love of Chriſt, and be filled with all the fulneſs of God; and hereaſter conceive more how the three infinite Perſons ſtand in relative Glory, and enjoy more ample light as to the Sons Eternal Generation, and the Spirits Divine and Everlaſting Proceſſion. They ſhall drink of the River of Light that flows from his Eſſence. Here upon Earth we behold the Sun at a diſtance, but cannot mount up to walk in thoſe Mountains of brightneſs: But then the Church ſhall be clothed with the Sun of Righteouſneſs.Rev. 12.1. There was of old a little ſpark of Glory in the Temple;Pſ. 27.4. and Holy David deſired to ſee that beauty which ſhined in the Sanctuary: But Oh what perfuſions of Glory ſhall animate the ſoul in Heaven, when it ſhall be illuſtrated with the morning knowledge of Angels. We may juſtly wonder at the raviſhing delight of thoſe Holy Spirits, wherewith they are nouriſhed to ever-ſpringing and ſoul-fuſtaining Extaſies in their Miniſtration before him, and ſtudying the beautiful Volumes of his Eſſence. Saints ſhall ſee him as diſtinct from all Creatures, and unvailed of all Relation, and yet take ſuperlative pleaſure, in that all the Excellencies in their God are in him as an Everlaſting Father; and he that ſitteth on he Throne ſhall dwell among them,Rev. 7.15, 17. and the Lamb in the midſt of the Throne ſhall feed them in the Paſtures of Glory, and lead them to Living Fountains of Water.
In that day it's likely they may underſtand more of his Eternal Counſels of Election, Creation, Redemption, and Salvation, then now; and dive into the Ocean of his inſcrutable Providences, and walk among thoſe Coral Rocks and Mines of Pearl that now lye hid in the great Deeps. It's no ſmall advantage to this withering old Age of the World to reflect upon the Paſſages of all ſucceſſive Generations both before and ſince the Floud, both before and ſince the Incarnation of our Bleſſed Saviour. 'Tis a Cordial to refreſh our drooping Spirits in this ſink and ſullage of times, to recal the ſtate of the three Worlds in Peter, 2 Pet 3.6, 7.and to gather Maxims for direction in difficult and ſtormy Deluges. To revolve the Propheſies, and their fulfillings as to the riſe, growth, decreaſe, and fall of the 4 mighty Monarchies in Daniel; and to obſerve that when they touch'd upon the Church the Apple of his Eye, how then they began to totter and decline to ruine; and thereby to encourage us as to the fatal Deſtruction of all the Adverſaries that ſhall ariſe till the Glory of the New Jeruſalem. That all the Toes of Daniels Image ſhall as certainly be broken in pieces as the Head and Shoulders,Dan. 2.35. the Legs as the Breaſt and Belly, and the Statue ſhall become like the Chaff of the Somer threſning flowers, which the Wind ſhall carry away and no place be found for them; and the Stone that ſmites that Image ſhall become a great Mountain, a Glorious Kingdom filling the whole Earth. But theſe, though ſuch Illuſtrious Fruits of the Eternal Counſels of God, are ſmall things in compariſon of what the Saints ſhall ſee perfectly in the Mount of Glory. Then the reaſons of all the motions of the Wheels in Ezekiel conveying the Chariot of Cherubims ſhall ſhine as bright as the Wheels▪ themſelves: Then they ſhall admire at Heavens Reaſons of ſtate, for all the Intricacies, Perplexities, and afflictions of the Church in all Ages and Nations, & the Foundation of the glory which then ſhall follow. Then ſhall the ſaints behold an object which ſhall transform the Subject of the Spectator into the ſame refulgent Glory, to be like him as he is:1 Joh. 3.2. Pſ. 34.5. As they in the Pſalmiſt were enlightned by viſion, and the longer they behold, the optick Nerve of the Soul will advance ſtronger into the depth of Intellectual beauties,2 Cor. 3.18. and be changed from Glory to Glory.
Yea when their countenances ſhine beyond the Sun in his ſtrength, they ſhall ſit down in the Kingdom of their Father at a Glorious Supper, where bleſſed Angels ſhall attend the great Lord and Bridegroom of his Church. They ſhall drink abundantly, Songs 5.1. Hebr. Mat. 26.29. Rev. 2.9.be inebriated with new Wine, and eat of the Tree of Life in the midſt of the Paradiſe of God, alluding to that of Eden in the State of Innocence.
While the Learned diſpute about that Trees real exiſtence in nature,Danaei mund. antiq. p. 31. Ep. Auguſtin. de civ. l. 13. c. 21. Junius, &c. though hid from mortals in the Regions of Meſopotamia; while others fancy it to be the Imputrible Cedar, and that a firſt Ens or Balſamick Oil may be extracted from it for prolongation of Life;Helmont. Grembs. while they argue, let us determine that Saints ſhall then ſeed upon the foreign that Tree of Life,Iſ. 65.22. the Lord Jeſus himſelf; when the union of our nature in and by him to the Divine ſhall communicate to all his Myſtical Members Eternal Life not only by donation, but influence. The Jews affirm,Joh. 10.28. that Manna taſted to the Palate of their Fathers, according to every ones wiſh and ſancy: However that ſtory ſtands, we are certain that in this Bread of Life the very deſires and wiſhes of Saints ſhall be tranſcended. It hath not entred into the Heart of Man to conceive what is prepared for them that love him.1 Cor. 2.9.
That Heavenly Feaſt will be ſoulſatisfying to the utmoſt. When I awake, ſays David, i. e. in the Reſurrection Morning, I ſhall be ſatisfied with thy Likeneſs. For in the Preſence or Face of God will be fulneſs of foreign a word uſed for the Exhilaration of the Spirits by Wine.Pſ. 17.15.16.11. Judg. 9.1…. Eccl. 10.19. For infinite Grace and Glory will ſhine from the Light of his Countenance. Rivers of Eden (or pleaſure) flow at his Right Hand for evermore,Ezek. 47.7.12. Rev. 22.1. to nouriſh the delicious Trees of Paradiſe for Food and Medicine, whereby to preſerve a Glorious Immortalily in the Life to come. In that Triumphal Coronation and Nuptial Feaſt, there will be ſatiety without cloying, ſatisfaction connex'd with longing, a continual enjoyment of the ſame delights without fear or ſenſe of deprivation.
For its Duration ſhall be everlaſting. It ſhall never be ſung — Tibi deſerit heſper Olympum, No evening ſhadows ſhall darken theſe Olympian Mountains: Saints ſhall never riſe from that Feſtival Table,Iſ. 35.10. Rev. 7.17. but everlaſting Joy ſhall ſet upon their heads and hearts, and the everlaſting Father ſhall wipe away all Tears, yea, the ſpring of Tears out of their Eyes. There King Solomon will ſit down with all his Glory in that day in the gladneſs of his Heart:Song. 3.11. There will be preſent the everlaſting Comforter abiding with the Saints for ever.Joh. 14.16. Rev. 22.17. Heb. 12.22. The Spirit faith, Come, as well as the Bride. There will be an innumerable company of Angels,Luk. 24.4. in their Gorgeous Attire of white and ſhining Raiment, and Crowns of Gold upon their Heads.Rev. 4.4. Oh what a glittering ſhew will ſtand round about the Celeſtial Saphire Throne! Whenas one Angel in his magnificent pomp and ſplendour were enough to extinguiſh the Sun and all the bright Lamps of the inferiour Heavens.Rev. 21.23. There will be the whole Congregation of the Firſt born from Abel to Enoch, from Noah to Abraham, from Moſes to Samuel under the waving Standards of the Tribes of Iſrael, ſolacing in each others communion. Lazarus talking in the Arms of Abraham, and beloved John once again asking queſtions in the Boſom of Chriſt. The perſecuted Theſſalonian Brethren ſhall be the Joy and Crown of Rejoycing to Holy Paul at that day in the preſence of Jeſus Chriſt.1 Theſ. 2.19. Then, the Refuſers of the Head-ſtone of the Corner ſhall ſee the Ancient Patriarchs in the Kingdom of God,Luk. 13.28. and themſelves thruſt out. Then ſhall Moſes and Elias proſecute their ancient Diſcourſe with our Bleſſed Lord, all the Diſciples hearing,Mark 9.7. upon a higher Mountain than Tabor; and no Cloud to over-ſhadow more.
At that Banquet there will be Muſick that will hold a Confort and Symphony with all the Powers of the Soul. All the Dorick and Lesbian Strains are but diſcords and ungrateful ſcrapings to thoſe Heavenly Amphions, whoſe Harps and Voices echo againſt the Chryſtalline Jaſperwalls of the New Jeruſalem. Rev. 21.11.When all the Prodigal Sons ſhall come to themſelves, and taſte of the Fatted Calf. What raviſhing Songs ſhall amaze the Sphears, and the 7 Sirens of Heaven?Plato in Macrob. de ſomn. Scip. l. 2. c. 3. Max. Tyr. ſer. 21. Luk. 2.8, 13. Pſ. 22.22. Heb. 2.12. Rev. 14.3, 4. when the Heavenly Intelligences themſelves ſhall ſing Glory to God in the Higheſt, and the Shepherds of all the Churches ſhall be preſent. When the King of the Church himſelf ſhall begin the Pſalm, and ſing aloud in the midſt of the Congregation above, and all the undefiled Virgins ſhall follow, playing with Harps and anſwering with Voices to the New Song of the Lamb before the Throne, & the 4 living Creatures (in alluſion to the 4 Cherubims in Solomon's Temple) and the 24 Elders, repreſenting the 24 Orders of Prieſts. Though none can learn this Song but who are redeemed from the Earth, yet 'tis compos'd, and laid before thoſe Heavenly Spirits by the Pen of the Beloved Diſciple. [Bleſſing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto him that ſitteth upon the Throne, Rov. 5.8.and to the Lamb for ever and ever.] And while this Song is melodiouſly anſwered by the warbling Harps, the joyful Gueſts are entertain'd with fragrant Odours, perfuming the Celeſtial Mercy-ſeat, and the Spiknard of the Gardens of Zion, of the Foreſt of Lebanon, ſends forth its delicious Smell as the King of the Church in all his Royalty ſits at his Table in Glory.Song. 1.12.
But alas, who can reach the Luſtre of that day which will amaze Angels themſelves? It ſinks our Spirits to think of Eternity: 'tis a bottomleſs Gulf to the thoughts of moſt raiſed Souls. But as we caſt our ſelves here by Faith upon the Heart and Love of Chriſt, ſo muſt we reſt in his Love to fulfil all his glorious Promiſes,Zeph. 3.17. and capacitate the Soul for theſe Accompliſhments.
But before that auguſt and reſplendent day, which will ſit upon the Throne of Magnificence, we muſt remember and ponder ſeriously upon the awakening Trumpet of the Archangel at his own appearance,Job. 5.28. when the Bodies of all the Saints in order to theſe unmatch'd Enjoyments ſhall be rais'd out of their embalmed duſt, where they lay perfumed by the Spices of their Lords Sacred Body:Iſ. 26.19. Which Doctrine of Reſurrection to life, not only the Holy Scriptures amply confirm for a Foundation of Faith, but there are ſome no contemptible ſentiments of the ſame in many varieties of Nature. Every Morning utters it, and every Spring revives it: Every Trumpet over the new Moon proclaims it, and every emerſion of the Planets from under the Suns combuſtion darts a Beam upon this notion. Every Inſect that ſtarts from the corruption of diſſolved Animals is no ignoble Emblem. Any Metal or Mineral calcined and reviv'd by a proper menſtruum yields us a pleaſant ſpecimen. Not to enlarge upon thoſe rare experiments, which the learned Chemiſts ſtyle by the name of the Trees of Philoſophers, ſome whereof are repreſented both in Gold and Silver,French diſtil. p. 181. and one in Copper firſt corroded by Aqua fortis, and revived into Sea green branches, like Coral growing in a G1aſs by help of the Liquor of Sand or Pebles I have ſometimes ſhewn. This curioſity is more exquiſitely ſet forth in Vegetables,Borrichius contr. Conring. p. 36…. Borelli. obſerv. p. 325. Beck. experim. p. 244. Quercitan de herm…. p 293. Libav. ſyntag. arcan. chymi…. l. 1. c. 22. p. 48. as the Learned well know by the Writings of Borcllus, Borichius, Beckius, and others, to whom the inquiſitive may repair. Give leave a little to enlarge on that ſtory in Quercetan, of a Polonian Doctor, who had above 30 Glaſſes hermetically ſealed, wherein were the Aſhes of ſo many Plants, as the Mary-gold, the many colour'd Poppy, the Roſe, &c. chemically prepared (it may be after the manner of a Clyſſus as they term it) wherein lay hid the Tinctures, Spirits, Salts, and Oils of each Vegetable; and at the requeſt,of Viſitants would ſet the gentle heat of a Candle under any Glaſs, and by and by the Plant would begin to riſe into a Stalk, Branches, Leaves, and then preſent a double-flower'd Roſe, as if it were a Corporeal, but really a Spiritual Idea, and yet endowed with a ſpiritual eſſence; and wanted nothing to give it the compleat aſſumption of a ſolid body, but committing it to the impregnating Salt in a fit and congenial Earth; which upon withdrawing of the warmth would ſlide down gradually, and ſink into its former chaos in the Glaſs. The truth of which Story I leave to the faith and veracity of that grave, learned, and experienced Writer; not buſying our thoughts too much with theſe faint reſemblances, nor with imitation of thoſe people in Herodotus, who intomb'd their Friends in Glaſs, or of the Egyptians who embalm'd with Myrrhe and Aloes, &c. or that ingenious fancy of Kerkring, Kerkring, ſee in Morhof'' Epiſtle to Langelot, p. 50.to inveſt the body in Amber; while we by a ſtedfaſt faith rely upon the word of our adored Creator, not doubting but Infinite Power is able to perſorm what Infinite Wiſdom contrives, and Infinite Faithfulneſs hath promiſed to accompliſh.
Let us with Holy Peter look to, and haſten after this Glorious Day,2 Pet. 3.12. and labour to be found in their number who makeup the unſpotted Bride of Chriſt, and daily ſtudy to prepare and adorn our Souls for that Feſtival Triumph; to have our Loins girt, our Lamps burning,Zach. 4.14. and our Veſſels fill'd with holy Oil from the two anointed ones that ſtand before the Lord of the whole Earth,Rev. 11.4. the two Witneſſes that diſpenſe the Sanctuary Oil for the Candleſticks of the Church;Mat. 25.6. that ſo at the great cry at midnight, Behold the Bridegroom, cometh, go forth to meet him; that being ready, we may enter with him to the Marriage in the Bride Chamber.1 Cor. 11.7 Pro. 12.4. As a Holy Wife is the Glory of a Holy Husband, and reflects the Graces of his Heart in the Glaſs of her Pious Life: If he be gracious, ſhe is likewiſe, and becomes his Glory by reflection: His excellency ſhines in her deportment, like the Moon deriving all her nocturnal beauty from the Sun;E…e. 1.14. ſo muſt Saints ſhine by the comelineſs of Chriſt. And as a Gracious Husband labours to change his Spouſe into his own Image and likeneſs by kindneſſes, precepts, and example, that he may take the more delight in her perſon:Pſ. 45.10. So does our ſpiritual Solomon change the hew of his Egyptian Queen, to deem of things and perſons as her Lord and Husband judges, and frames her Spirit to delight in doing his Will and Pleaſure, and take the higheſt ſolace in obedience, to enjoy a heavenly freedom mixt mith aimiable and joyful reverence: He roots out of her heart all changeable affections & worldly fancies, and hankering longings after the fond faſhions of Shechem, Gen. 34.1.and all carnal inclinations to the Daughters of Canaans Linage, and all the beggerly humours of the beſotted world, and to paſs by with a Holy ſcorn all the pitiful Pageantry of this periſhing and fading life, and riſe to a mean eſtimate of the Baubles and trifles that inchant a carnal Heart. At length ſhe arrives to a noble and generous judgment; counting all but dung and droſs that ſhe may win Chriſt. As her Prince of life was crucified by the World for her Redemption, ſo ſhe begins to be crucified to it in token of conformity to him, and at length becomes all glorious within. She takes down the Pendants of folly,Pſ. 45.13. and hangs all her Jewels within. Her Pearls and Diamonds are the gracious Sermons and dying Prayers of her Holy Lord; they hang at her ears,Songs 1.13. they lye between her Breaſts all night. Her clothing is of the Gold of Ophir made with Needlework of divers colours,Judg. 5.30. twined by the Daughters of the New, Jeruſalem. The 12 precious Stones in the breaſt-plate of Aaron are upon her Heart. She is Holy like him, and goes about doing good with the ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit, with a Crown of Carbuncles of flaming love to Chriſt upon her Head; and thus reflecting the Glory of Chriſt here, is preparing and fitting for fuller viſions and brighter reflections of Glory hereafter.
Here's nothing but noiſe and confuſion in the duſt and ſmoak of folly. This World is like the Sea in Habakuk, Hab. 1.14.where the great Fiſh ſwallow the ſmall; ſtorms and pirats, rocks and ſands, ſhipwrecks and new furprizing dangers every moment. Let's long and pack up for our beſt and ſweeteſt home; looking upon every ſecret Mercy, every joyful income of the Spirit as ſo many earneſts of glory, as ſo many bent tokens put in hand to ſecure Heaven. Let's draw off and wean our affections from ſublunary vaniſhing Vapors which periſh in the very uſe. Carnal perſons in their heights have but a wordly Heaven, and Saints while here in their loweſt depths, by the Sunſhine of divine Favour, have a ſweet portion of Heaven here upon Earth. Oh what a Heaven ſhall they have in Heaven it ſelf! Here though ſometimes deep in the mire of affliction, yet when conſcience ſings 'tis fair above head, ſtill travelling towards Zion. Since our natures are chang'd like a Cion or Graft inſerted into the Vine of the Church, we ſhall in due time be tranſplanted to Paradiſe.
Strengthen aſſurance by perſeverance, and both by the promiſes to each, and mix prayer with Praiſes. Our Harps muſt always ſound while our Sacrifice burns on the Altar. Every day adds to the treaſury of evidence. Like laborious Bees increaſe your ſtock from the flowers of Scripture, and the Honey of Aſſurance will ſweeten every Prayer, and cheer perſevering grace, and enliven the ſtrings of praiſe, till we come with Harps in our hands well tuned to the Gate of Heaven. Let our chaſte Souls be a Garden enclos'd to Chriſt: Our eyes, ears,Song. 4.12. affections ſeal'd and ſhut up from worldly communion. Hearken, O Daughter, Pſ. 45.10, 11.and forget thine Egyptian people, and thy Fathers houſe in Zoan: So ſhall the King of Glory greatly deſire to ſee and enjoy thy beauty, for he is thy Lord, and worſhip thou him.