Solitude Improved by Divine Meditation, Chapter 22
CHAP. XXII. Of Heaven and Happineſs Eternal.
THE laſt thing I ſhall mention in this part of ſolemn and ſet Meditation, is that of Heaven, and Happineſs Eternal therein; Hell is not ſo miſerable a ſtate, but Heaven is as tranſcendently glorious and happy: The one being purpoſely for demonſtration of the fulneſs of Gods hatred and wrath, the other for the higheſt manifeſtation of the riches of Mercy and Free Grace. Yea this being the thing the Lord is ſo infinitely pleaſed and delighted in, muſt needs have the fulleſt and moſt glorious manifeſtation that is any way poſſible for a God to make, and his Creatures can be apprehenſive and receptive of, and therefore the ſtate of Glory muſt be glorious indeed, Eye hath not ſeen, ear hath not heard, neither hath it entred into the heart of man to conceive, what God hath prepared for ſuch as love him. There he is ſpeaking of things but diſpoſitive to happineſs, the bleſſings of Grace, Peace, Joy, and heavenly Priviledges given in Chriſt: but then, if happineſs only begun, be ſo glorious, O what is happineſs finiſhed up, and conſummate?
For our way of proceeding in this Meditation, I conceive it beſt, by laying a full Scripture ground, in gathering thoſe choice Flowers, ſpringing up thick, in the rich Garden ſtores of the infallible Scriptures, and are purpoſely growing there for the hand of faith to gather, and the Eye of our dim weak ſight, to be healed and cleared, to believe and ſee the glory of Heaven by.
It is not a way of meer general thinkings, or that of Phanſie or Speculation of our own, but firſt laying a Scripture, great and firm foundation: And then after to improve thoſe Scripture aſſertions, by all the ability and help we can, of Reaſon and Inferences of beſt Repreſentations and Reſemblances, of Imagination and Invention.
General apprehenſions, and grantings of Scripture truths, deceive and deſtroy many, when they are reſted in: General notions of Heaven and happineſs; granting it there is a Heaven and no more, makes many miſs of it, miſs for want of more diſtinct apprehenſions, well grounded believing, and due deep ſinking of it to the bottom of the heart, there to lie glowing, to warm and kindle the affections, to provoke into a labouring, a mighty ſtriving to win the Crown of glory.
The way is (as wiſdom in all other caſes of conſequence teaches) to come off every day from general confuſed thoughts of Heaven and happineſs, reſtings on and runnings away with a ſuppoſed doing enough.
If we ſtill grant there's a Heaven and Happineſs, every day to endeavour diſtincter and clearer thoughts and knowledge.
Generals will not ſerve, grantings muſt not be made the enough of a wiſe Chriſtian, he muſt have an extenſive and enlarging clearneſs, an encreaſing firmneſs of Faith, in the Doctrines, the great points of ſalvation. But we having this ſo prime an Article of faith, that which hath wrapt up in it ſo rich a Treaſure and preſerves, as it were, that ſo ineſtimable Jewel of happineſs, mans laſt end; that which is the great foundation and inſtigation of all a Chriſtians ſtrivings and hopes (for he hath no hope in this life for happineſs here.)
This therefore ſhould not be turned off, nor terminated (as too oft is done) with a granting or bare aſſent; but ſtill obtain of us a fuller, firmer, warmer, and more operative ſeeing and belief.
Now this cannot be, without diligent gathering in, and better ſtill Meditating on particular Scriptures, aſſerting, and clearly manifeſting this main Article, and mans chief end compriſed in it.
The Jewiſh Church had this typified in the Holy of Holies, as Heb. 9.3.12.24. Chriſt is not entred into the holy places made with hands, which were the Figures of the true, but into Heaven it ſelf. This was, that by the viſible place, faith might be ſtirr'd up, to eye and view the inviſible typified ſtate of glory.
Pſal. 73.24. David tells us of it, and was aſſured to be received up into glory; that is into Heaven in glory. Dan. 12.23. Of them that ſleep in the duſt, ſome ſhall awake to everlaſting life, and ſhine as the brightneſs of the firmament, and ſome as the ſtars for ever.
The Church of the New Teſtament, in the writings given by Chriſt to it, have this Doctrine of Heaven and happineſs, abundantly and moſt clearly ſet forth. The firſt mentionings of it, are out of the mouth of him, that with the Father and Holy Spirit made it. Math. 5.3. in Chriſts firſt Sermon, Bleſſed are the poor in ſpirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. So verſe 10, 12. The perſecuted for righteouſneſs, theirs is, &c. verſe 20. Mention there is again of it, Verſe 34. and v. 45. and 48. Chap. 6. v. 1. v. 9. The firſt paſſage in the Lord's Prayer. At leaſt twelve ſeveral times in this firſt Sermon of Chriſt this Heaven is mentioned. And as in the Goſpels, ſo all the new Teſtament over, you may, many ſcores of times, find and ſee it lying, as a moſt ſhining and glorious Diamond in the Mine, or as in a rich Cabinet, for to be viewed and laboured for. The multitudes of places, well weighed, muſt needs hold forth, to all that ſhut not their eyes wilfully, a Local Heaven, a place of happineſs and glory.
It is no Allegorical Heaven, as ſome have dream'd, or may ignorantly imagine: when it is aſſerted in ſo many clear paſſages, which, all of them, in our reading or hearings, ſhould have their due weight, weight of thinkings, and efficacy on us, for firm believing, and anſwerable endeavours for not loſing, but enjoying it.
For the rank of places, what it hath, the Scripture tells us, it is the third Heaven; the firſt being that where the Clouds are; the ſecond where the glorious Lights, Sun, Moon, and Stars are; this third above them all, call'd therefore the higheſt Heaven. This third and higheſt Heaven is moſt inconceivably excellent; not made of any preceeding matter, much leſs of any elementary matter. Some ſay it was made immediately of nothing, and with it were alſo made, concreated, the Angels; all at the ſame inſtant, Heaven never being empty of Inhabitants.
The Sun, Moon, and Stars were made, not the firſt day, but the fourth day, for Furniture of that Heaven, under the higheſt Heaven.
2. It is the largeſt, and moſt capacious place, as that which compriſes or ſurrounds all the inferiour world, and things in that.
O here, here is Rechaboth, room enough.
In this world, here's crowding, puſhing, cruſhing, of the Saints: The wicked world would quite caſt them, every one, out of it, to be left alone and enjoy all, to be let alone, and have none to ſee and ſhame them any way: But the Saints ſhall all be brought at laſt, into a large place, where none ſhall moleſt or trouble them. Heaven is a Rechaboth indeed, a moſt large place.
The Globe of the whole Earth and Water, is, as Geographers tell us, at the leaſt, one and twenty thouſand and ſix hundred miles in compaſs. The Air above encompaſſing in that, and eſpecially the uppermoſt part of the Air, muſt needs be far more in compaſs than the Earth and Water.
The Moon alone is very great, though ſomething leſs than the Earth; ſome of the Planets are judged far greater than the Globe of the Earth. The Sun by ſome is judged to be one hundred ſixty ſix times greater than the whole Earths Globe; which others make yet far greater: which then muſt be ſome millions of miles in compaſs, according to that account. The fixed Stars, which all are above the higheſt Planet Saturn, are by the Learned, every of them, judged greater than all the Earth; the leaſt of them eighteen times bigger than the Earth; thoſe of the higheſt magnitude, and the moſt glorious brightneſs, an hundred and eighteen times bigger than the whole Earth. Of theſe fixed Stars who can tell the numbers of them? thoſe which are reckon'd, are but ſome hundreds in their Conſtellations. How exceeding then vaſt muſt this ſtarry Heaven be, if the Planets and fixed Stars in it, are ſo great and numerous?
O then how unſpeakably vaſt and large muſt this third Heaven be which compaſſes round all the Earth, Air, and the ſtarry Heavens? What a Kingdom for Territories is this? What a place for Chriſt to prepare Manſions for his in? What a place for the all-glorious God and Jeſus Chriſt to keep a Court in higheſt ſplendour and magnificence in? And the Lord Jeſus the Saviour, that purchaſed this inheritance with his own blood, for him to be ever viewed, loved, admired, glorified by all his Saints to the higheſt in?
Of all imaginable places, this, this is the place, this is Room, this is a place ſo large as the hearts of the Saints can wiſh.
3. As Heaven is the largeſt for capacity and quantity, ſo is it the beſt place for quality and excellency. 2 Cor. 12. It is called Paradiſe by that bleſſed Paul who was taken up thither, to tell upon his return what a place it was. Paradiſe mentioned, Gen. 2.8. it was the beſt place that ever was on Earth; it was the ſummary of all neceſſaries and delicacies for Adam, in that perfect ſtate, his accommodations, recreations, and abundant delight; fit therefore to reſemble the place of glory by. And ſo our Lord Chriſt thought, when he calls it by this name of Paradiſe; Luke 23.43. To day ſhalt thou be with me in Paradiſe: The beſt place it was made, becauſe for the beſt Creature on Earth.
Luke 16. It is called Abraham's boſom: Abraham in his time was the moſt eminent perſon living, call'd the Father of the faithful: No place for a Child can be ſo proper, ſo deſirable, pleaſing, and contenting as the moſt loving tender Fathers Boſom; O how a Child loves the Boſom! O how deſirous are the Children of Abraham to be in his Boſom.
In other places, it is a place of glory, riches of glory, a Kingdom, a Crown of glory, an eternal weight of glory; a ſtate where there are Pleaſures for evermore, Rivers of pleaſures, joys and fullneſs of joy.
For every Saint the higheſt entertainments, in all reſpects; for the Senſes.
1. The Ear hath ſuch raviſhing Muſick and melody, as that beſt and greateſt Conſort, of all the innumerable companies of Saints and Angels, can make.
2. For the Eye, the Palace of Heaven is unſpeakably beyond all places, proſpects, and objects, that Nature and Art could ever yield.
The perſons of the Saints, as to the numbers ſo innumerable, muſt needs make up the rareſt Train and ſhew (as to their ſorts and differences) that ever Eye ſaw. O what a raviſhing ſight muſt that be to ſee Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Iſaac, Jacob, and all the Holy Patriarchs? Moſes, Samuel, David, and all the Holy Prophets? Peter, Paul, John, and all the Holy Apoſtles? All the bleſſed and glorious Martyrs of Jeſus Chriſt? All his godly and ſerviceable, painful and laborious Miniſters? All the precious Saints, Kings, and Governours, and others that are recorded in the Bible: And not only Men, but holy Women, Sarah, Hannah, Ruth, Eſther, and others in the Old Teſtament; the bleſſed Virgin, and Elizabeth, with the Women that followed Chriſt, and miniſtred unto him, Mary Magdalen, Johanna, Suſanna, Lydia, Dorcas, Priſcilla among the Apoſtles helping them, all the Diſciples of Chriſt which believed in him: with all the eminent godly lights in the Church after the Apoſtles; and all the Saints in all after Ages to the worlds end?
And then for all this Train, in their ſorts and ranks; as to their bodies, to be ſo all over glorious, to ſhine as the Sun, and brightneſs of the Firmament for ever, O what a ſhew and raviſhing entertainment is here for the Eye!
But that which is the top and height, and far ſurpaſſing all the other, is that ſweeteſt, moſt raviſhing ſight of the moſt glorious body of Jeſus Chriſt; The higheſt beauty that ever Eye beheld or ſaw, far outſhining all others, as the Sun exceeds the Stars: Ah here, here will be a ſight indeed.
Ah but then to behold him in his higheſt diſcoveries of his ſweeteſt, lovelieſt lookings and ſmilings on all his Saints with him, and upon thee in particular.
To ſee his countenance compos'd and ordered, purpoſely to beam forth in fulleſt Manifeſtations of ſurpaſſing ſweetneſs of moſt intenſe affections towards his ſo dearly beloved Bride, now preſent with him in the glorious Bed-Chamber to behold him and enjoy perfect communion with him.
3. O but what entertainments are there, as to the ſoul and ſpirit, for the faculties of Ʋnderſtanding, Will, and Affections? how far tranſcending thoſe of the Senſes? as the beatifical viſion, ſeeing God face to face, with all intellectual ſatisfaction as to all the truths in the Word of God, all Myſteries, Prophecies, and difficulties, and whatſoever may conduce to the glorious happineſs of the Saints: ſatiſfaction alſo, as to the works and ways of God, Creation and Providence, all the Riddles and dark things ſo far made known as is needful.
Likewiſe as to the will and heart, the beatifical fruition, enjoying of God, Father, Son, and Spirit, and his infinite ſweetneſs, to all poſſible fullneſs and perfection.
Likewiſe all happy communion with Saints and Angels, to all delight and pleaſure. And for all this both body and Soul are prepared, ſtrengthened, elevated, and enlarged to the utmoſt extenſiveneſs.
As all imperfections and ſins are utterly remov'd, ſo all grace and holineſs, light and wiſdom, heat and flame of heart communicated, and in a bleſſed reciprocation, a mutual acting: God the infinitely alſufficient, communicating himſelf to the glorified, to their utmoſt capacity; and they reacting and putting forth their grace and holineſs, to their utmoſt ability: O how unſpeakably ſweet and ſatiating muſt this continual intercourſe be?
For the cloſe of all, let me think my ſelf, after a glorious and bleſſed Reſurrection and abſolution by Chriſt at the Judgment day, freed utterly from all evil; feeling likewiſe my compleat happineſs coming on ſo faſt in my now paſſage up to the place of glory; and then inſtantly finding it finiſht, finiſht on the firſt ſetting my foot, as it were, within the Gate of Heaven. And now I think, what a prepared and furniſhed place I am in: What company of the Saints, Angels, and Jeſus Chriſt alſo I have: What fruition of the moſt bleſſed God; what ſenſe of the pleaſures, joys, ſatisfactions, and moſt raviſhing ſweetneſs, under all ſecurity, under that which ſuperadded heightens and ſweetens all the reſt, the Charter of inconceivable eternity: Ah then, let my frequent and intenſeſt thinkings be, not a looking down to Earth, but up to Heaven, breathing my ſoul up the Hill to this City of God, in contemplating the Glories of it; often let me walk this ſo pleaſant walk. Who will look and pore on a dark Dungeon, that hath the Sun to behold? who will, (that means to hit the mark) look quite beſides it? who is it can go to Heaven, that thinks moſt another way? that hath a down-look, as we ſay; a Beaſts Eye, that hath no Muſcle of elevation? Ah ſuch as look moſt will long moſt after, labour moſt for it. O therefore, let my Eye every day be walking to and in this Paradiſe, ſolace it ſelf in taking a turn ſtill there, be walking in this upper Eye-walk by Meditation, till I come to ſee God face to face, till I look my ſelf into this Heaven I look on.
I have now diſpatcht this point of Occaſional ſet Meditation, as to the firſt branch: Meditation of ſuch things we our ſelves ſingle out, and ſet before us, and take ſome ſpecial times for, which were in theſe particulars.
1. Meditation on ſome paſſage or portion of Scripture.
2. Or going over the chief points of Religion in order.
3. Meditating of ſome of the works of God.
4. Or ſomething of my own ſpiritual ſtate, to make me more wiſe or warm, or active for God.
5. Or how the caſe of my ſoul ſtands.
6. Or of my own evil hearts deceitfulneſs.
7. Of my Enemies, Satan and the World.
8. Of my wants and weakneſs of Graoe.
9. Of the ſwift paſſing of time and opportunities.
10. Of the ſhortneſs of my life.
11. Of death of the body.
12. Of Judgment after death; and of the Laſt Judgment.
13. Of death Eternal, and Hell.
14. Of Heaven and Eternal happineſs.
Theſe are the heads of this firſt Branch.