A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

But to the faithful, the grave is but a Chamber. Esa. 26.20. Come my people, enter thou into thy Chambers. But a Bed. Esa. 57.2. They shall rest in their beds. A very parlour, where the Lord shuts up our bodies with the key of Peace, and opens them again with the key of Resurrection. Unto this hope the Apostle lifts up our hearts by his own example. It is observable that to the two chief Apostles, Paul and Peter, God did afford this privilege; in this mortal life to have a taste of heavens joys; that they might more feelingly and effectually raise up our affections to that supernall City. Paul was wrapped up to the third heaven, and so ravished with this joy, that he knew not whether he had his body about him or not. 2 Cor. 12.2. Whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell. And me thinks, when he comes down again out of heaven, he writes so contemptibly of these worldly things; that he calls them very dross and dung. Such respect hath any man of all things under the sun, that hath but tasted the sweetness of Paradise. So Peter, together with ⟨p. 262⟩James and John, on Mount Tabor, saw a glimpse of heaven. They beheld it, that they might preach it, preaching: lift up our hearts to it: and our hearts being lifted up to it, might be blessed in it. On purpose they were showed this glory, that they might inflame our affections with it. Imagine that it were possible for the most worldly soul here, to be lifted up so high as Paul; be admitted to look into Paradise: to see that glorious society of Saints and Angels, and so much of that Beatifical vision as their nature is capable of: and from thence to look down again upon this earth, hanging like a little clod in the midst of the world: and see so many millions of men busied about nothing, like Ants on a molehill, or flies in a sun beam: how basely would he esteem this world, and contemn that which is now his glory, and for which he is content to venture his soul! Do you now wonder, that we so much commend that blessed rest? when one gazed long on Minerva's picture another asks him the reason of such curious speculation: he answered, O, si me•s haberes oculos: Oh that thou hadst my eyes! So, ô that you had Saint Peters eyes; you would not admire our admiration.