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The happiness of the saints in gloryThe happinesse of the saints in glory
The happiness of the saints in glory, or A treatise of heaven, on Rom. 8. 18 For I reckon, that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. By Tho. Goodwin. B. D.The happinesse of the saints in glory, or A treatise of heaven, on Rom. 8. 18 For I reckon, that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. By Tho. Goodwin. B. D.
London: printed by E. Griffin for Robert Dunscomb, 1638
THE HAPPINESS Of the SAINTS in Glory.THE HAPPINESSE Of the SAINTS in Glory.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But now secondly, this1 inheritance is eternal incorruptible, 1 Cor. 5. 1. For we have, if this earthly house of our Tabernacle be dissolved; we have, I say, a building with God not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens. An inheritance, my brethren, that will be for ever: why, now think what eternity is, and think of it again, it will even amaze your thoughts. Eternity is that which multiplies our joys here upon earth: to enjoy a thing many years is our greatest joy, if we can so enjoy it there lies our comfort, hence those words of the ⟨p. 79⟩rich man in the Gospel, Soul take thy rest, for thou hast goods laid up for many years. What a happiness is it, not only to enjoy an inheritance many years, but for ever; goods laid up for ever? what a mercy is it that they are for ever? the eternity of them adds to our joys, it was a rejoicing to David, that God would give him a Kingdom; but more, that he would prepare a Kingdom to his house a great while, 2 Sam. 7. 18 19. Then went King David and sate before the Lord and said; Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? and was this yet a small thing in thy ⟨p. 80⟩sight oh Lord God, but thou hast spoken of thy servants house, for a great while to come. David took it for a great favour, that God would bestow a Kingdom upon him, and yet, saith he, this was but a small thing in thy sight: what was it a small thing to give a Kingdom? No, but there was another thing more than a Kingdom, and that was, that his posterity should sit on the Throne for a great while, this made the mercy the greater; if Heavens glory should last but for a few days or years, it were worth more seeking after than all the things of this World: we make a great strife for ⟨p. 81⟩momentary trifles in this world, but Heaven shall last for ever: it hath an everlasting evidence, it shall never have an end: the day thereof is for a long day, for it is for eternity and a day. Again, David was to die himself and to leave the glory of his Kingdom to another, yet he took it for a great favour and mercy, that it was promised to his house for a great while; but now in Heaven we shall never die; we shall possess our Kingdom in our own persons to everlasting: the pleasures and riches we enjoy here must go to others. The rich man in the Gospel sings to his soul: