The second means to enjoy ⟨p. 189⟩this object, is, by having an immediate, and an eternal communion with GOD in heaven. This we have, first, by being (as members of Christ) united to his manhood: and by the manhood (personally united to the word) we are united to him, as he is GOD: and (by his Godhead) to the whole Trinity. Reprobates at the last day shall see GOD (as a just Judge) to punish them: but (for lack of this Communion) they shall have neither grace with him, nor glory from him. For want of this communion; the Devils (when they saw Christ) cried out, Quid nobis te cum? What have we to do with thee, 1O Son of the most high God? But (by virtue of this Communion) ⟨p. 190⟩the penitent soul may boldly go and say unto Christ, 2as Ruth unto B• az:) Spread, O Christ, the wing of the garment of thy mercy over thine handmaid: for thou art my kinsman. This Communion God promised Abraham, 3when he gave him himself for his great reward. And Christ prayeth for his whole Church to obtain it.4 This communion Saint Paul expresseth in one word, saying: that God shall be all in all unto us. 5Indeed, God is now all in all unto us: but by means, and in a small measure. But in heaven, God himself immediately, (in fullness of measure, without all means) will be unto us all the good things, that our souls ⟨p. 191⟩and bodies can wish or desire. He himself will be salvation, and joy to our souls: life and health to our bodies: beauty to our eyes: music to our ears: honey to our mouths: perfume to our nostrils: meat to our bellies: light to our understandings: 6contentment to our wills; and delight to our hearts; and what can be lacking▪ where GOD himself, will be the soul of our souls? Yea all the strength, wit, pleasures, virtues, colours,7 beauties, harmony, & goodness, that are in men, beasts, fishes, fowls, trees, herbs, and all creatures, are nothing but sparkles of those things, which are in infinite perfection in GOD. And in him we shall enjoy them, in a far ⟨p. 192⟩more perfect, and blessed manner. He himself will then supply •hei• use: nay, the best creatures (which serve us now) shall not have the honour, to serve us then. There will be no need of the Sun, nor of the Moon, to shine in that City:8 for, the glory of God doth light it. No more will there be any need, or use, of any creature, when we shall enjoy the Creator himself.
The second meanes to enioy ⟨p. 189⟩this obiect, is, by hauing an immediate, and an eternall communion with GOD in heauen. This we haue, first, by being (as members of Christ) vnited to his manhood: and by the manhood (personally vnited to the word) we are vnited to him, as he is GOD: and (by his Godhead) to the whole Trinity. Reprobates at the last day shall see GOD (as a iust Iudge) to punish them: but (for lacke of this Communion) they shall haue neither grace with him, nor glory from him. For want of this communion; the Diuels (when they saw Christ) cried out, Quid nobis te cum? What haue we to doe with thee, 1O Sonne of the most high God? But (by vertue of this Communion) ⟨p. 190⟩the penitent soule may boldly goe and say vnto Christ, 2as Ruth vnto B• az:) Spread, O Christ, the wing of the garment of thy mercy ouer thine handmaide: for thou art my kinsman. This Communion God promised Abraham, 3when hee gaue him himselfe for his great reward. And Christ praieth for his whole Church to obtaine it.4 This communion Saint Paul expresseth in one word, saying: that God shall be all in all vnto vs. 5Indeed, God is now all in all vnto vs: but by meanes, and in a small measure. But in heauen, God himselfe immediatly, (in fulnesse of measure, without all meanes) will be vnto vs all the good things, that our soules ⟨p. 191⟩and bodie• can wish or desire. He himselfe will be saluation, and ioy to our soules: life and health to our bodies: beauty to our eyes: musicke to our eares: honey to our mouthes: perfume to our nostrils: meat to our bellies: light to our vnderstandings: 6contentment to our willes; and delight to our hearts; and what can be lacking▪ where GOD himselfe, will be the soule of our soules? Yea all the strength, wit, pleasures, vertues, colours,
- 1Mark. 5.7.
- 2Ruth. 3.9.
- 3Gen. 15.1.
- 4Joh. 17.20.21.Ioh. 17.20.21.
- 51 Cor. 15.28
- 6Anima animae erit Deus. Ber•.Anima animae erit Deꝰ. Ber•.
- 7Non potest summus rerū conditor in se non habere, quae rebus a se conditis dedit: quemadmodùm sol astris. Hugo lib. 4. de anima cap. 15Non potest summus rerū conditor in se non habere, quae rebus a se conditis dedit: quemadmodùm sol astris. Hugo lib. 4. de anima cap. 15
- 8Apoc. 21.23
