And then secondly,1 they §2are known (as we call it) by way of eminence; that is, by comparing them with other things, and preferring them before all other ⟨p. 68⟩excellencies whatsoever; as we may see the sun in water by resemblance: for God borrows from nature terms to set out grace, and glory, because God will speak in our language, for they are called a Kingdom and a feast, and a crown by way of comparison. Shallow men think there is a great deal in a kingdom;2 and indeed so there is, if there were no other. There is great matters in a crown, in the feasts of kings, and the like: but alas these be shadows, and there is no Rhetoric or Amplification in this, to say they be shadows; a shadow is as much in proportion to the body, as these are to eternal good things; ⟨p. 69⟩the true reality of things, are in the things of another world, for eternity. If we talk of a Kingdom, let us talk of that in heaven. If of a crown, of that wherewith the Saints are crowned in heaven. If we talk of riches, they are those that make a man eternally rich, that he shall carry with him when he goes out of the world, what riches are those, that a man shall out live, and die a beggar, and not have a drop to comfort him,3 as we see Dives in hell had not? here are riches indeed. So if we talk of beauty, it is the Image of God that sets a beauty on the soul, that makes a man lovely in the eye of God. True beauty is ⟨p. 70⟩to be like God.4 And to be borne a new to that glorious condition, is the birth and inheritance. All these poor things, are but acting a part upon a stage for a while, as the proudest creature of all that is invested in them will judge ere long; none better judges then they. This is one way of knowing the things of the Gospel, by naming of them in our own language. As if a man go into a foreign country, he must learn that language, or else hold his peace: so God is forced to speak in our own language, to tell us of glory, and happiness to come under the name of crowns, and kingdoms, and riches here. If God ⟨p. 71⟩should set them out in their own lustre, we could not conceive of them.
And then secondly,1 they §2are knowne (as wee call it) by way of eminence; that is, by comparing them with other things, and preferring them before all other ⟨p. 68⟩excellencies whatsoever; as wee may see the sunne in water by resemblance: for God borrowes from nature termes to set out grace, and glory, because God will speake in our language, for they are called a Kingdome and a feast, and a crowne by way of comparison. Shallow men thinke there is a great deale in a kingdome;2 and indeed so there is, if there were no other. There is great matters in a crowne, in the feasts of kings, and the like: but alas these be shaddowes, and there is no Rhetoricke or Amplification in this, to say they be shaddowes; a shaddow is as much in proportion to the body, as these are to eternall good things; ⟨p. 69⟩the true reality of things, are in the things of another world, for eternity. If wee talke of a Kingdome, let us talke of that in heaven. If of a crowne, of that wherewith the Saints are crowned in heaven. If we talke of riches, they are those that make a man eternally rich, that hee shall carrie with him when he goes out of the world, what riches are those, that a man shall out live, and die a begger, and not have a drop to comfort him,3 as we see Dives in hell had not? here are riches indeed. So if we talke of beauty, it is the Image of God that sets a beauty on the soule, that makes a man lovely in the eye of God. True beauty is ⟨p. 70⟩to be like God.4 And to bee borne a new to that glorious condition, is the birth and inheritance. All these poore things, are but acting a part upon a stage for a while, as the proudest creature of all that is invested in them will judge ere long; none better judges then they. This is one way of knowing the things of the Gospell, by naming of them in our owne language. As if a man go into a forraine country, he must learn that language, or else hold his peace: so God is forced to speake in our owne language, to tell us of glory, and happinesse to come under the name of crownes, and kingdomes, and riches here. If God ⟨p. 71⟩
- 1By way of eminence.
- 2What tho we should have of the world?
- 3What true riches are.What true r•ches are.
- 4What true beauty is.What true beautie is.
