Mr. Bolton's last and learned work of the four last things death, judgement, hell,…Mr. Boltons last and learned worke of the foure last things death, iudgement, hell,…
Mr. Bolton's last and learned work of the four last things death, judgement, hell, and heaven. With an assizes-sermon, and notes on Justice Nicolls his funeral. Together with the life and death of the author. Published by E.B.Mr. Boltons last and learned worke of the foure last things death, iudgement, hell, and heauen. With an assises-sermon, and notes on Iustice Nicolls his funerall. Together with the life and death of the authour. Published by E.B.
Robert Bolton 1572–1631London: printed by George Miller, 1632
[56], 264, p. : port. · 73k words · STC 3242 · ESTC S106786
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.
and yet it would come infinitely short of that desperate rage and restless anguish, which shall eternally torture the least and lowest faculty of the soul! What then ⟨p. 104⟩do you think will be the torment of the whole body? What will be the terror of the whole soul? Here both invention of words would fail the ablest Orator upon earth, or the highest Angel in heaven. Ah then, is it not a madness above admiration, and which may justly amaze both heaven and earth, and be a prodigious astonishment to all creatures, that being reasonable creatures, having understanding like the Angels of GOD, eyes in your heads to fore-see the approaching wrath, hearts in your bodies that can tremble for trouble of mind, as the leaves of the forrest that are shaken with the wind, consciences capable of unspeakable horror, bodies and souls that can burn for ever in hell; and may (by taking less pains in the right way, than a drunkard, worldling, or other wicked men in the ways of death and going to hell) escape everlasting pains: yet will sit here still in the face of the Ministry with dead countenances, dull ears, and hard hearts, as senseless and unmoved, as the seats you sit on, the pillars you lean to, and the dead bodies you tread on, and never be said, (as they say) never warned, until the fire of that infernal lake flame about your ears! O monstrous madness and merciless cruelty to your own souls! Let the Angels blush, heaven and earth be amazed, and all the creatures stand astonished at it.
and yet it would come infinitely short of that desperate rage and restlesse anguish, which shall eternally torture the least and lowest faculty of the soule! What then ⟨p. 104⟩do you think wilbe the torment of the whole body? What wilbe the terrour of the whole soule? Here both invention of words would faile the ablest Oratour upon earth, or the highest Angell in heaven. Ah then, is it not a madnesse above admiration, and which may justly amaze both heaven and earth, and be a prodigious astonishment to all creatures, that being reasonable creatures, having understanding like the Angels of GOD, eyes in your heads to fore-see the approaching wrath, hearts in your bodies that can tremble for trouble of mind, as the leaves of the forrest that are shaken with the wind, consciences capable of unspeakable horrour, bodies and soules that can burne for ever in hell; and may (by taking lesse paines in the right way, than a drunkard, worldling, or other wicked men in the wayes of death and going to hell) escape everlasting paines: yet will sit here still in the face of the Ministry with dead countenances, dull eares, and hard hearts, as senslesse and unmooved, as the seates you sit on, the pillars you leane to, and the dead bodies you tread on, and never be said, (as they say) never warn'd, untill the fire of that infernall lake flame about your eares! O monstrous madnesse and mercilesse cruelty to your owne soules! Let the Angels blush, heaven and earth be amaz'd, and all the creatures stand astonished at it.
3. When sentence is once irrevocably past by that high and everlasting Judge, and the mouth of the bottomless pit hath shut it self upon thee with that infinite anguish and enraged indignation, ⟨p. 105⟩thou wilt take on, tear thy hair, bite thy nails, gnash the teeth, dig furiously into the very fountain of life, and (if it were possible) spit out thy bowels: because having by a miracle of mercy been blessed all thy nlife long in this gloriously enlightened Goshen with the fairest noon-tide of the Gospel that ever the Sun saw, and either diddest, or mightest have heard many and many a powerful and searching Sermon; any one passage whereof (if thou haddest not wickedly and wilfully forsaken thine own mercy, and suffered Satan in a base and beastly manner to blindfold and ba•le thee) might have been unto thee the beginning of the new-birth, and everlasting bliss: yet thou, in that respect a most accursed wretch, diddest pass over all that long day of thy gracious visitation, like a son or daughter of confusion, without any piercing or profit at all; and passed by all those goodly ooffers and opportunities, with an inexpiable neglect ⟨p. 106⟩and horrible ingratitude; and so now liest drowned and damned in that dreadful lake of brimstone and fire, which thou mightest have so easily and often escaped. pThis irksome and furious reflection of thy soul upon its own wilful folly, whereby it hath so unnecessarily and sottishly lost everlasting joy, and must now live in endless woe, will vex and torture more than thou canst possibly imagine, continually gnaw upon thy heart with remediless and unconceivable grief; and in a word, even make an hell it self. O then, having yet a price in thine hand, to get wisdom to go to heaven, lay it out with all holy greediness, while it is called To day, for the spiritual and eternal good of thy soul! Improve to the utmost, for that purpose, the most powerful Ministry, holiest company, best books, all motions of GODS Spirit, all saving means, &c. Spend every day, pass every Sabbath, make every prayer, hear every S•imon, think every thought, speak every word, do every action, &c. As though when that were done, thou wert presently after to pass to judgement, and to give up an exact account for it, and whatsoever else done in the flesh.
3. When sentence is once irrevocably past by that high and everlasting Iudge, and the mouth of the bottomlesse pit hath shut it selfe upon thee with that infinite anguish and enraged indignation, ⟨p. 105⟩thou wilt take on, teare thy haire, bite thy nailes, gnash the teeth, dig furiously into the very fountaine of life, and (if it were possible) spit out thy bowels: because having by a miracle of mercy beene blessed all thy nlife long in this gloriously illightened Goshen with the fairest noone-tide of the Gospell that ever the Sun saw, and either diddest, or mightest have heard many and many a powerfull and searching Sermon; any one passage wherof (if thou haddest not wickedly and wilfully forsaken thine own mercy, and suffered Satan in a base and beastly maner to blindfold and ba•le thee) might have beene unto thee the beginning of the new-birth, and everlasting blisse: yet thou, in that respect a most accursed wretch, diddest passe over all that long day of thy gracious visitation, like a sonne or daughter of confusion, without any piercing or profit at all; and passed by all those goodly ooffers and opportunities, with an inexpiable neglect ⟨p. 106⟩and horrible ingratitude; and so now liest drown'd and damn'd in that dreadfull lake of brimstone and fire, which thou mightest have so easily and often escaped. pThis irksome and furious reflexion of thy soule upon its owne wilfull folly, whereby it hath so unnecessarily and sottishly lost everlasting joy, and must now live in endlesse woe, will vexe and torture more than thou canst possibly imagine, continually gnaw upon thy heart with remedilesse and unconceivable griefe; and in a word, even make an hell it selfe. O then, having yet a price in thine hand, to get wisdome to go to heaven, lay it out with all holy greedinesse, while it is called To day, for the spirituall and eternall good of thy soule! Improve to the utmost, for that purpose, the most powerfull Ministry, holiest company, best bookes, all motions of GODS Spirit, all saving meanes, &c. Spend every day, passe every Sabbath, make every prayer, heare every S•imon, thinke every thought, speake every word, do every action, &c. As though when that were done, thou wert presently after to passe to judgement, and to give up an exact account for it, and whatsoever els done in the flesh.
nOccasio tibi nunquam defuit, tu semper occasioni. Potuisti, & noluisti: Lue, jam lue nequitias. En tua tot tamque gravia flagitia; cum tamen longè suavius virtu•i licuisset operari quàm vitijs. En perditissime, inter jocos & kudos perdidisti regnum: Potuisses esse f•lix aeternum▪ modò voluisses: brevi •c leni labour beatam immortalitatem tibi parasses, modò voluisses. En […], pro carnis voluptatul•, pro spurcâ, & momentaneâ oblectatiunculâ immensas vendidisti voluptates. Nimi•m tua tibicaro, quàm coelum carior erat. Sentis jam, quas delicias sectatus fueris? Praedixi, monui, vellicavi. Sed actum egi, nihil profeei, oleum & operam perdidi. Nunc vindico, nunc •pes & res abs te segregant, sed •uâ solius culp•. En impurissime ut delectatiunculas pauxillo tempo•is retineres, perdidisti omnia. Procul nunc a te honours, thefauri, voluptates beatorum; ad quas om•is tibi via intercepta est. Haec tibi tormenta •ibidines tu• para•unt, in ho• ignes tua te ptaecipitavit incontinentia: tuam illam hilarem, sed brevem insaniam, nunc lui• ae•erno luctu. Desperatè ploras Paradisi gaudijs privatum? Tu ipse te privasti. Ac acerbissimè doles perenne coeleste epulum neglectum? Tu neglexisti.—Differendo & neglige•do huc sponte irruisti coecus & a•ens, hic nunquàm exiturus amplius. Nulla hic libertas, nulla salus. Despera centies, sexcenties, despera millies, aeternùm desperaturus, aeternum moriturus, & ad mortem nullis saeculis proventurus.Occasio tibi nunquam defuit, tu semper occasioni. Potuisti, & noluisti: Lue, jam lue nequitias. En tua tot tamque gravia flagitia; cum tamen longè suavius virtu•i licuisset operari quàm vitijs. En perditissime, inter jocos & •udos perdidisti regnum: Potuisses esse flix aeternum modò voluisses: brevi c leni labore beatam immortalitatem tibi parasses, modò voluisses. En , pro carnis voluptatul, pro spurcâ, & momentaneâ oblectatiunculâ immensas vendidisti voluptates. Nimim tua tibicaro, quàm coelum carior erat. Sentis jam, quas delicias sectatus fueris? Praedixi, monui, vellicavi. Sed actum egi, nihil profeei, oleum & operam perdidi. Nunc vindico, nunc pes & res abs te segregant, sed uâ solius culp. En impurissime ut delectatiunculas pauxillo tempois retineres, perdidisti omnia. Procul nunc a te honores, thefauri, voluptates beatorum; ad quas omis tibi via intercepta est. Haec tibi tormenta ibidines tu paraunt, in ho ignes tua te ptaecipitavit incontinentia: tuam illam hilarem, sed brevem insaniam, nunc lui aeerno luctu. Desperatè ploras Paradisi gaudijs privatum? Tu ipse te privasti. Ac acerbissimè doles perenne coeleste epulum neglectum? Tu neglexisti.—Differendo & negligedo huc sponte irruisti coecus & aens, hic nunquàm exiturus amplius. Nulla hic libertas, nulla salus. Despera centies, sexcenties, despera millies, aeternùm desperaturus, aeternum moriturus, & ad mortem nullis saeculis proventurus.
4. That the conceit of the everlastingness of ⟨p. 107⟩the torments, when they are now already seized upon the soul, and hopelessness of ever coming out of hell, will be yet another hell. If thou once come there, qand there most certainly must thou be this night, if thou diest this day in thy natural state, and not new-borne; I say then (so terribly would the consideration of eternity torture thee) that thou wouldest hold thy self a right rhappy man, if thou mightest endure those horrible pains, and extremest horrors no moe millions of years, than there be sands on the sea-shore, hairs upon thine head, stars in the firmament, grass piles upon the ground, and creatures both in heaven and earth. For, thou wouldest still comfort thy self incredibly with this thought: My misery will once have an end. But alas! This word sNever will ever rent thine heart in pieces with much rage and hideous roaring; and give still new life to those insufferable sorrows, which infinitely exceed all expression or imagination. Let us suppose this great body of the earth upon which we tread to be turned into sand, and mountains of sand to be added still, until they reach unto the Empyrean Heaven, so that this whole mighty creation were nothing but a sandy mountain: ⟨p. 108⟩let us then further imagine a little wren to come but every hundred thousandth year, and carry away but the tenth part of one grain of that immeasurable heap of sand; what an innumerable number of years would be spent, before that world of sand were all so fetched away? And yet, woe and alas that ever thou wast borne! When thou hast lien so many years in that fiery lake, as all they would amount to, tthou art no nearer coming out, than the very first hour thou enteredst ⟨p. 109⟩in. Now, suppose thou shouldest lie but one night grievously afflicted with a raging fit of the stone, colic, strangury, tooth-ache, pangs of travail, &c. Though thou haddest to help and ease thee a soft bed to lie on, friends about thee to comfort thee, Physicians to cure thee, all cordial and comfortable things to assuage the pain; yet how tedious and painful, how terrible and intolerable would that one night seem unto thee? How wouldest thou toss, and tumble and turn from one side to another, counting the clock, telling the hours, esteeming every minute a umoveth, and thy present misery matchless and unsupportable?
4. That the conceipt of the everlastingnesse of ⟨p. 107⟩the torments, when they are now already seiz'd upon the soule, and hopelesnesse of ever coming out of hell, wilbe yet another hell. If thou once come there, qand there most certainly must thou be this night, if thou diest this day in thy naturall state, and not new-borne; I say then (so terribly would the consideration of eternity torture thee) that thou wouldest hold thy selfe a right rhappy man, if thou mightest endure those horrible paines, and extremest horrours no moe millions of yeares, than there be sands on the sea-shore, haires upon thine head, starres in the firmament, grasse piles upon the ground, and creatures both in heaven and earth. For, thou wouldest still comfort thy selfe incredibly with this thought: My misery will once have an end. But alas! This word sNever will ever rent thine heart in peeces with much rage and hideous roaring; and give still new life to those insufferable sorrowes, which infinitely exceed all expression or imagination. Let us suppose this great body of the earth upon which we tread to be turned into sand, and mountaines of sand to be added still, untill they reach unto the Empyrean Heaven, so that this whole mighty creation were nothing but a sandy mountaine: ⟨p. 108⟩let us then further imagine a little wren to come but every hundred thousandth yeare, and carie away but the tenth part of one graine of that immeasurable heape of sand; what an innumerable number of yeares would be spent, before that world of sand were all so fetcht away? And yet, woe and alas that ever thou wast borne! When thou hast lien so many yeares in that fiery lake, as all they would amount to, tthou art no nearer coming out, than the very first houre thou enteredst ⟨p. 109⟩in. Now, suppose thou shouldest lie but one night grievously afflicted with a raging fit of the stone, collicke, strangury, tooth-ache, pangs of travaile, &c. Though thou haddest to helpe and ease thee a soft bed to lie on, friends about thee to comfort thee, Physitians to cure thee, all cordiall and comfortable things to asswage the paine; yet how tedious and painfull, how terrible and intolerable would that one night seeme unto thee? How wouldest thou tosse, and tumble and turne from one side to another, counting the clock, telling the houres, esteeming every minute a
rSi nobis faltem […] ut arenosus quispiam mo•s extolle•etur amplitudine terras coaequans, fastigiocoelum attingens, ex quo, post centum millia annorum advolans avicula rostro non plus au•erret, quàm est decima unius a•enulae pars, & •sus post alterum centum ann• rum •lle, aliam arenul• unius▪ decimam partem, & pari modo aliam atque aliam, ita ut •atio decies cen•um millium annorum, tantum unicum arenulae unius […] de monte illo a•enoso minue•etur: quàm laeti, quàm alacres essemus, quòd post ultimam sal•em montis to•ius ablat•onem, damnationis nostrae fi•em aliquem haberemusSi nobis faltem 〈…〉 ut arenosus quispiam mo•s extolle•etur amplitudine terras coaequans, fastigiocoelum attingens, ex quo, post centum millia annorum advolans avicula rostro non plus au•erret, quàm est decima unius aenulae pars, & sus post alterum centum ann rum lle, aliam arenul unius decimam partem, & pari modo aliam atque aliam, ita ut atio decies cenum millium annorum, tantum unicum arenulae unius de monte illo aenoso minueetur: quàm laeti, quàm alacres essemus, quòd post ultimam salem montis toius ablatonem, damnationis nostrae fiem aliquem haberemus
xWhat will it be then (thinkest thou) to lie in fire ⟨p. 110⟩and brimstone, kept in highest flame, by the unquenchable wrath of GOD, world without end? Where thou shalt have nothing about thee but darkness and horror, wailing and wringing of hands, ydesperate yellings and gnashing of teeth: thine old companions in vanity and sin to ban and curse thee with much bitterness and rage; wicked Devils to insult over thee with hellish cruelty and scorn; the never-dying worm to feed upon thy soul and flesh for ever and for ever. zO Eternity! Eternity! Eternity! Sith it is thus then, that upon the little inch of time in this life, depends the length and breadth, the height and depth of immortality in the world to come: even two eternities; the one infinitely accursed, the other infinitely comfortable; loss of everlasting joys, and lying in eternal flames; sith never ending pleasures or pains do unavoidably follow the well or mis-spending of this short moment upon earth; with what unwearied care and watchfulness ⟨p. 111⟩ought we to attend that One necessary Thing all the days of our appointed time, till our change shall come? How ought we as strangers and pilgrims to abstain from fleshly lusts? What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness? How thriftily and industriously to husband the poor remainder of our few and evil days for the making our Calling and Election sure: In a word, with what resolution and zeal to do or suffer any thing for JESUS CHRIST? *With what industry and dearness to ply this moment, and prize that eternity!
xWhat will it be then (thinkest thou) to lie in fire ⟨p. 110⟩and brimstone, kept in highest flame, by the unquenchable wrath of GOD, world without end? Where thou shalt have nothing about thee but darknesse and horrour, wailing and wringing of hands, ydesperate yellings and gnashing of teeth: thine old companions in vanity and sinne to ban and curse thee with much bitternesse and rage; wicked Devils to insult over thee with hellish cruelty and scorne; the never-dying worme to feed upon thy soule and flesh for ever and for ever. zO Eternity! Eternity! Eternity! Sith it is thus then, that upon the little ynch of time in this life, depends the length and bredth, the height and depth of immortality in the world to come: even two eternities; the one infinitely accursed, the other infinitely comfortable; losse of everlasting joyes, and lying in eternall flames; sith never ending pleasures or paines do unavoidably follow the well or mis-spending of this short moment upon earth; with what unwearied care and watchfulnesse ⟨p. 111⟩ought we to attend that One nec•ssary Thing all the dayes of our appointed time, till our change shall come? How ought we as strangers and pilgrims to abstaine from fleshly lusts? What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godlinesse? How thriftily and industriously to husband the poore remainder of our few and evill dayes for the making our Calling and Election sure: In a word, with what resolution and zeale to do or suffer any thing for IESVS CHRIST? *With what industry and dearenesse to ply this moment, and prize that eternity!
xIt w•ld prove an extreme misery, as it seems, to lie eternally upri•, and never stir, even upon a bed of roses; what would it be then, to sit for ever in that fiery chair mentioned before? But then above all degrees of comparison, what will it be roar everlastingly in bellish flames! Hear my Amour. Memini melegere, nec •ne admiratione, •uisse hominem, qui Aeterni•atem animo sic perspexerit: Quis • ortalium est, aicbat ipse secum, qui quidem san• mentis sit & ratione […], qui regnum Galliae, Hispaniae, Poloniae, reg•a sanè […] sibi vendicet eâ p•ctione, ut quadraginta continuos annos in l•ctulo […] strato, eoque mollissimo •supinus jaceat? E• licet forsan non def•us sit, qui ad hanc condi•ionem descendat; is tamen non totum triennium (res certa) sic decumbet, quin abrumpat & dicat: sin•e, […]; malo carere regnis, non […] bus, sed omnibus quàm sic continue, […] m•lissimè jacere, vel decem tantùm annis; ne•dum vigia•i, aut•iginta, veluti pactio fiebat, annis quadraginta. Itńe res se habent, ut nemo sanus reperiatur, qui ut t•iplici regno donetur, triginta vel quad aginta annis […] lege decumbere velit? Quàm ergò coeca, quàm suriosa est insan•, […] lacerum […], •btres aviculas, ob crepundia vilissima, illud petulantèr […] periculum, & tale designate facinus. ob quod in candente crate, in fereti• stammeo, non solis quadragi•ta, non quad•gentis, nec quatuor millibus, sed nec quater centenis millibus, sed aeternum torquearis furijs; mortales, intemperantissimis agimur, nisi jam maturè, & in rem nostram sapimus. In mollissimo jacere sed semper jacere & aeternum jacere supplicium soret inexplicabile Quid jam omnium apud inferos suppliciorum erit cumulus ac congeies sormidabilissima?
Let me tell you before hand, that the excellency, glory, and sweetness thereof, no mortal heart, finite brain, created understanding can possibly conceive and comprehend to the life. For,
Let me tell you before hand, that the excellency, glory, and sweetnesse thereof, no mortall heart, finite braine, created understanding can possibly conceive and comprehend to the life. For,
1. Paul t•ls us, 1 Cor. 2. 9. That neither eye hath seen, nor ear heard, neither heart of man conceived the incomprehensible sublimity and glorious mysteries of that heavenly wisdom, and inexplicable divine sweetness revealed in the Gospel: (For I take that to be his natural immediate ⟨p. 112⟩meaning:) How transcendently (then) unutterable and unconceivable is the complement, perfection, the real, actual and full fruition of all those Evangelical mysterious revelations, accomplished to the height in the highest heavens through all eternity? Where we shall enjoy the face and beatifical presence of the most glorious and all sufficient GOD, as an object wherein all the powers of our souls will be satisfied with everlasting delight.
1. Paul t•ls us, 1 Cor. 2. 9. That neither eye hath seene, nor eare heard, neither heart of man conceived the incomprehensible sublimity and glorious mysteries of that heavenly wisdome, and inexplicable divine sweetnesse revealed in the Gospell: (For I take that to be his naturall immediate ⟨p. 112⟩meaning:) How transcendently (then) unutterable and unconceiveable is the complement, perfection, the reall, actuall and full fruition of all those Evangelicall mysterious revelations, accomplished to the height in the highest heavens thorow all eternity? Where we shall enjoy the face and beatificall presence of the most glorious and all susticient GOD, as an object wherein all the powers of our soules wilbe satisfied with everlasting delight.
The eye of man hath seen admirable things: Coasts of Pearl, Crystal mountains, rocks of Diamond, Golden mines, Spicy Islands, &c. (so Travellers talk, and Geographers write.) aMausolus Tomb, Diana's Temple, the Egyptian bPyramids, and all the wonders of the world.
The eye of man hath seene admirable things: Coasts of Pearle, Crystall mountaines, rocks of Diamond, Golden mines, Spicy Ilands, &c. (so Travailers talke, and Geographers write.) aMausolus Tombe, Dianaes Temple, the Egyptian bParamides, and all the wonders of the world.
aMausoleum. Mauso• regis Cariae sepulchrum, ab Ar•emisiâ uxore extructum, tantâ operis magnificentiâ, ut inter septem orbis miracula suerit numeratum.Ma•soleum. Mauso• regis Cariae sepulchrum, ab Ar•emisiâ uxore extructum, tantâ operis magnificentiâ, ut inter septem orbis miracula suerit numeratum.
bMaximae hujus genetis in Aegypto fuisse memorantur circa Memphim, structurae ex quadratis lapidibus admirand•, fastigiatae ultra omnem excelsitatem, quae manu fieri posset. &c.
The ear hath heard the most delicious, exquisite, and ravishing melody. Such as made even Alexander the Great transported with an irresistible pang of a pleasing rage as it were, and delightful cdancing of his spirits, that I may so speak, dExilire è convivio, &c.
The eare hath heard the most delicious, exquisite, and ravishing melody. Such as made even Alexander the Great transported with an irresistable pang of a pleasing rage as it were, and delightfull cdancing of his spirits, that I may so speake, dExilire è convivio, &c.
cSpiritus qui in corde agitant, tremulum, & subsulfantem recipiunt aerem in pectus & inde excitantur: A spiritu musculi moventur, &c. Scalig. Exercit. 202.
Mans heart can imagine miraculous admirabilities, rarest pieces, worlds of comforts and strange felicities. In conceit it can convert all the stones upon earth into pearls, every grass pile into an unvaluable jewel, the dust into silver, ⟨p. 113⟩the sea into liquid gold, the air into crystal. It can clothe the earth with far more beauty and sweetness, than ever the Sun saw it. It can make every Star a Sun, and all those Suns ten thousand times bigger and brighter than it is, &c.
Mans heart can imagine miraculous admirabilities, rarest peeces, worlds of comforts and strange felicities. In conceipt it can convert all the stones upon earth into pearles, every grasse pile into an unvaluable jewell, the dust into silver, ⟨p. 113⟩the sea into liquid gold, the aire into crystall. It can clothe the earth with farre more beauty and sweetnesse, than ever the Sun saw it. It can make every Starre a Sun, and all those Suns ten thousand times bigger and brighter than it is, &c.
And yet the height and happiness of Evangelical wisdom doth far surpass the utmost which the ear, eye, or heart of man hath heard, seen, or can possibly apprehend. And this so excellent light upon earth discovering the inestimable treasures of hidden wisdom in CHRIST, is but as a grain, to the richest golden mine, a drop to the Ocean, a little glimpse to the glory of the Sun; in respect of that fullness of joy hereafter, and everlasting pleasures above: with what a vast disproportion then doth the inimaginable excellency of heavenly bliss surpass and transcend the most enlarged created capacity? Infinitely, infinitely.
And yet the height and happinesse of Evangelicall wisdome doth farre surpasse the utmost which the eare, eye, or heart of man hath heard, seene, or can possibly apprehend. And this so excellent light upon earth discovering the inestimable treasures of hidden wisdome in CHRIST, is but as a graine, to the richest golden mine, a drop to the Ocean, a little glimpse to the glory of the Sun; in respect of that fulnesse of joy hereafter, and everlasting pleasures above: with what a vast disproportion then doth the inimaginable excellency of heavenly blisse surpasse and transcend the most enlarged created capacity? Infinitely, infinitely.
2. Our gracious GOD in his holy unsearchable wisdom doth reserve and detain from the eye of our understandings a full comprehension of that most glorious state above; to exercise in the mean time our faith, love, obedience, patience, &c. As a father shows sometimes, and represents to the eye of his child, a glimpse and sparkle (as it were) of some rich orient jewel, to make him love, long, pray and cry for a full sight of it, and grasping of it in his own hand: So our heavenly Father in this case. If celestial excellencies, and those surpassing joys, arising principally from the visible apprehension of the purity, glory and ⟨p. 114⟩beauty of GOD, were clearly seen and fully known, even by speculation, it would be no strange thing, or thanksworthy for the most horrible Belial, *to become presently the holiest Saint, the worlds greatest minion, the most mortified man. But in this vale of tears we must live by Faith.
2. Our gracious GOD in his holy unsearchable wisdome doth reserve and detaine from the eye of our understandings a full comprehension of that most glorious state above; to exercise in the meane time our faith, love, obedience, patience, &c. As a father shewes sometimes, and represents to the eye of his child, a glimpse and sparkle (as it were) of some rich orient jewell, to make him love, long, pray and cry for a full sight of it, and grasping of it in his owne hand: So our heavenly Father in this case. If celestiall excellencies, and those surpassing joyes, arising principally from the visible apprehension of the purity, glory and ⟨p. 114⟩beauty of GOD, were clearely seene and fully knowne, even by speculation, it would be no strange thing, or thanksworthy for the most horrible Beliall, *to become presently the holiest Saint, the worlds greatest minion, the most mortified man. But in this vale of teares we must live by Faith.
*Tan•a est autem pulchtitudo justitie, tanta jucunditas lucis aeter nae, hoc est, incommutabilis veritatis, atque sapientiae, ut etiamsi non lice•et ampliùs in ea manere, quàm unius diei mo•a propter ho• solum innumerabiles any hujus vitae pleni deliciss & circumslu•ntiâ temporalium bono•um rectò, meritóque conte•neretur. August. de Lib. Arb. Lib. 3. Cap. ul•.Tan•a est autem pulchtitudo justitie, tanta jucunditas lucis aeter nae, hoc est, incommutabilis veritatis, atque sapientiae, ut etiamsi non lice•et ampliùs in ea manere, quàm unius diei mo•a propter ho• solum innumerabiles anni hujus vitae pleni deliciss & circumslu•ntiâ temporalium bono•um rectò, meritóque conte•neretur. August. de Lib. Arb. Lib. 3. Cap. ul•.
3. It is a fruit of our fall with Adam, and the condition of this unglorified mortal state here upon earth, to know but in part: From which our knowledge above shall differ, as the knowledge of a child from that of a perfect man: as knowledge by a glass, from apprehension of the real object:1 as knowledge of a plain speech, from that which is a riddle. It is not for us (saith *one) in these earthly bodies, to mount into the clouds, to pierce this fullness of light, to break into this bottomless depth of glory, or to dwell in that unapproachable brightness: This is reserved to the last Day; when CHRIST JESUS shall present us glorious and pure to His Father without spot or wrinkle.
3. It is a fruit of our fall with Adam, and the condition of this unglorified mortall state here upon earth, to know but in part: From which our knowledge above shall differ, as the knowledge of a child from that of a perfect man: as knowledge by a glasse, from apprehension of the reall object:1 as knowledge of a plaine speech, from that which is a riddle. It is not for us (saith *one) in these earthly bodies, to mount into the clouds, to pierce this fulnesse of light, to breake into this bottomlesse depth of glory, or to dwell in that unapproachable brightnesse: This is reserved to the last Day; when CHRIST IESVS shall present us glorious and pure to His Father without spot or wrinkle.
*Induci in nubes▪ penetrare in plenitudi nem lumin•, •umpere •la ritatis all isms, & lucem hab tare maccessibilem, nec temporis est •us ne• […] ribi in novissimis• eservatur, cum • mihi exhibuero gloriosum non habentem maculam aut rugam, aut aliquid […] Be•n. Super Ca•l. Serm. 38.Induci in nubes▪ penetrare in plenitudi nem lumin•, •umpere •la ritatis al ys•s, & lucem hab• tare maccessibilem, nec temporis est •us ne•〈…〉 ribi in novissimis• eservatur, cum • mihi exhibuero gloriosum non habentem maculam aut rugam, aut aliquid 〈…〉 Be•n. Sup•r Ca•l. Serm. 38.
4. Our understandings upon necessity must be supernaturally irradiated and enlightened with extraordinary enlargement and divineness, before ⟨p. 115⟩we can possibly comprehend the glorious brightness of heavenly joys and full sweetness of eternal bliss. It is as impossible in this life for any mortal brain to conceive them to the life, as to compass the heaven with a span, or contain the mighty Ocean in a nut-shell. The Philosopher could say; that as the eyes of an Owl are to the light of the Sun, so is the sharpest eye of the most pregnant wit to the mysteries of nature. How strangely then would it be dazzled and struck stark blind with the excessive incomprehensible glory and greatness of celestial secrets, and immortal light?
4. Our understandings upon necessity must be supernaturally irradiated and illightened with extraordinary enlargement and divinenesse, before ⟨p. 115⟩we can possibly comprehend the glorious brightnesse of heavenly joyes and full sweetnesse of eternall blisse. It is as impossible in this life for any mortall braine to conceive them to the life, as to compasse the heaven with a span, or containe the mighty Ocean in a nut-shell. The Philosopher could say; that as the eyes of an Owle are to the light of the Sun, so is the sharpest eye of the most pregnant wit to the mysteries of nature. How strangely then would it be dazeled and struck starke blind with the excessive incomprehensible glory and greatnesse of celestiall secrets, and immortall light?
But although we cannot comprehend the whole, yet we may consider part. Though we cannot take a full draught of that over-flowing fountain of endless bliss above, yet we may taste; though we cannot yet enjoy the whole harvest, yet we take a survey of the first fruits. For, the Scriptures to this end shadow unto us a glimpse, by the most excellent, precious and desirable things of this life.
But although we cannot comprehend the whole, yet we may consider part. Though we cannot take a full draught of that over-flowing fountaine of endlesse blisse above, yet we may taste; though we cannot yet enjoy the whole harvest, yet we take a survey of the first fruits. For, the Scriptures to this end shadow unto us a glimpse, by the most excellent, precious and desireable things of this life.
Thus much premised; let us (for my present purpose) about the joys of Heaven, consider;
Thus much premis'd; let us (for my present purpose) about the joyes of Heaven, consider;
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oHoc laccrabit cordamnatorum, quòd gratiam millies oblatam recusarunt millies Indè in sei•sos fur entèr exardescent miseri, & assiduò sibiipsis lugubrem hanc cantilenam occinent: ó tempus rerum omnium pretiosissimum! • di• ô horae plusquàm aureae, quò evanuistis aeternum nonrediturae! Nos coeci & excord•s, obstructis oculis & auribus libidine furebamus, & mutuis nosmet exempli• trah•▪ bamus ad interitum.
pNon min•s tuncquàm […] •os exag•abit, qui• […] spatio […] non […], […], […] inessabil•us bonis […] n•s in• […] in Mat. […] •st qui de• […] assequi […] adeund• hereditate, sed ille •gnavissimus causae suae endow, itaque haeredita•em tam opulen tam neglexit; •amque •alibus serae •oenitentiae •ijs a•tatur, u• ipse sibi immineat, ve•t ipsum discerp•urus. Et nonnunquàm mo•s indè violenta sequitur. Haud alitèr damnatorum quilibet scipsum sic allatrat: Potuissem; auxilia non deerant, vocabar: Potuissem, Eheu! Potuissem; sed nolui. A summo b•no exclusissimus sum in omne aevum; & usque in aeternum non videb• lumen, quia nolui videre. Sentire tanto see bono privatum esse, & quidèm su• culpâ inexplicabilis, in•andus erit dolour […].Non min•s tuncquàm 〈…〉•os exag•abit, qui•〈…〉 spatio 〈…〉 non 〈…〉, 〈…〉, 〈…〉 inessabil•us bonis 〈…〉 n•s in•〈…〉 in Mat. 〈…〉•st qui de•〈…〉 assequi 〈…〉 adeund• hereditate, sed ille •gnavissimus causae suae indo•, itaque haeredita•em tam opulen tam neglexit; •amque •alibus serae •oenitentiae •ijs a•tatur, u• ipse sibi immineat, ve•t ipsum discerp•urus. Et nonnunquàm mo•s indè violenta sequitur. Haud alitèr damnatorum quilibet scipsum sic allatrat: Potuissem; auxilia non deerant, vocabar: Potuissem, Eheu! Potuissem; sed nolui. A summo b•no exclusissimus sum in omne aevum; & usque in aeternum non videb• lumen, quia nolui videre. Sentire tanto se bono privatum esse, & quidèm su• culpâ inexplicabilis, in•andus erit dolor 〈…〉.
moueth, and thy present misery matchlesse and unsupportable?
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sAh, vel mus•ae, vel culicis •unctiuncula, si tamen sit •terna, quam inexplicabil•s cruciatus pronunciabitur? Quis igitur horror exercebit damnatos, vel ob unam hanc, sed assiduam cogitationem? Hi• ignis aeternùm serendus, hic ululatus aeternùm audiendus; hic […] sempiternus.Ah, vel mus•ae, vel culicis •unctiuncula, si tamen sit •terna, quam inexplicabil•s cruciatus pronunciabitur? Quis igitur horror exercebit damnatos, vel ob unam hanc, sed assiduam cogitationem? Hi• ignis aeternùm serendus, hic ululatus aeternùm audiendus; hic 〈…〉 sempiternus.
tDamnati sic calculum ponunt: Elapsis decem millibus anno rum, adjicientur centum millia, post haec centum millia, tot jungentur myriads, & millions quot in firmamento sunt stellae, & in littore maris arenae. Post quae longissima annorum spatia, quasi nihil de poenis nostris accisum esset, sic iterum ab initio pati tormenta incipiemus: atque ita sine interruptione, sine fine, sine modo, volvetur assiduè nostrorum tormentorum rota. Ex quo poli sunt perfecti, A•de numero complecti Stellas coeli, stillas roris, Und as aquei fluoris, Guttas imbris pluvialis, Floccos velleris nivalis Quot sunt vere novo flores, Quot odours, quot colours, Quot vinaceos Autumnus, Poma legit & vertumnus: Quot jam grana tulit aestus, Fronds hiemis tempestas. Totus orbis animantes Aer atomos volantes, Pilos ferae, pecus villos, Vertex hominum capillos: Add littoris arenas, Add graminis verbenas, Tot myriads annorum Quot momenta saeculorum: Heus adhuc Aeternitatis Portus fugit à damnatis. Metire semel, ite•ùm saepiùs: post decem annorum millions, post centum mille myriadum annotum, post decies centies millena millia milliorum annorum; necdum finem, necdum medium, imò nondum Aeternitatis principium designasti: junge ad illa omnes hominum & Angelorum cogitationes, omnes motus & mutationes quarumvis rerum creatarum: add his a•enulas, quot non possent millenarum terrarum vastissimo sin• contineri: collige denique in unum omnes numeros Arithmetic• quadratos, cubicos quosvis: nunc imple his numeris volumina chartarum hinc ad supremos coelos usqu•, nondum Aeternitatis durationem mensuses, tantum abest, ut •isemensus. Quamdiu igitur durabit Aeternitas? Semper. Quandò finietur? Nunquam. Quamdiu coelum erit coel•m; Quamdiu inferi erunt inferi; Quamdiu DEVS erit DEVS, tamdiu durabit Aeternitas: tamdiu coelum beabit Sanctos; tamdiu improbos torquebunt inferi. Ne quaeso, molestior sis quaerendo: Apprehend saltem, si comprehendere non potes.Damnati sic calculum ponunt: Elapsis decem millibus anno rum, adjicientur centum millia, post haec centum millia, tot jungentur myriades, & milliones quot in firmamento sunt stellae, & in littore maris arenae. Post quae longissima annorum spatia, quasi nihil de poenis nostris accisum esset, sic iterum ab initio pati tormenta incipiemus: atque ita sine interruptione, sine fine, sine modo, volvetur assiduè nostrorum tormentorum rota. Ex quo poli sunt perfecti, A•de numero complecti Stellas coeli, stillas roris, Vnd as aquei fluoris, Guttas imbris pluvialis, Floccos velleris nivalis Quot sunt vere novo flores, Quot odores, quot colores, Quot vinaceos Autumnus, Poma legit & vertumnus: Quot jam grana tulit aestus, Frondes hiemis tempestas. Totus orbis animantes Aer atomos volantes, Pilos ferae, pecus villos, Vertex hominum capillos: Adde littoris arenas, Adde graminis verbe•as, Tot myriades annorum Quot momenta saeculorum: Heus adhuc Aeternitatis Portus fugit à damnatis. Metire semel, ite•ùm saepiùs: post decem annorum milliones, post centum mille myriadum annotum, post decies centies millena millia milliorum annorum; necdum finem, necdum medium, imò nondum Aeternitatis principium designasti: junge ad illa omnes hominum & Angelorum cogitationes, omnes motus & mutationes quarumvis rerum creatarum: adde his a•enulas, quot non possent millenarum terrarum vastissimo sin• contineri: collige denique in unum omnes numeros Arithmetic• quadratos, cubicos quosvis: nunc imple his numeris volumina chartarum hinc ad supremos coelos usqu•, nondum Aeternitatis durationem mensuses, tantum abest, ut •isemensus. Quamdiu igitur durabit Aeternitas? Semper. Quandò finietur? Nunquam. Quamdiu coelum erit coel•m; Quamdiu inferi erunt inferi; Quamdiu DEVS erit DEVS, tamdiu durabit Aeternitas: tamdiu coelum beabit Sanctos; tamdiu improbos torquebunt inferi. Ne quaeso, molestior sis quaerendo: Apprehende saltem, si comprehendere non potes.
uSumamus noctem unicam quam à curis, alijsvè sodicantibus cogitationibus insomnem aut quam infestante calculo, urente podagrâ, torminibus aut dentium doloribus in nos saevientibus, turbata exigimus. Quàm haec talis nox longa, & instar hebdomadis, aut mensis est! Quid si anno toto sic inter dolores jacendum, quid si annis centum, quid si mille annis, si sex aut decem millibus annorum? Quid si aeternum & sine fine?
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It w•ld proove an extreme misery, as it seem•s, to lie eternally upri•, and never stirre, even upon a bed of roses; what would it be then, to sit for ever in that fiery chaire mentioned before? But then above all degrees of comparison, what will it be roare everlastingly in bellish slames! Heare my A•our. Memini melegere, nec •ne admiratione, •uisse hominem, qui Aeterni•atem animo sic perspexerit: Quis • ortalium est, aicbat ipse secum, qui quidem san• mentis sit & ratione 〈…〉, qui regnum Galliae, Hispaniae, Poloniae, reg•a sanè 〈…〉 sibi vendicet eâ p•ctione, ut quadraginta continuos annos in l•ctulo 〈…〉 strato, eoque mollissimo •supinus jaceat? E• licet forsan non def•us sit, qui ad hanc condi•ionem descendat; is tamen non totum triennium (res certa) sic decumbet, quin abrumpat & dicat: sin•e, 〈…〉; malo carere regnis, non 〈…〉 bus, sed omnibus quàm sic continue, 〈…〉 m•lissimè jacere, vel decem tantùm annis; ne•dum vigia•i, aut•iginta, veluti pactio fiebat, annis quadraginta. Itńe res se habent, ut nemo sanus reperiatur, qui ut t•iplici regno donetur, triginta vel quad aginta annis 〈…〉 lege decumbere velit? Quàm ergò coeca, quàm suriosa est insan•, 〈…〉 lacerum 〈…〉, •btres aviculas, ob crepundia vilissima, illud petulantèr 〈…〉 periculum, & tale designate facinus. ob quod in candente crate, in fereti• stammeo, non solis quadragi•ta, non quad•gentis, nec quatuor millibus, sed nec quater centenis millibus, sed aeternum torquearis furijs; • mortales, intemperantissimis agimur, nisi jam maturè, & in rem nostram sapimus. In mollissimo jacere sed semper jacere & aeternum jacere supplicium soret inexplicabile Quid jam omnium apud inferos suppliciorum erit cumulus ac conge•ies sormidabilissima?
yApud inseros singula•ssimum erit tormentum […] c•ntenorum millium horribilissim•s mugitus, planctus, […]; perinde […] merry boves assent•r vivi, aut si rapidi ca•es cate•as […], […] •ssint. […]; aur•m […], […] hominum, […] • num, l•porum ululatus, mug•tus […], […] l•onum, aliarum […] •emitus, fragores nubium, dejectus aquarum, & quicquid […] singi potest: ah qu•m id omne nihil est ad Orcinia•ae […] desperatiss•m sletum, cujus auctarium est stridor dentium.Apud inseros singula•ssimum erit tormentum 〈…〉 c•ntenorum millium horribilissim•s mugitus, planctus, 〈…〉; perinde 〈…〉 meri boves assent•r vivi, aut si rapidi ca•es cate•as 〈…〉, 〈…〉•ssint. 〈…〉; aur•m 〈…〉, 〈…〉 hominum, 〈…〉• num, l•porum ululatus, mug•tus 〈…〉, 〈…〉 l•onum, aliarum 〈…〉•emitus, fragores nubium, dejectus aquarum, & quicquid 〈…〉 singi potest: ah qu•m id omne nihil est ad Orcinia•ae 〈…〉 desperatiss•m sletum, cujus auctarium est stridor dentium.
zO coe•itas humane gentis nullis sa• lachtymis deploran la! Ex omnibus templorum […] clamatur, Aeternitas, Eternitas, Aeternitas. Nos nihilominus praesenti ducim• volup•ate. Adeò perire s•ve est. Quis exprimat quid sit aeternitas? Quis concipiat quid sit Aeternitas? Est unum perpetuum Sum, quod praeteri• […] & […]. Est circulus, cujus centrum femper, circumferentia nunquam. Cogito mille annos, cogito tot annorum millia quot sunt momenta, […] puncta in toto […] à condito mundo usque ad ejus consuminationem, & de […] ate nihil habeo. O Aeternitas! Quis poterit par esse Aeternitati in tormentis? Et •mus tormenti ipsorum ascendet in saecula saeculerum, Apoc. […]. Quid est in sae•ula saeculor•m? Volo dicere, & nescio dicere. Illud tantùm scio id ipsum esse, quod DEVS solus suâ infinitate a• b• & complectitur▪O coe•itas •umane gentis nullis sa• lachtymis deploran la! Ex omnibus templorum 〈…〉 clamatur, Aeternitas, Eternitas, Aeternitas. Nos nihilominus praesenti ducim• volup•ate. Adeò perire s•ve est. Quis exprimat quid sit aeternitas? Quis concipiat quid sit Aeternitas? Est unum perpetuum Sum, quod praeteri•〈…〉 & 〈…〉. Est circulus, cujus centrum femper, circumferentia nunquam. Cogito mille annos, cogito tot annorum millia quot sunt momenta, 〈…〉 puncta in toto 〈…〉 à condito mundo usque ad ejus consuminationem, & de 〈…〉 ate nihil habeo. O Aeternitas! Quis poterit par esse Aeternitati in tormentis? Et •mus tormenti ipsorum ascendet in saecula saeculerum, Apoc. 〈…〉. Quid est in sae•ula saeculor•m? Volo dicere, & nescio dicere. Illud tantùm scio id ipsum esse, quod DEVS solus suâ infinitate a• b• & complectitur▪
*Quid agis miser, perire vis? Facillimo istud impe•dio fiet: ho•ulâ u•a, imò vel unicâ parte •rulae; imò momento vel unico per iram vel libidinem patras, quod aeternùm doleas. Hic seriò cogitandum: Itáne homines etuditi, & humano sensu sancti accusantur, judicantur, damnantur? Quid mihi fi•t misero? Ergò animum quantis possum industrijs cu•abo. Alij see, suamque cuticulam current aeternitatis obliti; vigeant, floreant, cras fo•sancinis & favilla Hos ego mo•es nihil mo•or, hanc ego viam non ingredior, nam & alium viae terminum quaero.Quid agis miser, perire vis? Facillimo istud impe•dio fiet: ho•ulâ u•a, imò vel unicâ parte •rulae; imò momento vel unico per iram vel libidinem patras, quod aeternùm doleas. Hic seriò cogitandum: Itáne homines etuditi, & humano sensu sancti accusantur, judicantur, damnantur? Quid mihi fi•t misero? Ergò animum quantis possum industrijs cu•abo. Alij se, suamque cuticulam cu•ent aeternitatis obliti; vigeant, floreant, cras fo•sancinis & favilla Hos ego mo•es nihil mo•or, hanc ego viam non ingredior, nam & alium viae terminum quaero.
