Ultima, = the last things in reference to the first and middle things
Ultima, = the last things in reference to the first and middle things: or certain meditations on life, death, judgement, hell, right purgatory, and heaven: delivered by Isaac Ambrose, minister of the Gospel at Preston in Amoundernes in Lancashire.
Isaac Ambrose 1604–1664London: printed for J.A., 1650
[6], 223 [i.e. 231] p. · 96k words · Wing A2970 · ESTC R27187
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 is he of the Society of Jesus? yes, though no Jesuit neither, for they were not then hatched) but what noble order is this, where the Saints sing, Angels minister, Archangels rule, Principalities triumph, Powers rejoice, Dominations govern, Virtues shine, Thrones glitter, Cherubims give light, Seraphims burn in love, and all that heavenly company ascribe and ever give all laud and praises unto God their Maker? here is a Society indeed, (I mean not of Babylon, but Jerusalem) whither Jesus our Saviour admits all his servants, and whereto this Thief on the Cross was invited, and welcomed, thou shalt be with me] in paradise.
ANd is he of the Societie of Jesus? yes, though no Jesuite neither, for they were not then hatcht) but what noble order is this, where the Saints sing, Angels minister, Archangels rule, Principalities triumph, Powers rejoyce, Dominations govern, Virtues shine, Thrones glitter, Cherubims give light, Seraphins burn in love, and all that heavenly company ascribe and ever give all laud and praises unto God their Maker? here is a Societie indeed, (I mean not of Babylon, but Jerusalem) whither Jesus our Saviour admits all his servants, and whereto this Thief on the Crosse was invited, and welcomed, thou shalt be with me] in paradise.
For if with me] then with all that is with me, and thus comes in that blessed company of Heaven; we will only take a view of them, and in some scantling or other you may guess at Heavens happiness.
For if with me] then with all that is with me, and thus comes in that blessed company of Heaven; we will onely take a view of them, and in some scantling or other you may guesse at Heavens happinesse.
With me] and therefore with my Saints; blessed man that from a crew of thieves (by one hours repentance) became a companion of Saints: and now he is a Saint amongst them, what joy is that he enjoys with them? O my soul, couldst thou so steal Heaven by remorse for sin, then mightst thou see— what? all those millions of Saints that ever lived on earth, and are in Heaven;
there are those holy Patriarchs, Adam, Noah, Abraham, and the rest, not now in their pilgrimage tossed to and fro on earth, but abiding for ever on Mount Zion, the City of the living God: there are those goodly Prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the rest, not now subject to the torments of their cruel adversaries, but wearing Palms, and Crowns and all
⟨p. 211⟩
other glorious Ensigns of their victorious triumphs: there live those glorious Apostles, Peter, Andrew, James, John, and the rest, not now in danger of persecution or death, but arrayed in long robes washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb:
there live those women-Saints, Mary, Martha, and that Virgin-mother, not now weeping at our Saviours death, but singing unto him those heavenly songs of praise & glory world without end: there are those tender infants (an hundred forty four thousand, Revel. 14.1.
) not now under Herod's knife bleeding unto death, but harping on their harps, and following the Lamb whithersoever he goeth: there lives that noble army of Martyrs, (they that were slain upon the earth, Revel. 18.24.
) not now sighing in this vale of tears but singing sweet songs that echo through the Heavens, as the voice of many waters, as the voice of mighty thunderings, so is their voice saying, Hallelujah,
for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. And is not here a goodly troop, a sweet company, a blessed society and fellowship of Saints? O my soul; how happy wert thou to be with them! yea, how happy will that day be to thee, when thou shalt meet all the Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Disciples, Innocents, Martyrs, the Saints, and servants of the King of Heaven? why thus happy and blessed, is this penitent Thief:
With me] and therefore with my Saints; blessed man that from a crew of thieves (by one houres repentance) became a companion of Saints: and now he is a Saint amongst them, what joy is that he enjoys with them? O my soul, couldst thou so steal Heaven by remorse for sinne, then mightst thou see— what? all those millions of Saints that ever lived on earth, and are in Heaven;1 there are those holy Patriarchs, Adam, Noah, Abraham, and the rest, not now in their pilgrimage tossed to and fro on earth, but abiding for ever on Mount Sion, the City of the living God: there are those goodly Prophets, Esay, Jeremy, Ezekiel, and the rest, not now subject to the torments of their cruell adversaries, but wearing Palms, and Crowns and all ⟨p. 211⟩other glorious Ensigne• of their victorious triumphs: there live those glorious Apostles, Peter, Andrew, James, John, and the rest, not now in danger of persecution or death, but arrayed in long robes washed and made white in the bloud of the Lamb: 2there live those women-Saints, Mary, Martha, and that Virgin-mother, not now weeping at our Saviours death, but singing unto him those heavenly songs of praise & glory world without end: there are those tender infants (an hundred forty four thousand, Revel. 14.1.3) not now under Herods knife bleeding unto death, but harping on their harps, and following the Lamb whithersoever he goeth: there lives that noble armie of Martyrs, (they that were slain upon the earth, Revel. 18.24.4) not now under the mercilesse hands of cruell tyrants, but singing and saying their Hallelujahs, salvation, and glory, and honour, 5and power be unto the Lord our God: t•ere dwell all the Saints and servants of God (both small and great, Revel. 19.5.6) not now sighing in this vale of tears but singing sweet songs that eccho through the Heavens, as the voice of many waters, as the voice of mighty thunderings, so is their voice saying, Hellelujah, 7for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. And is not here a goodly troop, a sweet company, a blessed societie and fellowship of Saints? O my soul; how happie wer't thou to be with them! yea, how happie will that day be to thee, when thou shalt meet all the Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Disciples, Innocents, Martyrs, the Saints, and servants of the King of Heaven? why thus happie and blessed, is this penitent Thief:
no sooner entered he into the gates of Heaven, but there meets him with music and dancing, 1all the quire of Heaven, and (Lord) what a joy entered into his soul, when his soul entered into his masters joy? Tell me (could I speak with thee that dwellest in the Heavens) what a day was that, when stepping from the Cross, and conducted to Paradise, thou wast there received with all honourable companies and troops above? there did the Patriarchs meet thee, and the Prophets hug thee, and the Martyrs struck up their Harps to bid thee welcome to the Tabernacle of Heaven. Such honour have all his Saints that attain the fellowship of the Saints in glory.
no sooner entred he into the gates of Heaven, but there meets him with musick and dancing, 1all the quire of Heaven, and (Lord) what a joy entred into his soul, when his soul entred into his masters joy? Tell me (could I speak with thee that dwellest in the Heavens) what a day was that, when stepping from the Crosse, and conducted to Paradise, thou wast there received with all honourable companies and troops above? there did the Patriarchs meet thee, and the Prophets hug thee, and the Martyrs struck up their Harps to bid thee welcome to the Tabernacle of Heaven. Such honour have all his Saints that attain the fellowship of the Saints in glory.
But more then so, thou shalt be with me] and therefore with my Angels: Lo here a blessed company indeed, these are the heavenly Choristers eternally singing Jehovahs praise: The ⟨p. 210⟩[…] ⟨p. 211⟩[…] ⟨p. 212⟩Seraphims cry aloud,1 Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts, an Army answer to the anthem, Glory to God on high. The whole Quire of heaven add the burden,2 Thou art worthy, O Lord to receive honour, and glory, and power for thou hast created all things, and for thy sake they are and were cre•••d O heavenly harmony consisting of ten thousand times ten thousand various sorts of Music!3 I heard (saith John the Divine) that […] of many Angels round about the throne, and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, thousand of thousands these are the shining and singing Stars of which God told his servant Job, 4The morning stars sing together, and the ser••••• of God shout for joy. These are the winged Choristers of […], whom John the Divine heard singing their song of Hallelujah and Hosanna, 5I heard (saith he) the voice of a great multitude, as the voice of many waters the voice of •any Angels, singing, and saying Hallelujah and again Hallelujah these are the nimble Posts of heaven, 6whom Jacob say• thing […] and down the Ladder: these are the Protectors of the godly whose aid God promised the Israelites; 7Behold, I send an Angel before thee to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee to the place which I have prepared. These are the Guardians of sucking Infants, of whom our Saviour told his Disciples that in,8 Heaven their Angels always behold the face of his Father; these are the armies of God, who meeting Jacob in his journey,9 he said this is Gods Hosts these are the Spirits and Ministers of God whom David describing by the purity of their substance, and readiness of their obedience, he calls the Angels spirits and his Ministers a flame of fire. 10They are shining and singing stars winged choristers, nimble Posts of heaven, Protectors of the godly guardians of children, the armies of the Almighty, the Spirits and Ministers of the great Jehovah.
But more then so, thou shalt be with me] and therefore with my Angels: Lo here a blessed companie indeed, these are the heavenly Choristers eternally singing Jehovahs praise: The ⟨p. 210⟩〈…〉⟨p. 211⟩〈…〉⟨p. 212⟩Seraphims cry aloud,1 Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts, an Army answer to the antheme, Glory to God on high. The whole Quire of heaven add the burthen,2 Thou art wortby, O Lord to receive honour, and glory, and power for thou hast created all things, and for thy sake they are and were cre•••d O heavenly harmony consisting of ten thousand times ten thousand various sorts of Musick!3 I heard (saith John the Divine) that 〈…〉 of many Angels round about the throne, and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, thousand of thousands these are the shining and singing Starres of which God told his servant Job, 4The morning starres sing together, and the ser••••• of God shout for joy. These are the winged Ch•risters of 〈…〉, whom John the Divine heard singing their song of Hallelujah and Hosanna, 5I heard (saith he) the voice of a great multitude, as the voice of many waters the voice of •any Angels, singing, and saying Hallelujah and again Hallelujah these are the nimble Posts of heaven, 6whom Jacob say• thing 〈…〉 and down the Ladder: these are the Protectours of the godly whose aid God promised the Israelites;
What blessed company is this we shall enjoy in heaven▪ there is nothing in them but is amiable, nothing in them but is admirable: O that this clay of ours should come to dwell with th•se incorporeal spirits! and yet see here a man a thief […] the […] of men;) by his confession, and contrition, and faith in Christ is now become a companion with Angels.
What blessed companie is this we shall enjoy in heaven▪ there is nothing in them but is amiable, nothing in them but is admirable: O that this clay of ours should come to dwell with th•se incorporeall spirits! and yet see here a man a thief 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 of men;) by his confession, and contrition, and faith in Christ is now become a companion with Angels.
Nor is that all, thou shalt be with me] not only with my Saints and Angels, but with me] (with my soul) in Paradise. His soul indeed was there, though his body at that time ⟨image 113⟩was in the grave; and if the soul be it that makes us men, what a passing great joy is that, when men standing amongst the Angels shall see their Lord, the Lord of heaven, not to be an Angel, but a man? Here is the solace of Saints, when they shall see & say, who is yond that rules on the Throne of heaven? who is yond that sits on the right hand of God the Father? and they shall answer themselves again, it is he that for us became man; for the salvation, it is he that of our souls hath took upon him a body & soul. And think now with thy self whosoever thou art that readst (if thou wilt but spend thy few evil days in his fear, & so die in his favour) what a comfort will it be unto thee to see that Lamb sitting on his seat of state? If the wise men of the East came so far, and so rejoiced to see him in the Manger, what will it be to thee to see him sitting and glittering in his glory? If John Baptist did leap at his presence in his mothers belly, what shall his presence do in his royal and eternal Kingdom? It passeth all other glories (saith Austin) to be admitted to the inestimable sight of Christ his face, 1and to receive the beams of glory from the brightness of his Majesty: nay, should we suffer torments every day, or for a time the very pains of hell it self, thereby to gain the sight of Christ, and of his Saints, it were nothing in comparison. No wonder then,2 if Paul desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ. Alas, who would not be so? O most sweet Saviour (saith one devoutly) when shall this joyful day come? when shall I appear before thy face? when shall I be filled with thy excellent beauty? when shall I see that countenance of thine, which the very Angels themselves are so desirous to behold? an happy time sure will it be to each faithful soul: And thus happy was this man, he parted sorrowfully with our Saviour on the Cross, but he met him joyfully in his Kingdom: those sweet souls that both left the world at one time, no sooner had heaven gates opened unto them, but with mutual kisses they embraced each other in unspeakable manner.
Nor is that all, thou shalt be with me] not onely with my Saints and Angels, but with me] (with my soul) in Paradise. His soul indeed was there, though his body at that time ⟨image 113⟩was in the grave; and if the soul be it that makes us men, what a passing great joy is that, when men standing amongst the Angels shall see their Lord, the Lord of heaven, not to be an Angel, but a man? Here is the solace of Saints, when they shal see & say, who is yond that rules on the Throne of heaven? who is yond that sits on the right hand of God the Father? and they shal answer themselves again, it is he that for us became man; for the salvation, it is he that of our souls hath took upon him a body & soul. And think now with thy self whosoever thou art that readst (if thou wilt but spend thy few evil dayes in his fear, & so die in his favour) what a comfort will it be unto thee to see that Lamb sitting on his seat of state? If the wise men of the East came so far, and so rejoyced to see him in the Manger, what will it be to thee to see him sitting and glittering in his glory? If John Baptist did leap at his presence in his mothers belly, what shall his presence do in his royall and eternall Kingdome? It passeth all other glories (saith Austin) to be admitted to the inestimable sight of Christ his face, 1and to receive the beams of glory from the brightnesse of his Majestie: nay, should we suffer torments every day, or for a time the very pains of hell it self, thereby to gain the sight of Christ, and of his Saints, it were nothing in comparison. No wonder then,2 if Paul desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ. Alas, who would not be so? O most sweet Saviour (saith one devoutly) when shall this joyfull day come? when shall I appear before thy face? when shall I be filled with thy excellent beautie? when shall I see that countenance of thine, which the very Angels themselves are so desirous to behold? an happie time sure will it be to each faithfull soul: And thus happie was this man, he parted sorrowfully with our Saviour on the Crosse, but he met him joyfully in his Kingdome: those sweet souls that both left the world at one time, no sooner had heaven gates opened unto them, but with mutuall kisses they embraced each other in unspeakable manner.
Nor was this all, thou shalt be with me,] not only with my soul, but with my God-head: this indeed was the height of bliss, the very soul of heavens joy it self; set aside this, and crown a man with the Empire of all the earth, the splendour of heaven, the royal endowments of a glorified soul, the sweetest company of Saints and Angels, yet still would his soul be full of emptiness, ⟨image 114⟩and utterly to seek for the surest Sanctuary whereon to rest: only once admit him to the face of God, and then presently, and never before, his infinite desire expires in the bosom of his Maker: I deny not but the other joys in heaven are transcendent and ravishing, but they are all no better then accessories to this principal, drops to this Ocean, glimpses to this Sun. If you ask how can our souls enjoy this God-head? I answer, two ways; first, by the understanding; secondly, by the will. The understanding is filled by a clear glorious sight of God,1 called Beatifical vision; we shall see him face to face, saith Paul, 1 Cor. 13.12. We shall see him as he is, saith John, 1John 3.2.2 For as the Sun by his beams and brightness enlightens the eye, and the air, that we may see not only all other things, but also his own glorious face: so God, blessed for ever (in whose presence ten thousand of our suns would vanish away as a darksome mote) doth by the light of his Majesty, so irradiate the minds of all the blessed, that they behold in him, not only the beauty of all his Creatures, but of himself; and thus shall we see and know that glorious mystery of the Trinity, the goodness of the Father, the wisdom of the Son, the love and comfortable fellowship of the holy Spirit; nothing that can be known, but in him we shall know it, in most ample manner.
Nor was this all, thou shalt be with me,] not onely with my soul, but with my God-head: this indeed was the height of blisse, the very soul of heavens joy it self; set aside this, and crown a man with the Empire of all the earth, the splendour of heaven, the royall endowments of a glorified soul, the sweetest company of Saints and Angels, yet still would his soul be full of emptinesse, ⟨image 114⟩and utterly to seek for the surest Sanctuary whereon to rest: onely once admit him to the face of God, and then presently, and never before, his infinite desire exspires in the bosome of his Maker: I denie not but the other joyes in heaven are transcendent and ravishing, but they are all no better then accessories to this principall, drops to this Ocean, glimpses to this Sunne. If you ask how can our souls enjoy this God-head? I answer, two wayes; first, by the understanding; secondly, by the will. The understanding is filled by a clear glorious sight of God,1 called Beatificall vision; we shall see him face to face, saith Paul, 1 Cor. 13.12. We shall see him as he is, saith John, 1John 3.2.2 For as the Sunne by his beams and brightnesse illightens the eye, and the air, that we may see not onely all other things, but also his own glorious face: so God, blessed for ever (in whose presence ten thousand of our suns would vanish away as a darksome mote) doth by the light of his Majestie, so irradiate the minds of all the blessed, that they behold in him, not onely the beautie of all his Creatures, but of himself; and thus shall we see and know that glorious mystery of the Trinitie, the goodnesse of the Father, the wisdome of the Sonne, the love and comfortable fellowship of the holy Spirit; nothing that can be known, but in him we shall know it, in most ample manner.
Secondly, the will is for ever satisfied with a perfect inward, and eternal communion with God himself; Christ that is God and man, by his Man-hood assumed uniteth us unto God, and by his God-head assuming uniteth God unto us, so that by this secret and sacred communion, we are made partakers (and as it were possessors) of God himself: O bottomless depth, and dearest confluence of joys and pleasures everlasting! here is the perfection of all good things, the Crown of glory, the very life of Life everlasting. And well may it be so, for what can the soul desire, God will not be unto her? It is he that is eminently in himself beauty to our eyes, music to our ears, honey to our mouths, perfume to our nostrils, light to our understanding, delight to our will, continuation of eternity to our memory; in him shall we enjoy all the varieties of times, all the beauty of creatures, all the pleasures of Paradise. Blessed Thief, what a glory was this to be admitted to the society of Christ in his Deity! thou shalt be with me?] how then should he be ⟨p. 215⟩but happy? Where could he be ill with him? 1where could he be well without him? In thy presence there is fullness of joy, and at thy right hand there are pleasures evermore; joy, and fullness of joy: pleasures, and everlasting pleasures: Blessed are all they that live in thy house, O Lord, for they shall praise thee eternally world without end, Psal. 84.4.2
Secondly, the will is for ever satisfied with a perfect inward, and eternall communion with God himself; Christ that is God and man, by his Man-hood assumed uniteth us unto God, and by his God-head assuming uniteth God unto us, so that by this secret and sacred communion, we are made partakers (and as it were possessours) of God himself: O bottomlesse depth, and dearest confluence of joyes and pleasures everlasting! here is the perfection of all good things, the Crown of glory, the very life of Life everlasting. And well may it be so, for what can the soul desire, God will not be unto her? It is he that is eminently in himself beauty to our eyes, musick to our ears, honey to our mouthes, perfume to our nostrils, light to our understanding, delight to our will, continuation of eternitie to our memorie; in him shall we enjoy all the varieties of times, all the beautie of creatures, all the pleasures of Paradise. Blessed Thief, what a glory was this to be admitted to the societie of Christ in his Deitie! thou shalt be with me?] how then should he be ⟨p. 215⟩but happie? Where could he be ill with him? 1where could he be well without him? In thy presence there is fulnesse of joy, and at thy right hand there are pleasures evermore; joy, and fulnesse of joy: pleasures, and everlasting pleasures: Blessed are all they that live in thy house, O Lord, for they shall praise thee eternally world without end, Psal. 84.4.2
1Ubi malè poterat esse cum illo? ubi bene poterat esse sine illo? Aug. Psal. 16.11.Ʋbi malè poterat esse cum illo? ubi bene poterat esse sine illo? Aug. Psal. 16.11.
Use. 1 Who then would not forsake Father and Mother, the dearest fellowship of this world to be with Christ in his Kingdom? You that love one another in the deepest bonds, who cannot part out of this life but with the survivors grief, and hearts break: tell me what a merry day will that be, when (you shall not only meet again, never more to part asunder, but when) Christ our Saviour shall gladly welcome you (every one of you) into his society, thou shalt be with me,] and let me speak to the joy of us all, I mean all broken-hearted Christians, (as for you that are profane ones, you have your portion here, therefore stand you by, and let the Children come to their share) a day will come, I trust in the Lord, when I shall meet you, and you me in the Kingdom of heaven: a day will come, I trust in the Lord, when you and I shall be all admitted into the society of God, and of Christ, and of his Saints, and of the Angels: a day will come, I trust in the Lord, when with these eyes we shall behold our Redeemer, together with that Thief that was crucified with him: a day will come, I trust in the Lord, when we shall meet again with all the Saints that are gone afore us: and is not this a comfort? what shall we say when we see our Saviour in his Throne, waited on with Mary his Mother, and Magdalen and Martha, and Lazarus, and Paul, and Peter, and all the Apostles and Disciples of our Lord and Saviour? yea, when this Thief shall be presented to our view, the wounds in his hands and his feet shining like Stars, and Pearls, and Rubies, all his body glittering in glory, and his soul magnifying the Lord for his conversion and salvation world without end.
Ʋse. 1 Who then would not forsake Father and Mother, the dearest fellowship of this world to be with Christ in his Kingdome? You that love one another in the deepest bonds, who cannot part out of this life but with the survivours grief, and hearts break: tell me what a merry day will that be, when (you shall not onely meet again, never more to part asunder, but when) Christ our Saviour shall gladly welcome you (every one of you) into his societie, thou shalt be with me,] and let me speak to the joy of us all, I mean all broken-hearted Christians, (as for you that are profane ones, you have your portion here, therefore stand you by, and let the Children come to their share) a day will come, I trust in the Lord, when I shall meet you, and you me in the Kingdome of heaven: a day will come, I trust in the Lord, when you and I shall be all admitted into the societie of God, and of Christ, and of his Saints, and of the Aagels: a day will come, I trust in the Lord, when with these eyes we shall behold our Redeemer, together with that Thief that was crucified with him: a day will come, I trust in the Lord, when we shall meet again with all the Saints that are gone afore us: and is not this a comfort? what shall we say when we see our Saviour in his Throne, waited on with Mary his Mother, and Magdalen and Martha, and Lazarus, and Paul, and Peter, and all the Apostles and Disciples of our Lord and Saviour? yea, when this Thief shall be presented to our view, the wounds in his hands and his feet shining like Starres, and Pearls, and Rubies, all his body glittering in glory, and his soul magnifying the Lord for his conversion and salvation world without end.
Use. 2 But stay, least we be lead too forward, there is no such thing for us, if now we are not in the Covenant of grace: heaven is both happy and holy, and if we would enjoy heaven, then we ⟨p. 216⟩must fit our selves to that estate to which God hath preserved us: to this purpose saith the Apostle, Our conversation is in heaven, from whence we look for the Saviour, Phil. 3.20.1 He was assured of heaven, and therefore he conversed as a Citizen of heaven before he came there, every way he ••rried himself (as much as earth would suffer him) like them that live in heaven: and thus must we (if ever we go to heaven) become like to those that are in that place. Deceive not your selves, neither Whoremongers, no Adulterers, nor Extortioners, nor the like shall enter into the Kingdom of God, 1 Cor. 6.9.2 Do men who live in these sins without all remorse or repentance ever think to go to heaven? is it possible that ever any flesh should go out of the puddle into Paradise?3 no, no, Away ye workers of iniquity, I know you not, saith our Saviour: let no man cherish presumptions of an heavenly Kingdom, except he abstain from all sins against Conscience. What then? but so live we here as becomes his servants, and thus when we part, it is but for better company: we lose a few friends, but we shall find him that welcomes all his with this heavenly harmony, thou shalt be—with whom? with me,] in Paradise.
Ʋse. 2 But stay, least we be lead too forward, there is no such thing for us, if now we are not in the Covenant of grace: heaven is both happie and holy, and if we would enjoy heaven, then we ⟨p. 216⟩must fit our selves to that estate to which God hath preserved us: to this purpose saith the Apostle, Our conversation is in heaven, from whence we look for the Saviour, Phil. 3.20.1 He was assured of heaven, and therefore he conversed as a Citizen of heaven before he came there, every way he ••rried himself (as much as earth would suffer him) like them that live in heaven: and thus must we (if ever we go to heaven) become like to those that are in that place. Deceive not your selves, neither Whoremongers, no Adulterers, nor Extortioners, nor the like shall enter into the Kingdome of God, 1 Cor. 6.9.2 Do men who live in these sinnes without all remorse or repentance ever think to go to heaven? is it possible that ever any flesh should go out of the puddle into Paradise?3 no, no, Away ye workers of iniquitie, I know you not, saith our Saviour: let no man cherish presumptions of an heavenly Kingdome, except he abstain from all sinnes against Conscience. What then? but so live we here as becomes his servants, and thus when we part, it is but for better companie: we lose a few friends, but we shall find him that welcomes all his with this heavenly harmonie, thou shalt be—with whom? with me,] in Paradise.
Hitherto of the Society. The last thing considerable is the place or Ubi where his soul arrived; but of that hereafter, as the Lord shall enable me. God give us all grace •o to live here that howsoever we go hence one after another, yet at last we may all meet together with our Lord and Saviour in his heavenly Paradise.
Hitherto of the Society. The last thing considerable is the place or Ʋbi where his soul arrived; but of that hereafter, as the Lord shall inable me. God give us all grace •o to live here that howsoever we go hence one after another, yet at last we may all meet together with our Lord and Saviour in his heavenly Paradise.
And where was that? our Adversaries say in Limbus, and yet (to give them their due) Bellarmine so means not as that Limbus was Paradise, 1but that in Limbus this thief had his Paradise, to wit, the vision of God: The vision of God (saith Bellarmine) is a true Paradise indeed, not local, but spiritual. But with Bellarmines leave we have no such sense of Paradise, in any part of holy Writ. In the old Testament we read of an earthly Paradise, wherein Adam lived; in the new Testament we read of an Heavenly Paradise, whither Paul was caught, yet both these were local, for the one (saith Moses) ⟨p. 217⟩was a garden Eastward in Eden, Gen 2.8.2 and the other (saith Paul) was in heaven, which he calls the third heaven, 2. Cor. 12.2.3 and that Paradise in my Text must be understood of Heaven, this resemblance confirms; the first Adam sinned against God, and was presently cast out of that Paradise on earth; the second Adam made satisfaction for sin, and so must presently enter into this Paradise of heaven: because of the sin of the first Adam, both he and all his posterity were thrust out of Eden; because of the sufferings of the second Adam, both he, and we, this Thief, and all believers, are to go into heaven. So then this Paradise whither Christ is gone, and this Thief went with him, what is it? but as Paul calls it, the third heaven? or as the Thief himself styled it in his prayer to our Saviour, Remember me; where? in thy Kingdom.
ANd where was that? our Adversaries say in Limbus, and yet (to give them their due) Bellarmine so means not as that Limbus was Paradise, 1but that in Limbus this thief had his Paradise, to wit, the vision of God: The vision of God (saith Bellarmine) is a true Paradise indeed, not locall, but spirituall. But with Bellarmines leave we have no such sense of Paradise, in any part of holy Writ. In the old Testament we read of an earthly Paradise, wherein Adam lived; in the new Testament we read of an Heavenly Paradise, whither Paul was caught, yet both these were locall, for the one (saith Moses) ⟨p. 217⟩was a garden Eastward in Eden, Gen 2.8.2 and the other (saith Paul) was in heaven, which he calls the third heaven, 2. Cor. 12.2.3 and that Paradise in my Text must be understood of Heaven, this resemblance confirms; the first Adam sinned against God, and was presently cast out of that Paradise on earth; the second Adam made satisfaction for sinne, and so must presently enter into this Paradise of heaven: because of the sinn of the first Adam, both he and all his posterity were thrust out of Eden; because of the sufferings of the second Adam, both he, and we, this Thief, and all believers, are to go into heaven. So then this Paradise whither Christ is gone, and this Thief went with him, what is it? but as Paul calls it, the third heaven? or as the Thief himself styled it in his prayer to our Saviour, Remember me; where? in thy Kingdome.
1Illa enim verè Paradisus deliciarum est, non corporalis, aut localis, sed spiritualis & coelestis. Bellar. de 7. verbis Domini l. 1. cap. 4.
And if this be it we call Paradise, what can we say of it? It is not for us (saith Bernard) in these earthly bodies to mount into the Clouds, 1to pierce this fullness of light to break into this bottomless depth of glory; this is reserved to the last day, when Christ Jesus shall present us glorious and pure to his Father, without spot or wrinkle. And yet because God in his Word doth here give us a taste of heaven, by comparing it with the most precious things that are on earth, let us follow him so far as he hath revealed it, and no further.
And if this be it we call Paradise, what can we say of it? It is not for us (saith Bernard) in these earthly bodies to mount into the Clouds, 1to pierce this fulnesse of light to break into this bottomlesse depth of glory; this is reserved to the last day, when Christ Iesus shall present us glorious and pure to his Father, without spot or wrinkle. And yet because God in his Word doth here give us a taste of heaven, by comparing it with the most precious things that are on earth, let us follow him so far as he hath revealed it, and no further.
Behold, I send an Angel before thee to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee to the place which I have prepared. These are the Guardians of sucking Infants, of whom our Saviour told his Disciples that in,
he said this is Gods Hosts these are the Spirits and Ministers of God whom David describing by the purity of their substance, and readinesse of their obedience, he calls the Angels spirits and his Ministers a flame of fire.
They are shining and singing stars winged choristers, nimble Posts of heaven, Protectours of the godly guardians of children, the armies of the Almighty, the Spirits and Ministers of the great Jehovah.
