The four last things viz. death, judgment, heaven, hell, practically considered and applied in…

3. The glorified Saints in every Period of their happy state, have as lively a perception of it as in the beginning. To make this evident, we must consider that the pleasure of Novelty springs from a quick sense of the opposite terms, between our condition in the want of some desired Good, and after our obtaining it. Now the Mind is more intense on the advantage, and more strongly affected at first. One newly freed from the torments of a sharp disease, feels a greater pleasure than from a constant tenor of health. Those who are raised from a low state to eminent Dignity, are transported with their first change, but in tract of time the remembrance of their mean condition is so weakened and spent, that 'tis ⟨p. 335⟩like the shadow of a Dream, and proportionably their Joy is lessened. Honours like Perfumes, by custom are less sensible to those that carry them. But the Saints above always consider and feel the excellent difference between their suffering and triumphant state. They never lose that ravishing part of felicity, the vivid sense of past evils. Their reflections are always as strong on the Misery from whence they were raised to the pitch of Happiness, as in their first glorious Translation. In what an Ecstasy of wonder and pleasure will they be, from the fresh memory of what they were, and the joyful sense of what they are? I was (says the admiring Soul) poor, blind, and naked; but O miraculous and happy Alteration! I am full of Light, enriched with the Treasures of Heaven, adorned with Divine Glory. I was under the tyrannous power of Satan, but he is bruised under my feet. I was sentenced to an everlasting separation from the Presence of God, my only Life and Joy; but now am possest of my supreme Good. O how transporting is the comparison of these wide and contrary extremes? How beautiful and pleasant is the Day ⟨p. 336⟩of Eternity, after such a dark tempestuous Night? How does the remembrance of such Evils produce a more lively and feeling fruition of such Happiness? How strangely and mightily does Salvation with Eternal Glory affect the Soul? This gives a spritely accent to their everlasting Hallelujahs. This preserves an affectionate Heat in their Thanksgivings to their Victorious Deliverer. And thus their Happiness is always the same, and always new. Their Pleasure is continued in its Perfection.

3. The glorified Saints in every Period of their happy state, have as lively a perception of it as in the beginning. To make this evident, we must consider that the pleasure of Novelty springs from a quick sense of the opposite terms, between our condition in the want of some desired Good, and after our obtaining it. Now the Mind is more intense on the advantage, and more strongly affected at first. One newly freed from the torments of a sharp disease, feels a greater pleasure than from a constant tenour of health. Those who are rais'd from a low state to eminent Dignity, are transported with their first change, but in tract of time the remembrance of their mean condition is so weakned and spent, that 'tis