And as Sin, so all the penal consequences of it are quite taken away. The present Life is an incurable disease, and sometimes attended with that sharp sense that Death is desired as a remedy, and accepted as a benefit. And though the Saints have reviving Cordials, yet their joys are mixed with sorrows, nay, caused by sorrows. The tears of Repentance are their sweetest refreshment. Here the living stones are cut and wounded, and made fit by Sufferings for a Temple unto God in the New Jerusalem. But as in the building of Solomon's Temple the noise of a hammer was not heard, for all the parts were framed before with that exact design and correspondence, that they firmly combined together. They were hew'n in another place, and nothing remained but the putting them one upon another in the Temple; and then, as sacred, they were inviolable. So God, the wise Architect, having prepared the Saints here by many cutting Afflictions, ⟨p. 9⟩places them in the Eternal Building, where no voice of Sorrow is heard. Of the innumerable Company above, is there any Eye that weeps, any Breast that sighs, any Tongue that complains, or appearance of Grief? The Heavenly State is called Life, as only worthy of that title. There is no infirmity of Body, no Poverty, no Disgrace, no Treachery of Friends, no Persecution of Enemies. There is no more Death, nor Sorrow, nor Crying, nor shall there be any more Pain: 1for former things are past away. God will wipe away all tears from the eyes of his People. Their Salvation is complete in all degrees. Pure Joy is the Privilege of Heaven, unmixed Sorrows the punishment of Hell.
And as Sin, so all the penal consequences of it are quite taken away. The present Life is an incurable disease, and sometimes attended with that sharp sense that Death is desir'd as a remedy, and accepted as a benefit. And though the Saints have reviving Cordials, yet their joys are mixt with sorrows, nay, caused by sorrows. The tears of Repentance are their sweetest refreshment. Here the living stones are cut and wounded, and made fit by Sufferings for a Temple unto God in the New Jerusalem. But as in the building of Solomon's Temple the noise of a hammer was not heard, for all the parts were fram'd before with that exact design and correspondence, that they firmly combin'd together. They were hew'n in another place, and nothing remain'd but the putting them one upon another in the Temple; and then, as sacred, they were inviolable. So God, the wise Architect, having prepar'd the Saints here by many cutting Afflictions, ⟨p. 9⟩places them in the Eternal Building, where no voice of Sorrow is heard. Of the innumerable Company above, is there any Eye that weeps, any Breast that sighs, any Tongue that complains, or appearance of Grief? The Heavenly State is called Life, as only worthy of that title. There is no infirmity of Body, no Poverty, no Disgrace, no Treachery of Friends, no Persecution of Enemies. There is no more Death, nor Sorrow, nor Crying, nor shall there be any more Pain: 1for former things are past away. God will wipe away all tears from the eyes of his People. Their Salvation is compleat in all degrees. Pure Joy is the Priviledg of Heaven, unmixed Sorrows the punishment of Hell.
- 1Rev. 21. 4.
