A26807:65
A short description of the blessed place and state of the saints above in…
A short description of the blessed place and state of the saints above in a discourse upon the words of Our Blessed Saviour, John XIV, 2, in my father's house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you / by William Bates.
London: printed by J.D. for J. Robinson, 1687
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.
Paul, who had experience of both in a singular manner, declares, I reckon that the Sufferings of the present State, are not worthy to be compared, to the Glory that shall be revealed in us. In that State of pure Felicity, there are no remains of Afflicting Evils; all is Peace, and Joy, and Glory.
Paul, who had experience of both in a singular manner, declares, I reckon that the Sufferings of the present State, are not worthy to be compar'd, to the Glory that shall be reveal'd in us. In that State of pure Felicity, there are no remains of Afflicting Evils; all is Peace, and Joy, and Glory.
Seneca the Philosopher, when an Exile, and confined to the Mountains of Corsica, entertained ⟨p. 91⟩himself with the contemplation of the Heavens,1 and the bright Luminaries, in their various but regular Motions: Thus when banished from the Court and City, he dwelt amongst the Stars, and casting his Eyes down upon the Earth, despised all Humane Greatness and Possessions, (that are so vainly magnified by figurative Flatteries) as we do a grain of Sand. Did Philosophy inspire him with such Principles of Patience and Fortitude? yet it ascended no higher than the visible Heavens. How much more should Faith that raises a Christian, by high and steady Thoughts, to the Supreme Heaven where the Divine Glory shines, comfort him in all the ⟨p. 92⟩Troubles of this World. Add further, That 'tis an excellent Preservative from Envy and Fretfulness at the Prosperity of the Wicked, to consider that their Felicity is as transient and vanishing as the Trouble of the Saints:2 I have seen the Wicked in great Power, and spreading himself like a green Bay Tree: yet he passed away, and lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, and he could not be found. All the Riches, and Greatness, and Pleasures of the World are weighed, numbered, and measured by the Psalmist, and found to be as light and fading as Vanity. Naked they came into the World, and naked they must go out; and how much more tormenting will it be to be stripped of all their Enjoyments; how much more sorrowful will they be to go from their great Possessions, than for one that leaves the World, and never