An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of…

Secondly, As in the Heavens we may see what we a•e, so what ⟨p. 573⟩we should be. The purity of the Heavens tells us we should be pure, they tell us we should be heavenly-minded, that is, set our minds chiefly upon heavenly things; yea, that our minds should be like the Heavens, pure and spotless. It is said of the Church (Cant. 6.10.) Who is this that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the Moon, clear as the Sun? Such, in a qualified sense, are all the parts and true members of the Church. Shall a man say, he hopes for an inheritance in the Heavens, when his mind is earthly, or when he minds only earthly things? Worldly men are not only earthly-minded, but their minds are earth, and themselves are called earth (Jer. 22.29. and Rev. 12.16.) Surely then they are earthly. On the other hand, godly men should not only mind heavenly things, but be a Heaven before they come to Heaven. The Church on Earth is called Heaven (Heb. 12.26.) Yet once more I shake not the Earth only, but also Heaven; that is, the Church state. St John saith (Rev. 12.7.) There was war in Heaven: But is there war in Heaven? is it not all peace and joy th••e? How then saith that Scripture, There was war in Heaven? By H•aven there he means the Church on earth, which is called Heaven; First, because there is not a more lively representation or resemblance of the highest Heavens (which is the habitation of Gods holiness, and of his glory) than the Church here below, which is a company of Saints and faithful ones. Secondly, because the Church, while on Earth, hath more to do in Heaven, and for Heaven, then in or for the Earth; and that in three respects.

Secondly, As in the Heavens we may see what we a•e, so what ⟨p. 573⟩