By a new heaven and a new earth, is meant the renewed estate of heaven and earth after this life, in their quality, not in their substance. For we do believe according to the Scripture, that this visible heaven, and this visible earth shall continue for ever, as touching their matter and substance; but shall be greatly altered and changed in condition and quality:1 For Saint Peter saith, We look for new heavens, and a new earth, according ⟨p. 379⟩to his promise, wherein dwelleth righteousness; that is, such heavens, and such an earth, as is free from all corruption and sin. Which thing also the Apostle Saint Paul doth plainly teach, saying,2 that the creature doth fervently expect, when the sons of God shall be revealed: that is, when Gods children shall be made known to be as they are, the very heirs of infinite glory, which in this life doth not appear. And he yielded two reasons of this desire of the creature; one is, because in the mean time it is subject to vanity and corruption: the other is, that then it shall be free from both. And for this cause the Apostle saith, that the creature groaneth with us and earnestly desireth and longeth after that day wherein it shall be set free from the bondage of corruption, 3and redintegrated and restored to that pristine estate wherein it was before the fall. But whether this is to be understood of heaven and earth only, or of heaven and earth with their adjuncts and particular creatures, I will not here go about to discuss: howbeit, I do greatly incline to their opinion, which hold, that heaven and earth, with all their furniture, being redintegrated and restored to their first estate, shall remain for ever, to ⟨p. 380⟩set forth the glory of the Creator, and for that use of glorified men which now the Angels have of them.
By a new heaven and a new earth, is meant the renewed estate of heaven and earth after this life, in their quality, not in their substance. For wee do beleeve according to the Scripture, that this visible heaven, and this visible earth shall continue for ever, as touching their matter and substance; but shall be greatly altered and changed in condition and quality:1 For Saint Peter saith, Wee look for new heavens, and a new earth, according ⟨p. 379⟩to his promise, wherein dwelleth righteousnesse; that is, such heavens, and such an earth, as is free from all corruption and sin. Which thing also the Apostle Saint Paul doth plainly teach, saying,2 that the creature doth fervently expect, when the sonnes of God shall be revealed: that is, when Gods children shall be made known to be as they are, the very heires of infinite glory, which in this life doth not appear. And hee yeelded two reasons of this desire of the creature; one is, because in the meane time it is subject to vanity and corruption: the other is, that then it shall be free from both. And for this cause the Apostle saith, that the creature groaneth with us and earnestly desireth and longeth after that day wherein it shall be set free from the bondage of corruption, 3and redintegrated and restored to that pristine estate wherein it was before the fall. But whether this is to be understood of heaven and earth onely, or of heaven and earth with their adjuncts and particular creatures, I will not here goe about to discusse: howbeit, I doe greatly incline to their opinion, which hold, that heaven and earth, with all their furniture, being redintegrated and restored to their first estate, shall remaine for ever, to ⟨p. 380⟩set forth the glory of the Creator, and for that use of glorified men which now the Angels have of them.
- 11 Pet. 3.
- 2Rom. 8.19.
- 3Rom. 8.
