4. The Gospel, therefore, further represents to him the final eternal blessedness, and glorious state, which they that are reconciled shall be brought into. They that live under the Gospel are not mocked with shadows, and empty clouds, or with fabulous Elysiums. Nor are they put off with some unintelligible notion of only being happy in the general. But are told expressly wherein their happiness is to consist. Life and immortality are brought to light in the Gospel. 'Tis given them to understand how great a good is laid up in store. The things which eye hath not seen, and ear not heard, and which otherwise could not have entered into the heart of man, the things of Gods present and eternal Kingdom, are set in view. It shows the future state of the reconciled shall consist not only in freedom from what is evil, but in the enjoyment of the best and most delectable good. That God himself in all his glorious fullness will be their eternal and most satisfying portion. That their blessedness is ⟨p. 39⟩to lie in the perpetual fruitive vision of his blessed face, and in the fullness of joy, and the everlasting pleasures which the divine presence it self doth perpetually afford. And whereas their glorious Redeemer is so nearly allied to them, flesh of their flesh, and bone of their bone, who inasmuch as the children were made partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same, Heb. 2.14. and is become by special title their authorized Lord, they are assured (of that, than which nothing should be more grateful to them) they shall be for ever with the Lord; that they are to be where he is, to behold his glory; and shall be joint-heirs with Christ, and be glorified together with him, shall partake, according to their measure and capacity, in the same blessedness which he enjoys. Thou canst not pretend, sinner, who livest under the Gospel, that thou hast not the light of a day to show thee what blessedness is. Heaven is opened to thee. Glory beams down from thence upon thee to create thee a day, by the light whereof thou mayst see with sufficient clearness, what is the inheritance of the Saints in light. And though all is not told thee, and it do not in ⟨p. 40⟩every respect appear what we shall be; so much may be foreknown that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, and shall see him as he is. 1 Joh. 3.1, 2.
4. The Gospel, therefore, further represents to him the final eternal blessednes, and glorious state, which they that are reconcil'd shall be brought into. They that live under the Gospel are not mock't with shadowes, and empty clouds, or with fabulous Elysiums. Nor are they put off with some unintelligible notion of only being happy in the general. But are told expresly wherein their happiness is to consist. Life and immortality are brought to light in the Gospel. 'Tis given them to understand how great a good is laid up in store. The things which eye hath not seen, and ear not heard, and which otherwise could not have entered into the heart of man, the things of Gods present and eternal Kingdome, are set in view. It shewes the future state of the reconcil'd shall consist not only in freedom from what is evil, but in the enjoyment of the best and most delectable good. That God himself in all his glorious fulnes will be their eternal and most satisfying portion. That their blessednes is ⟨p. 39⟩to ly in the perpetual fruitive vision of his blessed face, and in the fulnes of joy, and the everlasting pleasures which the divine presence it self doth perpetually afford. And whereas their glorious Redeemer is so nearly ally'd to them, flesh of their flesh, and bone of their bone, who inasmuch as the children were made partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same, Heb. 2.14. and is become by special title their authoriz'd Lord, they are assured (of that, than which nothing should be more grateful to them) they shall be for ever with the Lord; that they are to be where he is, to behold his glory; and shall be joynt-heires with Christ, and be glorify'd together with him, shall partake, according to their measure and capacity, in the same blessednes which he enjoyes. Thou canst not pretend, sinner, who livest under the Gospel, that thou hast not the light of a day to shew thee what blessednes is. Heaven is opened to thee. Glory beams down from thence upon thee to create thee a day, by the light whereof thou may'st see with sufficient clearnes, what is the inheritance of the Saints in light. And thô all is not told thee, and it do not in ⟨p. 40⟩every respect appear what we shall be; so much may be foreknown that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, and shall see him as he is. 1 Joh. 3.1, 2.
