Armatura Dei, or, A preparation for suffering in an evil day showing how Christians…Armatura Dei, or, A preparation for suffering in an evil day shewing how Christians…

2. Hope assures us, that the good things of the World to come do incomparably exceed the things of this World. If the things of this world were the better, no man would leave better for worse; nay, if they were but equal, no man would part with that in possession for that in expectation; But Hope assures us, that the good things of the World to come do far transcend those that are in this World: The mansions in glory are better then the houses of clay; the incorruptible inheritance exceeds a fading one; eternal Life is much more precious then temporal; the crowns of immortality above outshine all the titles of honour here below; the pure rivers of Pleasure in Heaven are ⟨p. 82⟩far sweeter then the delights on earth; the fruition of God (who is the supreme Good, Centre of Souls, Sabbath of rest, and Fountain of blessedness) cannot but be infinitely beyond the enjoyment of Creatures. A good assurance, that these things are so, will dispose us, to part with the lesser concerns here below, that we may enjoy the greater that are above. We read of some Worthies, that took joyfully the spoiling of their goods, because they had in Heaven a better & enduring substance, Hebr. 10.34. And again, of some, that would not accept deliverance, because they would obtain a better resurrection, Heb. 11.35. Shadows & trifles were to be parted with, rather then Massy & durable Felicity; the bubble or vapour of a transitory Life was to be let go, rather then an everlasting one. When in the Persecution under Diocletian, the Martyrs were asked, What made them bear such torments; and what they expected after all their sufferings? They made this answer, That they did hope for those good things, which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, which God hath prepared for them that Love him. We see what bore up their spirits in their sufferings; Let us labour to have an high sense of the excellencies of the World to come, that, if need ⟨p. 83⟩be, we may part with all for it.

2. Hope assures us, that the good things of the World to come do incomparably exceed the things of this World. If the things of this world were the better, no man would leave better for worse; nay, if they were but equal, no man would part with that in possession for that in expectation; But Hope assures us, that the good things of the World to come do far transcend those that are in this World: The mansions in glory are better then the houses of clay; the incorruptible inheritance exceeds a fading one; eternal Life is much more pretious then temporal; the crowns of immortality above outshine all the titles of honor here below; the pure rivers of Pleasure in Heaven are