Christian, Didst thou never taste and see that the Lord is gracious? Didst thou never in thy closet enjoy fellowship with the father, and with Jesus Christ his Son? Didst thou never find one day in Gods Courts, nay one hour, better then a thousand elsewhere? Did the Lord Jesus never call thee aside from others, and carry thee into his banqueting-house and cause his banner over thee to be love? Did he never kiss thee with the kisses of his lips, and embrace thee in his dearest arms? Hast thou not sometimes seen the smiles of his face, and found them better then life? And hearing his voice, known thy heart-burning towards him with love? Dost thou not remember at such a time he took thee up into his Chariot, and gave thee a token for good, showing thee a glimpse of thy future glory, solacing thy soul with a sense of his favour, ravishing thy heart with hopes of thy eternal happiness, when thou didst wonder exceedingly at the creatures emptiness, and befool ⟨p. 308⟩thy self for doting so much upon nothing, when thou didst see sin in its opposition and contrariety to the divine nature, and thy own welfare, and didst curse thy lusts with the most bitter curses, whereby thou had offended so gracious a Lord; when thou didst behold the Lord Jesus in all his embroidery and glory! O how lovely was he in thine eyes! how sweet was he to thy taste! how precious was he in thy esteem! how closely was thy soul joined to him! how largely was thy spirit drawn out after him! how earnestly didst thou desire to be ever with him! when thou thoughtest what joy is there in being with Christ, if there be so much in Christs being with me! How happy are they that enjoy the fountain, if some small streams are so pleasant! when thou saidst, Master it is good to be here, Let us build a tabernacle! My soul is filled with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips. One thing do I desire of the Lord, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord for ever & ever. This is the foretaste of glory, by this thou mayest conceive what heaven will be. As Fulgentius when he beheld the beauty and bravery, the glory and gallantry of Rome cried out, ⟨p. 309⟩If earthly Rome be so glorious, how glorious is heavenly Rome! 1so thou mayst gather, if thou hast so much joy when thou hast heaven only in hope, what joy shalt thou have when thou shalt have it in hand!
Christian, Didst thou never taste and see that the Lord is gracious? Didst thou never in thy closet enjoy fellowship with the father, and with Jesus Christ his Son? Didst thou never find one day in Gods Courts, nay one hour, better then a thousand elsewhere? Did the Lord Jesus never call thee aside from others, and carry thee into his banqueting-house and cause his banner over thee to be love? Did he never kiss thee with the kisses of his lips, and embrace thee in his dearest arms? Hast thou not sometimes seen the smiles of his face, and found them better then life? And hearing his voice, known thy heart-burning towards him with love? Dost thou not remember at such a time he took thee up into his Chariot, and gave thee a token for good, shewing thee a glimpse of thy future glory, solacing thy soul with a sense of his favour, ravishing thy heart with hopes of thy eternal happiness, when thou didst wonder exceedingly at the creatures emptiness, and befool ⟨p. 308⟩thy self for doting so much upon nothing, when thou didst see sin in its opposition and contrariety to the divine nature, and thy own welfare, and didst curse thy lusts with the most bitter curses, whereby thou had offended so gracious a Lord; when thou didst behold the Lord Jesus in all his embroydery and glory! O how lovely was he in thine eyes! how sweet was he to thy taste! how precious was he in thy esteem! how closely was thy soul joyned to him! how largely was thy spirit drawn out after him! how earnestly didst thou desire to be ever with him! when thou thoughtest what joy is there in being with Christ, if there be so much in Christs being with me! How happy are they that enjoy the fountain, if some small streams are so pleasant! when thou saidst, Master it is good to be here, Let us build a tabernacle! My soul is filled with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips. One thing do I desire of the Lord, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord for ever & ever. This is the foretaste of glory, by this thou maist conceive what heaven will be. As Fulgentius when he beheld the beauty and bravery, the glory and gallantry of Rome cryed out, ⟨p. 309⟩If earthly Rome be so glorious, how glorious is heavenly Rome! 1so thou mayst gather, if thou hast so much joy when thou hast heaven onely in hope, what joy shalt thou have when thou shalt have it in hand!
- 1Si talis est R ma terrestris, quatis est Roma coelestis!
