A Body of Practical Divinity

1. Use of Exhortation. Let it be the chief end of our living to enjoy this Chief Good hereafter; this is that will crown us with Happiness. Austin reckons up two hundred eighty eight Opinions among the Philosophers about Happiness, but all did shoot short of the Mark. The highest Elevation of a reasonable Soul, is to enjoy God for ever. It is the enjoying God, makes Heaven, 1 Thess. 4.17. Then shall we ever be with the Lord. The Soul trembles, as the Needle in the Compass, and is never at rest till it comes to God. To set out this excellent State of a Glorified Soul's enjoying God; 1. This enjoying of God must not be understood in a Sensual Manner; we must not conceive any Carnal Pleasures in Heaven. The Turks in their Alcoran speak of a Paradise of Pleasure, where they have Riches in abundance, and red Wine served in Golden Chalices. Here is an Heaven consisting of Pleasures for the Body; the Epicures of this Age would like such an Heaven when they die. Though indeed the State of Glory be compared to a Feast, and is set out by Pearls and precious Stones, yet these Metaphors are only to be Helps to our Faith, and to show us that there is Superabundant Joy and Felicity in the Empyrean Heaven; but those are not carnal, but sacred Delights. As our Employments shall be spiritual, it will consist in Adoring and Praising of God: so our Enjoyment shall be spiritual, ⟨p. 12⟩it shall consist in the having the Perfection of Holiness, in seeing the pure Face of Christ, in feeling the Love of God, in conversing with Heavenly Spirits; these Delights will be more adequate and proper for the Soul, and infinitely exceed all carnal voluptuous Delights. 2. We shall have a Lively Sense of this glorious Estate. A Man in a Lethargy, though he be alive, yet he is as good as dead, because he is not sensible, nor doth he take any pleasure in his Life; we shall have a quick and lively sense of the infinite Pleasure which ariseth from Enjoyment of God; we shall know our selves to be happy; we shall reflect with joy upon our Dignity and Felicity; we shall taste every Crumb of that Sweetness, every Drop of that Pleasure which flows from God. We shall be made able to bear a sight of that Glory. We could not now bear that Glory, it would overwhelm us; sensibile fortè destruit sensum, as a weak Eye cannot behold the Sun; but God will capacitate us for Glory;

1. Use of Exhortation. Let it be the chief end of our living to enjoy this Chief Good hereafter; this is that will crown us with Happiness. Austin reckons up two hundred eighty eight Opinions among the Philosophers about Happiness, but all did shoot short of the Mark. The highest Elevation of a reasonable Soul, is to enjoy God for ever. It is the enjoying God, makes Heaven,