A Body of Practical Divinity

Resp. 1. Negatively; Not for himself; he did not need it, being infinite. He was happy before the World was, in reflecting upon his own sublime Excellencies ⟨p. 67⟩and Perfections. 2. God did not make the World to be a place of Mansion for us, we are not to abide here for ever. Heaven is the Mansion-House, John 14.2. the World is only a Passage-room to Eternity; the World is to us as the Wilderness was to Israel, not to rest in, but to travel through to the glorious Canaan. The World is a Tiring-room to dress our Souls in, not a place where we are to stay for ever. The Apostle tells us of the Worlds Funerals, 2 Pet. 3.10. The Elements shall melt with fervent heat, the Earth also and the Works that are therein shall be burnt up.

Resp. 1. Negatively; Not for himself; he did not need it, being infinite. He was happy before the World was, in reflecting upon his own sublime Excellencies ⟨p. 67⟩and Perfections. 2. God did not make the World to be a place of Mansion for us, we are not to abide here for ever. Heaven is the Mansion-House, Iohn 14.2. the World is only a Passage-room to Eternity; the World is to us as the Wilderness was to Israel, not to rest in, but to travel through to the glorious Canaan. The World is a Tyring-room to dress our Souls in, not a place where we are to stay for ever. The Apostle tells us of the Worlds Funerals, 2 Pet. 3.10. The Elements shall melt with fervent heat, the Earth also and the Works that are therein shall be burnt up.

2. Positively; God made the World to demonstrate his own glory. The World is a Looking-glass, in which we may see the Power and Goodness of God shine forth: The Heavens declare the glory of God,