The Christian's charter showing the privileges of a believerThe Christian's charter shewing the priviledges of a believer

How is the world adored, which is but a Pageant or apparition! It is reported of Caesar, that travelling on a time through a certain City, as he passed along, he saw the women for the most part, playing with Monkeys and Parrots: at which sight, he said, What? have they no children to play with? So I say, when I see men toying with these ⟨p. 143⟩earthly and beggarly delights, What? are there not more glorious and sublime things to look after? That which our Saviour saith to the woman of Samaria, If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water^*; the same may I say, Did men know these eternal Mansions, and what it were to be digging in these rich Mines of glory: would God give them a Vision of heaven a while, as he did Peter, who saw heaven opened, Act. 10.11. how would they fall into a Trance, (being amazed and filled with joy!) and being a little recovered out of it, how importunately would they beg of God, that they might be adopted into this stately inheritance! But what do I expatiate? these things are unspeakable and full of glory. Had I as many tongues as hairs on my ⟨p. 144⟩head I could never sufficiently set forth the beauty and resplendency of this inheritance. Such was the curious art of Apelles in drawing of Pictures, that if another had taken up the Pencil to draw, he had spoiled all Apelles work. Such is the excellency of this celestial Paradise, that if the Angels should take up their Pencil, to delineate it in its colours, they would but stain and eclipse the glory of it. I have given you only the dark shadow in the Picture, and that but rudely and imperfectly. Such is the beauty and bliss of this inheritance, that as Chrysostom saith, if it were possible that all the sufferings of the Saints could be laid upon one man, it were not worth one hours being in Heaven.

How is the world adored, which is but a Pageant or apparition! It is reported of Caesar, that travelling on a time through a certaine City, as he passed along, he saw the women for the most part, playing with Monkies and Parrets: at which sight, he said, What? have they no children to play with? So I say, when I see men toying with these