1First, that there is a Heaven for the Saints after this life: the Doctrine of Heaven is only proper to Religion; Nature hath but a dark glimpse of immortality, or any being after this life, and is full of stronger Objections then Answers: and as any are more lewd in life, they are more senseless of immortality. But concerning the estate of the blessed in heaven, Nature is wholly ignorant,2 yea, the doctrine hereof is so divine, that Religion it self doth not fully portray it out in this world to any, yet as any are more holy it is more discerned. The consideration of heaven may urge us to many duties in general: if ever we would have heaven when we die, we must get holiness both imputed or infused while we liveh We must be sure we be of Gods Familyi, and that we are borne againk, In particular, we should therefore acquaint our selves with the Laws and Mysteries of Gods kingdoml: and if we may come by the means to be effectually instructed in the way to Heaven, we should account of this Pearl, and rather then loose it, sell all we have to buy itm. And we should above all things labour for the meat that perisheth not, but endures to everlasting lifen: in as much as in the Ministry of the word is many times found the Keys that open unto us the Kingdom of heaveno. And in as much as riches may prove a singular hinderance, we should take warning, and see to it that they do not entangle usp. And because in Heaven are our treasures, we should set our affections thereq, and prepare for our change and departurer. Giving allowance to no sin, no not the leasts: constantly professing and confessing Christ before men; that he may not deny us in that dayt. Yea, where God means to bestow heaven, he bestows heavenly qualities on men in this life, they are poor in ⟨p. 47⟩spiritu: they are eager after heaven and the things thereofx: they are like Children, void of earthly carking and distressful caresy: they are mercifulz: they love their enemies*.
1First, that there is a Heauen for the Saints after this life: the Doctrine of Heauen is onely proper to Religion; Nature hath but a darke glimpse of immortalitie, or any being after this life, and is full of stronger Obiections then Answeres: and as any are more lewd in life, they are more sencelesse of immortalitie. But concerning the estate of the blessed in heauen, Nature is wholy ignorant,2 yea, the doctrine hereof is so diuine, that Religion it selfe doth not fully purtray it out in this world to any, yet as any are more holy it is more discerned. The consideration of heauen may vrge vs to many duties in generall: if euer wee would haue heauen when wee die, wee must get holinesse both imputed or infused while wee liueh Wee must bee sure wee be of Gods Familiei, and that we are borne againek, In particular, we should therefore acquaint our selues with the Lawes and Mysteries of Gods kingdomel: and if we may come by the meanes to be effectually instructed in the way to Heauen, we should account of this Pearle, and rather then loose it, sell all we haue to buy itm. And wee should aboue all things labour for the meate that perisheth not, but endures to euerlasting lifen: in as much as in the Ministerie of the word is many times found the Keyes that open vnto vs the Kingdome of heaueno. And in as much as riches may prooue a singular hinderance, we should take warning, and see to it that they do not intangle vsp. And because in Heauen are our treasures, we should set our affections thereq, and prepare for our change and departurer. Giuing allowance to no sinne, no not the least
- 1Doct. There is a Heaven.Doct. There is a Heauen.
- 2Uses.Ʋses.
- hMath. 5.16 2 Pet. 1.7. Math. 7.21. 1 Pet. 2.11.14. Psal. 15.
- iEphes. 3.16.
- kJohn 3.5. Luke 13 5.
- lMat. 13.11 52.
- mMat. 13.44 45.
- nJohn 6.27.Iohn 6.27.
- oMat. 16.19. Rom. 10.6.
- pMat. 19.23.
- qMath. 6.20 Col. 3 1.
- r
