The saints everlasting rest

2. This rest containeth a perfect freedom from all the evils that accompany us through our course, and which necessarily follow our absence from the chief good: besides our freedom from those eternal flames, which the neglecters of Christ must endure. There is no such a thing as grief and sorrow known there: nor is there such a thing as a pale face, a languid body, feeble joints, unable infancy, decrepit age, peccant humours, painful sickness, griping fears, consuming care, nor whatsoever deserves the name of evil. Indeed a gale of groans and sighs, a stream of tears, accompanied us to the very gates, and there bid us farewell for-ever. We did weep and lament, when the world did rejoice; but our sorrow is turned into joy, and our joy shall no man take from us.

2. This rest containeth a perfect freedom from all the evils that accompany us through our course, and which necessarily follow our absence from the chief good: besides our freedom from those eternal flames, which the neglecters of Christ must endure. There is no such a thing as grief and sorrow known there: nor is there such a thing as a pale face, a languid body, feeble joints, unable infancy, decripid age, peccant humours, painful sickness, griping fears, consuming care, nor whatsoever deserves the name of evil. Indeed a gale of groans and sighs, a stream of tears, accompanied us to the very gates, and there bid us farewell for-ever. We did weep and lament, when the world did rejoice; but our sorrow is turned into joy, and our joy shall no man take from us.

3. This rest containeth the highest degree of perfection, both of soul and body. This qualifies them to enjoy the glory, and thoroughly to partake the sweetness of it. Were the glory never so great, and themselves not made capable of it, it would be little to them. But the more perfect the appetite, the sweeter the food. The more musical the ear, the more pleasant the melody. The more perfect the soul, the more joyous those joys, and the more glorious is that glory. Nor is it only sinful imperfection that is removed, nor only that which is the fruit of sin, but that which adhered to us in our pure nature. There is far more procured by Christ, than was lost by Adam. It is the misery of wicked men here, that all without them is mercy, but within them an heart full of sin, shuts the door against all, and makes them but the more miserable. When all is well within, then all is well indeed. Therefore will GOD, as a special part of his saints happiness, perfect themselves as well as their condition.