The saints everlasting rest

3. Compare also the delights above with the delights that are found in natural knowledge: This is far beyond the delights of sense, and the delights of heaven are further beyond it. Think then, can an Archimedes be so taken up with his mathematical invention, that the threats of death cannot take him off? Should I not much more be taken up with the delights of glory, and die with these contemplations fresh upon my soul; especially when my death will perfect my delights? But those of Archimedes die with him. What a pleasure is it to dive into the secrets of nature! to find out the mysteries of arts and sciences! If we make but any new discovery in one of these, what singular pleasure do we find therein! Think then what high delights there are in the knowledge of GOD and Christ! If the face of human learning be so beautiful, that sensual pleasures are to it but base and brutish; how beautiful then is the face of GOD! When we light on some choice and learned book, how are we taken with it! we could read and study it day and night; we can leave meat, and drink, and sleep to read it: what delights then are there at GOD'S right hand, where we shall know in a moment more than any mortal can know!

4. Compare also the delights above, with the delights of morality, and of the natural affections. What delight had many sober heathens in the practice of moral duties; so that they took him only for an honest man who did well through the love of virtue, and not only for fear of punishment: yea, so highly did they value virtue, that they thought the chief happiness of man consisted in it. Think then what excellency there will be in that rare perfection which we shall be raised to in heaven; and in that uncreated perfection of GOD which we shall behold! What sweetness is there in the exercise of natural love; whether to children, to parents, to yoke-fellows or to friends! The delight which special, faithful friends find in loving and enjoying one another, is a most pleasing, sweet delight: even Christ himself, as it seemeth, had some of this kind of love; for he had one disciple whom he especially loved. Think then, if the delights of cordial friendship be so great, what delights shall we have in the friendship of the MOST HIGH? and in our mutual amity with Jesus Christ? and in the dearest love and comfort with the saints? Surely this will be a closer and stricter friendship than ever was betwixt any friends on earth; and these will be more lovely and desirable friends than any that ever the sun beheld; and both our affections to our Father, and our Saviour, but especially his affection to us, will be such as here we never knew; as spirits are so far more powerful than flesh, that one angel can destroy an host, so also are their affections more strong and powerful; we shall then love a thousand times more strongly and sweetly than now we can; and as all the attributes and works of GOD are incomprehensible, so is the attribute and work of love: he will love s many thousand times more, than we even at the perfectest, are able to love him: what joy then will there be in this mutual love!