The saints everlasting rest

8. Compare the joy which thou shalt have in heaven, with that which the saints of GOD have found in the way to it, and in the foretastes of it: when thou seest a heavenly man rejoice, think what it is that so affects him. It is the property of fools to rejoice in toys; but the people of GOD are wiser, they know what it is that makes them glad. When did GOD reveal himself to any of his saints, but the joy of their hearts was answerable to the revelation? When Moses had been talking with GOD in the mount, it made his visage so shining and glorious, that the people could not endure to behold it; but he was fain to put a veil upon it: no wonder then if the face of GOD must be veiled, till we come to that state where we shall be capable of beholding him, when the veil shall be taken away, and we all beholding him with open face, shall be changed into the same image from glory to glory. Alas, what are the back parts which Moses saw from the elefts of the rock, to that open face which we shall behold hereafter! What is that revelation to John in Patmos, to this revelation which we shall have in heaven! How short doth Paul's vision come of the saints' vision above with GOD! How small a part of the glory which we must see, was that which so transported Peter in the mount! I confess these were all extraordinary foretastes; but little to the full, beatifical vision. When David foresaw the resurrection of Christ and of himself, how did it make him brake forth and say. Therefore my heart was glad, and my glory rejoiceth, my flesh also shall rest in hope. Think then, if the foresight can raise such ravishing joy, what will the actual possession do? How oft have we read and heard of the dying saints, who when they had scarce strength and life to express them, have been as full of joy as their hearts could hold? And when their bodies have been under the extremities of their sickness, yea, ready to feel the pangs of death, have yet had so much of heaven in ⟨p. 365⟩their spirits, that their joy hath far surpassed their sorrows? And if a spark of this fire be so glorious, and that in the midst of the sea of adversity; what then is that sun of glory itself?

8. Compare the joy which thou shalt have in heaven, with that which the saints of GOD have found in the way to it, and in the foretastes of it: when thou seest a heavenly man rejoice, think what it is that so affects him. It is the property of fools to rejoice in toys; but the people of GOD are wiser, they know what it is that makes them glad. When did GOD reveal himself to any of his saints, but the joy of their hearts was answerable to the revelation? When Moses had been talking with GOD in the mount, it made his visage so shining and glorious, that the people could not endure to behold it; but he was sain to put a veil upon it: no wonder then if the face of GOD must be veiled, till we come to that state where we shall be capable of beholding him, when the veil shall be taken away, and we all beholding him with open face, shall be changed into the same image from glory to glory. Alas, what are the back parts which Moses saw from the elefts of the rock, to that open face which we shall behold hereafter! What is that revelation to John in Patmos, to this revelation which we shall have in heaven! How short doth Paul's vision come of the saints' vision above with GOD! How small a part of the glory which we must see, was that which so transported Peter in the mount! I confess these were all extraordinary foretastes; but little to the full, beatifical vision. When David foresaw the resurrection of Christ and of himself, how did it make him brake forth and say. Therefore my heart was glad, and my glory rejoiceth, my flesh also shall rest in hope. Think then, if the foresight can raise such ravishing joy, what will the actual possession do? How oft have we read and heard of the dying saints, who when they had scarce strength and life to express them, have been as full of joy as their hearts could hold? And when their bodies have been under the extremities of their sickness, yea, ready to feel the pangs of death, have yet had so much of heaven in