N29704:47
Meditations on the glory of the heavenly world. I. On the happiness of the…
Meditations on the glory of the heavenly world. I. On the happiness of the soul of believers, at the instant of their separation from their bodies. II. On the glory of the bodies of God's children, in the resurrection world, when they shall be as the angels of heaven. III. On the glory of both soul and body in the heaven of heavens, after the Day of Judgment, to all eternity. / By Increase Mather, D.D. ; [Six lines of quotations]
Boston in N.E. printed: : Sold by Timothy Green in Middle Street., 1711
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. If we compare the happiness of Heaven with other things, we shall see that it is wonderfully Great. If we compare it either with the Good things, or the Evil things of this world. If we compare Earth and Heaven together, we shall see there is no comparison between them. Before Sin entered into the world, the Earthly Paradise was a delightful place. It was the Garden of Eden; that is of Pleasure. The Heavenly Paradise does infinitely excel the Earthly Paradise in all that is desirable. There are things belonging ⟨p. 22⟩to the Earth, which make it desirable to Earthly men: There are hidden Treasures in it, with which God fills the Bellies of some men, who have their Portion in this Life. There are precious Stones, Silver, and Gold in the bowels of it: But no Eternal Riches, as there is in Heaven: Heb. 10.34. Knowing that you have in Heaven a better & an enduring Substance. There are Pleasures to be enjoyed on the Earth; but not Everlasting Pleasures. Whenas in Heaven there are Pleasures for evermore. There it is that God makes his Saints to Drink of the River of his Pleasures, Psal. 36.8. The Souls in heaven swim in holy Pleasures, and they are Perpetual, like a River that keeps running from age to age. There are Honours to be enjoyed on the Earth; but not Everlasting Honours. Death will soon put an end to all worldly Grandeur. But Heavenly Glory will last to Eternity, as hereafter we shall show. This Earth it self is but like a Stage, which is set up but for a while, and then it must be pulled down. The Scheme, the Fashion of this ⟨p. 23⟩world passeth away, 1 Cor. 7.31. After it has continued a few Thousands of Years, it must be taken down; nay, burnt up. All the Rich and Glorious Cities on the Earth must be destroyed, but Heaven is a City which shall stand to Eternity. It is a City that has Foundations. All the Houses on the Earth shall be consumed with Fire at the latter day: 2 Pet. 3.10. The Elements shall melt with fervent heat; the Earth also & the works which are therein shall be burnt up. But Heaven is an Eternal House. These things declare that there is no comparison between Earthly and Heavenly happiness.