There we will see Adam and Eve in the heavenly paradise, freely eating of the tree of life; Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and all the holy patriarchs, no more wandering from land to land, but come to their everlasting rest; all the prophets feeding their eyes on the glory of him, of whose coming they prophesied; the twelve Apostles of the Lamb, sitting on their twelve thrones; all the holy martyrs in their long white robes, with their crowns on their heads the godly kings advanced to a kingdom which cannot be moved; and them that turn many to righteousness, shining as the stars for ever and ever. There will we see our godly friends, relations and acquaintances, pillars in the temple of temple of God, to go no more out from us. And it is more than probable, that the saints will know one another in heaven: that, at least, they will know their friends, relatives, and these they were acquainted with on earth, and such as have been most eminent in the church: howbeit that knowledge will be purged from all earthly thoughts and affections. This seems to be included in that perfection of happiness to which the saints shall be advanced there. If Adam knew who and what Eve was at first sight, when the Lord God brought her to him, (Gen. ii. 23, 24) why should one question, but husbands and wives, parents and children, will know each other in glory? if the Thessalonians, converted by Paul's ministry, shall be his crown of rejoicing, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, at his coming, (1 Thess. ii 19.) Why may not one conclude, that ministers shall know their people, and people their ministers in heaven? And if the disciples, on the mount of transfiguration, knew Moses and Elijah, whom they had never seen before, (Matth. ii. 19) we have ground to think, we shall know them too, and such as they, when we come to heaven. The communion of saints shall be most intimate there; they shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven, Matth. viii. 11. Lazarus was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom, (Luke xvi. 23) which denotes most intimate and familiar society. And though diversity of tongues shall cease, (1 Cor. xiii. 8.) I make no question, but there will be an use of speech in heaven; and that the saints will glorify God in their bodies there, as well as in their spirits, speaking forth his praises with an audible voice.
There we will see Adam and Eve in the heavenly paradise, freely eating of the tree of life; Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and all the holy patriarchs, no more wandering from land to land, but come to their everlasting rest; all the prophets feeding their eyes on the glory of him, of whose coming they prophesied; the twelve Apostles of the Lamb, sitting on their twelve thrones; all the holy martyrs in their long white robes, with their crowns on their heads the godly kings advanced to a kingdom which cannot be moved; and them that turn many to righteousness, shining as the stars for ever and ever. There will we see our godly friends, relations and acquaintances, pillars in the temple of temple of God, to go no more out from us. And it is more than probable, that the saints will know one another in heaven: that, at least, they will know their friends, relatives, and these they were acquainted with on earth, and such as have been most eminent in the church: howbeit that knowledge will be purged from all earthly thoughts and affections. This seems to be included in that perfection of happiness to which the saints shall be advanced there. If Adam knew who and what Eve was at first sight, when the Lord God brought her to him, (Gen. ii. 23, 24) why should one question, but husbands and wives, parents and children, will know each other in glory? if the Thessalonians, converted by Paul's ministry, shall be his crown of rejoicing, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, at his coming, (1 Thess. ii 19.) Why may not one conclude, that ministers shall know their people, and people their ministers in heaven? And if the disciples, on the mount of transfiguration, knew Moses and Elias, whom they had never seen before, (Matth. ii. 19) we have ground to think, we shall know them too, and such as they, when we come to heaven. The communion of saints shall be most intimate there; they shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven, Matth. viii. 11. Lazarus was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom, (Luke xvi. 23) which denotes most intimate and familiar society. And though diversity of tongues shall cease, (1 Cor. xiii. 8.) I make no question, but there will be an use of speech in heaven; and that the saints will glorify God in their bodies there, as well as in their spirits, speaking forth his praises with an audible voice.
