Selected quad for the lemma: heaven_n
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A12974
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An exposition vpon the CXII. Psalme The high way to euerlasting blessednesse. Written for the benefit of Gods church, by T.S.
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Stint, Thomas.
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1621
(1621)
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STC 23269; ESTC S107442
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67,502
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220
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of any thing in this life that he feareth Sweete is the fountaine to the weary traueller and rest to the tyred seruant comfortable is the coole euening after a hot Sunny day yet much more sweet will it be to the Saints of this heauēly citie to haue peace after warre pleasure after paine ioy after trouble and constant securitie after their so long endured sorrowes then shall we blessed indeed as here the Prophet sayth If one Sunne can lighten and fill the whole world with his brightnesse Dan. 3.12 Mat. 13 43 what shall so many glorified bodies of the blessed appeare that shall bee as so many Sunnes so many Lampes and so many shining Lights in heauen then shall we blessed indeed when we shall be like vnto God 1. Ioh. 3.2 1. Cor. 13. which by nature is blessed and we shall bee like vnto God when we shall see him as he is for this only sight of God is our whole happinesse O what a ioy shall it bee when at one view wee shall behold the most high and hidden mystery of the inseparable Trinity and of the loue of God therein then shall mans minde haue perpetuall rest and peace neither shall it desire any further vnderstanding when he hath all before his eyes that may be vnderstood then shall mans will bee quiet when hee enioyeth that felicitie wherein all other good things as in the fountaine of all happinesse are contained then shall faith haue her perfect worke and hope shall enioy that which shee long desired but charity shall endure for euer then shall bee sung continuall prayses vnto the Lambe Reu. 14.3 and the song although it be alwayes song yet it shall be euer new the ioy mirrh melody pleasure power wealth riches honour beauty fellowship dainties odors glory wisedome knowledge treasure securities peace quietnesse and eternall felicitie is beyond al vnderstanding and comprehension of man which the faithfull shall haue and enioy world without end with God the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost with Angels and arch-Arch-Angels Patriarkes and Prophets with the Apostles Euangelists with the Martyrs and Confessors and with the Saints of God in the pallace of the Lord in heauen there shall bee an euerlasting Sabaoth which no euening shal end then shall the geneartion of the righteous bee fully blessed There we shall rest and we shal see No content but in the kingdome of heauen we shall see and we shall loue we shall loue and we shall praise Behold saith Augustine That which is the end is without end For what other end is there ordained for the godly but to attaine to that Kingdome wich hath no end Wee call Paradise our Country and the Patriarkes our Fathers and the Saints our brethren and friends Why runne we not then with all speede to enioy our country and salute our Parents a great number of our friends and kinsfolkes brethren and children doe there attend wishing and expecting our comming what ioy will it bee both to them and vs there to meete one another what pleasures are there amongst the inhabitants of heauen which now feare death no more and are sure to liue for euer Those whose vnderstandings are darkened cannot see their happinesse Wo to the blindnesse of our eyes that see not this woe to the deafnesse of our eares that heare not this in such wise as a we should doe where through we might be so farre from fearing death that rather we should wish it with old Simeon Luke 2.29 Now let thy seruant depart in peace Psal 42.2 and with Dauid when shall I come and appeare before thee that we may be blessed for euermore Thirdly If true faith were placed in our hearts feare would vanish away if true knowledge and faith possest our hearts as they should feare and doubtfulnesse would vanquish quite away for assurance of heauenly things maketh vs willing to part with earthly he cannot contemne this life that knoweth not the other if wee would despise this world we must thinke of the glorious life that followeth it and if wee can endure paine for health much more should wee abide a few pangs for glory how foolish are we to feare a vanquished enemy Christ hath triumphed ouer death it bleedeth as it were and gaspeth vnder vs Death being conquered wee should desire to bee dissolued to be with Christ yet do we tremble it is enough that Christ dyed neither would he haue dyed but that we might dye with safety and pleasure how truely may we say of this our Dauid thou art worth ten thousand of vs yea worth a world of Angels yet he dyed for vs who would therefore liue that knowes his Sauiour dyed Who can be a Christian and would not bee like him that would not dye after him let vs thinke of this and iudge whether all the world can hire vs to die But alas great is our vnbeliefe full faint and weake is our faith or else night and day teares and cries should bee our meate and drinke whilst the wicked say vnto vs Where is now your God Psal 42.3 We should wish rather to be doore-keepers in the house of God Psal 84.10 then to dwell in these vngodly tents For one day in his Courts is better then a thousand it is a token of little loue to God to be so loath to goe vnto him when hee calleth herein wee ought to lament the weakenesse of our faith and seeing our wants to prepare for remedy against the time of neede and to beg of God his aide strength and comfort against the pinch which things vndoubtly if we aske in faith we shall obtaine and find his promise true God reacheth out his hand to conduct vs but wee draw backe our owne and runne away when hee calleth vs if hee bring vs into the way of saluation wee mourne for the World and we looke behinde vs with Lots Wife and hinder our desire of well doing wee must therefore rouze vp ourselues and not remaine still in the mire we must be fortified in this vertue who supporteth and comforteth vs in all distresse Lastly to conclude let vs attempt to despise corruptible things and to desire heauenly and eternall when God calleth at euery occasion let vs hearken vnto him if he be our Guide we must follow him for to arriue in his house let vs receiue his benefit and himselfe too for hee giues himselfe vnto vs in the person of his sonne hee causeth vs to see the meanes how to come vnto him wee must therefore request him to bestow vpon vs will and desire to come thither by Faith Repentance Hope c. And that hee would mainetaine his gifts and graces in vs to the end that heere wee may mourne in this mortall life and attend in the assurance of his mercy for the end of this world and our last day which shal bee the beginning of our true life when wee are to receiue an inheritance not mortall but immortall not earthly but heauenly not like the Goord of Ionas Ionas 4.7 but the Caeders of Libans Deut. 8.4 not like the garments in Egypt Gen. 3.7 but in the Wildernes not like the morning dew but the waters of Paradise Ephes 6.16 not Aprons of Fig-leaues but the Helmet of saluation Gen. 5.14 not like Iacobs Pottage which hee sold but the birth-right which hee bought 2. King 2.11 not a Tabernacle but a Temple not time but eternity not like an abortiue child but like Henoch and Elias which neuer tasted of death beseeching God our heauenly Father for his sonne Christ his sake to keepe vs soules and bodies to his kingdome and glory and to leade vs order vs and dispose of vs as he will in all things in all places and for euer that at the length we may come whether wee would that is into his owne blessed presence and fruition of immortality with Christ and his Saints world without end Amen FINIS