HEAVENS IOY OR HEAVEN BEGVN VPON Earth Wherein there is discouered more plainely then euer formerly The happy and surpassing glorious estate of a Iustified Person or a Saint on Earth Also that greater happinesse at the day of Iudgement And a small tast of that greatest and most glorious Estate prepared for vs in the highest Heauens Also the Writer will bee ready to defend what is here written against all opposers whatsoeuer PHILIP 4.13 I can doe all things through Christ that strengtheneth me LONDON Printed by T. C. and B. A. for Iohn Harrison and are to be sold in Pater-Noster-Row at the signe of the Golden Anker 1616. TO THE READER BEloued Reader if thou be desirous of Nouelties here 's Newes worth thy hearing It is the Report of the Scituation the Beauty and comlinesse of a Citizen of Newe Hierusalem which I shall shewe thee the rather I doe attempt it because of the slanders that generation of Hypocrites doe cast vpon this Citie They doe tell thee faintly that here is much good to be found but when thou hearest their vncertaine relation and viewest their tottred Habite and considerest their leannes and how much they are distracted it makes thee much to question the trueth of their Report They tel thee they are inhabitants of it And if thou question further of the qualities of those Citizens Thou shalt heare them say they all are Peacemakers Ioyfull Holy Wise bold Rich and Humble people But when thou takest a viewe of their Pride seest their Pouertie perceiuest their feares obseruest their folly knowest their filthinesse considerest their heauinesse and are acquainted with their contentions This I say makes thee to question the trueth of their report Wherefore in hope of thy desire to get this Possession I was emboldened to rehearse what by experience I knowe and by diligent triall I vnderstand of that Royall Citie Thou shalt haue nothing here but wordes of trueth and sobernesse and that which thou thy selfe shall finde written in the Booke of Life And because there are many inhabitants of this City that being but newly entred are scarce acquainted with the Glory Maiestie the Content Riches Wisdome and safetie it affoords I haue desired to impart to such what they may finde if they proceede in the course they haue well begunne And I doe the rather endeuour it that as men are holpen by reading to discouer counterfaite Trauellers so men may be assisted to find out the false brags and vaine boastings these Hypocrites doe make and howbeit I knowe some of them will learne by this Booke the more craftily to deceiue and wil be able better to colour their estate to others yet knowing also that Heauen shal reueile such iniquitie and the God of vengeance will take vengeance of the abuse of such paines I commend it to the protection of that most Powerfull God and rest yet a while Faults escaped in Printing Pag. 3. marg b 4. 16. line 23. earth p. 9. f Ps 38. p. 11. m Heb. 10.18 p. 13. t 57. 19. p. 15. l. 7. an vn p. 16. a 1. 8. p. 17. l. 4. Heads p. 22. s Phil. 2.6.7.8 p. 26. l. 22. learne that p. 27. l. 1. were redeemed p. 31. l. 23. soule p. 41. l. 4. is euident p. 47. c Mat. 26. p. 48. d. Rom. 10.10 p. 50. l. 3. this caused p. 61. l. 23. blot out all p. 63. l. 4. translated p. 98. c Isa p. 90. l. 19. willing but by p. 98. l. 17. store p. 99. l. 9. As if p. 103. l. 27. forth for trouble p. 119. i Ps 16. p. 122 l. 1. them p. 127. l. 11. b Iohn 14.3 p. 154. l. 17. as blessed p. 159. l. 5. for God read good If it be not wel pointed the next Impression may helpe that There is a little Booke called Christs Kingdome discouered which is worth thy reading HEAVENS IOY OR HEAVEN BEGVNNE VPON Earth THis small Treatise of Hell being fitted for the presse it was thought fit by the learned examiner that it should not passe alone but that as much at least of Heauen should be added to it that as the reader should be driuen by Iudgements so hee might also be drawne by Mercies to turne vnto God by true vnfeigned Repentance Now therefore that what is expected may be performed here shall also be obserued the same order as neere as may be that was before obserued As first that there is a Heauen or place of Blessednesse Secondly what this Heauen is Thirdly where it is and shall be Fourthly for whom it is prepared Lastly how long it shall continue And first That there is a Heauen This albeit none can denie when they doe behold the glorious firmament so wonderfully adorned and beautified with a bright and great light for the Day a glorious though lesse light for the Night so trimmed and decked with a many of glittering Starres each differing from other in Glory this cannot but enforce all wise men to conceiue of a higher place and farre more excellent then this is yet because nothing doth so well satisfie the Conscience as the wholesome words of our Lord Iesus Christ let vs see it made euident by plaine Scriptures as where it is written That Christ is not entred into the holy places made with hands but into Heauen it selfe now to appeare in the presence of God for vs. a Heb. 9.24 Also at the last day it is written that the Lord himselfe shall descend from Heauen b 1. Thes 4. Also where we reade that the Apostles looked vp stedfastly toward heauen at our Lords Ascension it is written That two men stood by them in white apparell which also saide yee men of Galilee why stand yee gazing vp into Heauen This same Iesus who is taken vp from you into Heauen shall so come in like manner as you haue seene him goe into Heauen c Act. 1.10.11 Also the Saints that are persecuted on eath are willed to Reioyce and to be exceeding glad yea to leape for Ioy because their reward is great in Heauen d Mat. 5.11.12 Luck 6.23 Againe it is written Thaâ— Ioy shall be in Heauen ouer one sinner that repenteth more then ouer ninetie and nine iust persons that neede no repentance e Luc. 15.7 Also wee reade that in the resurrection They neither marry nor are giuen in marriage but are as the Angels of God in Heauen f Mat. 22.30 And this shall suffice to proue that there is a Heauen Now to shewe what this Heauen is This is the great difficultie which doth amaze all that shall endeuour to expresse it heare they all come short this is that which is so surpassing Glorious and so Excellent as that no heart can conceiue nor tongue expresse much lesse any pen describe or set forth the wonderfull and vnsearchable excellency thereof as it is euident by that the Apostle speaking out of the Prophet of the beginnings of it euen here saith Eye hath not seene nor
shall dwell on high his place of defence shall bee the Munitions of Rockes o Is 33.15.16 Thus by these it appeareth plainly that the children of God are so safe and firme and their estate is so stable and vnmoueable as that they cannot fall no not so much as be shaken for they are built vpon the Rocke Christ euen the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles And the gates of hell shall neuer preuaile against it So that our condition is not fickle subiect to change or vncertaintie but we are confident that hee that hath begunne a good worke wil finish it p Phil. 1.6 Wheresoeuer hee beginnes it to the day of the Lord Iesus Christ And our Lord saith My sheepe heare my voyce and I know them and they followe mee And I giue vnto them eternall life and they shall neuer perish neither shall any man plucke them out of my hand My Father which gaue them me is greater then all and no man is able to plucke them out of my Fathers hands I and my Father are one q Io. 11.27.28.29.30 But some obiect that men may tast the heauenly gift Ob. be pertakers of the holy Ghost taste the good word of God and the powers of the world to come yea bee so enlightened that they receiue the knowledge of the Trueth and bee sanctified by the blood of the Couenant and yet after all this fall away and become aduersaries a Heb. 6.4.5.6 Heb. 10.26.26.28.29 Yea turne from the holy Commaundement b 2. Pet. 2.20.21 I answere these are saide to receiue the knowledge of the trueth and afterwards to fall away and to turne from the holy Commaundements are such as are lifted vp with Capernaū with a seeming blessednesse c Mat. 11 2◠They onely thinke they stand d 1. Cor. 10.12 the vncleane spirit is cast out but they remaine emptie swept and garnished e Mat. 12.43.44.45 they haue escaped some corruptions in the world and cast vp their vomit like the dogge but with a purpose to resume it againe f 2. Pet. 2.22 And so their sanctification by the blood of the Couenant is onely seeming sanctification They haue no such thing as it is euident where it is written Whosoeuer hath to him shall be giuen and from him that hath not shall be taken away euen that which he seemeth to haue g Luke 8.18 Mat. 13.12 the 25.29 So that it is euident that whatsoeuer in this kind may bee had and lost was neuer truely hadde but onely in seeming Thus we haue now seene the excellent estate of Gods children vpon earth after Iustification by these inward and outward benefits which haue bene named This passing Peace and glorious Ioy this feruent Loue and stedfast Hope this vndanted Boldnesse and freedome from reigning sinne this deepe and vnsearchable Wisedome this happy fellowship with the Saints in light this powerfull host of Angels this perfect League with all the Creatures this Abundance of all good things for them and their children this certain Assurance of al such blessednes for euer Adde to these those gratious promises which are also enioyed euen on earth and more clearely seene in the life to come That such shall eate of the tree of life which is in the middest of the Paradise of God They shall not be hurt of the second death They shall eat of the hidden Manna and shall receiue a white Stone and in the stone a new name written which no man knoweth sauing he that receiueth it They shall haue power ouer the nations And shal rule them with a Rod of Iron as the vessels of a Potter shall they be broken to shiuers Euen as Christ receiued of his Father they shall receiue the morning starre They shall bee clothed in white raiment their names shall not be blotted out of the booke of life but shall be confessed by their Lord before his Father and before his Angels They shall bee Pillers in the temple of God and shall go no more out They shal haue the name of God written vpon them and the name of the Cittie of God new Ierusalem which commeth downe out of heauen from God euen Christs new name Yea such as ouercome shall sit with Christ in his Throne h Reuel 2 7.11.17.26.27.28 Reuel 3.5.12.21 And all these are yet but small tastes and very little beginnings of that infinite blessednesse which is prepared for the Saints hereafter Yea albeit if these duely weighed they be exceeding great yet by comparison as earst before so say I now againe They are but as a very small drop of a whole riuer a handfull of sand that is on the sea shore the dust of the ballance or a small point of the compasse of Heauen if wee respect that inconceiuable glorious condition that abideth for them in Heauen This may appeare somthing plainly vnto vs if wee take a view of the Scriptures which doe concerne that Estate which are these In Gods presence there is fulnesse of Ioy and at his right hand pleasures for euermore i ps 11.11 Euerlasting life k Ma. 19.29 They shall be as the Angels in heauen l Mat. 22.38 They shall haue a great reward in heauen m Mat. 5.12 They shall shine foorth as the Sunne in the kingdome of their Father n Mat. 13.43 They shall behold Christs glory o Io. 1.24 They shall haue eternall life p Rom. 2.7 An exceeding q 2. Cor. 4.17 and eternall waight of glory q 2. Cor. 4 17. Their vile bodies shall be fashioned like vnto his glorious bodie r Phil. 3.21 1. Thes 4.17 They shall bee euer with the Lord s 1. Cor. 9.27 They shall haue an incorruptible Crownes A Crowne of Righteousnesse t 2. Tim. 4.8 An inheritance incorruptible and vndefiled that fadeth not away is reserued in heauen for them v 1. pet 1.4 They shall haue the Crowne of life u Iam. 1.12 When he shall appeare they shall be like him for they shall see him as he is w 1. Io. 3.2 They shall haue heauenly bodies yea incorruptible glorious powerfull and spirituall for they shall beare the Image of the Lord of heauen y Adde to all this that they shall inherite the kingdome prepared for them from the foundation of the worlda And is not this wonderfull blessednesse which is reserued to be reueiled in the last times b What should be more said to expresse it and wee are plainely taught that it doeth not yet appeare what wee shall bee c 1. Io. 3.2 Yet by these Scriptures we may take a view a farre off and see as in a glasse darkely the infinit glory and most happie condition which shall then bee enioyed by these we may know in part the excellency of our condition then how vile and base soeuer it is esteemed in this Life As to liue euerlastingly in such a Paradise of Pleasures to be at
of Abrahams house and circumcised the flesh of their foreskinne the selfe same day as God had saide vnto him a Gen. 17.23 This is twise repeated to stirre vs to take the more speciall notice of Abrahams willing obedience and ready performance of Gods Commaundement Thus in the selfe same day was Abraham circumcised and Ismaell his sonne and all the men of his house b Vers 26.27 And a little after that when God appeared vnto him hee ranne to meete him and vouchsafed to be feasted of him it is written that he hastened into the Tent and willed Sarah quickely to make ready c Cha. 18.2 And he ranne to the herd and fetcht a calfe tender and good and gaue it â—o a young man that hasted to dresse it d Vers 5.6.7 And a little after that when Sarah desired that he should â—ast out the bondwoman and her sonne it was grieuous to him yea very grieuous because of his sonne Ismael But as soone as the Lord bid him it is written that hee rose vp earely in the morning to performe it e Chap. 21.10.11.13.14 And a little after we read that this Father of the Faithfull when he was tried by a wonderfull strange Commaundement that is to offer vp his sonne Isaac for a burnt offering yea his onely sonne whom he loued so tenderly it is written That hee rose vp earely in the morning and performed chearefully what the Lord commaunded f Chap. 22.1.2.3 10.11 So Dauid will run the wayes of Gods commaundements when his heart is once inlarged g ps 119.32 For the Loue of Christ constrayneth them h 2. Cor. 5.14 And this is not the least part of the Saints happinesse vpon Earth that they are no longer vnder a Schoolemaster i Gal. 3.25 or a Law commaunding k 1. Tim. 1.9 but they hauing the Spirit of Christ haue libertie yea a glorious Libertie which is not the least tast of Heauen vpon Earth l 2. Cor. 3.17 18. Rom. 8.21 To this Peace Ioy and Loue of Christ may be added Hope of the Glory of God Hope This is not the least priuiledge that wee haue that this is that which continueth our Peace encreaseth our Ioy and holdeth vs fast to this Loue of Cod and this delight to doe his will By this wee are preserued and kept from wauering or being tossed vp and downe with euery winde of Temptation This beares vs vp that we are not destroyed and that wee sinke not vnder the hard stripes of grieuous assaults of the Diuell and â—he world that lay on loade vpon vs. This keepeth vs from the â—hame of reproches which are ordinarily cast vpon Gods children This Hope of the Glory of God wee finde where we reade it thus written we that haue accesse or entrance by Faith in Christ into this Grace wherein we stand doe reioyce in the Hope of the Glory of God m Rom. 5.2 Hereby we are preserued and kept euen all our life time while we waite for our adoption euen the redemption of our bodies That as God is the Father onely of Spirits here So he may become the Father of Bodies and Spirits for this time these wayting are kept by Hope as it is written We our selues groane within our selues wayting for the adoption that is the Redemption of our Body for we are saued by Hope n Rom. 8.23.24 By this we are staied from being beaten vp and downe and being driuen hither and thither by euery Winde and Tide and therefore it is called the Anker of the soule where it is written Wee haue a strong consolation who haue fled for refuge to lay holde vpon the Hope set before vs which Hope we haue as an Anker of the Soule both sure and stedfast o Heb. 6.18.19 By this also we are defended and are holpen to wrestle with Principalities and Powers and with the rulers of the darkenesse of this world against spirituall wickednesse or rather wicked spirits which are in heauenly or high places And for this purpose together with the Girdle of Trueth the Brestplate of Righteousnesse the shoes of the Preparation of the Gospell of Peace the shield of Faith and the Sword of the Spirit togither with these we are also commaunded to take the Helmet of Saluation p Eph. 6.17 And that his Helmet which is not the least â—art of the spirituall armour is Hope as euident where it is writâ—en Let vs who are of the Day bee sober putting on the Brestplate of Faith and Loue and for an Helmet the Hope of Saluation q 1. Thes 5.8 By this we haue the shame of reproches and disgraces of afflictions and persecutions taken away And therfore the Apostle saith Tribulation worketh Patience and Patience Experience and Experience Hope and Hope maketh not ashamed r Rom. 5.3.4.5 And this is one of our inward priuiledges euen this Hope whereby we are preserued and staied from fleeting hither and thither Defended against the violence of those with whom we combate in Christs behalfe and hereby the shame of all our afflictions and reproches is cleane taken away To this Peace and Ioy this perfect Loue and blessed Hope may be added Boldnesse which doth much cheare the children of God and that they are bold is euident By these Scriptures and Examples As it is written The Righteous are bold as a Lion a prou 28.1 Here you see is a wonderfull boldnesse expressed by that it is compared to the Boldnesse of a Lion as it is also written of the righteous That fiue of them shall chase an hundred and an hundred of them shall put ten thousand to flight b Leu. 26.8 Also such as are wise One of them shall chase a thousand and two of them shall put ten thousand to flight c Deut. 32.29.30 And therefore when the Lord would fit Iosuah for the performance of that great worke he bids him to be strong of a good â—ourage three seuerall times d Iosuah 1.6.7.8 And Dauid could say that he would not â—e afraide of ten thousands of people â—hat haue set themselues against him round abaut when the Lord was â—nce become his shield e ps 3.3.6 Also he saith The Lord is on my side I will not feare what man can doe vnto me All nations compassed me about but in the name of the Lord I wil destroy them f psa 118.6.10 It was Ieremies complaint that there were none valiant for the Truth vpon the earth g Ier. 9.3 The Apostles did manifest this Boldnesse when they were called before the Councell and commanded not to speake at all nor teach in the name of Iesus But Peter and Iohn answered and said vnto them Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken to you more then to God iudge ye For we cannot but speak the things which we haue seene and heard And when they came to their owne coÌ„pany and
their Ioy kindle their Loue strengthen their Hope and aâ—de vnto their Boldnesse This this may be rightly termed a Glorious Libertie t Rom. 8.2.21 and a Freedome indeede u 2. Cor. 3.17.18 Io. 8.36 This is that for which Paul gaue thankes euen when a litle before he hath spoken of his wretched Body yet proceedeth thus I thanke God thorugh Iesus Christ our Lord So then with the minde I my selfe serue the Lawe of God but with the flesh the Lawe of Sinne u Rom. 7.24.25 This Freedome shineth out clearely where it is written Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Libertie x 2. Cor. 3.17 Also where the Spirit of Christ is it doeth free such from the dominion of Sinne as appeareth by these words of Paul The Lawe of the Spirit of Life in Christ Iesus hath made mee free from the Lawe of Sinne and Death y Rom 8.2 That is the power of the Spirit of Christ hath freed me from the power of sinne and death Againe the same Apostle affirmeth That where Sinne abounded Grace did much more abound That as sinne had reigned vnto Death euen so might grace reigne through righteousnesse vnto eternall life through Iesus Christ our Lord z Rom. 5.20 21. Also in the very next Chapter the same blessed Apostle answereth an obiection that might hence arise amongst such as peruert the truth thus If Grace doeth the more abound where sinne hath most abounded then let vs continue in sinne and multiply Transgression that Grace may the more abound a Rom. 6.1 To this diuellish obiection the Apostle answereth in that whole Chapter very plainly largely and addeth Reason to Reason yea very strong and inuincible Reasons are brought in place First he doeth shewe his detestation of such conclusions and how farre it is from the Saints so to conclude in these wordes Far be it from vs to admit of this b Rom. 8.8 And he draweth a Reason from the impossibilitie of any such thing How shall we that are dead to Sinne liue any longer therein a Rom. 6.2 As if he would say as it is impossible for dead men to performe any thing so impossible is it for vs to bring any sinne foorth to perfection b Iam. 1.15 Then hee drawes vs to consider of Gods proceeding in bringing vs to Christ that is As many of vs as are now in Christ were first baptized into his death That is were slaine or kild by the Power of Repentance For here is a twofold baptisme spoken of one A Baptisme into the death of Christ Another a Baptisme into Christ c Rom. 6 3. Heb. 6.2 Mat. 3.11 Io. 1.33 The first giuing Sinne his deadly wound or killing vs to Sinne the other quickning vs or making vs aliue to Righteousnesse After this it is added that we are not onely dead but buried by the first Baptisme into death that is by Repentance all the glory and beauty of our flesh is taken away d Is 40 6 7 1. Pet. 1.24 that being raised by Faith in Christs blood wee should walke in newnesse of life e Rom. 6.4 Now this Newnes of Life notes to vs this Freedome from our olde course of sinning As it is a little after He that is dead is freed from Sinne f vers 7. That is from the seruice of Sinne g vers 6. Now that it may yet more plainely appeare there is added the continuance of this glorious Libertie or blessed Freedome from Sinnes-seruice thus Now if we be dead with Christ we beleeue that wee shall also liue with him Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dyeth no more death hath no more dominion ouer him For in that he dyed he dyed vnto Sinne once but in that he liueth he liueth vnto God Likewise reckon yee also your selues dead indeede vnto Sinne or truely dead but aliue indeed or truly aliue to God through Iesus Christ i vers 8.9.20.11 Heere doeth manifestly appeare this Freedome from Sinne and so also from death euen in the same manner in respect of continuance trueth as Christ is freed as it is euident by that it is saide Likewise as also it is clearely made manifest that when once the spirit of life beginnes our Libertie wee are neuer after that inthralled or brought into Bondage Besides these that Scripture is exceeding full stuffed with forcible and strong Reasons euen to the ende of that Chapter as onely to touch them k vers 12. Let not Sinne reigne For Sinne shall not haue dominion ouer you l vers 14. yee were the seruants of Sinne m vers 17. Being made Free from Sinne yee became seruants of Righteousnesse n vers 18. When yee were the seruants of Sinne yee were Free from Righteousnesse o vers 20. But now being made Free from Sinne and become seruants to God yee haue your fruite vnto holinesse and the ende euerlasting life p vers 22. And that this Freedome from Sinnes-seruitude or Bondage may yet more clearely appeare consider that where it is written If Christ bee in you the body is dead for Sinne but the Spirit is Life for Righteousnesse q Rom. 8.10 Also walke in the spirit and ye shlal not fulfill the lustes of the flesh r Gal. 5.16 And they that are Christs haue crucified the flesh with the affections and lustes Å¿ Gal. 5.24 Also if any man be in Christ he is a New Creature And such an one can truely say and with comfort yea great boldnesse and confidence I liue no more but Christ Iesus liueth in me t 2. Cor. 5.7 Of this Freedome Paul gloried where it is written I am the least of all the Apostles that am not meete to be called an Apostle because I persecuted the Church of God But by the Grace of God I am what I am and his Grace which was bestowed vpon mee was not in vaine But I laboured more aboundantly then they all yet not I but the Grace of God which was with me u 1. Cor. 15.9.10 Also hee writeth thus of himselfe I thanke Christ Iesus who hath inabled me for that he counted me faithfull putting mee into the Ministery who was before a Blasphemer and a Persecuter and Iniurious x 1. Tim. 1.12.13.14 But I obtained Mercy because I did it ignorantly in vnbeliefe And the Grace of God was exceeding aboundant with Faith and Loue which is in Christ Iesus Here you see Paul proposing or setting foorth himselfe as an example of one that had obtained this Freedome which euery Iustified one hath also obtained as it is euident in Dauids example who could say of himselfe when once hee had gotten this Freedome or Libertie Thou hast deliuered my soule from death mine eyes from teares and my feete from falling y ps 116.8 Also ô Lord thou hast loosed my Bonds z vers 16. But some will here obiect O B. Doe