esteemed, when they are for kings and princes of the earth; for on such occasions there are the greatest and most extraordinary rejoicings. Therefore the happiness of heaven is expressed by a marriage. Our Saviour himself makes use of this comparison in the xiiith chapter of St. Matthew; "The kingdom of God, (saith he,) is like unto a King which made a marriage for his son." This caused the glorious church to speak in this manner, "Let us rejoice and be glad, and give glory to the Lord our God, for the marriage of the Lamb is come. Finally, the Holy Ghost hath commanded to write and record these words for ever," Blessed are those that are called to the marriage feast of the Lamb."

Some persons are very much delighted with the sweet and pleasant concerts of music. Therefore the Holy Ghost, to signify to us that in heaven there shall be all manner of pleasures, and nothing wanting, tells us, that about God's throne millions of angels and glorified saints shall sing forth the Divine praise. Besides, he acquaints us with the substance of their heavenly songs. When Isaiah mentions these wonderful seraphims that fly round about God's glorious throne, he saith, that" they cry to one another, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts! the whole earth is full of thy glory." And when St. John speaks of those glorified saints, he saith, that they stand before his magnificent throne, playing with their harps, and singing a new song, that is to say, a most rare and excellent song; and that they have always in their mouths the song of Moses and of the Lamb; and that heaven itself resounds with their sacred hallelujahs, which signifies, Praise God, or Set forth the praises of God. There is no ingenuous soul but loves peace and rest; for this cause the glory and happiness of paradise is represented under this lovely and pleasant notion, as in the ivth chapter of the Hebrews; "For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, If they shall enter into

my

my rest. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterwards have spoken of another day; there remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God; for he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest." This caused old Simeon to cry out, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace." Finally, the holy city is called Jerusalem, which signifies, A vision of peace. And God himself makes this promise, "Behold, I will extend peace to her as a river," Isa. xlv. Wherefore, if this peace which God grants to believing souls in this life, surpasseth all understanding, Phil. iv. what may we judge shall be the full enjoyment of an eternal peace in the kingdom of heaven? The tongues of men and angels are not able to express its dignity and excellency.

Lastly, Because men are lovers of pleasures, delights, and pomp; and that the most part seek for nothing but how to drive away their sorrows, and to recreate themselves with pastimes therefore the felicities of paradise are represented by rejoicings, pleasures, and eternal solemnities, as in Psa. xxxvi. “Thou shalt cause them to drink of the river of thy pleasure." And in Psa. cxxvi. "They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy." And God himself, speaking of that most blessed time, saith, "Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind; but be you glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. Therefore when the Holy Ghost represents the condition of the glorified saints, he declares not only, that God will wipe away all tears from their eyes, and that there shall be no more sorrow, nor crying, nor labour, nor pain, nor grief; but he adds, over and above, that in their mouths there shall be songs of praise, and upon their heads an eternal joy of gladness, like to a precious crown, which shall never be taken from them. For this cause they call so earnestly upon one

another,

another, "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give glory to the Lord our God," Rev. xix.

All our senses shall partake in these heavenly and everlasting pleasures; our eyes shall behold with transports of joy the sacred countenance of our Redeemer, the riches and wonderful beauty of his palace, the glory and magnificence of his empire; our ears shall be delighted with the music of the blessed saints, and with the harmonies of angels, and of the church triumphant; our smelling shall receive the sweet perfumes of the bridegroom, whose garments are of myrrh, and the grateful odours of his vine always blossoming. Our palate shall taste the bread of angels, the hidden manna, the fruits of the tree of life, the waters issuing forth to everlaste ing life, and the new wine of the kingdom of heaven. Our hands shall embrace the Saviour of the world, and with our feet we shall walk about the streets of that golden city, the heavenly Jerusalem, and we shall follow the Lamb wheresoever he goeth, Rev. xiv.

Although I speak to you in this manner, I am persuaded, Christian souls, that you understand very well, that these expressions, and such like, are not to be understood in a literal sense; they are but dark shadows, and imperfect images of the advantages of the life to come. You have not forgot what St. Paul saith, "That there are things which eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, and which never entered into the heart of man, which God hath prepared for them that love him," I Cor. ii. And that this great God, whose riches are inexhaustible, doth in us abundantly above what we are able to ask or think, Eph. iii. So that when you see before you all the most beautiful, amiable, glorious, and excellent things in the world, you may say in yourselves, Without doubt the glory and happiness of heaven is something more than all this; for it is elevated so much above all earthly enjoyments, and surpasseth so much all the thoughts and

conceits

conceits of man, that it is not possible to describe it in its own colours, nor to fancy it really as it is.

Think not therefore, Christian souls, to meet in heaven with a paradise something like to your gardens; nor with flowers like to such as adorn your pleasant walks and fields; nor fruits like to such as hang upon your trees. You may be assured, that God will discover things infinitely more pleasant and delightful, and more lasting. Fancy not such a city, built up as ours is, where gold, silver, pearls, and precious stones are to be seen. You may expect something more noble and magnificent than all the richest and most stately cities in the world. God will cause you to see, not only the beauty of silver, the purity of gold, the whiteness of pearls, and the brightness of precious stones, but you shall discover something more beautiful, purer, whiter, brighter, and something more surprising, than any earthly thing. Think not to receive any material crown, or to ascend upon thrones, like to those of kings and princes; you may justly Fancy something more glorious, and more lasting.

I am also persuaded, Christians, that you expect not in heaven to find tables covered, as those of the rich worldlings, nor to glut yourselves with a feast, like that of the nuptials of earthly princes; without doubt, your faith hath an eye to something more heavenly and glorious. Your soul hungers for more exquisite dainties, and is athirst for more delicious and sweetér drinks. You are too well instructed to think to live in heaven an animal and sensual life. Such a gross conceit becomes only the impostor Mahomet, and his imaginary paradise.

In this life that we lead upon earth, there are two things which chiefly discover our natural infirmity. The first is, our eating and drinking, absolutely necessary to make up the breaches caused by labour, and the natural heat, which spend and feed upon the radical humour, which serves to our life

as

as oil to a lamp. The other is marriage, appointed by God for the continuance and propagation of the human race. But in heaven our life shall be altogether angelical, spiritual, and supernatural. Our bodies shall be no more subject to corruption, nor to any alteration; they shall want no more food than the stars do at present, and the rest of the celestial bodies. Therefore the Holy Ghost speaks expressly, that we shall neither hunger nor thirst, that the sun shall not burn, nor any other heat trouble us. That is to say, we shall never be inclinable to eat or drink; the most burning heats, and the fiercest flames, shall have no power to hurt our bodies, when they shall cast off all sensual and earthly qualities, and instead of them, shall be clothed with light and glory. Therefore at that time there shall be no need of propagating the species, or of multiplying the persons by marriage; for we shall not be then subject to earthly passions, and the number of the elect shall be complete. The congregation of the saints shall be full, and the building of the church shall be perfectly made up. Therefore our Saviour Jesus Christ assures us, that in the kingdom of heaven they shall neither take nor give in marriage, but that we shall be like the angels of God; we shall enjoy the light of their understanding, the holiness of their wills, and the purity of their affections.

When the queen of Sheba saw the glory and state of king Solomon, and heard all his excellent discourses, she was ravished in admiration, and told this great prince, "It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom; howbeit, I believed not the words, until I came and mine eyes had seen it; and, behold, the half was not told me; thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard; happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom." I am persuaded, believing souls, that something like to this shall happen to us, when we shall come to the heavenly Jeru salem, to behold our Lord Jesus Christ himself, of whom

Solomon