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opening divers Avenues before us, for our Admittance into that House not made with hands, Eternal in the Heavens: Which boly Scripture calls alfo a City on High, and the Kingdom of Heaven. And here we have Twelve feveral Confiderations propos'd, as fo many Ways, Leading to that everlasting Bliss. To Traverfe which paths in ferious Thoughts, may give the contemplative Chriftian no lefs Delight to his Mind, than Advance to his Soul: Nor only fet before him an inviting Profpect by the Way, but also contribute much to fpeed him on to the joyful End.

,

And in this melancholy Vale of Mortality where we poor fons of Adam are now groaning, as uneafy Exiles, after our better Heavenly Country, Thofe holy Scriptures, which are the. confolatory Letters from our Father above, do ufe Four very fignificative Appellations,of a Paradife, a Houfe, a City, and a Kingdom; To Notify, and alfo Recommend the Goods of that Glorious Seat. A Paradife, as the sweeteft Place, flowing with all forts of the best Delights. A Houfe, or royal Palace, with all stately Apartments, and the richest Furni ture. A City, confifting of many Houses, Gardens, noble Piles, and fair Retreats. And a Kingdom of wideft Extent, To contain a multitude of Towns and Cities, Mountains and Vales, Groves and Waters, Fields and Plains, in the greatest Plenty, and most entertaining Variety.

But

But because, in a vaft Kingdom replenish'd with innumerable Inhabitants, they may never have the opportunity to See or Know one another; and many Thousands there are, concerning whom you cannot so much as tell, whether there be any fuch Perfons in the World; yet no \ doubt but the Blefed above do all See and Know one another, and Converse as the most familiar Friends together; Therefore, to the Title of a Kingdom is added that of a City. And as ample as ever Heaven is, all the Saints dwell there as Fellow-Citizens, fweetly united together. Yea, not only as Citizens, but Domefticks, of the fame Houshold of God. Therefore, what's in one place call'd a City, elfewhere goes under the name of a Houfe. And because they Live all there in the highest Raptures of Delight; Therefore, to all the other Terms is added that of a Paradife: Where are no Void, Waft, or unagreeable Places; but every thing with utmoft Pleasure to entertain and Regale the Senfe. A Kingdom then it' is, becaufe fo Spacious; A City, because fo Compact; A Houfe, for clofe Conversation; And a Paradife, for all manner of pleasurable Diverfion, and the sweetest Satisfaction.

E R

ERRATA.

Age 38. Line 8. for so read to.

Page 3

49.

72.

77.

78.

92.

137.

165.
176.

180.

221.

234. Ibid.

4. for muft r. may'ft.
10, for when read where.
21. for even read ever.

13. for Imigation read Irrigation.
4. for Loath read Loaths.
15. for who read whom.
23. for ftarting r. startling.
9. read his.

antepenult. r. forth.

5. for Firftr. Fifth.

6. for 1 Cor. 12. 3. r. 2 Cor. 12. 8. for ἄρητα r. ἄῤῥητα.

Page 123. from Line 14. to the bottom of the Page, the inverted Comma's before the Lines (which denote fomewhat added to the Author's Copy,) are wanting; and a few more, in fome o ther Pages.

I

The First Book Of the Saints Eternal Felicity, under the Title of GOD'S KINGDOM.

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F what mighty Importance is the Doctrine concerning the Kingdom of Heaven, we may learn from our Heavenly Mafter's fo much infifting upon it, in his firft Preaching; in almoft

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all his Parables; and in his Forty days Converfation with his Difciples after his Refurrection: When, it's faid, Acts 1. 3. He Appear'd to 'em, Speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

We don't pretend here, to Explicate every thing that concerns this Kingdom: but only fuch Particulars as may ferve to B Defcribe

Describe the Place and the State of the Bleffed. And firft of all, Why it is called the Kingdom of God. Which may be, For the Amplitude of its Extent; For the Mul· titude of its Inhabitants; For the Form of its Government; For the Royal Quality ⚫ of all its Subjects; and for their Enjoyment of all the Goods that a Kingdom can • afford.

I. It is called the Kingdom of God, For the Amplitude of its Extent: Because it is the moft Spacious Region, and of fuch Wonderful Dimenfions, as are Wider than the Narrowness of Humane thought can tell how to comprehend. The Orb of this Earth, which is no more than a mere Point, compar'd with the highest Heavens,

(and

tho' it were a Luminous Body all over as 'bright as theSun, 'twould be too Little to be "difcerned at all from the Starry Firmament,) Yet does it contain fo many and mighty Kingdoms, as 'tis not eafy to reckon up; but much harder to be acquainted with; Tho' a man fhould ftudy nothing else, even all the days of his Life. O then of what unknown infinite Extent is that Kingdom, which is but One, and yet Dilates and fpreads it felf thro' all the unconceivable Space and Latitude of the Heaven of Heavens! Nor does it take in only the Supra-celestial Regions, but all the Univer fity of things every where. The Empyra

um,

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