Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB
[ocr errors]

'Among thefe, I doubt not but Prophets and Apoftles, Martyrs and Confeffors will C have an Eminence more than ordinary, and be diftinguifh'd by fome peculiar. "Marks of Glory. But to make 'em up • Nine Orders of Saints, as well as fo ma-ny of the Angelic Hierarchy, I look upon the Enumeration as too Unfcriptural, as well as Partial, To take in only Paftors and Teachers, Priefts and Levites, Monks and Hermits: Becaufe, no doubt, but as good Saints may be found of other Names and Ranks. Yet here, the Charity of Rome forgot to leave any Place for Prince or People, High or Low, Rich or Poor, in the Lift; If they be of the Laity, They are hardly to be Canoniz'd, or admitted; 'be they never fo Holy.

'But be thefe Orders and Degrees among 'the Heavenly Hoft more or fewer, the 'Number of Individuals will be never the 'Leffer;' To give an Amazing as well as Rejoicing Spectacle; with which is ne ver to be named that of Solomon, whom a Queen came fo far to Vifit: Muchlefs that of Anthony, fo fam'd for his Sanctity, that (we are told) not only Men in Troops crowded to him, but Kings and Emperors courted his Friendship. And they that have Travel'd far to behold the Rarities of other Countries, and divert themselves among ftrange People; Or have crofs'd Seas, as

well

well as Lands, to fee fuch Perfons them felves, of whom they have read or heard fo much from others, Never found they a ny thing to recompenfe their Pains, or t gratify their Curiofity, comparable to the moft Ravishing Entertainment, of feeing that moft Numerous, Auguft, and Glorious Affembly in the Kingdom of God; Yea, not only to Look upon 'em, but Converfe with 'em, even as fome of 'em; in a way of the dearest Friendship, and fweet Participation of all their moft Happy Condition.

Who would not be for Traveling many a Mile, and count it a Journey of Pleasure, hafting away with Longing defire, and big with joyful Expectation, were it but to fee one Glorious Angel from Heaven, offering himself to open View, in all his amiable Splendor here on Earth? O then, what is it, (at one Profpe&) to Behold 'em All; even the whole Hoft in Heaven! One Prophet or Apostle defcending from thence, and fhewing himself here among us would give a fingular Tranfport of delight: What then will it be, To feaft our Eyes, and charm our Ears, In Seeing, and Hearing and Enjoying 'em all together? If one Sun cheers the whole Earth; what Wonders will innumerable Suns, Living, Understanding, Triumphing Suns produce in the Kingdom of Heaven? So Relifhing to me is

[blocks in formation]

the Converfation with Angels and fuch a fort of Men, where never a one is a Fool, or tainted with any manner of Fault, but all of 'em exquifitely Wife and Good; That this alone fhould I efteem fuch a Happinefs, as for the fake of which, I would very willingly want all the most delicious Gratifications of this prefent Life.

CHAP. III.

Of the Monarchical Form of God's Kingdom.

HE next Reason why the Bleffed State is called a Kingdom may be, Because in Heaven alone is found the per fect Model of Reigning: Where 'tis not like a Republick, in the Hands of Many, either Peers or People; but of one Sole and Supream Monarch. And this, upon Earth, in good truth and propriety, is not to be found. Tho' here, I grant, a King may Command without the Counsel or Confent of others; yet Execute his Commands he cannot, unless his Subjects Please. Neither dare he fo much as Command, If Terrify'd with a multitude of Mutinous people. For how many Kings and Emperors, (by their own Armies) have been

Depriv'd

Depriv'd if not Slaughter'd? How vain then is the Supream Power, that's boafted in mortal.Kings, who cannot do what they would, without their Subjects Leave?

But the Power of the Supream King de pends upon none, but his own pure Will. ·And who can Refit Omnipotence, that wants neither Soldiers or Arms, nor any. thing at all out of Himfelf? And when ever he uses the Miniftry of Men or Angels, or any other Creatures, 'Tis only be.. caufe he will; Not that he cannot Execute: whatever he pleases, as.eafy without 'em.. For he, that without any Partner, Coadju tor, or Minifter, made Heaven and Earth, and all that is in 'em, with his bare Word, and Keeps 'em up by his mere Will, Can he not as eafily Rule and Adminifter all by his fole Controul?

Nor does God alone truly Reign, only because the Supream Power, but alfo the Supream Art of Reigning is lodg'd in none but in Himself. Neither does he ever need any Senate or Council; Ifa. 40. 13. Who bath directed the Spirit of the Lord; or being his Counsellor, has taught him? He is the only Potentate: Not only Terrible to the Kings: of the Earth; but Great above all Gods; i. e.. . Idols and Demons; or the quafi-Gods, that are fet up only by Participation from him ;: fuch as Men and Angels, whom he has all entirely fubject to his Empire. As the:

proud

proud Nebuchadnezzar, after he had been Tutor'd by the punishment of his Arrogance, came humbly to acknowledge, Dan. 4. 34. and 5. My Understanding returned to me, and I bleffed the most High, and praised and bonour'd him that Liveth for ever and ever; whofe Dominion is an everlasting Dominion," and bis Kingdom from Generation to Generation. And all the Inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doth according to his Will in the army of Heaven, and among the Inhabitants of the earth. And none can stay bis band, or Say to him, What do'ft thou? Here's one, who being firft Himfelf taught (as with Bryars and Thorns) may teach allthe biggest in the World, to Humble themSelves under the mighty band of God. Yea, and to take more pleasure, fubmiffively to ferve the King of Kings, and gain his bleffed Favour, than ever haughtily to Arrogate to themselves, and Refift his Will; and fo, come to feel the weight of his intolerable Wrath.

CHAP. IV.

Shewing that all the Blessed are Kings.

HE Fourth and chief Reafon why the Place and State of the Bleffed

goes

« AnteriorContinuar »