no more, Job vii. 9, 10, 11. We shall see our children and dear relations no more, Job xiv. 21. His sons come " to honour, and he " knoweth it not." These things make death terrible to men ; but that which cures all this trouble is, that we shall neither need, nor desire them, being thenceforth admitted to the beatifical vision of the blessed God himself
It is the expectation and hope of this which comforteth the souls of the righteous here, Psal. xvii. 15. "AVhen I awake, I " shall behold thy face in righteousness." Those weak and dim representations made by faith, at a distance, are the very joy and rejoicing of a believer's soul now, 1 Pet. i. 7, 8. but how sweet and transporting soever these visions of faith be, they are not worthy to be named in comparison with the immediate and beatifical vision, 1 Cor. xiii. 12. This is the very sum of a believer's blessedness : And what it is we cannot comprehend in this imperfect state ; only in general we mav gather these conclusions about it, from the ac- count given of it in the scriptures.
1. That it will not be such a sight of God as we now have by the mediation of faith, but a direct, immediate, and intuitive vi- sion of God ; ( * 1 John iii. 2. " We shall see him as he is.*" 1 Cor. xiii. 12. " Then face to face,") which far transcends the vision of faith in clearness and in comfort. This seems to import no less than the very sight of the Divine essence, that which Moses desired on earth to see, but could not, Exod. xxxiii. 20. nor can be seen by any man dwelling in a body, 1 Tim. vi. 16. nor by unbodied souls comprehensively ; so God only sees himself. Our eyes see the sun which they cannot comprehend, yet truly appre- hend. God will then be known in his essence, and in the glory of all his attributes. The sight of the attributes of God gives the occasion and matter of those ascriptions of praise and glory to him, which is the proper employment of glorified souls, Rev. iv. 11, 12, 13. which is the proper employment of angels, Isa. vi. 3. Oh how difi'erent is this from what we now have through faith, duties, and ordinances ! See the difference betwixt knowledge by report and immediate sight, in that example of the queen of the south, 1 Kings X. 10. the former only excited her desires, the latter trans- ported and overcame her very soul.
Some may think such a vision of God to exceed the abilities of nature, and capacities of any creature. But as a learned -f man rightly observes, if the Divine Nature be capable of union with a
* Tlie light of glory is an actual illumination, i. e. a supernatural influx of God, elevating the understanding to a sight of the Divine Essence. Smissing Tract. 2. Bis. 6. N. 53.
I Norton's Orthodox Evang. p. 327.
A TREATISE OF THE SOLL OF MAN. 121
oreatLirc, as it is evident in the person of CliFist, it is also capable of being the object of vision to the creature. Beside, we must know the light of glory hath the same respect to tliis blessed vision, that assisting grace hath to the acts of faith and obedience performed here on earth. It is a comforting, soul-strengdiening Hght, not to dazzle and over-power, but to comfort, strengthen, and clear the eye of the creature's understanding. Rev. ii. 28. " I will give him " the morning-star,"" lumen comjhrfans ; and Isa. xxxvi. 9. " In tliy " light we shall see light."
2. It will be a satisfying sight, Psal. xvii. 15. so perfectly quiet- ing, and giving rest to the soul in all its powers, that they neither can proceed, nor desire to proceed any farther. The understand- ing can know no more, the will can will no more ; the affections of joy, delight, and love are at full rest and quiet in their proper centre. For all good is in the chiefest good eminently ; as all the light of the candles in the world is in the sun, and all the rivers in the world in the sea. That which makes the understanding, will, and affections move farther, as being restless and unsatisfied in all discoveries and enjoyments here, is the limited and imperfect na- ture of things we now converse with ; as if you bring a great ship that draws much water into a narrow, and shallow river, she can neither sail nor swim, but is presently aground. But let that ship have sea-room enough, then she can turn and sail before the wind, because there is a depth of water, and room enough. So it is here ; all that delighted, but could never satisfy you in the creature, is eminently in God; and what was imperfectly in them, is perfectly to be enjoyed hi him, 1 Cor. xv. 28. " God shall be all in all ;"' the comforts you had here were but drop by drop, inflaming, not satisfying the appetite of the soul : But then " the Lamb, which is "• in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and lead them unto " fountains of living water," Rev. vii. 17. The object fills the faculties.
3. It will be an appropriating vision of God ; you shall see him as your own God, and proper portion ; else it could never be a satisfying vision, Job xix. 27. " Whom I shall see for myself !" Not look on him as another'^s God, but as my God and portion for ever. Balaam saw Christ by a spirit of prophecy ; but he had no comfort, because no interest in him, Numb. xxiv. 17. The wicked sliall see him, but without joy, yea, with weeping eyes and gnashing of death, because they cannot see him as their Lord, Luke xiii. 28. It is but a poor comfort to starving beggars to stand quivering and famishing in the streets in a cold dark night, and see the liglits in the bridegroom's house, the noble dishes served in, and to hear the music and mirth of the guests that feast within. Here it will be as clear that he is our God, as that he is GocL
122 A TREATISE OF THE SOUL OF MA^'.
Assurance is that which many souls have desired, prayed, and panted for, but cannot attain. There may be many rubs and stumbling-blocks in the way to that sweet enjoyment ; but here we find what we have been so long seeking : There be no doubt, scruples, objections, puzzling cases to exercise your own or others thoughts : but as these did arise from one of these grounds, viz. the working of corruption, the efficacy of temptations, or Divine withdrawments, and the hidings of God's face ; so all these being removed perfectly and for ever in that state, the heavens must needs be clear, and not a cloud of doubt or fear to be seen for ever.