Doct. 1. That the state and condition of the glorified saints is a most delightful state and condition.
For when Peter had but a glimpse of it in the transfiguration of Christ, it seemed so ravishing and transporting, that here would he abide and stay by it ; so was he affected with joy in the company and presence of Christ, and Moses and Elias appearing with him, that all his natural comforts and relations were forgotten. This would com- pensate all. If once we be gotten into this blessed estate, we shall never desire to come out of it, and part with it. This which the dis- ciples had was but a little glimpse and taste of the life to come. This must needs be so ; it is called joy : Mat. xxv. 21, ' Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord ;' and fulness of joy : Ps. xvi. 11, 'In thy presence there is fulness of joy ; at thy right hand there are pleasures for ever- more.' No better estate can be expected. The soul is at rest, as having obtained its end. And it is also proved by the privileges and benefits the saints shall enjoy in the world to come.
1. A freedom from all evil, which here are matter of grief to us. And
2. The fruition of all good, which may any way bring joy, and delight, and contentment.
1. There is a freedom from all evil. There is a twofold evil, either of sin or punishment. In heaven there is neither sin nor misery.
[1.] To begin with sin, that is the worst evil, because it maketh us hateful to God, and grieveth the saints most : Kom. vii. 24, ' Oh wretched man that I am ! who shall deliver me from the body of this death ? ' If any man had cause to complain of afflictions, Paul much more, being often imprisoned, whipped, stoned ; but his lusts troubled him more than scourges ; and his captivity to the law of sin more than
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prisons. God's children are most weary of the world, because they are sinning here whilst others are glorifying of God, and enjoying God and the company of his blessed ones. Now in heaven there is no sin : Eph. V. 27, there is neither spot nor blemish, nor wrinkle on the face of the glorified saints. Their faces were once as black as yours, but now they are washed in the Lamb's blood and fully cleansed ; now with much ado we mortify sin, but then it is nullified. But if we subdue the power of sin, we do not get rid of the being of it, but then we are rid of all at once — of all sin, and temptation to sin. There was a serpent, a tempter in Paradise, but there is none in heaven ; the devil is shut out, and the old man is left in the grave never to rise more.
[2.] There is not the least evil of affliction : Eev. xxi. 4, ' All tears shall be wiped away from their eyes.' Whatsoever is painful and burdensome to nature, is a fruit of sin, a brand and mark of our rebel- lion against God. Therefore, when sin is done away, affliction, which is the fruit of it, is done away also. In hell there is evil, and only evil ; in heaven, happiness, and only happiness. Here our wounds are healed, but the scars remain — something to put us in mind that we have sin yet dwelling in us ; but there all the effects of it cease — there is neither death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor any more pain.
2. They shall enjoy all good things, which shall bring joy and com- fort to them. In blessedness there is a confluence of all good ; our joys are full and eternal.
[1.] There is the immediate sight and presence of God and Jesus Christ, who shall be all in all to them : 1 Cor. xiii. 12, ' Now we see through a glass, darkly ; but then face to face : now I know in part ; then shall I know as also I am known.' And John xvii. 24, ' Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am ; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me : for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.' We are brought into the presence of him who is blessedness itself.
[2.] The society of all the blessed angels and saints glorified : Mat. viii. 11, ' Many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.'
[3.] The perfection of all heavenly gifts both in soul and body.
(1.) In soul : that is the heaven of heaven : 1 John iii. 2, ' Now are we the sons of God ; but it doth not yet appear what we shall be : but this we know, that when he shall appear we shall be lilvC him, for we shall see him as he is ;' Ps. xvii. 15, ' When I awake I shall be satisfied with thy image and likeness.' By knowing we come to love, and by loving God we know him. There is vision, assimilation, satisfaction. The object is efficacious, the intimation vigorous and clear, the subject prepared for the impression.