(3.) The glorified saints, in every period of their happy state, have .as lively a perception of it as in the beginning. To make this evident, we must consider that the pleasure of novelty springs from a quick fiense of the oi)posite terms between our condition in the want of some desired 2;ood and after our obtaining it. Now the mind is more intense on the advantage, and more strongly affected at first. One newly freed Irom the torments of a sharp disease feels a greater pleasure than from a constant tenor of health. Those who are raised from a low state to an eminent dignity are transported with their first change ; but in tract <jf time the remembrance of their mean condition is so weakened and fspent, that it is like the shadow of a dream, and proportionably their joy is lessened. Honours, like })erfumes, by custom are less sensible to ihose that carry them. But the saints above always consider and feel the excellent difference between their suffering and triumphant state. They never lose that ravishing part of felicity, the vivid sense of past evils. Their reflections are always as strong on the misery from whence
^ Vitse nos tsedium tenet, timor mortis natat omne consilium, nee implere nos uUa fcclicitas potest. Causa autem est, quod non perveuimus ad illud bonum immensum et ijisuperabile, ubi necesse est consistat nobis voluntas nostra, quia ultra summum non est Jocus. — Sen. Ep. 74.
'^ El i] (pvcTLS clttXt] etr) i] avri] npa^is -i^oIctt] idTO.L Aib 6 Gtos ahi p.lav koI a.ir\riv ■)(alpei, ^SovTjv. — Abist. Eth. lib. vii. c. ult.
Dii manton's funeual sekmon. 139
they were raised to the pitch of iia[)piness as in their first ^ii;lorious tran- tslation. In what an ecstasy of wonder and pleasure will they be, from the fresh memory of what they were, and the joyful sense of what they are ! I was (says the admiring- soul) poor, blind, and naked ; but, 0 miraculous and happy alteration ! I am lull of light, enriched with the treasures of heaven, adorned with divine glory. I was under the tyrannous power of Satan, but he is bruised imder my feet, I was sentenced to an everlasting separation from the presence of God, my only life and joy; but now am possessed of my supreme good. Oh, how transporting is the comparison of these wide and contrary extremes ! How beautiful and pleasant is the day of eternity after such a dark, tempestuous night ! How does the remembrance of such evils produce a more lively and feeling fruition of such happiness ! How strangely and mightily does salvation with eternal glory affect the soul ! This gives a sprightly accent to their everlasting hallelujahs. This })reserves an affectionate heat in their thanksgiving to their victorious deliverer. And thus their hai)piness is always the same, and always new. Their pleasure is continued in its perfection.
Lastly, The blessedness of the saints is without end ; this makes heaven to be itself. There is no satiety of the present, no solicitude for the future. Were there a possibility or the least suspicion of losing that happy state, it would cast an aspersion of bitterness upon all their delights ; they could not enjoy one moment's repose. But the more ■excellent their happiness is, the more stinging would their fear be of parting with it. But ' the inheritance reserved in heaven is immortal, imdefiled, and fades not away ; ' and the tenure of their possession is infinitely firm by the divine power, the true support of their everlasting iluration : ' With God is the fountain of life.' They enjoy a better immortality than the tree of life could have preserved in Adam. The revolutions of the heavens and ages are under their feet, and cannot in the least alter or determine their happiness. After the passing of millions of years, still an entire eternity remains of their enjoying God. O most desirable state ! where blessedness and eternity are inseparably united. 0 joyful harmony ! when the full chorus of heaven shall «ing, ' This God is our God for ever and ever.' This adds an infinite weight to their glory. This redoubles tlieir unspeakable joys with in- finite sweetness and security. They repose themselves in the complete fruition of tlieir happiness. God reigns in the saints, and they live in liim for ever.
From what has been discoursed we should —
1. Consider the woful folly of men in refusing such an happiness, thai, by the admirable favour of God, is offered to their choice. Can there be an expectation or desire or capacity in man of enjoying an happi- ness beyond what is infinite and eternal ? 0 blind and Avretched world ! so careless of everlasting felicity ! Who can behold without compassion and indignation men vainly seeking for happiness where it is not to be found, and after innumerable disappointments, fly to an impossibility, and neglect their sovereign and final blessedness ? Astonishing madness, that God and heaven should be despised in com- parison of ])ainted trifles ! This adds the greatest contumely to their impiety. What powerful charm obstructs their true j udging of things ?
140 DR manton's funeral sermon.
What spirit of error possesses them ? Alas ! eternal * things are unseen,' not of conspicuous moment, and therefore in the carnal balance are esteemed light against temporal things present to the sense : ' It does not appear what we shall be.' The veil of the visible heavens covers the sanctuary, where Jesus, our high priest, is entered, and stops the inquiring eye.