So it is with Christians at the first ; when they are weak they are troubled with this temptation and with that, with this loss and with that cross ; but when a Christian grows to a full stature in Christ, every petty cross doth not cast him down. He thinks. What! shall I be dejected with this loss, that have heaven reserved for me ? Shall I be east down with this cross, that have things that ' eye hath not seen nor ear heard,' &c., prepared for me ? He will not. He makes use of his faith to fetch com- fort from these things that are reserved for him, that are inexpressible and inconceivable.
Use 4. And let us conifort ourselves in all the slightings of the world. A man that hath great hopes in his own country, if he be slighted abroad, he thinks with himself, I have other matters reserved elsewhere, and I shall have another manner of respect when I como home. The world it knows not God, nor Christ, nor us. Shall not we be content to go up and down as unknown men here, when God the Father and Christ om* Saviour are unknown ? There are better things reserved at home for us. Therefore let us digest all the slightings and abusage of carnal men. And let us not envy them their condition that is but for term of life, use it as well as they will ; that hath a date that will be out we know not how soon, Alas ! all * That is, ' conceptions.' — G.
172 A GLANCE OF HEAVEN.
their happiness it is but a measured happiness ; it is within their under- standings ; their eyes can see it and their cars can hear it, and when they can neitlier see nor conceive more in this world, then there is an end of all their sensible * happiness. Shall wo envy, when they shall shortly be turned out naked out of this world to the place of torment ? We should present them to us as objects of pity, even the greatest men in the world, if we see by their carriage they be void of grace ; but not envy any condi- tion in this world. But what all'oction is due and suiting to the estate of a Christian ? If we would have the true aft'ection, it is admiration and wonderment. What is wonderment ? It is the state and disposition of the soul toward things that are new and rare and strange ; that we can give no reason of, that are beyond our reach. For wise men wonder not, because they see a reason, they can compass things. f But a Christian cannot but wonder, because the things prepared are above his reach. Yea, when he is in heaven, he shall not be able to conceive the glory of it. He shall enter into it ; it shall bo above him ; he shall have more joy and peace than he can comprehend. The joy that he hath there it is beyond his ability and capacity, beyond his power ; he shall not be able to compass all. It shall be a matter of wonder even in heaven itself, much more should it be here below. Therefore the holy apostles, when they speak in the Scriptures of these things, it is with terms of admiration and wonderment, 'joy unspeakable and glorious,' 1 Peter i. 8, and ' peace that passeth under- standing,' Philip, iv. 7 ; and when they speak of our deliverance out of the state of darkness into the state of grace, they call it a being ' brought out of darkness into his marvellous light,' 1 Peter ii. 9. And so ' God loved the world,' he cannot express how, John iii. 16. ' Behold what love hath the Father shewed us, that we should be called the sons of God,' 1 John iii. 1. To be called, and to be, is all one with God ; both beyond expression.
Use 5. Again, if this be so that God hath provided such things as neither * eye hath seen nor ear hath heard,' &c, her/ of God first the Spirit pf grace to conceive of them as the Scripture reveals them, and then beg of God a further degree of revelation, that he would more and more reveal to us by his Spirit those excellent things. For the soul is never in a better frame than when it is lift up above earthly things. When shall a man use the world as though he used it not ? When he goes about his business in a com- manding manner, as seeing all things under him ; when he is raised up to conceive the things that are reserved for him above the world. That keeps a man from being drowned in the world. What makes men drowned in the world to be earth-worms ? They think of no other heaven but this ; they have no other thing in their eye. Now by the Spirit discovering these things to them that have weaned souls, it makes them go about the things of the world in another manner. They will do them, and do them exactly, with conscience and care, considering that they must give an account of all ; but they will do them with reserved affections to better things. Therefore let us oft think of this, and labour to have a spirit of faith to believe them that they are so, that there are such great things ; and then upon believing, the meditation of such excellent things will keep the soul in such a frame as it will be fit for anything without defiling of itself. A man that hath first faith that these things are so, and then that hath faith exercised to think and meditate what these things are, he may be turned loose to any temptation whatsoever. For first of all, if there be any solicitation to any base sin, what will he think ? Shall I for the pleasures of sin for a season,