The Works (Vol 7) by Thomas Goodwin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude the work 'Of the blessed state...' by reading Chapter 15.
Today Goodwin finishes his work on 'the blessed state'.
Firstly he looks at heaven comparatively. It cannot compare to:
(i) the good things on earth;
(ii) the afflictions on earth;
(iii) the joy on earth.
Secondly Goodwin considers the heavenly glory as it is in itself. He examines the causes of the glory:
(i) the efficient cause is the great God of heaven and earth;
(ii) the meritorious cause is Jesus Christ;
(iii) the exemplary cause is Jesus Christ himself;
(iv) the object and subject is God himself;
(v) the final cause is the end why God hath prepared the glory - the saints and his own glory.
What grabbed me
I loved the descriptions of heaven, particularly that heaven will be eternal: 'Why, now think what eternity is, and think of it again, it will even amaze your thoughts. Length of time is that which multiplies our joys here upon earth ; for to enjoy a thing many years is our greatest joy, and if we can so enjoy it, their lies our comfort ; hence those words of the rich man in the gospel, ' Soul, take thy rest, for thou hast goods laid up for many years.' What a happiness then is it, not only to enjoy an inheritance many years, but for ever, to have goods laid up for ever ! What a mercy is it that they are for ever ! The eternity of them adds to our joys. ...now in heaven we shall never die ; we shall possess our kingdom in our own persons to everlasting : whereas the pleasures and riches we enjoy here must go to others. The rich man in the Gospel sings to his soul, ' Soul, thou hast goods in store laid up for many years ; eat, drink, and take thy rest ;' but mark the answer, ' Thou fool, this night shall thy glory be taken from thee.' Now in heaven it is far otherwise, we shall never be deprived of our glory ; why, let not the least thought of jealousy come into our minds. For this place is incorruptible, and not only incorruptible in itself, but also in those that enjoy it ; we shall be ever with the Lord, we shall be the persons. The kingdoms of this world were brave places if they might have no end, the kings of them exceeding happy if they might never die, but live always. But, alas ! though they live like gods, they shall die like men. Now in heaven there is no such thing, there is no dying, nor talk of dying, but mortality shall be swallowed up of immortality ; we shall enjoy those inexhaustible rivers of pleasures to eternity.'
We will not only have joy that is far greater than any joy experienced here, but we will experience it for eternity!
Next week's reading
Commence the work 'Three several ages of Christians in faith and obedience' by reading Chapter 1.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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