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Sattvrdaie Nighte. of the Everlastinge Glorie and Felicitie of the Kingdome of Heaven

THIS DAIE (WHEN THOV HAST MADE THE SIGNE OF the Crosse, and prepared thy selfe hereunto,) thou hast to meditate vpon the felicitie of eternall glorie in the kingedome of heauen.

THIS consideration is so profitable, that if it were holpen with the lighte of a liuely faithe, it were able to make all the bitter paines and labours which we shoulde take for the attaininge thereof to become sweite, and pleasant. For if the loue of landes and riches doe cause the paines, and labours, that be taken for them to seime sweite, and pleasant, If the loue of childrē also doe cause women to wishe for the paines of childebearinge, what woulde the loue of this most excellent and passinge great felicitie doe, in comparison whereof all other felicities are of non accompt. If it be saied of the patriarke Iacob,1 that his seuen years seruice feemed but shorte vnto him, in respecte of the great loue he bare to Rachel, what woulde the loue of that infinite bewtie worke in our hartes, what woulde that euerlastinge mariage cause vs to doe, if it were considered with the eies of a liuely faieth.

2 Wherefore that thou mayst vnderstande somewhat of this felicitie, thou hast to consider (emonge other thinges) these fiue pointes that are in it: to witt: The excellencie and greatenes of the place: The fruition of the companie of those blessed inhabitantes: The vision of almightie God: The glorie of the Sainctes bodies: And finallie, the perfect fruition of all good thinges that are there.

First of all therefore consider the excellencie of the place,3 and especially the greatnes thereof, which is surelye very wonderfull. For when a man readeth in certaine graue awthors, that euerie one of the starres of heauen is greater than all the whole earthe, yea and which is more meruailous that there be some starres emonge them of such notable greatnes, that they be nyntie times greater then all the whole earthe: when a man hearethe these thinges, and lifteth vp his eies to heauen, and seeth in the same such a multitude of starres, and so manie voyde spaces where manie more starres might be set, how can he but wonder? How can he but be astonied, and in a maner besides himselfe consideringe the passinge greatnes of that place, and much more of that mightie Soueraine Lorde, that created it of nothinge?

4 Then as towchinge the goodlie bewtie of that place it is a thinge that can not be expressed with wordes. For if almightie God hath created thinges so wonderfull and so bewtifull in this vale of teares, and place of bannishement: what wonderfull bewtifull thinges hath he created (trowe ye) in that place, which is the seate of his glorie, the throne of his mightie power, the pallace of his maiestie, the howse of his electe, and the paradise of all delightes?

After thou hast considered the excellencie of the place,5 consider also the great worthines of those blessed inhahitantes that dwell in it: whose nomber, holines, riches, and bewtie, are greater than anie man can imagin. S. Iohn saieth, that the nomber of the electe is so great, that no man is able to counte them. S. Dionysius saithe, that the nomber of the Angels is so great, that they exceede without comparison all corporall and materiall thinges in the earthe. S. Thomas agreinge with this opinion saithe, that like as the greatnes of the heauēs exceedethe the greatnes of the earthe without anie proportion: euen so doth the multitude of those glorious spirites exceede the multitude of all corporall and materiall thinges that are in this worlde with the like aduantage and proportion. Now what thinge can be imagined more wonderful than this? Certainlie this is such a matter, that if it were well considered, it were able to astonishe all men. Againe, if euerie one of the Angels (yea thoughe it be the verie leaste Angell emonge them all) be more goodlie and bewtifull to beholde than all this visible worlde, what a glorious sighte shall it then be to beholde such a nomber of bewtifull Angels, and to see the perfections, and offices, that euerie one of them hath in that highe and supreme cittie? There the Angels goe as it were in ambassages:6 The Archangels are occupied in their ministerie:7 The Principalities triumphe: The Powers reioyce: The dominations gouerne: The Vertues shyne: The Thrones glister: The Cherubins geue light: The Seraphins burne with loue: And all of that heauenlie cowert doe singe lawdes and prayses vnto almightie God. Now if the companie and conuersation of good and vertuous persons be so sweite, and amiable a thinge, what a blessed thinge shall it be, to conuerse, and kepe companie with so so manie good and blessed Sainctes as be there? to speake with the Apostles, to be conuersant with the Prophetes, to communicate with the Martirs, and to dwell and haue a perpetuall familiaritie with all the electe?

Now if it shall be so greate a glorie to enioye the companie of the good,8 what shall it be to enioye the companie and presence of him, whom the morninge starres doe praise, at whose excellente bewtie the Sonne and moone doe wonder, before whose maiestie the Angels bowe downe, and at whose presence men doe meruailouslie reioyce? What a glorie shall it be, to beholde that vniuersall goodnes, in whom are all good thinges? That greater worlde, in whom all worldes are conteyned? What a ioye shall it be to see him, who beinge one, is all thinges, and yet beinge one, and most simple in himselfe, comprehendeth the perfections of all things? If to heare and see kinge Salomō, were thought so great a matter that the Quene of Saba saied of him:9 Blessed are they that stand before thy presence, and enioye thy wisedome: what a thinge shall it be to beholde that most highe Salomon? that euerlastinge wisedome? that infinite greatnes? that inestimable bewtie? that exceedinge goodnes? and to enioye the same for euermore? This is the essentiall glorie of the Sainctes. This is the last ende and center of all our desires.

10 After this, consider the glorie of the bodies, in which there shalbe no parte but shalbe glorified. For there euerie one of the members and senses shall haue his particuler glorie, and obiect, wherein to take delighte. There the bodies of the Sainctes shalbe endued with those fower singuler qualities, and dowries,11 to witt, with subtilitie, swiftnes, impassibilitie, and clearenes. And this clearenes shalbe so great, that euerie one of the Sainctes bodies shall shyne like the sonne in the kingdome of their father. Now if this sonne that standeth in the middest of the firmamente beinge but one be sufficient to geue lighte and comfort to all this worlde, what a lighte shall so manie sonnes and lampes make, as shall shyne so brightlie in that place altogether?

12 To conclude, in this glorie all good thinges shalbe fownde wholye together, and all euill thinges shalbe bannished from thence. There shalbe healthe without infirmitie, libertie without bondage, bewtie without deformitie, immortalitie without corruption, aboundance without necessitie, quietnes without vexation, securitie without feare, knowledge without error, fulnes without lothsomenes, ioye without heauines, and honour without contradiction. There (as S. Augustine saieth) shalbe true glorie.13 For there shall non be praised, either by error, or flatterie. There shalbe true honour. For there it shall neither be denied to suche as deserue it, nor geuen to suche as deserue it not. There shalbe true peace. For there shall no man be molested neither by him selfe, nor by others. The rewarde of vertue shalbe euen he that gaue the vertue, and hathe promised himselfe for a rewarde of the same, who is the greatest and best of all thinges, (to witt, almightie God.) He shalbe the ende of our desires. He shall there be seene without ceassinge, loued without lothsomenes, and praised without wearines. There the place is large, bewtifull, bright, and secure. The companie verie good, and delightfull. The time alwaies after one sorte, not distincted into eueninge, and morninge, but continued with a simple eternitie. There shalbe a perpetuall springe, which throughe the freshnes and sweite breathinge of the holie Ghost shall florishe for euermore. There shall all reioyce, all shall singe, and geue continuall praise to the cheife geuer of all thinges, throughe whose bountifull goodnes they liue, and reigne in glorie. O heauenly cittie! O secure dwellinge place! O blissefull countrey, where all delightfull thinges are to be fownde! O happie people, without anie grudginge! O quiet neighbours, where no one is subiecte to anye wante, or necessitie! O that the striffe, and contention of this present state were at an ende! O that the daies of my bannishement might be finished! O how longe is the time of my peregrination prolonged! When shall this daie come? When shall I come and appeare before the face of my sweite Lorde and Sauiour?

THE SIXTE TREATISE. OF THE CONSIDERATION OF the glorie of Paradise: Wherein the former meditation…

ONE of the thinges wherevpon it behoueth vs most to haue our eies alwaies fixed in this vale of teares is the blessed state of glorie in the kingdome of heauen. For this consideration alone were able to encourage vs to susteine willingelye all labours and paines that are to be suffered for the atteyninge of it. When almightie God promised to giue to the Patriarke Abraham the lande of promise he commaunded him to walke and vewe it all rounde abowte: sayeinge, Arise, 14 and walke all ouer this lande both in lengthe, and breadthe, and consider it one euerie side. For I will geue it vnto thee. Arise vp therefore (ô my sowle,) aduaunce thy selfe on highe, leaue all earthlye cares and affaires here benethe, and flee vp with the winges of thy spirite vnto that most excellēte noble lande of promise, and cō sider with good attention the lengthe of the eternitie, the lardgenes of the felicitie, and the greatnes of the riches, with all the rest that is therein.

It is writtē of the Quene of Saba,15 that when she hearde of the great fame of Salomon, she went to Ieruzalem to see the great and wonderfull thinges that were reported of him. Consideringe therefore that the fame of that heauenly Ieruzalem, and of that supreme kinge that gouerneth it, is no lesse than the renowme of Salomon was, ascende thou now vp on highe with thy spirite vnto this noble cittie, to contemplate the wisedome of this supreme kinge, the bewtie of this temple, the seruice of this table, the orders of them that attende vpon it, the liueries that the whole familie weare, and withall the policie and glorie of this noble cittie. For if thou be able to consider euerie one of these thinges, it maie be that thy spiritie shalbe lifted vp aboue it selfe, and thou shalt perceiue that there hath not bene declared vnto thee so muche as the verie least parte of this glorie. But for this purpose it shalbe requisite to haue a spetiall lighte of almightie God, as the Apostle signifieth, sayeinge: I beseache the God of glorie and the father of our Lorde Iesus Christ to geue you the spirite of wisedome,16 and to lighten the eies of your hartes, that you maie vnderstande how great the hope of your vocation is, and the riches of that enheritance, and glorie, which he hath prepared for the Sainctes. And althoughe in this glorie there be manie thinges to contemplate vpon, yet mayst thou now espetiallie consider these fiue principall thinges, that we towched before: to witt:17 The excellencie and greatnes of the place: The fruition of the companie of those blessed inhabitantes: The vision of almightie God: The glorie of the Sainctes bodies: And the euerlastinge continuance and eternitie of all these so great and wonderfull benefites.

Of the goodlines and excellencie of the place. § I

FIRST of all consider the goodlie bewtie of the place, which S. Iohn describeth vnto vs in a figure in his Apocalips in these wordes:18 One of the seuen Angels spake vnto me, sayeing: Come, and I will shewe thee the spouse of the lambe: and he caried me awaie in spirite to a highe and great mountaine, and shewed me the holie cittie of Ieruzalem, which descended from heauen, and shyned with the clearenes of almightie God, and the light thereof was like to the glisteringe brightnes of pretious stones. This cittie had one great and highe walle, in which were twelue gates, and in the gates twelue Angels, accordinge to the nomber of the gates. The foundatiōs of the walles of this cittie were wholye wroughte with pretious stones, and the twelue gates thereof were twelue pearles, euerie gate made of one pearle, and the streat of this cittie was of pure golde like vnto a verie cleare glasse: and I sawe no temple therein, because our Lorde God almightie and the lambe were the temple: and the cittie had no neede of Sonne or Moone to geue light vnto it, forsomuche as the clearnes of almightie God doth lighten it, and the lampe that burneth there is the lambe. Moreouer the Angell shewed me a floud of the water of lyfe, as clear as the christal, which issued out of the seat of almightie God, and of the lambe.19 In the middest of the streat and both on the one side of the floude and on the other was planted the tree of lyfe, which brought forthe twelue fruites in the yeare, euerie monethe his fruite, and the leaues of this tree serued for the healthe of nations. No maner of malediction shall euer be seene there, but there shalbe the seat of almightie God, and of the ābe. And his seruātes shall serue him, and they shall see his face, and haue the name of him written in their foreheaddes, and they shal reigne for euer, and euer, worlde without ende.

Beholde here (dear brother) the bewtie of this cittie described vnto thee: not that thou maist thinke that these thinges are there in such a materiall sort as the wordes doe sounde, but that by meanes of these thou maist conceiue other more spirituall and more excellent thinges, which are figured vnto vs by these materiall thinges.

20 The situation of this cittie is aboue all the heauens, and the greatnes and largenes thereof exceideth all measure. For if euerie one of the starres of heauen be so great as we haue before declared, how great then must that heauen be, that conteineth in it all the starres, and all the heauens? Suerlie there is no greatnes in the worlde that maie be compared vnto this. For (as a holie father saiethe) from the west parte of Spayne vnto the vttermost borders of the Indiens a shippe maie saile (if it haue a prosperous wynde) in fewe daies: but that region of heauen is so great, that the starres (which are more swifte than the sonne beames) can not finishe their course in it in manie yeares.

21 Now if thou demaunde of the workmanshippe of that buildinge, there is no tonge able to expresse it. For if that worke that appeareth outwardly to our mortall eies be so goodly, and bewtifull, what is to be supposed of all the rest that is there reserued for the sighte onelie of immortall eies? And if we see that by the handieworke of men certaine workes are made here so sightlie, and so bewtifull, that they astonishe the eies of them that doe beholde them, what a worke must that be, which is wrought by the hande of almightie God himselfe in that royall howse, in that sacred pallace, in that howse of ioye, and solace, which he hath built for the glorie of his electe?22 O how amiable are thy tabernacles (saiethe the Prophet) ô Lorde God of vertues? My sowle desireth and feinteth in beholdinge the pallaces of our Lorde.

23 The thinge that most principallie commendeth a cittie is the state and condition of the cittizens, to witt, if they be noble, if they be manie, if they liue in peace, and concorde emonge them selues. Now who is able to declare the excellencie of this cittie in this behalfe? All the inhabitantes therein be noble personages, there is no one emonge them of base linage, forsomuch as they be all the sonnes and children of God. They be so frendly and louinge one towardes an other, that they be all (as it were) one sowle, and one harte. And they liue in so great peace, and concorde, that the verie cittie it selfe is called Ieruzalem that is to saie, the vision of peace. If thow desire to vnderstande the nomber of the inhabitantes in this cittie, vnto this desire S. Iohn maketh answere in his reuelations,24 where he saieth: that he sawe in spirite such a great companie of blessed Sainctes, that no man was able to recken them, gathered together of all kindes of nations, people, and tonges, which stode before the throne of almightie God, and of his lambe, appareiled in white garmentes, and with triumphante palmes in their handes, singinge vnto almightie God songes of praise. And vnto this sayeinge of S. Iohn, doth that agrie verie well, which is signified by the Prophet Daniell concerninge this holie nomber: where he saieth:25 Thowsande thowsandes serue the Lorde of maiestie, and tenne hundered thowsande thowsandes stande before him.

And thinke not because the nomber is so great that they be therefore disordered. For there the multitude is no cause of confusion, but of greater order, ād harmonie. For almightie God that hath with such a wonderfull consonance and agrement disposed the mouinges of the heauens, and the courses of the starres,26 callinge them euerie one by his proper name, hath also ordeined all that innumerable armie of blessed Sainctes with a most wonderfull goodlie ordre, and disposition, appointinge to euerie one his place, and glorie, accordinge to his merite. And so there is one place for the virgins, an other for the Confessors, an other for the holie Martirs, an other for the Partiarkes, and Prophets, an other for the Apostles and Euangelistes, and so forthe in all the rest. And in like sorte as men are there diuided,27 and placed, euen so after their maner are the Angels also, which be diuided into three Hierarchies, and those three Hierarchies into nine orders. And aboue all the Sainctes and Angels is placed the throne of that most excellent Quene of Angels,28 the mother of almightie God, who alone is an order by her selfe: forsomuch as she hath no peere, nor anie one that is like vnto her. And aboue thē all the holie humanitie of our Sauiour Christ hath the cheife place and preeminēce, who sitteth at the right hande of the maiestie of almightie God in the highest.

Now (thou Christian sowle) take a vewe of all these orders: walke through these streates, and waies: consider the order of these cittizens, the bewtie of this cittie, and the noblenes and worthines of these inhabitantes. Salute them euerie one by their names, and desire them to helpe and succour thee with their praiers. Salute also this sweite and pleasaunt countrey, and as a pilgrime beholdinge it as yet a farre of, directe thine eies, and withal thy harte vnto it, and saie. Alhaile sweite countrey! the lande of promise! the hauen of securitie! the place of refuge! the howse of blessinge! the kingdome of all worldes! the paradise of delightes! the garden of eternall flowers! the market place of all treasure! the crowne of all iust persons! and the ende of all our desires! Alhaile our mother, and our hope! After thee haue we sighed a longe time! For thee haue we mourned, and doe mourne euen at this presente! For the loue of thee haue we foughte and doe still fighte a longe battell in this our transitorie lyfe! For we knowe assuredlie,29 that none shalbe rewarded and crowned in thee, but onely such as haue here fowghten faithfullie.

Of the seconde Ioye that the sowle shall haue in the kingedome of heauen: which is the enioyinge of…

VHO is able after this great ioye to declare what a further ioye the sowle shall haue by beinge in this most happie and blessed companie? For there the vertue of charitie is in her full perfection, the propertie of which vertue is to cause all thinges to be common. There shall that petition be perfectlie fulfilled which our sauiour made, sayeinge: I beseech thee ô father, 30 that they maie be one (by loue,) as we are one (by nature.) For there shall the electe be more streitlie vnited together in one than the members of one same bodie, because all shall participate of one same spirite, which geueth vnto all one same beinge, and withall one blessed lyfe. If thou imagin it to be otherwise, tell me, what is the cause why the members of one bodie haue so great a vnitie and loue one towardes an other? The reason is, because they all are partakers of one same forme, that is, of one sowle, which geueth one same beinge and one lyfe to them all. Now if the spirite of a man liaue power to cause so great a vnitie betwene members that are so different in offices, and natures, is it anie wonder if the spirite of almightie God by whom all the electe doe liue (which spirite is as it were the cōmon sowle to them all) shoulde cause a farre greater and more perfecte vnitie emonge them: espetially consideringe that the spirite of God is a more noble cause, and of a more excellent vertue, and power, yea, and geueth also a more noble beinge?

Well now, if this maner of vnitie and loue doe cause all thinges to be cōmō, as well good, as euil, (as we see in the members of one bodie, and in the loue of mothers towardes their children, who reioyce as much at their felicitie, as at their owne,) what a wonderful ioye shal one of the electe there haue of the glorie of all the rest, consideringe that he shall loue euerie one of them as well as him selfe? For as S. Gregorie saiethe.31 That heauenly inheritance vnto all is one, and vnto euerie one is all: forsomuch as euerie one of the blessed Sainctes reioyceth as muche at the ioyes and felicities of all others, as if he were him selfe in possession of the same. But what can we inferre of all this? Marie thus much, that as the nomber of the blessed Sainctes is after a sorte infinite, euen so the ioyes of each one of them shall also after a sorte be infinite, and that euerie one of the Sainctes shall haue the excellencies of all, forsomuch as whatsoeuer anie one of them shall not haue in himselfe, he shall haue it in others. These be spiritually those seuen sonnes of Iob,32 emonge whom there was such a greate loue and cōmunicatinge one to an other, that euerie one of them in his order made a feast one daie of the weke vnto all the reste, whereby it came to passe that euerie one of thē was no lesse partaker of the goodes of others, than of his owne proper goodes. And so that which was proper to one was cōmō to all: and that which was common to all was proper to euerie one. This effecte wroughte loue and brotherly affection in those holie brethern. Now how much greater shall the brotherly loue of the electe be in the kingdome of heauen? How much greater shall the nomber of brothers be there? How much more treasure and riches shall they haue to enioye?33 Now by this accompte, what a feast shall that be, which the Seraphins shall there make vnto vs, who are in the highest degree of all blessed Spirites, and most neare vnto almightie God, when they shall discouer vnto our eies the noblenes of their state, and condition, the cleerenes of their contemplation, and the most feruente burninge heate of their loue? What a feast also shall the Cherubins make,34 in whom the treasures of the wisedome of almightie God are enclosed? What a feast likewise shall that be of the Thrones,35 and Dominations, and of all the other blessed spirites? What a ioye shall it be to see and haue the fruition of that glorious armie of Martirs, clothed with white garmentes, with their palmes in their handes, and with the glorious ensignes of their triumphes? What a ioye shall it be to beholde there those eleuen thowsande virgins altogether,36 and those tenne thowsande Martirs, which were the true followers of the glorie, and Crosse of Christ, with other innumerable multitudes of them? What a ioye shall it be to see there that glorious Deacon (S. Laurence) with his greedyron in his hāde,37 shyninge nowe much brighter than the flames wherewith he was burned, hauinge defyed the cruell tirantes, and wearied the tormētors with an inuincible patiēce? What a ioye shall it be to beholde there the bewtifull and glorious virgin S. Catherine crowned with roses,38 and lilies, who ouercame the wheele of their rasers with the weapons of faith,39 and hope? What a ioye shall it be to see those seuen noble Machabees with their godly and valiant mother, hauinge contemned all kinde of deathes and tormentes for kepinge the lawe of almightie God? What chaine of golde and pretious stones are so goodly to beholde as the necke of the glorious forerunner of Christ. S. Iohn Baptist,40 who chose rather to lose his head, than to dissemble the filthines of the adulterous kinge? What purple shal shyne so brighte as the bodie of blessed S. Bartholomewe,41 who had his skinne fleyd from his fleashe for our Sauiour Christ his sake? What other thinge shall it be to see the bodie of S. Stephen that was brused with the strokes of the stones,42 than to beholde a riche longe robe trimlie garnished and sett all ouer with goodlie precious rubies, and diamondes? What a ioyful sighte shall it be to see those two glorious princes of Christes Churche, S. Peter,43 and S. Paule, shyninge there verie brightly, the one with his sworde, and the other with the glorious standarte of Christ (to witt, the Crosse) wherewith they were crowned? Now what a ioye shall it be, to enioye the glories of each one of all these blessed sainctes, as if they were properly our owne? O glorious feaste! ô royall bancket! ô table meet for almightie God, and his electe! Wherefore let these worldlinges get them to their filthie and carnall banckettes: let them burste their bellies with their gluttonous excesse, and superfluities: Such a feast as this is where such excellent meates are serued is conuenient for almightie God, and his electe.

Ascende yet vp higher aboue all the orders of Angels, and there shalte thou finde an other singuler glorie that doth wonderfullie reioyce all that supreme Courte, and maketh the cittie of God as it were dronke with meruailous delighte. Lift vp thine eies,44 and beholde (the most blessed virgin Marie) that Quene of mercie full of clearenes, and bewtie, at whose glorie the Angels doe wonder, and in whose excellencie men doe glorie. This is the Quene of heauen crowned with starres, clothed with the sonne, shodde with the moone, and blessed aboue all women.

Consider now what a greate ioye it shalbe to beholde this our blessed Ladie, and mother, not kneelinge now vpon her knees before the maunger, not troubled and molested now with the fryghtes and feares of such thinges as holie Simeon prophesied vnto her,45 not lamentinge and seekinge now her lost childe in all partes, but with inestimable peace and securitie placed at the righte hande of her deere sonne, without all feare of euer leesinge that her most pretious treasure. Now hathe she no neede to seeke the deade time of the secrete night, to deliuer the childe frō the cōspiracies of Herode by flyenge into Egipte.46 Now dothe she no more stāde at the foote of the crosse, receyuinge vpō her head the droppes of bloude that fel from aboue, and caryenge in her vpper garmente a perpetuall remenbrance of that her greate greife.47 Now she feelethe no more the greife of that dolefull exchaunge, when she had assigned vnto her the disciple in steede of the master, and the seruante in steede of the lorde. Now are those sorowfull wordes to be hearde no more which she vttered with great weepinge and lamentation vnder that blouddie tree: sayeinge: O that I might die for thee Absolon: 48 my sonne: my sonne Absolon. Now is all this sorowe at an ende, and she that was more afflicted in this worlde thā anie other mere creature, is now seene there exalted aboue al creatures, enioyinge for euer that cheifeste goodnes, and sayeinge:49 I haue founde him whom my sowle loueth: I will holde him, and will not let him goe.

And if this be so great a ioye,50 what a ioye shall that be to beholde the most sacred humanitie of our sauiour Christ, and the glorie and bewtie of that bodie, which was so fowlie disfigured for our sakes vpon the crosse?51 It shalbe vndowtedlie (as S. Bernarde saithe) a thinge full of all sweitnes, and delighte, when men shall there see and beholde a man, the creator of men, and Lorde of all thinges created. We are wonte to esteime it for a singular honour to our whole familie, to see some one of our kinred to be made a Cardinall, or a Pope. Now how farre greater honour shall this be vnto vs, to see that Lorde who is of our fleashe, and bloude, sittinge at the righte hande of the father, and made kinge both of heauen, and earthe? With what a passinge great ioye shall men stande emonge the Angels,52 when they shall see that the Lorde of the whole howse, and the vniuersall creator of all thinges is not an Angell, but a man? For if the members doe accompte that to be an honour vnto them, that is done to their head, (by reason of the great vnion, that is betwene them and it,) what shall it be there, where there is suche a strayte vnion betwene the mē bers, and the head? What shall it be els, but that euerie one of the sainctes shall accompte the glorie of their Lorde as their owne peculiar glorie? This ioye shalbe so passinge great, that no wordes are able to expresse it accordinge to the worthines thereof. Now who shalbe so happie, as to be thowghte worthie to enioye so great a blysse and felicitie?53 O that thou were as my brother suckinge the brestes of my mother, that I mighte finde thee without, and kisse thee with the lippes of deuotion, and embrace thee with the armes of loue! O most sweete louinge Lorde! When shall this ioyefull daie come? When shall I appeare before thy face? When shall I be filled with thy excellente bewtie? When shall I see that countenance of thyne, wherevpon the Angels are desirous to beholde?

Of the thirde ioye that the sowle shall haue in the kingdome of heauen: which is, the enioyinge of…

54 NOW what a ioye shall it be aboue all this to haue a cleare sighte of that diuine face, in the sighte of whō consisteth the essentiall glorie of the Sainctes? All the thinges we haue hitherto spoken of, are certainly great motiues towardes the accomplishemente of glorie: but they all are litle in comparison of the cleare vision of almightie God. Of Issachar it is written, That he sawe that rest was good, 55 and that the lande was best: and therefore he put his shoulders to labour, and made him selfe subiecte to tribute. The rest and glorie of the Sainctes is good: but the lande that bringeth forthe this rest is best in the superlatiue degrie. For this lande is the face and bewtie of almightie God, of the vision and beholdinge of whom proceedeth the rest and glorie of the Sainctes. This cleare vision of almightie God is the thinge that of it selfe alone is able to geue perfecte rest vnto our sowles.56 For all the sweetnes and pleasantnes of creatures well maie it geue delighte to the harte of man, but it can neuer wholye satisfie and fill it. Now if all these good thinges before reheresed shall so much delighte vs, how much then shall that good thinge delighte vs that conteineth in it selfe the perfection and somme of all good thinges? And if the onely sighte and beholdinge of creatures be so glorious, what a glorie shall it be to beholde that diuine face, that most brighte lighte, and that most excellente bewtie of almightie God, in whom all bewties doe shyne? What a glorious sighte shall it be to beholde that essence, so wonderfull, so simple, and so communicable, and with one sighte to beholde in the same the misterie of the most blessed Trinitie? The glorie of the father, the wisedome of the sonne, and the goodnes and loue of the holie Ghost?

There shall we see God, and in God bothe our selues,57 and all thinges. S. Fulgentius saithe, that like as he that hath a glasse before him, seeth the glasse, and him selfe in the glasse, and all other thinges that are before the glasse, euen so when we shall haue that vnspotted glasse of the maiestie of almightie God present before vs, we shall see him, and our selues in him, and withal whatsoeuer is without him, accordinge to the knowledge (greater, or lesse) that we shall haue of him.58 There shall the appetite of our vnderstandinge rest, and shall not desire to knowe anie thinge els, because it shall haue before it all that can be knowen. There shall the appetite of our will rest, in louinge that vniuersall good thinge in whom are all good thinges,59 and out of whom there be no more good thinges to be enioyed. There shall our desire rest,60 and be fullie satisfied with the morsel of that supreme ioye, which shal in such wise fill the mouthe of our harte, that there shalbe nothinge els for it to desire. There shall those three Theologicall vertues,61 to witt, Faithe, Hope, and Charitie, wherewith almightie God is here honored be perfectly rewarded: when vnto faithe shalbe there geuen for a rewarde the cleare vision of almightie God: vnto hope the possession of him: and vnto charitie imperfect, charitie in all her perfection. There shall the electe see, loue, enioye, and prayse almightie God. There shall they be filled without gluttinge, and be hōgrie without necessitie.

There is the place where that songe is alwayes songe, that S. Iohn hearde in his reuelations, which songe he tearmeth,62 Quasi canticum nouum: As it were a newe songe. For that althowghe the songe be alwayes after one maner (forsomuche as it is one cōmon prayse, answerable to one common glorie, which all that blessed companie enioyeth,) yet is it alwaies newe, as concerninge the taste and delighte it hath. For loke what taste it had at the beginninge, the same verie tast also shall it haue for euer, and euer, without ende. The ioye of the Sainctes in heauen shall neuer diminishe, nor decaye, neither shall their bodies euer decaye, or waxe olde. For he that causeth the heauens to be alwaies freshe and newe after so manie thowsande yeares as haue passed since they were created, shall also cause the flower of the glorie of the Sainctes alwaies to be liuelie, and florishinge, and neuer to wither or decaye in anie one poynte.

Of the fourthe ioye that the sowle shall haue in the kingdome of heauen: which is the enioyinge of…

63 THE cleare vision of the diuine maiestie is (as hathe bene declared) the essential glorie of the blessed sowles in heauen. Howbeit our most iust iudge and bountifull father thinkethe it not enoughe to glorifie the sowles onely, but for the honour of them extendethe his magnificence and liberalitie yet further, euen to glorifie their bodies also: geuinge thus a rowme and place vnto beastes in his royall and euerlastinge heauēlie pallace. O louer of men! O honorer of the good and vertuous! What hath this rottē and stinckinge fleashe of ours (which like a beast followeth alwaies his appetites) to doe with the sanctuarie of heauen? What? shall this fleashe (which shoulde rather be tied vp in a stable emonge beastes) be placed emonge the Angels in heauen? Let dust (ô Lorde) continewe with dust: for it is not seemely that earthe shoulde be placed aboue the heauens.

But he that saiede vnto Abraham, I will honour and multiplie Ismael,64 notwithstandinge he is the sonne of a bondslaue, because he appertaineth vnto thee, will also shewe this fauour to the bodies of the Sainctes, for the nighe kinred that is betwene the sowles, and thē. It is our Lordes pleasure also that he that hath holpen to beare the burthen,65 shall likewise be partaker in the diuision of the glorie: and that like as the sowle by conformynge it selfe in this lyfe vnto the will of God, commeth afterwardes to be made partaker of the glorie of God: euen so the bodie which (contrarie to his nature) was conformable and obedient vnto the will of the sowle, shall also be made partaker of the glorie of the same sowle. And thus shall the iust be glorious both in bodie, and sowle. And (as the Prophet saieth:66 They shall possesse in their countrey dowble riches: Whereby is vnderstoode the glorie of the sowles, and the glorie of the bodies.

67 Now what shall I saie of the glorie of the senses? Eache one of them shall there haue his owne proper delighte and glorie. The eies shalbe renewed and made more cleare than the lighte of the sonne: They shall see those roiall pallaces, those glorious bodies, and those bewtifull feildes, with other infinit goodlie thinges that are there to be seene.68 The eares shall alwaies heare that wounderfull musicke, which is so exceedinge sweite, and pleasant, that one onely fownde of it were able to bringe all the hartes of this worlde a-sleepe. The sense of smellinge shall also be recreated with most sweite and pleasant sauours,69 not of such vaporous thinges as we haue here, but of such as be proportionable to the glorie that is there.70 In like maner the taste shalbe satisfied with incredible sweitenes, and delightes, not for sustentation of lyfe, but for accomplishemente of all glorie. Now what an exceedinge ioye shall the blessed sowle conceyue at that time, when for the mortification and diligente lookinge vnto the senses (which continued so shorte a time) she seeth her selfe so wholie drowned in that most deepe fountaine of glorie, without findinge anie bothom or ende of so manie and of such passinge great ioyes? O labours and paines well employed! O seruices well rewarded! O treasure not so much to be spoken of, as to be wisshed, and desired, and to be purchased with a thowsande liues, if we had so manie to geue for the same!

Of the fyfte ioye in the kingdome of heauen: which is the euerlastinge continuance of the glorie…

BVT now let vs see for how longe time this great glorie and felicitie is to be enioyed. This is a pointe that were able alone to cause vs euen to crie out, and desire, that all maner of tribulations, afflictions, paynes, and labours, might rayne and powre down vpon vs, as thicke as hayle, so that we might serue and please almightie God in this transitorie lyfe, who is to bestowe so great and inestimable benefites vpon vs in the euerlastinge lyfe to come.

This rewarde of so great glorie and felicitie in the kingdome of heauen shal endure so manie thowsande yeares, as be starres in the firmament, yea and a greate deale longer: It shall endure so manie hundered thowsande milliōs of yeares, as haue fallen droppes of water vpon the earthe, yea and a greate deale longer: yea to conclude, it shal endure so longe as almightie God him selfe shall endure, which shalbe euerlastingelie worlde without ende.71 For it is written thus: Our Lorde shall raigne for euer, and euer. And in an other place:72 Thy raigne is the raigne of all worldes, and thy dominion endurethe from generation, to generation.

Wherefore (ô father of mercies, and God of all consolation) I humbly beseech thee by the bowels of thy mercie, that I maie not be depriued of this supreme glorie, and felicitie. O Lorde my God, that hast vowchsaffed to create me after thyne owne image, and likenes, and to make me capable of thy selfe, fill this harte of mine (which thow hast created,) with thy selfe, sith thow hast created it for thy selfe.73 Let my portion (ô my almightie God) be in the lande of the liuinge. O Lorde I beseech thee geue me not in this transitorie lyfe either rest, or riches: but reserue all in store for me for the euerlastinge lyfe to come.74 I desire not to enherite with the children of Ruben in the lande of Galaad, and to lose my right and title of the lande of promise.75 One thinge onely (ô Lorde) haue I demaunded of thee, and this will I alwaies require, that I maie dwell in the howse of our Lorde all the daies of my lyfe.

Footnotes

  1. Genes. 29.20. ↩

  2. Fiue pointes to be considered in this meditation. ↩

  3. The excellencie and greatnes of the heauēs. ↩

  4. The goodlie bewtie of the heauens. ↩

  5. The fruition of the companie of the blessed inhabitantes in heauen. Apoc. 7.9. The number of the electe. The nomber of the Angelles in heauen. ↩

  6. Angels. ↩

  7. Archāgels. Principalities. Powers. Dominations. Vertues. Thrones. Cherubins Seraphins. ↩

  8. The vision of almightie God. ↩

    1. Reg. 10.
    ↩

  10. The glorie of the Sainctes bodies in heauen. ↩

  11. The fower dowries of glorified bodies. ↩

  12. The perfecte fruitiō of all good thinges in heauen. ↩

  13. S. Augustine. ↩

  14. Genes. 13.17. ↩

    1. Reg. 10.
    ↩

  16. Ephes. 1.17.18. ↩

  17. Fiue principall thinges to be considered in this meditation. ↩

  18. Apoc. 12. ↩

  19. Apoc. 22. ↩

  20. The situation and greatnes of the heauenlie cittie. ↩

  21. The goodlie workemanshippe of the buildinge. ↩

  22. Psal. 83.1. ↩

  23. The state and condition of the citizens of heauen. ↩

  24. Apoc. 7.9. The nomber of the blessed inhabitantes in heauen. ↩

  25. Dan. 7.10. ↩

  26. Euerie one of the Sainctes hath his place and glorie in heauen accordinge to the degrie of euerie one of their merites in this lyfe. ↩

  27. There be nine orders of Angels in heauen. ↩

  28. The blessed virgin Marie is placed in heauen aboue all the Angels and Sainctes. ↩

    1. Tim. 2.5.
    ↩

  30. Ioan. 17.11. All the electe in heauen shalbe more streitlie vnited together in one, than the members of one bodie, because all shall participate of the spirite of God. ↩

  31. S. Gregorie. ↩

  32. Iob. 1.4. ↩

  33. Luc. 19. Seraphins. ↩

  34. Cherubins. ↩

  35. Thrones. Dominations. Ierem. 31. Martirs. ↩

  36. Virgins. ↩

  37. S. Laurence. ↩

  38. S. Catherine. ↩

  39. The holie Machabees. ↩

  40. S. Ihon Baptiste. ↩

  41. S. Battholomewe. ↩

  42. S. Stephen. ↩

  43. S. Peter. S. Paul. ↩

  44. The blessed virgin Marie, mother of God. ↩

  45. Luc. 2. ↩

  46. Math. 2. ↩

  47. Ioan. 19. ↩

    1. Reg. 18.33.
    ↩

  49. Cant. 3.4. ↩

  50. The sacred humanitie of Christe. ↩

  51. S. Bernarde. ↩

  52. It shalbe a greate ioye to men in heauen, to see the Lorde and creator of all thinges to be (not an Angell, but) a man. ↩

  53. Cant. 8. ↩

  54. In the cleare vision of almightie God consistethe the essentiall glorie of the Sianctes. ↩

  55. Gen. 49.15. ↩

  56. The harte of man can neuer be fullie satisfied and filled but onelie with the vision of almightie God. ↩

  57. S. Fulgentius. ↩

  58. The vnderstandinge. ↩

  59. The will. ↩

  60. The desire. ↩

  61. How faithe, hope, and charitie shalbe rewarded in heauen. ↩

  62. Apoc. 14.3. ↩

  63. The bodies of the Sainctes shall also be glorified in heauen. ↩

  64. Gen. 17.20. ↩

  65. Note here the reason why the Sainctes bodies shall as well be glorified in heauen as their sowles. ↩

  66. Esa. 61.7. ↩

  67. The glorie of the senses. The eies. ↩

  68. The eares. ↩

  69. The smellinge. ↩

  70. The taste. ↩

  71. Psal. 145. ↩

  72. Psal. 144. ↩

  73. Psal. 141. ↩

  74. Num. 32.6. ↩

  75. Psalm. 26. ↩

Chapter 20 of 29