Published in Offor's 1861 edition of "Bunyan's Works."
OF THE JOYS OF HEAVEN.
There is no good in this life but what is mingled with some evil;
honours perplex, riches disquiet, and pleasures ruin health. But in heaven we shall
find blessings in their purity, without any ingredient to embitter, with everything
to sweeten them.
O! who is able to conceive the inexpressible, inconceivable joys
that are there? None but they who have tasted of them. Lord, help us to put such
a value upon them here, that in order to prepare ourselves for them, we may be willing
to forego the loss of all those deluding pleasures here.
How will the heavens echo of joy, when the bride, the Lamb's wife,
shall come to dwell with her husband for ever!
Christ is the desire of nations, the joy of angels, the delight
of the Father; what solace then must that soul be filled with that hath the possession
of him to all eternity?
O! what acclamations of joy will there be when all the children
of God shall meet together, without fear of being disturbed by the antichristian
and Cainish brood!
Is there not a time coming when the godly may ask the wicked what
profit they have in their pleasure? what comfort in their greatness? and what knit
in all their labour?
If you would be better satisfied what the beatifical vision means,
my request is that you would live holily, and go and see.
