Section 13
The thirteenth subject of meditation is, Meditate on heaven: From the Mount of meditation, as from Mount Nebo, we may take a view and prospect of the Land of promise. Christ has taken possession of heaven in the name of all believers, Hebrews 6:20. Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus. Heaven must needs be a glorious City, which has God both for its builder and inhabitant. Heaven is the extract and quintessence of all blessedness. There the Saints shall have their wish. Austin wished that he might have seen three things before he died: Rome in its Glory, Paul in the Pulpit, and Christ in the Flesh. But the Saints shall see a better sight; they shall see, not Rome, but Heaven in its glory; they shall see Paul, not in the Pulpit, but on the Throne, and shall sit with him; they shall see Christ's flesh, not veiled over with infirmities and disgraces, but in its spiritual embroidery; not a crucified, but a glorified body. They shall behold the King in his beauty, Isaiah 33:17. What a glorious place will this be! In heaven God will be all in all, 1 Corinthians 15:28. Beauty to the eye, music to the ears; joy to the heart, and this he will be to the poorest Saint, as well as the richest. O Christian, who are now at your hard labor, perhaps following the plow, you shall sit on the Throne of glory. Quintus Curtius writes of one who was digging in his garden, and on a sudden made King, and a purple garment richly embroidered with gold, put upon him; so shall it be done to the poorest believer, he shall be taken from his laboring work, and set at the right hand of God, having the Crown of righteousness upon his head. Statuet oves ad dextram.
O ineffabile gaudium in beatis glorificatis qui ad dextram Christi sistent; astituri ipsi ut subditi serenissimo suo principi, ut filii benignissimo suo patri, ut regale sacerdotium gratiosissimo suo pontifici; mater Solomonis fuit ad dextram regis in Throno posita, 1 Kings 2:19. O vero quam caduca haec, etsi regia majestas! In novissimo autem die vere magnifica et gloriosa erit constitutio ad dextram Solomonis coelestis desiderium cordis plenissime illis dabit, apponet capiti eorum diadema auri. Solomon Classius Exegesis 4.
Meditate often on this Jerusalem above.
The meditation of heaven would: 1. Excite and quicken obedience. It would put spurs to our sluggish hearts, and make us abound in the work of God, knowing that our labor is not in vain in the Lord, 1 Corinthians 15:58. The weight of glory would not hinder us in our race, but cause us to run the faster: this weight would add wings to duty.
2. The meditation of heaven would make us strive after heart-purity, because only the pure in heart shall see God, Matthew 5:8. It is only a clear eye can look upon a bright transparent object.
3. The meditation of Heaven would be a pillar of support under our sufferings; heaven will make amends for all. One hour's being in heaven will make us forget all our sorrows; the Sun dries up the water; one beam of God's glorious face will dry up all our tears.
