We are very apt to conceive that those that are thus, that are more holy and more happy than others in heaven, will be elated and lifted up above them; whereas, their being superior in holiness implies their being superior in humility, or having the greatest humility; for humility is a part of holiness that is capable of degrees in the perfect state of heaven, as well as other graces. Not that the holiest shall think more meanly of themselves than the less holy, for they shall all be perfectly humble and perfectly free from pride, and none shall think more highly of themselves than they ought to think; but yet as they see further into the divine perfections than others, so they shall penetrate further into the vast and infinite distance that is between them and God, and their delight of annihilating themselves, that God may be all, shall be greater.
And besides, those that are highest in holiness, and so necessarily highest in happiness (for holiness and happiness are all one in heaven), instead of anything like despising those that are less holy and happy, will love those that are inferior to them more than they would do if they [themselves] had not so much holiness and happiness, more than if they were but equal with them, and more than [do] those that are equal with them.
This is certain, for the foundation of the saints' love to each other will be their love to the image of God which they see in them. Now most certainly, the holier a man is the more he loves the same degree of the image; so that the holiest in heaven will love that image of God they see in the less holy, more than [do] those that are equally less holy. And that which makes it beyond any doubt that their superior happiness will be no damp to them, is this, that their superior happiness consists in their greater humility and in their greater love to them, and to God and Christ, whom the saints look upon as themselves.
These things may be said of this, besides what may be said about everyone being completely satisfied and full of happiness, having as much as he is capable of enjoying or desiring, like a vessel thrown into the sea of happiness; and also [besides] what may be said about their entire resignation, for God's will is become so much their own that the fulfilling of his will, let it be what it will, fills them with inconceivable satisfaction.
And besides, those that are highest in holiness, and so necessarily highest in happiness (for holiness and happiness are all one in heaven), instead of anything like despising those that are less holy and happy, will love those that are inferior to them more than they would do if they [themselves] had not so much holiness and happiness, more than if they were but equal with them, and more than [do] those that are equal with them.
This is certain, for the foundation of the saints' love to each other will be their love to the image of God which they see in them. Now most certainly, the holier a man is the more he loves the same degree of the image; so that the holiest in heaven will love that image of God they see in the less holy, more than [do] those that are equally less holy. And that which makes it beyond any doubt that their superior happiness will be no damp to them, is this, that their superior happiness consists in their greater humility and in their greater love to them, and to God and Christ, whom the saints look upon as themselves.
These things may be said of this, besides what may be said about everyone being completely satisfied and full of happiness, having as much as he is capable of enjoying or desiring, like a vessel thrown into the sea of happiness; and also [besides] what may be said about their entire resignation, for God's will is become so much their own that the fulfilling of his will, let it be what it will, fills them with inconceivable satisfaction.
No comments:
Post a Comment