Vol 01 - Chapter 02 - Of heaven, the work of the second day.

Chapter 02 - Of heaven, the work of the second day
1. THOUGH there be a great dispute amongst divines and philosophers, concerning the matter and substance of heaven, we shall rest satisfied with these words of GOD, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters:" which Job expresses, "by stretching out the heavens as a molten.looking-glass," ch. 37: 18.
2. By the order of the elements, we may conclude that the material heaven is the purest, clearest, and most subtile matter of the great mundane system, free from all elementary mixtures; a pure, transparent, spotless, incorruptible body. It is also endued with various powers and capacities of acting upon this lower world; being expanded by the hand of the Almighty into a most capacious and splendid form, and incomprehensible sphericalness; not only for the better containing the expansion of the air, and the terraqueous globe, that neither of the elements may move out of its place, (for on this account also it is called the firnianaent,) but that by the roundness of its figure, it may more conveniently and equally dispense its influences upon this lower world.
3. For the better understanding this, it will not be improper to consider it in relation to the other elements. The earth, we find, is thick, dark, and heavy. The water is more pure, subtile, and fine than the earth. For the less earthy mixture there is in the water, so much the clearer it is. The air is still purer and clearer than the water, being perfectly diaphanous and impalpable; so fine and pellucid, that it is imperceptible to the finest eye. Now, if there be so great a difference between earth and water, and between water and air, in respect to substance, it follows, that heaven, which is exalted above the region of the air, is of the clearest and purest essence. From whence it also follows, that, being so pure, it is endued with a greater energy and power of acting.
4. And who can, doubt but that this bright and pure structure of heaven, with all its wonderful properties, is a strong evidence and witness of God What is heaven, and all the beauty of nature, (says one of the ancients,) but an illustrious mirror, in which Ive view the wonders of their maker For if God created so glorious, so firm a substance, as our weak understandings cannot comprehend or explain; how glorious, unsearchable, unutterable a Being must that God be who created it If he has made so glorious a heaven to overspread, surround, and enlighten- mankind, during their short abode here; how illustrious a mansion, think we, has he reserved for us hereafter, in the region of life and immortality Hence St. Paul tells us, "We know if this earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building of GOD, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan earnestly, desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven," 2 Corinthians 5:1-2.
5. And as to the stupendous height and compass of heaven, to which the earth is no more than a single point; how does it insinuate to us the immense and un-, searchable power• and wisdom of God "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts, says the Lord." Does not its roundness remind us of the eternity of God For of both there is neither beginning nor end Does it not also put us in mind of his omnipotence For as the heaven surrounds and encompasses all things, so does the God of heaven contain, support, and comprehend all his creatures. "Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand And meted out heaven with a span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance"
6. And as in a circle, no part can be called upper or lower; so God fills all things equally: heaven and earth are full of the majesty of his glory. "He is not far from every one of us: in him we live, and move, and have our being." For though there be many creatures under us, as is demonstrable from the figure of the earth; yet by the wonderful power of GOD, the heaven is every where over our heads,_ and we look up directly towards it, by reason of the immense largeness of this circular body. Of this roundness the son of Sirach speaks, 11 He compasses the heaven with a glorious circle, and the hands of the Most High have bended it," Sir_43:12.
7. Does not also the firmament of heaven remind us of the constant, immutable truth of God and his Word For who is it that supports the heaven from falling Where are the pillars that sustain it or how does it hang, but upon the Word of God "The pillars of heaven tremble," says Job, "and are astonished at his reproof. He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it," ch. 26: 9, 11. And if by his Word he has so strongly fixed the heavens, who can doubt but be will keep his word and promise to us `1 If he support the heavens by the word of his power," doubt not but he will support, protect, and preserve thee for ever.
8. But from this created heaven, learn to raise thy thoughts to the mystical one, " where there isfulness of joy, and pleasures for evermore." This St. Paul calls `~ the third heaven;" and the glory into which Jesus " CHRIST was received." This our Lord himself calls "his Father's house, where he is now preparing a place for us," John 14:2. Moreover, by meditation upon this external heaven, you Inayestt learn to descend into thyself-into Chine own heart and soul; for there also is heaven, and the habitation of God.
9. Let this external heaven lead thee likewise to the new heaven, of which St. Peter speaks; " We, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, in which dwells righteousness." For though this visible heaven was created so pure by God as not to be subject to corruption, yet "these heavens are not clean in his sight. They shall perish, and wax old like a garment, and as a vesture shall you change them, and they shall be changed." But every Christian shall say, "I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold I make all things new! Behold, I create new heavens, and a new earth; and the former shall not be remnem bered, nor be brought into mind." How beautiful, how illustrious will be this city of GOD, this heavenly Jerusalem, whose builder and maker is God Who can declare the glory of that happy place " Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man to conceive the things that God has prepared for them that love him." Hence the evangelist, St. John, describes the new and heavenly city by all the precious and costly things in nature. "The city," he says, " was of pure gold, like unto crystal; the foundations were of precious stones, the gates of pearls: and it wants neither sun nor moon, because the glory of the Lord enlightens it." In a word, this is that heaven "in which God will be all in all," 1 Corinthians 15:28.