Third Heaven

— Yet after all that is here, or elſewhere ſaid ; for the ſcriptures greatly abound with the moſt grand, lofty, and ſublime metaphors, when the writers thereof would convey into our minds, ſome idea of that raviſhing delight, and happineſs to be enjoyed, with the amazing excellence and glory of the future ſtate, which a merciful and gracious God hath in reſerve for the righteous : Yet, I ſay, we find it is but a very imperfect deſcription, or faint reſemblance of what it really is : for the great apoſtle St. Paul, who had been caught up into Paradiſe, or the third heaven ; where he heard ſuch unſpeakable words, that the powers and faculties of which he was poſſeſſed, were not capable of uttering, or conveying them to the mind of others; he aſſures us, that eye hath not ſeen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him: ſo that at beſt we ſee but in part, as it were thro' a glaſs darkly ; and we know but in part, for the apoſtles could propheſy, or teach but in part; but when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part ſhall be done away.