THE HAPPINESS OF HEAVEN. " BY A Father of the Society of Jesus. Come, ye blessed of My Father, possess the kingdom LONDON: BURNS AND OATES, PORTMAN STREET AND PATERNOSTER ROW. CONTENTS. II. In the Beatific Vision, "We shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He 121 THE HAPPINESS OF HEAVEN. CHAPTER I. THE BEATIFIC VISION. REASON, revelation, and the experience of six thousand years unite their voices in proclaiming that perfect happiness cannot be found in this world. It certainly cannot be found in creatures; for they were not clothed with the power to give it. It cannot be found even in the practice of virtue; for God has, in His wisdom, decreed that virtue should merit, but never enjoy perfect happiness in this world. He has solemnly pledged himself to give "eternal life" to all who love and serve Him here on earth. He has promised a happiness so unspeakably great, that the Apostle, who "was caught up into paradise" and was favoured with a glimpse thereof, tells us that mortal "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love Him."* |