A poor, despised, contemptible thing

(Thomas Brooks, "A String of Pearls" 1657)

"In Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right
 hand are eternal pleasures!" Psalm 16:11

Most professors live as if there were no heaven;
or else as if heaven were not worth a seeking,
worth a desiring--as if heaven were a poor,
despised, contemptible thing.

But ah, Christians! be much in desiring and longing
to get into that glorious city--where streets, walls,
and gates are all gold--yes, where pearl is but as
mire and dirt; and where are . . .
  all pleasures,
  all treasures,
  all delights,
  all comforts,
  all contentments
--and that forever!

This word "forever" is a bottomless depth, a conception
without end; it is a word which sweetens all the glory
above, and which indeed makes heaven to be heaven!

"And so we will be with the Lord forever!" 1 Thess. 4:17