God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes There will be no grief where God's presence is in his presence there being fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor â—â—â—ing neither any more pain the full sight of God will cure of all pain and sorrow and fill with delight and joy as Herbert in his Poem called The Glance If thy first glance so powerful be A mirth but opened and seal'd up again What wonders shall we feel when we shall see Thy full eyed love When thou shalt look us out of pain And one aspect of thine spend in delight More than ten thousand Suns disperse in light In Heaven above 3. Pardoned persons shall in Heaven attain a blessed and glorious state a state of peace and tranquillity a state of wealth and plenty a state of honour and dignity a state of holiness and purity a state of perfect happiness and glory in Soul and Body 1. In Heaven pardoned persons shall attain a state of peace of perfect peace and tranquillity they shall have perfect peace without them and they shall have perfect peace within them here they have Wars about them and rumours of Wars and when they don't hear of Wars except it be afar off they have jarrs near at hand and that every day they see Men and Women fighting wounding and murdering one another with the Sword of the Tongue and many are the thrusts vvhich they themselves have received on every side and howsoever desirous they are of peace and follow after it yet they cannot attain it but are forced to complain vvith David Psal 120.6 7. My Soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace I am for peace but when I speak they are for War But in Heaven they shall be hid for ever from the vvounds and scourge of the Tongue Heaven is a Kingdom vvherein dwels righteousness and vvherein dwels peace In Heaven they shall be freed from all strife and contention from all bitterness clamour and evil speaking no unpeaceable Spirit shall be admitted into the new Jerusalem and never shall any the least quarrel arise between the Inhabitants of that place And as they shall have perfect peace without them so they shall have perfect peace within them Here they are often wounding themselves and that more deeply and sorely than any Man can do I mean they too often wound their consciences by their sins and if peace be attained by them through faith in Christ's blood this peace is often interrupted and broken by them through their renewed provocations and at the best their peace it is but imperfect in this life But in Heaven they shall have perfect peace within such a calm and serenity such a quiet and tranquillity of Spirit as shall never have the least disturbance any more In the upper region of the Air there are no storms or tempests all that be are in the middle or lower region and when they are exalted unto the highest Heavens that region which is beyond the Stars they shall be removed beyond all those storms of consciences within and all those tempests of troubles without which are common and ordinary in the lower region of this World there they shall have most sweet rest for their Souls for ever in the bosom of God 2. In Heaven pardoned Persons shall attain a state of wealth and plenty however poor some of them are as to this World's riches yet they shall be Rich yea they are Rich in Faith the Riches which they have in hand or heart rather are great but the Riches which they have in their eye or hope are far greater their Grace is beyond the worldling's Gold their Peace is beyond the worldling's Jewels the priviledges which they are here invested with are far more excellent than the largest earthly Possessions which any worldlings have or hope to have but the Riches which they shall have are far more transcendent here they have only an earnest Penny in Heaven they shall have large sums here they have the first Fruits in Heaven they shall reap the Harvest here they have the Deeds of Conveyance which give them title in Heaven they shall have possession of the uncorrupted and glorious Inheritance 1 Pet. 1.4 They shall have treasures in Heaven which neither Moth nor rust can corrupt nor thieves break through to steal them away Mat. 6.20 In Heaven every want will be supplied every defect removed every desire satisfied in their Father's House there is plenty and bread enough which they shall be enriched and filled with and which they shall live upon to all eternity when Death shall turn others out of their houses rob them of their Estates and bereave them of all that they have in the World Death will befriend them and convey them to the place where their Treasure and Inheritance lyes which they then shall be admitted to the possession of and never be turned out of possession 3. In Heaven pardoned Persons shall attain a state of honour and dignity here some of them yea all of them are slighted and disesteemed vilified and accounted as the filth and offscouring of the World and yet they are really and in God's esteem the most honourable they are the Sons and Daughters of the Lord Almighty as hath been said but they shall be advanced far higher than they are not to a high Seat upon earth but a high Seat above the earth yea above the Stars and visible Heavens they shall sit with Christ on his Throne Rev. 3.21 They shall have a Crown not an Earthly Crown but an Heavenly not a Crown of Gold but a Crown of Glory which fadeth not away 1 Pet. 5.4 They shall have a Kingdom in comparison of vvhich all the Kingdoms of the World are not vvorthy to be named it is the Kingdom that is promised to them Mat. 5.3 At the day of Christ's second appearance they shall be honoured vvhen they are sent for by the Angels and caught up in the Clouds to meet their Lord in the Air then he vvill own and Crown them and take them to live and reign vvith them for ever in Heaven 4. In Heaven pardoned Persons shall attain a state of Holiness and purity here they are renewed but in part and their Holiness is imperfect they find corruption remaining and feel it daily vvorking in them vvhich is the greatest grief and trouble to them in the World but in Heaven they shall be made perfect in Holiness they shall have not only perfect Peace but also perfect purity the being of sin shall be removed and all the spots and stains of it shall be vvashed away in Heaven as they shall sigh no more so they shall sin no more as they shall grieve no more so they shall offend no more nothing in Heaven shall offend them and in Heaven they shall no more offend God nothing in Heaven shall break their Peace and they shall no more break God's Laws in Heaven
sign of success Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress saies David Psal 4.1 though it be meant of deliverance yet it may be applied to prayer as the holy Prophet seems to do Psal 18.6 yea though the soul may be under some sense of displeasure and in extremities yet lifts up a cry when conscience stops the mouth of hypocrites that they shun and fly the presence of God 2. A blessed serenity and quiet calmness of spirit in time of prayer especially when the soul comes troubled and clouded at first whiles it pours out its complaints before the Lord but at length nescio quid serenius emicat Jerâ—m c. the Sun shines forth brightly and the heavens look serenely and chearfully upon the soul in prayer 't is said of Hannah she was no more sad Heb. her countenance was not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ille ulterius any longer in the old hue cast down and sorrowful because of her rival Thus the Lord dealt with David though not yet fully answered yet fill'd with holy (a) 1 Sam. 1.18 fortitude of spirit and revived in the midst of his trouble Prayer dispels (b) Psal 138.3 7. anxious sollicitude and chases away black thoughts from the heart (c) Phil. 4.6 7 it cases conscience and fills the soul with the peace of God 3. A joyful frame of Spirit God sometime makes his people not onely peaceful but (d) Isa 56.7 joyful in his house of prayer Thus sped Hezekiah when his Crane-like chatterings (e) Isa 38.14 20. were turned into Swan-like songs and his mournful elegies into glorious praises Hab. 3.16 19. 2 Chron. 7.1 10. upon ten-stringed instruments in the house of the Lord the lips of Habakkuk quivered and his belly trembled but before he finisht his voice was voluble in holy songs and his fingers nimble upon the harp Thus at Solomon's prayer when the fire came down the people were warm'd at worship and went away glad and merry at heart David's (h) Psal 43.4 5. experience of this sent him often to the house of God for comfort and thus chides his soul when cast down at any time I am going to the altar of God to God my exceeding joy why art thou disquieted within me his old harp that had cured Saul of his malignant dumps being plaid upon with Temple songs now cures his own spiritual sadness When we look upon God with an eye of faith in prayers it enlightens (i) Psal 34.5 our faces with Heavenly joy when Moses came out of the mount from communion with God how illustrious was his face from that Heavenly vision wherefore prayer for divine mercy and comfort sometimes exhibits its self in this language Psal 80.3 make thy face to shine upon us and we shall be saved on this wise the Priests of old were to bless the children of Israel Numb 6.25 The Lord make his face to shine upon thee and be gracious to thee these and the like expressions in Scripture import that sometimes the Lord was pleased to give forth a shining glory from the Oracle and thereby made known his presence unto his people Exod. 4â— 34 Lev. 9.23 Num. 16.19 42. 20.6 1 Kings 8.11 and filled them with awful impressions of his majesty and mercy This joyful light of God's countenance is like the Sun rising upon the face of the earth it chaseth away the dark fears and discouragements of the night such heavenly joy shews the strength of faith in prayer and the radiant appearances of God yea to this end all prayer should be directed (b) John 16.24 that d our joy may be full 4. A sweetness of affection to God when the soul has gracious sentiments of God in prayer clouds of Jealousies and suspicions of the divine mercy as if God were a hard master are marvellous unbecoming a soul that should go to God as to a Father and hence from such unsuitable thoughts of infinite mercy to hide the talent of prayer is greatly provoking Whereas the apprehension of God's excellent goodness should work the heart into lovely thoughts of God (c) Parisiens p. 376. Man but especially a Saint is acervus beneficiorum dei an accumulated heap of divine favours and if nothing but the gifts of mercy should attract our hearts yet herein we are every moment laden with his numerous benefits But when the soul comes to perceive that all flows from the fountain of his eternal love it makes prayer to be res amorosa to be filled with holy delights and joys the extasies of love often rise upon the soul in secret and such divine affection as (d) Gers Tom. 2. k. k. 4. Gerson said 't is res extatica it carries the soul beyond it self let the prophane World say what they will when spiritual ardours like so many fragrant spices flow out of the soul I love the Lord says David (e) Psal 116.1 for he hath heard my supplications As answers of prayer flow from (f) John 16.27 the love of the Father so suitable workings of holy affections flow from the hearts of children When the soul is fill'd with gracious intimations like those of the Angelical voice to Daniel O Daniel greatly beloved O man of desires Dan. 9.23 Luke 1.28 to stand before the King of Saints or like that to the holy Virgin Hail thou that art highly favoured the Lord is with thee how greatly does it inflame the heart to God 5. Inward incouragements sometimes spring in upon the heart in prayer from remembrance of former experiments which mightily animate the soul with fervency When Moses calls to mind that God had forgiven and delivered from Egypt untill then Numb 14.19 v. 20 Psal 77.5 6.7.9.10 immediately follows a sweet intimation of mercy I have pardoned according to thy word When the soul considers the days of old the years of antient times and calls to remembrance its former songs in the night he draws an argument out of the quiver of experience will God be favourable no more can he forget to be gracious can he in anger shut up his tender mercies The soul concludes this thought to flow from its own infirmity for when God once hears a prayer as coming from a child of his in Covenant prove our filial interest and we may sweetly rest assured in all things according to his Will to be always heard 6. A ready heart for thankfulness and service the heart is brim full and ready to flow over in grateful memorials of his mercy What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits towards me Psal 116.12 As of old at Temple-sacrifices there was Musick so it ought to be now while the mercy is praying for the heart must be winding up and tuning for praise Rev. 5 8. Psal 108.1 The vials full of the odours of prayer are joined vvith harps for heavenly melody when the heart is fixt or prepared
Your sins are inexcusable your condemnation is unavoidable and your punishment hereafter in Hell will be most dreadful and intolerable Possibly now you are careless and secure sin is sweet and conscience is quiet you are at ease and conscience asleep but will this ease and sleep always continue Is there not a time coming when you shall be awakened If you are not awakened under God's Word may not God awaken you under his Rod If you are not awakened under God's threatnings will you not awake when he cometh to execution If you are secure in the midst of outward peace and prosperity can you be secure in the midst of trouble and adversity Think what you will do when death doth approach Think what a dreadful aspect unpardoned sin will have when you are brought down unto the sides of the pit to the brink and border of eternity and when you are summoned to make your appearance before the highest Majesty O the horrour that then will seize you O the fearfulness that then will surprise you To have the black guilt of drunkenness or swearing of uncleanness or deceiving or any other iniquity to stare you then in the face O how dismal will it be and affrighting And think with what rage and fury your consciences will then reflect upon your fore-past sins especially your neglect of a pardon then unattainable and how tormenting will this be unto you You may then cry out Lord have mercy on us Christ have mercy on us But will God then hear you who have refused to hearken unto him Will Christ regard you who have neglected refused and shut the door of your hearts against him all your days But sinners what will you do at the day of judgment when the Lord Jesus shall come in flaming fire to take vengeance upon you for unpardoned sins That great day will certainly come and it will quickly be here Time runs away swiftly and it will quickly be run out yet a little while and the Angel will lift up his hand and cry with a loud voice and swear by him that liveth for ever and ever that time shall be no longer Rev. 10.5 6. Then the mystery will be finished the prophesie accomplished and the whole frame of this visible world dissolved the Sun then and the Moon will be darkened and the Stars will fall unto the earth as the fig-tree casteth her untimely figs when she is shaken of a mighty wind and the heavens themselves then shall be rolled together as a great scroll and so pass away with a great noise the earth and all the elements shall be on fire and consume away on that day when the Lord Jesus Christ shall appear from Heaven with Millions of mighty Angels in power and brightness of majesty and then you must come out of your graves and will stand trembling before Christ's great Tribunal and none of you will be able to hide your selves under any Rock or Mountain from his angry face Then then you will fully know what a priviledg it is to be pardoned when you see where pardoned persons are placed when you see them gathered to the right hand of the great Judg and there acquitted openly owned graciously and crowned by him with honour and glory and invited by him to take possession of those eternal habitations of rest and joy in his Kingdom prepared for them by his Father But O the tearings of spirit and heart-vexing tormenting grief which you will have that no place is found for you amongst them that through your neglect of pardoning mercy you have forfeited and eternally lost a share in eternal glory and not only so but have by sin also plunged your selves into a bottomless gulf of endless misery Think how dreadful the irreversible sentence of condemnation will be unto you Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels Alas Alas sinners what will you do no thought can conceive what your horror will be when you come to reap the bitter fruit of all your unpardoned sins It is the punishment of Hell Sinners which the guilt of sin unremoved doth oblige you to undergo And therefore I am sent this day to forewarn you and in the name of my Master to foretel you that if you do not now sue out for and obtain this forgiveness of sin your sin hereafter will bring eternal ruine and destruction of soul and body in Hell Without a pardon profaneness will be your ruine Some of you it may be can swear and curse and blaspheme the Name of God hereafter God will swear in his wrath that you shall not enter into his rest and you shall be banished out of Christ's presence with a curse Depart from me ye cursed c. Those tongues which have been so liberal of oaths and blasphemies must be tormented in flames of fire without one drop of water to cool them Without a pardon drunkenness will be your ruine you that have so often enflamed your selves with wine and strong drink God will enflame you with the wine of his vengeance he will make you to drink the dregs of his wrath which is at the bottom of the cup of his indignation Without a pardon uncleanness will be your ruine your pleasures are empty and of short continuance but your pains will be full hereafter and they will abide for ever Without a pardon unrighteousness will be your ruine your unrighteous gains one day will prove your unspeakable loss and God will be the avenger of all such upon you as have been wronged and defrauded by you Without a pardon your neglect of Christ and Salvation will be your ruine and if you persevere in this neglect it is impossible that you should escape Sinners think seriously and think frequently of your unpardoned iniquities and withal think of the dreadful punishment they will bring upon you think of your eternal damnation unto the most exquisite torments of Hell and then drink on swear on and scoff your fill be unholy and profane unjust and unclean if you think good but know that for all these sins God will bring you to judgment know that these iniquities unpardoned will be your ruine Should I tell you of one that were condemned for some vile fact to be slay'd alive or burnt alive or sawn asunder or dragg'd to pieces with wild horses or starv'd with hunger and cold or any other ways cruelly tortured to death but that he might escape all this misery if he would accept of a pardon ready provided for him and withal leave off such vile facts for the future you would count him worse than mad should he neglect his pardon and expose himself to ruine and misery through his carelesness and obstinacy And yet though you are condemned for sin to far worse torment and misery that which is more dreadful than ten thousand painful deaths and all this mischief and punishment may be avoided and escaped if you will accept of the pardon