hath respect to two times First to all the time of amans life Secondly to the time a little before his death First all the time of a mans life Generally a man is to labour to be a new Creature by faith and repentance and to live a good life endeavouring to be better and better still and 〈◊〉 to be sure to do a good dayâ— work whilst he doth live for he that lives well cannot do amiâ—s and he that lives the life shall be sure to die the death of the righteous 2 Pet. 16. 7. 11 c. 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. 2 Pet. 3. 14. Gal. 6. 6. More especially we must labour for First peace with God in Christ and peace in our own Consciences Rom. 5. 1. 2 Pet 3. 14. Secondly the saving knowledge of God in Christ Ioâ— 17. 3. 3. A life regulated by Gods spirit and word Rom. 8. 14. Phil. 4. 7. There are degrees of life eternall and it is begun here the resurrection out of sin to holynesse of life is the beginning of eternall life Rev. 20. 6. Col. 1. 13. Gal. 2. 20. More particularly let us doe these things First let us get unto Christ by faith and thereby make our peace with God and get an assurance of a better life when this is at an end Rev. 14. 13. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord i. in the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 15. 22. As in Adam all die so in Christ shall all be made alive i. As by Adam sin and death came over all so by Christ grace and life came to all beleevers 2 Pet. 3. 14. â—uke 2. 28 29. Now let thy â—ervant depart in peace for mine eyes have seene thy Salvation i. I doe willingly and chearfully leave this present life Heb. 11. 13. Ioh. 8. 24. He is the â—â—tter to leave his old when he knowes where to have a new and a beâ—â—r dwelling 2 Cor. 5. 1. 2. c. Secondly let us pray continually that God will fit us for death say with Moses Psal 9. 12. Lord teach me to number my dayes so as to apply my heart to wisedome Thirdly let us labour to mortifie our sinnes daily for here in lyeth the strength of death 1 Cor. 15. 56. For this purpose let us confesse it be humbled for it cry to God for pâ—rdon of and power against it and effectually apply by faith the death of Christ against it so shall we be sure that God will redeeme our souls from the power of the grave and receive us Psal 19. 15. Fourthly let us enure our selves to die by little and little that is not only live every houre as if we were dying but by our afflictions as lesser deaths prepare for our great death 1 Cor. 15. 3â— I die daily i. I am not only in danger of death daily but I doe thereby enure and prepare myself to die daily By undergoing a lesser we shall be prepared to undergoe a greater burden so men that are to run a large race prepare themselves for it by the running of a shorter race For this cause did Bilney the Martyr oft times before his burning put his little finger in the candle thereby the better to be prepared to suffer the burning of his whole body 2 Cor. 11. 23. 2 Cor. 1. 9 10. Fifthly let us alwayes watch and wayt for Christs comming to us in particular by our death that is shaking of security as we would shake of sleep let us take great heed that we not overcome by sin or Satan and looking always for death be in a dying posture and live every houre as if it were our last houre Iob. 14. 14. All the dayes of my appointed time I will wait till my change come Luk. 2. 25. Motives 1. It will be very profitable for us so to watch 2. It will be very dangerous for us to neglect it See Mat. 24. 42. to the end of that chapter and Mat. 25. 1. to verse 14. Sixthly let us be able to looke beyond death into heaven and the glory thereof Heb. 11. 25. 2 Cor. 5. 1. He will not care much to be turned out of the house he dwels in when he knows where to have a better house at hand to goe into Seventhly let us keep our hearts from being glued by overmuch love to the world or any thing in it for by how much the more we love by so much the more we shall grieve when we leave it 2 Sam. 18. 33. Eightly let us get as much of the tast of heaven here as we can that the sweetnesse thereof may make us more to desire the full fruition of it The preparation to be made a little before and at the time of a mans death lyeth in these things First to God-wâ—â—d Secondly to man-ward To God-ward â— If sicknesse goe before death we are the◠〈◊〉 to looke upon it as Gods hand and that for our sin Lam. 3. 39. Ioh. 5. 14. 1 Cor. 11. 20 21. and 30. 2. We are to labour to renew our saith and repentance and so to get a renewed assurance of Gods favour by an earnest seeking of him by prayer so David Psa 32. Psal 38. Psal 39. 2. To man-ward our selves and others when we be sick we are to call in help from the prayers and counsel of good people who are able to help us herein Mark 2. 4. Iam. 5. 14. Heb. 3. 1. 2. We are to use the best outward meanes we can for the recovery of our health 2 King 20. 7. Luk 1â— 3 4. Matt. 9. 12. 3. We are to set our house in order i. to make our will if it be not made before and give direction what we will have done after our death 2 Sam. 23. Gen. 25. 5 6. 4. We are as much as we may to endeavour to be reconciled to our Neighbours with whom we are at difference Matt. 5. 25. Rom. 12. 8. 5. We are to get and make use of all the comfortable meditations we can think of against the fear of death 6. If we be Magistrates or Ministers we are to do what we can to further the well ordering of the Common-wealth and Church after our death Deut. 32. 2. 1 Kings 2. 1. 2 Pet. 1. 5. In death it self or being about to die we are to give up our souls to God i. to his care and keeping being his by redemption Psal 31. 5. Luk. 23. 46. Acts 7. 59. And this we are to do 1. Beleevingly as Stephen Acts 7. â—6 59. died in the embracements of the Lord Jesus Christ and calling upon his name Iob. 13. 15 1 Sam. â—0 6. Heb. 11. 21. 22. 13. These 〈◊〉 in faith 2. Charitably so Stephen Acts. 7. 20. Lord â—ay not this sinne to their charge and Christ Luk. 23. 34. 〈◊〉 forgive them 3. Patiently 2 King 20. 2. Iam. 5. 7 8. 4. Obediently and submissively so Christ Matt. 26. 39. not as I will but as thou wilt Phil. 〈◊〉 defecta 〈◊〉 c. 2 8. Rom.
a Covenant with death that it shall not come nigh to him And doth he not say with them in Amoz 9. 10. evill shall not overtake me Albeit they see wise men die and likewise the foollish is it not their thought that their houses shall continue for ever Psal 42. 11. It is certain this lesson no man can learne till God teach it him otherwise Moses had not need in a time of mortallity when so many fell on his right hand and on his left hand to pray Psal 90. 12. Lord teach us to number our dayes It is a pâ—ant of Gods own planting in mans heart sadly and seriously to thinke and be perswaded of the vanity and shortnesse of mans life that it is but a Tale a Shaddow a Sleep a Race a Bubble a Smoak a Wind a Flower to think how many wayes and how easie a man may take his death that our life is short and much of it past already that the day of our death is at hand that our Sun is about to set that our Shaddow declineth and is ready to vanish that it is certain we must die but uncertain when we must die these and such like thoughts as these Gods spirit only suggesteth and the Devill with all his might opposeth Esay 28. 15. Luk 12. 19. Psal 30. 4 5. Let us then thinke of it that death is the common condition of mankind and that our selves are mortall and may and must die shortly and let us say with Barzillai 2 Sam. 19. 37. How long have I to live If it be asked How we must thinke of it We answer first daily and continually not once a week much lesse is once a moneth or once a yeare sufficient to entertain this meditation of death 1 Cor. 15. â—1 I die daily 2 Cor. 21. 23. in deaths often First death hangeth over my head continually and I doe incessantly prepare my self for it Psal 119. 109. Secondly seriously and sadly as of a thing that doth most of all concern us not cursorily scornfully or prophanely as the Gentles 1 Cor. 15. 32. Esay 22. 13. Let us eate and drinke for tomorrow we shall die Thirdly profitably so as to make some advantage thereby to our soules Psalm 90. 12. Teach us so to number our dayes as to apply our hearts to wisdome Fourthly let us thinke of it as neere and at the doores and not with those in Amoz 6. 3 and the evill servant Mat. 24. 28. as farre of as a thing delayed or prolonged Ezek. 12. 22. 11. 11. Prov. 7. 19. To quicken us up to this duty let us consider these things First this meditation of death will keepe the heart in a good frame First in a repenting frame Jon. 3. 4. 5. 6. c. Secondly in a patient and a contented frame Job 1. 21. 2 Sam. 12. 23. Thirdly in a sober frame towards the vain delights of this world we shall not easily be intemperate in the use of that we looke upon as perishing in the using Eccles. 6 11. 12. chap. â— â— 2. chap. 5. 9 10. 15. Fourthly in an humble frame for we will not be lifted up with any thing we have or thinke we have whilst we are perswaded we must shortly leave it Gen. 18. 27. Acts 14 15. 5. This will keep the heart in a watchfull and carefull temper 2 Cor. 5. 6. 9. 2 Tim. 4 5. 6. Secondly this meditation wil be a preservative unto us to keep us from doing evill and a spurr to provoke us to good Amoz 6. 3. 2 Tim. 4. 5. 2 Cor. 5 6 7. 2. Pet. 1. 13 14 15. Thirdly this meditation will make us to take care to provide for death and keep us from being surprised thereby unawares which will be dangerous to us Mat. 24. 48 49 50. Helps To help us in this meditation let us use these meanes First let us have our Coffins alwayes ready in our houses Remember to die Written in great Letters before us and if we may have our Sepulchers in our gardens Ioâ— 19. 41. Mat. 27. 57 58 59 60. Secondly let us read oft those Scriptures and Bookes that treat of mans mortallity Thirdly let us look often upon the examples of mortallity Eccles. 7. 4. It is better to goe to the house of mourning then to the house of feasting because this is the end of all men and â—â—e living will â—â—y it to heart Let us looke much on our dying and think much on our dead friends and say as David I shall goe to them Fourthly pray that God will mind us of it Psal 90. 12. Thirdly the third main duty we are from hence to be exhorted to is to prepare for death before it come we use to provide for a great journey when we are to undertake it a great while before and before we go out of one house we use to take care where we may have another And thâ—â— is great reason for this 1. because it is a needfull care 2. It is a wise care it is a high point of holy wisdome so to do and extreame folly to neglect it Pro. 10. 5. 3. It is a glorious care it will be much to the honour and praise of him that doth take it and to the shame and reproach of him that doth neglect it 4. It is a profitable care for this will much joy the heart and aswage the evill of death when it comes Fiftly we if we be found unprepared for death when it comes are undone for ever If you shall desire to know when this preparation must be made We answer this work of preparation for death being the work of a beleever must be set upon presently and without delay and may not be put of to the morrow much lesse to the time of old age or of or after mens death For 〈◊〉 although it be certain that a 〈◊〉 shall â—â—e yet it is uncertain when he shall die Secondly no man knows what a day may bring forth perhaps he may not have to morrows time to do it Thirdly he will be lesse â—it to morrow then he is to day Fourthly â—he latest preparation is never to late but the late preparation is seldome true Fifthly it will be hard late to do any thing to it when death comes for we shall be then most of all unfit for the work Sixtly old age is also a most unfit time for 〈◊〉 Eccles. 12. 1. 2. Seventhly when we come to dâ—â— we shall find it enough to doe that work it will therefore be our wisdome to have nothing else to do at that time but to die Eightly It will be too late to do any thing after death for there is then no time of amendment of any thing for as death leaves mâ—n so judgment will find them Ec. 9. 10. Ninthly we read but of one that did put of this care to the last and prospered in it and this instance is extraordinary If now you shall ask how this preparation must be made We answer It
doore of Heaven the gaâ—e of Life the entrance into perfect peace and security the day break of eternall brightnesse It is the consummation of a mans victory the beginning of glory to be perfected at the day of Judgment Here the law of the fleâ—â— shall no more oppose the law of the mind Then shall be perfect rest settled peace a sure inheritance without any feeling of trouble or fear of lâ—sse Then shall be the buriall of all sinnes the raising of all virtues Then shall the soul fly out of the body as an Eagle above the Clouds where shall be neither nets nor snares to take it Who would fear or fly from this change Who would not be glad and desirous to embrace it 2 Cor. 5. 8. Esay 57. 1. 3. Ecâ—les 12. 7. The Spirit returneth to God that gave it being absent from the body we are present with the Lord. Rev. 14. 13. Blessed aâ—â— the dead that die in the Lord for they rest from their labours c. Phil. 1. 23. I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ which is best of all Phil. 3. 20 21. Our Conversation is in heaven from whence we looke for the Saviour the Lord Iesus Christ who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto hiâ— glorious body and 1 Thes 4. 14. 17. Luke 16. 22. When Lazâ—â—â—â— died it is said the Angels carryed his soul into Abrahams bâ—some an allâ—sion as some would have it to the sweet delights and fellowship the Saints shall have with Abrham the father of the faithfull in Heaven as at a Feast whereat in the Eastern Countries they used to leane on one anothers breast Iohn 13. 23. others would have it a mâ—ta phâ—â— from Fathers who imbosome and hug their Children when wearied with long running about or have met with a knock and come crying to them By death the soul is marryed to Jesus Christ her dearest husband the which hath been here kept at a distance from him but then it shall be more neerly united to him and enjoy the beatificall vision of the Godhead the chiefest good and then is there but one step more and soul and body together shall have the compleat enjoyment thereof Then shall the beleever not only be brought into the bouse of his Father prepared from all eternity for him but he shall also there for ever have and enjoy the fellowship of all the blessed Saints and Angels and of his dearest frâ—inds who died in the Lord before him Heb. 6. 20. 1â— 23. 2 Sam. 12. 23. Who then would not be willing to die It is no maâ—â—ailâ— therefore iâ— Paul in the Contemplâ—tion or all these things desired to be dissolved Phil. 1. 23. and that the Saints desire to be uâ—clâ—thed of their house of clay 2 Cor. 5. 2. And that the wicked do so much desire to diâ— the death of the righteous Numb 23. 10. And that the Maityrs loved not their lives unto death Rev. 12. 11. Acts 20. 24. but refused deliverance from death when they might have had it Heb. 11. 35. they were as willing to die as to live Out of all this we may then conclude upon the beleevers death with Salomon Eccleâ—â— 7. 3. The â—a of death is better then the day of his birth But here it may be objected that death is a fruit of Gods curse the wages of â—â—n the destruction of nature and a bitter and dreadfull thing To which we answer thus It is bitter and dreadfull in it self but it is the way all flesh do go and Christ himself went into glory and the nature of it is now changed as we have already shewed the sting of it is gone and it cannot hurt us and it is sanctified and sweetned by the death of Christ who will be with us and enable us to endure it Esay 43. 2. Oh! but you will say I am affraid of a long and strong disease and a painfull death To this we say Perhaps it may be otherwise for some die with little some without any pain at all But if it be so either god will lessen the pain or greaten thy strength and comfort 2 Cor. 1. 5. 10. 13. And very long the disease cannot be It is but like one swallow of a bitter pill and be cuâ—ed of all diseases one thrust out at a narrow gate and we are out of prison it is but one wink and all is past 2 Cor. 4. 17. Oh! But some will say the grave which followes death at the heels is a dreadfull spectacle To this we answer That the grave shall be no other to the Saints but as a sweet bed wherein they shall sleep quietly and feel nothing Esay 57. 1. 3. And Christ the members of whose body they still continue to be will be there with them and bring them from thence into heaven Ephes. 5. 30. Psal 16. 9. 0. Fifthly The â—ifth thing to which we are to be perswaded is that since we must shortly die and by death be for ever seperated from our worldly enjoyments that we do not overmuch desire them before we have them not to much delight glory please and content our selves or trust in them when we have them nor much be grieved for them when we loose them Riches Honours Offices Authority Command Friends Pleasures and the rest what are they What can they do Matt. 6. 19 20. Lay not uâ— for your selves treasures on earth c. Jo 6. 27. Labour not for the meat which perisheth c. 1 Cor. 7. 29. Let them that have wives be as if they â—ad none 1 Tim. 6. 1â— Trust not in uncertain riches Psal 62. 10. If riches increase set not thine heart upon them Prov. 23. 4. Labour not to be rich But for the Cure of this consider these things 1. That all Silver Gold Pearls c. are but vile things Earth upon Earth Matth. 6. verse 19. Silver and Gold is but White and Yellow earth Pearls the guts and garbage of the Earth all of them but thick clay Hab. 2. 9. 2. Riches Honours and the rest reach no further then to this life Iob 17. 15 16. 3. They can do little for us while we have them they can procure us no spirituall or solid joy they cannot preserve or deliver us from any great evill Prov. 10. 2. Treasures of wickednesse profit nothing Prov. 11. 4. Riches profit not in the day of wrath Psal 49. 6 7. They that trust in their wealth c. none of them can by any means redeem his brother c. Luke 12. 15. 4. They are of a perishing vanishing nature they perish with the using they are but as heaps of Snow or Chasse they melt away between our singers as butter before the Sun and are gone we know not how they that lean upon and trust unto them are as men that trust to a hillâ—â—k of Yee or heap of Snow Psal 30. 6 7. Esay 40. 6. All flesh is grasse and the glory thereof as the flower
with looking after the Mat. 24. 12. things which are comming on the world yet iniquity doth abound and the whole Earth seemeth to be filled with Gen. 6. 11. violence and wickednes and most men live as if there were neither God nor Devil Heaven nor Hell It is true these things are continually sounding in our ears and is it not as true and wo and alas that it is so they do for the most part as soon passe through the ears of the hearer as from the mouth of the speakerâ— Whence Vox audita perit Amos 6. 3. else is it that wicked men approach to the seat of iniquity but that they put far from them the evill day Whence is it that they cry peace peace and sing a requiem to their Souls with the fool in the gospel but 1 Thess 5. 3. 2. that they forget that sudden destruction is at hand and Luk. 12. 19 20 this night their soules may bee taken from themâ— whence is it that good mens hearts shake so at the present Heb. â—2 27. â—8 shaking of things in the world but that they have forgotten the Kingdome that cannot be shakenâ— whence is it that the good and bad both slumber and watch not but that they have forgotten that the comming of the Lord is nigh and he will come as a Mat. 25. 1 2 3 c. Thief in the night And whence is it thaâ— there is such an overflowing of sin in the world but from hence that men think not enough of these things For the prevention and cure therefore of these epidemicall evils I have gathered and bound up together these heavenly truths as medicine made of many ingredients and give it you in writing And oh that now we could perswade you to turn aside from youâ—â—ageâ— Litera Scripta manet pursuit of earthly things and come and see what it is and try what it wiâ—l do And for this may we prevail with you to look into them and keep them as a signe upon your hands as fronâ—â—eâ—s between your eyes that you will write them on the posts of your houses and your gates or rather on the tables of your hearts that they being ever in your sight may be never out of Deut. 6. 6 7 8. your minde Remember and forget not that very shortly the grieâ—ly Serjeant Deaâ—h will aâ— rest you and clap you up in the Prison of the grave where you shal by and by heare the dreadfull voâ—ce of the last Tâ—umpâ— crying a wake ye dead and come to judgment look sometimes in at Hâ—ll gates and think of the wrath to come and at other times take a view of the Heavenly Canaan and walk a turn or two in the Paradice of God If the thought of one of these how much more shall the thought of them all make us apply our hearts to wisdome Thâ—se thoughts wâ—ll 〈◊〉 lesse much settle the hearts of Saint in this shaking time 1 Cor 15. 31. Psal 1. 1. 5. Mat. â— 15. Col. 1. 12. Deut 32. 39. make them active for God careful to 〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉 so that they may be alwayes ready to dye able to stand in the Judgment sure to escape the damnation of Hell and to be made meet for the inheritance of the Saints in heaven And oh that men were thus wise to understand this to consider their latter end Thy Christian friend W. S. Of the foure last and great things Death Judgement Heaven and Hell and the things that concern the same Of Death DOCTRINE All men must die or There is an unavoidable necessity of dying laid upon all men Hebr. 9. 27. It is appointed to men once to die Psal â—9 48. What man is he that liveth and shall not see death not a man Eccles 6. 6. Doe not all go to one place Job 30. 23. I know thou wiâ—â— bring me to death and to the house appointed for all living FOr the opening of this point we must say something to these three things First what this death whereof we speak is Secondly What necessity there is that all men must die this death Thirdly Wherefore this necessity is imposed upon mankinde and wherefore it is so For the first By death here we mean not the privation of our communion with God or the separation of soul and body from Gods favour in this world which is caused by sin and is called an alienation from the life of God or the second death or spirituall death Luke 1. 79. Ephes 2. 1 2 4. 18. or the separation of the whole man from Gods heavenly presence and glory to be punished with everlasting fire in Hell called eternall death or the perdition of soul and body in Hell or the second death And this is proper onely to wicked men and cannot touch the godly Rom. 6. 23. Revel 20. 6. 4. Rom. 8. 6. 2 Thess 1. 9. Matth. 10. 28. Rev. 2. 11. But by death in this place we intend the privation of the life of the body or the separation of the soul from the body for sin or the change of this mortall for an immortall life And this is called a bodily or worldly death or the first death And this death is common to all men good and bad Heb. 9. 27. 1 Cor. 15. 32. Gen. 5. 24. 35. This death is either naturall i. when a man liveth out his full daies and then dieth or violent i. when a mans death is hastened by some violent accident that a man doth kill himself or is killed by another Also it is said to be common and ordinary when it is by an ordinary or usual means or extraordinary when it is by some strange or unusuall mâ—ans Numb 16. 29. 〈◊〉 The necessity we here speak of is not absolute but limitâ—ed to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For he may if he please dispense with his own Law and the penalty thereof and exempt some men from this common lot of mankind as once 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who is said to be translated that he did not 〈◊〉 death Hebr. 11. 5. Gen. 5. 24. so afterwards Eliâ—h 2 Kings 2. 11. and as again he will do with those which shall be a live at Christs comming to judgement 1 Thess 4. 17. 1 Cor. 15. 51. Wâ— shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed But in an ordinary way God hath appointed to all men once to die and to this law of the King of Kings must all men young and old rich and poor without difference of necessity submit For the third thing 1. That it is so and must be so that all men must die these reasons may be given for it 1 God in his eternall counsell hath decreed it Heb. 9. 27. It is appointed to men once to die And his counsell standeth fast for ever and the thoughts of his heart unto all generations Psal 33. 11. Esay 46. 10. We read in â—say 28. 15. of some that had made a Covenant with death That it should not come â—igh
14. 7 8. 5. And we are then like the Swan to endeavour to sing sweetest by our devout prayers and praises to God and gratious speeches to men So Iacob Gen. 49. David 2 Sam. 23 Christ Luke 23. 34. Stephen Acts 〈◊〉 56. Isaac Heb. 11. 22. Iob. Iob. 1. 21. we shall say somewhat more to this pâ—â—nt in the next branch which we are now to descend unto 4. The fourth thing we are to be exhorted unto from this doctrine of the necessity of dying is to make a virtue of this necessity and not to fear death but when we see our time is come to die let us resolutely patiently and willingly undergo â—t A naturall and moderate fear of it as it is an Enemy to nature 〈◊〉 be chaâ—ged as an evill upon us being no other but what was in the 〈◊〉 hâ—â—rt of Christ Jesus but an immoderate afflicting distracting fear of it is to be avoyded of all Christians And for the Cure hereof and our further fitting for death let us be well instructed in the nature thereof to a beleever as it is set forth in the Gospell wherein we have these considerations 1. That there is a necessity of it and it cannot be avoyded Psal 49. 7. 2. It is sanctiâ—ed and sweetned by Christs death so as it is not now a curse but a blessing a passage a departure a change of roomes a going out of a worse place into a better 3. Assoon as the body goeth out of this world it goeth to a place of rest where it shall be troubled no more and then Gods Covenant of peace shall be made good to it And to speak properly the beleeving Christian doth not die he lyeth down to sleep in his bed for his death is but the bodies going to bed and to sleep after the many labours of the day of this life are ended out of which he shall awake after the night of death is past at the morning of the râ—surrection to everlasting life and no sâ—oner is the soule out of the body then it is in possession thereof Esay 57. 2 3. The righteous are taken away c. he shall enter into peace they shall rest in their beds c. 2 King 32. 20. Thou shal s be gathered to thy fathers inâ—eace Matt. 9. 24. Acts 7. 60. He fell asleepe 4. The body by death is not reduced to nothing as the body of a beaâ—t is but it is only resolved to earth again where the â—otting of it is only to refine it that as the Corne which first diâ—â—h it may arise more glorious 1 Cor. 15. 36. Gen. 3. 19. So that death to the Saints is neither totall but of the body only nor perpetuall but for a time only Rom. 8. 10. 5. God is as much the God of the dead as of the living beleever Mat. 22. 34. God is not the God of the dead but of the living i. his Covenant is with them to make them happy in communicating to them grace life and glory and this Covenant is with the body as well as with the soul Rom. 14. 8. Whether we live or die we are the Lords 6. The body and soul of a beleever notwithstanding the death of the body is still a member of Christ Ephe. 5. 30. Rom. 14. 8. Death devides us not from God but brings us home to him 7. God hath the power of death and the grave and his providence doth dispose thereof and of everything therein and he will be with the beleever in this estate to support him under and deliver him out of it and to turn it to his good and he wâ—â— not leave him till he hath settled his soul and body in heaven Rev. 18. I have the Keyes of Hell and Death i. power to keep from or deliver to death Iude verse 9. Acts 4. 28. Psalm 16. 10. 11. Thou wiâ—â— not leave my Soule in grave nor suffer thiâ—â— holy one to see corruption Heb. 2. 14 15. Acts 2. 24. Psalm 116. 15. The death of his Saints is pretious to him 1. either God will preserve them from wicked hands or will sharply revenge their death on them that kill them Acts 20. 24. 2 Kings 1. 13. Psal 72. 14. 8. The death of the beleever cannot seperate his soul from Christs love to it or its love to Christ Iohn 11. 5. 20. 3. 1. Rom. 8. 38. 39. What shall sepâ—rate us from the love of Christ Shall death c. 9. Death reacheth to the body only and not to the soul Mat. 10. 28. Feare not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the Soule c. 10. By death God requireth again of us that soul he â—â—usted us with and every honest man will willingly deliver up his trust when it is required Eocles 12. 12. 11. The sting of death is now taken away to the beleever that it cannot hurt him 1 Cor. 15. 55. Buzze it may snake whose sting â—â— pulled out 1â— The Angels will be ready to receive and carry the beleevers sould into the presence of the God of peace in Heaven Luke 16. 22. 23. Death shall be destroyed and it is the last Enemy that shall be destroyed â—evel 20 v. 14. â— Câ—rinâ—h 15. v. 26. Rev. 20. 14. 14. The body of the beleever shall be gloriously raised after death to die no more for then death shall be swallowed up into victory and body and soul united and placed in eternall felicity for the soul being loosed out of prison the body may not be kept in prison 2 Cor. â— 1. Rev. 21. 4. 20. 13. 1 Thes 4. 13. Psalm 49. 14 15 16. 8 9. 1 Cor. 15. 43. Iohn 6. 39. Rom. 8. 11. To say all in one word death to the beleever makes a happy change and doth infinitly better his condition for it â—reeth him from all evill and puts him in possession of all good It â—reeth him from the evill of sin and punâ—â—â—ment felt and feared present and to come and puts an end to all his cares fears teares labours griefs combats with sin the world and the Devill for in death he gets beyond and above them all It is a passage and going from Aegyt to Canaan out of an old rotten house wherein a man hath no estate at all into a glorious Mansion and Kingly pallace of his own inheritance the going out of a base prison to a glorious liberty the return from a banishment to his own Country and home the comming to the haven after a long and dangerous voyage by sea It is a going to bed after a man hath laboured hard all day and is â—yred and weary It is a going from corruption to incorruption from mortallity to immortallity from death to life from earth to heaven from a miserable to a happy life It is the putting off a mans old ragged Cloathes to put on princely robes It is a loosing from the shore and a lanching out into the main to take possession of a Kingdome It is the
have already shewed and we are not to be much troubled at our own losse which is so much to their gain they are but gone to bed and in a sweet sleep a little before us 10. 11. 11. Ps 37. 7. Luke 16. 24. 10. They are not gone from but a little before us and we shall shortly go to them 2 Sam. 12. 23. 11. They shall rise again and we shall meet again and live together for ever in a far better condition then we are or can be in here 1 Thess 4. 3. 2. In the second place let this perswade us not to trust too much in friends Psal 146. 3. Put not your trust in Princes nor in the sonnes of men for there is no help in him his breath departeth he returneth to his earth in that very day his thoughts perish Esay 2. 22. Cease from man whose breath is in his â—ostrils for wherein is he to be esteemed 2. As to Enemies Let this perswade us not to live in fear of them be they never so mighty rich cruel c. able and willing to hurt us For first all their power can reach but to the bodie it cannot touch the soul Mat. 10. 28. 2. They can do no more to our bodies then God hath decreed and shall give them leave to do Acts 2. 23. Revel 2. 10. Luke 8. 3â— Iob 1. 4 5 6. 3. They must shortly die and then that power they have will be taken from them Matt. 2. 16. 19. Iob 3. 17. there i in the grave the wicked cease from troubling Thus we have done with the use of exhortation The next use we shall make of this point shall be for consolation and this Vse 3 is to the Saints under all their lesser deaths the troubles of this present life which they either feel or fear this great death will shortly come and put an end to them all Iob 3. 17. There the weary be 〈◊〉 c. they heare not the voice of the oppressor for being once dead they can die no more This very Use the Holy Ghost doth make of this point 〈◊〉 Rev. 14. 13. Esay 7. 1. for as it is a comfort to a man in a dark prison that he hath no light but through a little hole If looking through it he can see some pleasant object that doth delight him it will make his imprisonment seem shorter and lighter So doubtlesse will it comfort Gods people to contemplate this doore of hope shortly to be opened to them by which they shall be let out of all the troubles of this present life into a place and estate of perfect peace and liberty Vse 4 But here that we be not mistaken and to the end that the comforts before reached out and offered to the Saints be not catched hold of and assumed by the wicked that have nothing to do therewith we shall subjoyn a word or two of â—yall and examination If we be the persons to whom the comforts before heâ—â— forth do belong who shall have a happy change who shall be blessed in dâ—ath rest from their labours after death being dissolved shall be with Christ who shall have hope in death whose flesh shall rest in hope whose 〈◊〉 bodies shall be with Christ who shall have hope in death whose flesh shall rest in hope whose vile bodies shall be made like Christs glorious body who shall have peace who shall rest in our beds and be gathered to our graves in peace we must be able to give this Character of our selves That we are upright righteous persons perfect and mercifull men such as do studdy to approve our selves in all things towards God and men 2 Cor. 1. 12. 9 10. Prov. 14. 31. 32. Psal 37. 7. Esay 57. 1. 3. Numb 23. 10. That we are in Christ Jesus 1 engâ—aâ—â—ed into him by faith Rev. 14. 13. And if so then are we 1. New Creatures that is we have new qualyties of holinesse created in us Rom. 8. 38 39. 2 Cor. 5. 2. 2. We are dead to sin and alive to righteousnesse Rom. 6. 3 4. c. 3. We walk not after the flesh but after the spirit Rom. 8. 10. 19. 2 Cor. 5. 1. 5. 4. We have tender hearts and humble our selves before God his word and his judgments 2 Kings 22 19 20. We are also active and industrious for Gods glory and his peoples good Phil. 1. 1 2 c. 1 Pet 1. 12. Our conversation is heavenly Phil. 2â— 21. We are Saints and such as make the Lord â—uâ— portion Psal 16. 5 These are Gods people who have the Lord for their God and to whom the comforts of this poyâ—t belong Mat. 22. 32. What then have reprobate unregenerate unbeleeving 〈◊〉 unmercifull deceitfull carelesse hard-hearted proud 〈◊〉 wicked and impenitent persons to do with those comfortable promises and discoveries they have no part nor portion herein but their portion 〈◊〉 in the next use Vse 5 The next and last use to be made of this point of deathâ— certain and speedy approach is of very great terrour and discomfort to all wicked and ungodly persons such as we have before sâ—cluded from all the comfort of this point The licentious â—â—â—cure that sayth 1 Cor. 15. 32. Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we shall die Luke 12. 19. Psal 49. 18. The secure wordling that doth think his house shall continue for ever Psal 49. 11. and that he hath enough for many yeares Luk. 12. 19. The proud who trusteth in his goods and glorâ—eth in the multitude of his wealth Psal 49. 6. and all other sinners whatsoever that walk in the way of their own hearts and either mind not at all or put farre from them their dying day Eccles. 7. 9. Amoâ— 6. 3. All these are to know to their grief and astonishment that they must certainly and shortly die and that very suddenly and when they least of all expect it their souls will be required of them and return they must to God to give an account of all the things they have done in their flesh and from thence be sent packing to hell their bodies shall â—re long chop into the earth when they must leave all their worldly enjoyments they so much glory and rejoyce in and settle upon to others and be gone from hence to be seen no more A change they also shall make but not from a worse to a better estate but from a better to a worse estate they shall go from peace to trouble from liberty to bondage from life to death from their heaven to hell and from the enjoyment and the hope of all in this world which either is or they esteem to be good to all that is evill or if they do as some of them do go from a sad condition here they go into a worse out of the Frying-pan they gâ—â— to the Fiâ—e â—ut of Prison to the Gallowes they are lanching into an infinite ocean of scalding Lead and in it they must swim naked for ever In one word
very base and miserable condition 3. That there are degrees of this happines and misery And then last of all for the use of all this we shall shew how we may attain to the one and escape the other And for a foundation of all our structure we will first of all lay down this doctrinall proposition or point DOCTRINE That there is a Heaven and a Hell that this Heaven is a state of wonderfull happinesse And this Hell is a state of wonderfull miserie And there are degrees of this happinesse and misery These parts we shall take and handle asunder That there is a Heaven THat there is a heaven may appear by these things 1. Otherwise the condition of the best men will be worst for in this life they receive most evil things Luke 16. 25. If in this life onely we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable 1 Cor. 15. 19. 2. How otherwise can God be just or appear to be just And shall not the judge of all the earth doe right If God proportion the worst â—staâ—â— to the best men he must at least seem to be unjust which cannot be 2 Thâ—â—salonians 1. 5 6 7. It is a righteous tâ—â—â—g with God 〈◊〉 to giâ—e you rest who are troubled It is a manifeâ—â— taken of the righteous judgements of God This time and state is therefore called The time of the reâ—â—lation of the righteous judgements of God Rom. 2. 5. 3. Otherwise theâ—e is no reward for the righteous for all the good works they have done And the reward of their works shall be given them Iâ—say 3. 10. 4. Otherwise the greatest part of the Scripture must be false and the promises of heaven to the righteous must be of no force for the Scripture saith there is a Heaven and God hath promised it to the righteous and it is purchased and prepared for them Matth. 2 5. 31 5 12 19 8 1â— 21. Coâ—oss 1. 5. Heb. 10. 34 5. It is begun here and men have a little taste of it in this life which is an evidence to them of the full fâ—uâ—tion thereof in the life to come Rom. 5. 2 8 23. Mark 9. 45 6. If there be a God there is a Kingdom of God But the first is true 7. There is a resurrection of good and bad and therefore a place for good and bad That there is a Hell THat there is a Hell may appear by these things 1. Otherwise the condition of the worst men will be best for in this life they for the most part receive good things Luke 16. 25. They are not afflicted as other men i The righteous for there are no other men but the righteous and the wicked Psal 78. 5. 2. Otherwise Gods justice is not seen in giving to every man according to his deeds as in that Rom. 2. 5 6. It is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you 2 Thess 1. 6 7. When the Lord Iesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire to take vengeance c. 3. Otherwise the sinner shall escape unpunâ—hed for his sin for many of them are not plagued at all for their sins here And yet the reward of his hands shall be given him Esay 3. 11. And every one muâ—â— receive according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad 2 Cor. 5. 10. 4. Otherwise the word of God that doth assure us there is a Hell and all the threatnings of God against sinners that they shall be cast into bell c. are false Esay â—0 33. Topheâ— is prepared of old c. Psal 9. 13. The wicked shall be turned into Hell and all the nations that forget God Matt 5. 22 10 28 18 9. 5. It is begun here and they have a taste of it in this present life for what else is it that doth cause that horrour of conscience in some men but the fear of lying for ever under Gods wrath in this place Iudas Matt. 27. 7. Acts 1. 25. Spirâ—t c. Belshassar Dan. 5. Herod Nero and others What Heaven is IN the opening of this point we shall shew first in generall what is either properly or figuratively and by way of resemblance and of it And 2 in some particulers wherein it doth consist Heaven is the blessed state and condition made and appointed by God for the eternall happinesse of the godly and elect after this life is ended with God and his blessed Angels above where the most lively visible and Comfortable discovery of Gods gracious presence is a little taste whereof we have here a greater when Soul and Body are seperated by death And the full fruition whereof we have when the Body shall be raised and Soul and Body united together As touching this place and condition we must first know that the excellency glory and sweetnesse thereof no mortall heart or created understanding can possibly conceive and comprehend to the life For S. Paul tells us 1 Cor. 2. 9. That neither eye hath seen nor eare heard nâ—â—ther heart of man conceived the incomprehensible height and glorious misteries of that heavenly wisdom and inutterable divine sweetnesse revealed in the Gospell How transcendently then unutterable and unconcewable is the fulfilling perfection the reall actuall and full fruition of all those evangellicall revelations accomplished to the height in the highest heavens through all eternitie But this is ceâ—tain that this state and place is a state and place of inconceivable happinesse and pleasure For if the Disciples of Christ in the Transfiguration were so taken and â—avished with a little glimpse of this glory that they desired they might for ever enjoy it Matt. 17. 2 3 4. What then will the full view thereof be and if the tast of it onely be a â—â—y that passetâ— all understanding Phil. 4. 7. a joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1. 8. Then the whole cup and full draught thereof must needs be an exceeding and eternal weight of glory 2 Cor. 4. 17. There is a fulnesse of joy in it Psal 17. 15. The soul shall have so much that it shall desire no more it shall have so much that it can receive no more as a vessel that is full to the top It is a rich inheritance Ephes 1. 18. No man can know it in the extent but he that injoyeth it and all that can be said of it can but as he that drew out the whole body of Hercules by his foot frame unto us a conjecture of the matter that will comeâ—arâ—â— short of the thing it self The Scripture doth set it forth unto us by the most excellent and precious things that are in the world It is called a kingdom and crown which is the top and Crown of all earthly happinesse In this there is a confluence of all 〈◊〉 pleasures glory and what mans heart can with for outward welfare and felicity they that pâ—ssess this are said to be Kings and to
have Crowns Matth. 25. 34 Rev. 1. 6. 2. Tim. 4. 8. Iames 1. 12. And what what will not men do and suffer for a Kingdom It is called an Heavenly Kingdom Matth. 7 21. to note that it exceedeth in glory and excellency all earthly Kingdoms as farreâ—s Heaven surpasseth the Earth and more It is called also the Kingdom of God Acts 1â— 23. a Kingdome of Gods own making who doth all things like himself filled and shining with all Majesty leasure and unspeakable 〈◊〉 beseeming the dwelling of the King of Kings It is said to be also a kingdome inâ—corruptible 1 〈◊〉 1. 4 and that cannot be shakeâ— Hebr. 12. 28. It is not subject to any hazard 〈◊〉 change as earthly Kingdoms are for all 〈◊〉 is grasse and the glory thereof as the flower of the field Esay 4â— 6. but it will be as freâ—h and as full many thousand of years hence as it is at the first It is also said to be undefiled 1. Pet. 1. 4. to note that it may be had and kept without any sin at all which hardly can be in the having and holding of earthly kingdomes they are accompanied with many temptations so there is a transcendency in this kingdome above all earthly kingdomes It is compared to light 1 Tim. 5. 16. It is compared to honour and glory 2 Cor. 4. 17. It is compared to life then which what more sweet it is expressed by the things that are most desired of men Think we if a man that hath a sound mind in a healthy body and that hath together and at once all the most exquisite and ravishing delights and contents to body and mind that all the world can afford and all this is nothing to set forth this estate for all thâ—se things are no more to be compared to the glory of Heaven then the shaddow it to be compâ—â—ed to the body But by these earthly things the holy Ghost doth paint out this heavenly happines to us It is compared to a royall feaâ—â— a glorious City and the â—ike Think we upon a Virgin of mean condition and in great 〈◊〉 graciously adopted by and taken and â—â—pouâ—ed to a husband of great worth as a Prince oâ— the like one shee loves dearly and longs for much one she hath been long kept from now to be gloriously and richly marryed unto him in a statâ—ly pallace and glorious City never to be â—undred from him again what ravishing joy and sweet delight would it be to such a Virgin This doth a little shaddow out unto us the happy condition of a Christian in Heaven For Christ hath espouâ—â—â— him though most unworthy to himself and having loved him first makes him to love Christ and long after him but the marriage is not to be consummate till they meet in Heaven Ezech. 16. 4. 1 Io. 4 17. Phil. 1. 23. 2 Cor. 5 6 7. Rev. 22. 20. 17. Rev. 19. 7. Rev. 21. What joy will it be think we to an heir of a Kingdom or rich inheritance that hath been long kept from it in much warn and misery now to have the full and peaceable possession of it as David had at length of his kingdom Psal 18. What joy is it to a man that hath been long at Sea in a dangerous voyage even fainting with desire to see the land now to arrive at his desired haven in a goodly country and amongst his dearest friends and there to be royally feasted and entertained with all possible delights What joy to a man banished from his country and friends into an unknown uncomfortable place and there to be imprisoned and hardly used without any hope of return for him to return to his country and friends and there to feast and rejoyce together What joy to a man under the Turkâ—â—h tyranny and bondage and there designed to death to be redeemed and brought from thence and advanced to great glory What joy to two dear friends that have been long assunder now to meet together What are all these things but life from the dead yet all this is nothing to the happines of the Saints in heaven Th sweet content of a Christian in this estate is resembled to the sweet sleep of an Infant in its mothers bosome Luke 16. 23. If Aâ—asucrus to discover his great glory and riches could make such a feast as he did Esth 1 What manner of banquet then how magnificent how full of majesty will the feast of the King of Kings be which he will make to feast his dearest friends to all eternity we may well think it to be as great as the power and wisdome of the maker can reach unto which must need be incomparable and above all measâ—â—e infinitie And if God hath made such a world for a world of wicked men for a a place of banishment for a vale of misery what place hath he made for his dearest and holy friends in the tiâ—e of jâ—y and marriage of his Son If our Goale contain so great matters what shall oâ— Country and Kingdom do To say all in a little room in the words of a learned man In heaven the Lord shall be the Sun without rising or setting there we shall partake of the greatest good without envy there shall be fulnesse of joy without disdain perpetual triumph without war perfection with out any defeâ—t perpetuâ—â—y without end God shall dwel in his people most clearly he shall crown them with all good things he shall remove all sorrow and mourning from them Christ shall give them of the tree of Life in the middest of the Paradice of God to them he shall give the morning Starâ—â— Christ shall â—wn and honor them in the â—â—ght of God Angels The pure river of livingwater shal flow to them they shall be satisfied with the fruit of the tree of Life they shall enjoy eternall health they can never sin they shall be for ever with God and the Lamb there we shall not loose a friend nor fear an enemy there we shall live with good affection without defect there no man shall be born for no man shall die no man shall increase or decrease no man shall hunger or thirst but satiâ—â—ie shall be immortality and meat varâ—ety It is life therefore sweet It is an inheritance all men desire this It is a crown and a kingdom all men aspire to this it is light all men delight in it It is honour and glory and all men labour to this and it câ—st Christ his precious blood it must needs be some rare purchase for which so much was paid 1 Pet. 1. 18. There we shall be â—ed with Angels food which shall be to us a continuall feast there we shall be cloathed with immortality and glory 1 Corin. 15. 43. There shall be chastity without uncleannesse sanctâ—â—y without pollution gravity without foolishnesse temperance without glâ—ttony there the minde shall be alwayes sober holy pious wholy and alwayes addicted to the love of God But we shall open these
glorified bodies by the brightnes of God communicated to them outshining the Sun and Stars in brightnes shall there concur It is called therefore the inheritance of the Saints in light Collos 1. 12. Revel 21. 13. Mat. 17. 2. Dan. 12. 3. Phil. 3. 21. Collos 3. 4. Exod. 34. 29. 2. For the company the society company shall add much to the felicity of the Saints in Heaven For their company shall be God the Father Son and holy Ghost The Patriarchs Prophets and Apostles the Martyâ—â— and Saints Abraham Isaac and Iacob and all our godly friends depaâ—ted for we shall all meet together and be for ever with the Lord and with these they shall have a familiar acquaintance they shall all rejoyce in each others happines and thereby increase each others joy This I say c. That yee may also have fellowship with us and that our fellowship also may be with the Father and with his Son 〈◊〉 Christ 1 Jo. 1. 3. 1 Thess 4. 17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up c. and so shall we be for ever with the Lord. Jo. 17. 24 Father I will that they which thou hast given mee be where I am that they may behold that my glory which thou hast given me Hebr. 12. 22 2â— 24. But yee are come to the mount Sion the City of the living God the heavenly Ierusalem the company of innumerable Angels the Congregation of the first born written in heaven to God the Judge of all to the Spirits of just and perfect men to Jesus the Mediator of the new Testament c. Phil. 2. 1. Psal 17. v. 15. Rev. 21. v. 3. 22. 33. Mat. 8. 1â— Mat. 13 28. Luke 20. 36. 1 Thes 4. 13. And there shall be none but saints there Rev. 21. 27. 22. 3 â—4 15. 2 Pâ—t 3. 1â— So that then our Union and Communion with God shall be perfect Suppose we a wife that loves her husband dearly and desires his company much above all things in the world but hitherto his occasions have been such that she could not enjoy him now that he is resolved to live at home alwayes with her how comfortable and joyfull a thing will this be to her So now the Church of Christ and Christ heretofore kept a part shall for ever dwell together and be parted no more 3. For the time of enjoyment of this happines it shall be for ever â—nd ever It is therefore called an inheritance 1 Pet. 1. 4. Acts 20. 32. and everlasting life Mat 25. 46. If we ask why God should give an eternall reward for â—emporall service we must answer because it is his pleasure as it is his pleasure to give a Kingdome for to give an everlasting Kingdome And it is a gift like himself and â—â—t for such a one to give Luke 12. 32. Iames 1. 6. 1 Tim. 6. 17. Now put all this together and then let us think what a state and condition heaven is and whether he be not a happy man that is born to inheâ—it this May we not say of this O joy above all 〈◊〉 yes and without which there is no joy when shall I enter into thee to see my God that dwelleth in thee O everlasting Kingdome O Kingdom of all eternities O Light without end O Pence of God that 〈◊〉 all understanding in which the Souls oâ— Saints do rest with thee and everlasting joyes are upon their heads and all pain and sorrow is fled from them O how glorious a Kingdome is thine O Lord where in all Saints do dwel with thee adorned with light as with apparel and having Crowns of precious stones on their heads O Kingdom of everlasting blisse where thou O Lord the hope of all Saints art and the Diadem of all their perpetuall glory rejoycing theâ— on every side with thy blessed sight In this kingdom of thine there is infinite joy and myrth without sadnes health without sicknes life without death ease without pain light with out darknes and all good without any evill where youth flourisheth that never waxeth old life that knoweth no end beauty that never fadeth love that never cooleth health that never diminiâ—heth joy that never ceaseth where sorrow is never felt complaint is never heard matter of sadnes is never seen nor evill successe is ever feared For that they possesse thâ—e O Lord which art the perfection of 〈…〉 What Hell is IN the opening of this point we shall take the same course as wâ— doe in the opposite branch 1. What it is in generall 1. Wherein it doth consist in some particulers Hell is the miserable state and condition made and appointed by God for the eternall torment of the wicked and reprobate with the divell and his Angels after this life is ended beneath where the most lively sensible and terrible discovery of Gods wrath is A little taste whereof men have here a greater after death And the full and perfect suffering whereof they have after the resurrection of the Body and reuniting of Soul and Body together As touching this place and state also we must conceive the sorrows and pain thereof as inconceiveable and inutterable as the other If the weight of the little finger of Gods wrath herein be so heavy as insupportable what will his whole loyns be If the taste of it be so intollerable what will the full cup thereof be yet so it is For the Holy Ghost speaking of that little men do see and feel in this life expresseth it thus A wounded Spirit who can bear Pro. 18. 14. It is intollerable for so that manner of speech doth intend This weight made Christ himself though he knew he should get out of it wuickly yell and whiles he was under it was supported by a mighty strength to sweat drops of blood and cry out aloud Lord Lord Why hast thou forsaken me This is it that hath made the faithfull themselves though supported by Gods hand so heavily to lament and so bitterly to bemoan their estate Psal 77. This is that which hath made the wicked weary of their lives and to chuse death rather then life as Iudas Saul Spira and others It is but the apprehension of this state to come and neer at hand that makoâ— those kings and great persons Rev. 6. 15 16 17. To hide themselves and to say to the mountains fall on us and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the Throncâ— and from the wrath of the Lamb For the great day of his wrath is come and who shall be able to staâ—d like unto that Esay 33. 14. The sinners in Sion are afraid fearfulnesse hath surprised the hypocrites Who amongst us shall dwell with devouring â—ire Who amongst us shall dwell with with everlasting burnings If a glimpse and a glanse of this now and that seen a far ofâ— be so dreadfull and horrid what will the weight and feeling of it present be then when the wrath of God shall for ever in all
are the Vessels of mercy prepared to glory and on whom God will declare the riches of his glory even them whom he hath called Rom. 9. 22 23 24. The evidence of this is 1. when the soul doth answer to God in every thing he doth require Psal 27. 8. 2. when a man is made a new creature by the powerfull work of regeneration 5. In our Faith that gift of God whereby the regenerate heart receiveth Christ and all his bâ—nefits to it self as they are offered by the word or that tift whereby the believer is perswaded that the word of God is true and doth belong all unto it self And those onely that have a true justifying Faith here in their hearts shall be saved hereafter and none others and those shal be saved for God hath promised salvation to them Jo. 3. 36. He that believeth shall be saved 1 Pet. 1. 9. receiving the enâ—â—o your Faith even the salvation of your Souls for this bringeth us unto and into Christ who is the way to salvation and hath the Keys of Heaven doors that openeth and no man shutteth io â—4 6 Rev. 14. 13. Acts 16. 30 31. And this Faith may be found by these signes 1. It is bred by the word Rom. 10. 17. Law and Gospel 2. It gives a power against the powerfuâ—l work of Satan Ephes 6. v. 16. 3. It makes a man earnestly desire reconciliation with God and assurance of his favour Psal 106 4. 31. 16. 4. It makes a man carefull to please God though he displease himself in it Heb. 11. 5. Gen. 22. 10. 5. It makes us to long for Christ for a more abundant tast and participation of his heavenly grace and gifts Cant. 1. 11. 6. It raiseth in us a heavenly and spirituall joy 1 Pet. 1. 8. 7. It purgeth the heart of sin Acts 15. 9. 8. It moveth in us a love to God and all his People 1 Pet. 1. 8. Gal. 5. 5. Iames 2. 6. In our Iustification in the forgivenes of our sins by the sufferings of Christ and the imputation of righteousnes by his obedience through faith for whosoever is justified shall be saved and so è converse Rom. 8. 30. Whom he justified them hee also glorified This doth consist in the pardon of sin which may be known to be ours if we have repented of it 1 John 1. 9. and of the imputation of Christs righteousenes which may be known by such a peace of Conscience as 1. doth follow or accompany trouble of Conscience 2. As doth make one carefull to preserve a good Conscience Rom. 5. 1. Heb. 13. 8. 2 Corinth 1. vers 12. 7. In our adoption which is the taking of a man the childe of wrath by nature to be a childe of God by grace For they that are to inherit heaven hereafter are the children of God here and so è converso Rom. 8. 15 16 17. If we be children then are 〈◊〉 heirs of God and joynt heirs with Christ which we may know by these things 1. If we do partake of the divine nature by Regneration Io. 1. v. 13. 2 Pet. 1. 4. 2. If we have such spirituall affections towards God as children have naturall affections towards Parents 3. If we have the Spirit of Adoption that giâ—t of the spirit assuring us of our Adoption Rom. 8. 15. 4. If we doe willingly submit unto and desire wholly to be governed by the spirit of God Rom. 8. 14. 5. If we do in some sort resemble God 8. In a true love that holy affection of the heart causing us to delight in God for his gâ—odnesse sake and in our neighbours for Gods sake Iam. 1. 12. The Lord hath promised the Crown of life ot them that love him And this we may know by these thing 1. That we desire a more neer union to him 2. we are well pleased in him 3. We much esteem him 4. we are careful to please him 5. we hate that he hatheth 6. Wee are zealous for him 7. we love his ordinances and servants by which we have intercourse withhim 9. In a true love to Gods people whereby a man is moved to wish them well and labour their good 1 Io. 3. 14. Hereby we know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren which may be known by these things 1. That we love them all those that have no respect to us as well as the rest 2. That we love them for their goodnes sake Psalm 16. 3. 1 Cor 12. 26. 3. That we have a fellow feeling with them in their misery 4. That we are willing and ready to do them all the good we can do help and succour them in their misery Matt. 5. 34 35. I was sick and yee visited me c. they that shall rest Esay 57. 1 2. are mercifull men 10. In the true filial frear of God Psal 145. 19. that holy affection of the heart awing us and making us loath to displease God by sin in respect of his great goodnes and mercy and for a love we bear to righteousenes The Lord hath promised to 〈◊〉 the desire of them that fear him And that he will hâ—ar their cry and save them And this fear those men have that 1 doe love God 2. that are truly humbled Gen. 33. 3. 3. that are afraid of sin Exod. 4. 3. Psal 16. 8. 4. that hate sin Prâ—v 8. 13. 5. that depart from evill Prov. 3. 7. Luke 1. 74. 75. 11. In true saving knowledge in the clear and distinct understanding of heavenly truth contained in the word by the spirit Io. 1â— 2. This is life eternall to know thee the true God c. and then it is true 1. when it is distinct 2. universall of all truths in a good measure 3. it is humbling 4. it is experimentall 5. it is joyned with practise 12. In new obedience when a man is ready to do Gods will in all things though never so much against heart Rom. 6. 17. Psal 119 6. And this must be 1. of the whole man inward and outward 2. it must be to the whole word 3. it must be always in all places times and companies 13. In a true joy a sweet motion of delight in the soul raised by the sense of Gods favour in Christ whereof the sould by good grounds is assured A glimpse of heaven upon earth 1 Pet. 8. 9. Saint Peter speaks of such as rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory That they shall receive the end of their Faith even the salvation of their souls which is known by these things 1. it goeth with faith 2. it followeth godly sorrow 3 it is in heavenly and spirituall things 4. it is the fruit of the spirit 〈◊〉 it is a lasting joy 6. it is a victorious joy 7. and it is a solid joy 14. In patience under the Crosse when a man is able to bear the crosse quietly with a ready submission to Gods will who will have it so for his
own ends Jam. 1. 12. Bâ—essed is the man that endureth tentation for when he is â—ried he shall receive the crown of life 2. Thess 1. 8. And this patience we shall know to be â—â—ue by these things I when a man doth finde fault with the least inclination to impatiency 2 When he doth not go about to limit God 3 When a man doth more fear the evil of sin then he doth the evill of punishment 4. When a man is the better for the crosse Rom. 5. 8. Psalm 119 67. Dan 12. 10. 5. When he doth wholly resign up himself to God in it Heb. 12. 9. David 〈◊〉 Elâ—e 15 In the earnest of the SPirit in their heâ—rts whereby they are sealed upto the day of redemption and assured of heaven 1 Cor. 1 22. Ephes 1. 14. 4. 30. Rom. 8. 16. 17. Which beareth witnesse with our spirits that we are Gods children and knâ—wâ— by the fruits thereof as love joy peace long-suffering and the rest Galla. 〈◊〉 22. 16. In their Spirituall povertie or humbleheartednesse in the sight and sense of their own spirituall wants when a man is tamed by affliction so that he hath a lively feeling of his spirituall poveritie and want and is humbled and made low thereby Matth. 5. 3. Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God 17 In their holy mourning for their own and others sins and the miseries of Gods people Matth. 5. 4. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted They that mourn for spirituall things in a spirituall manner and upon spirituall motives Luke 6. 11. Blessed are they that weep c. 18 In humility when a man looking on his worseâ— part hath a mean esteem of himself and a higher esteem of others and doth walk humbly before his God in a patient bearing of evil and doing of good Prov. 18. 12. Before glory goeth lowlinesse Phillip 2. 7. 8 9. Matth. 5. 23. 4. Matth. 18. 12. 3 4 5. Whosoever shall humble himself as a little childe the same is greatest in the kingdom of heven 19. In their mercy and pity to them that are in misery When we pity and help and succour them in their miserie Blessed are the mercifull for they shall obtain mercy Matth. 5. 7. Esay 57. 1. Mercifull men are taken away c. Matt. 25. 34. I was hungry and ye fed me c. Sell that ye have and give alms make you bags which wax noâ— old a treasure that can never fail in heaven c. Luke 12. 33. Where no theefe commeth nor moth corrupteth 20. In a lively hope to an assured expectation of all goodthings promised Rom. 8. 14. We are saved by hope This is an anchor to the soul sure and stedfast Heb. 〈◊〉 19. And then true when 1 it ariseth out of faith Heb. 11. 1. 2 It followeth 〈◊〉 effedtuall calâ—ing Ephes 1. 18. 3 It makes a man use all good means to have the thing hoped for 4 It makes a man sit himself for the thing hopes for he that hath this shall not be ashamed of it Rom. 5. 5. 1 Iohn 3. 3. 21 In a broken hearts and contrite Spirit when it is bâ—uâ—sed as it were to powder through deep grief from the apprehension of Gods wrath against him for 〈◊〉 Psal 34. 18 Psal 50. He 〈◊〉 such 〈◊〉 Psal 147. 3. Ezek. 6. 26. Rom. 7. 8 〈◊〉 Pâ—ritie and 〈◊〉 of heart that have hearts partly freed from the 〈◊〉 and endeavouring 〈◊〉 to be more 〈◊〉 from the guâ—lt and punishmeâ—â— of 〈◊〉 and from the power of sin by 〈◊〉 Matth. 5. 〈◊〉 Blessed are the pureâ—â— heart for they shall see God Rev. 7. 14. These are theâ— which 〈◊〉 mâ—â—e them white c. ver 9. Clothed with white Roles in 〈◊〉 of puritie 1 Tim. 1. 5. 23. In their 〈◊〉 their mutuall concord and agreement with their brethren Matth. 5 9. Blessed are the peace makers Gal. 5. 24. Fruit of the Spirit is peace 24. In their sinceritie and uprightnesse when the heart is right towards God and man studying to doe all things to please God and not for any by 〈◊〉 Esay 57. 2. Vpright men are taken away 25. In doing good in every state and condition of life Rom. 2. 6. 7 Goâ— will reward every one according to his work That is to them who through patience in 〈◊〉 seek glory c. Eternall life ver 10. To every man that doth good shall be Glory Honour and Peace 26 Especially by fruitfulnesse in well doing Matth. 7. 19. When we forget what is past and prosse forward to more not trusting to what who have done Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit and he that honoureth him shall be honoured Phil. 3. 13. Iob. 15. 8. 1 Sam. 2. 30. Matth. 25. 37. 38. Christ shall say to them I was an hungrie and ye fed me c. And they shall say unto him Lord when saw we thee an hungry and fed thee c. 27 In picking close to God herein in improving all our talents and opportunities for this end and mightily opposing all that doth oppose us herein 2 Tim. 4. 7. 8. I have fought a good sight and have finished my course I have kept the faith From henceforth is â—aid up for me the crown of righteousnesse c. 1 Pet. 5. 4. Matth. 25. 21. 28 In labouring by their example and Counsell to convert others to righteousnesse Dan. 12. 2. And they that turn many to righteousnesse shall shine as the â—arres for ever and ever 29 In cherishing and furthering euerie good thing 30 In persâ—vering in good Mark 13. 13. He that continueth to the end shall be saved Rev. 2. 10. Be faithfull to the death and I will give thee a crown of life 31 In loving and â—onging for the appearing of the Lord Iesus Christ 2 Tim. 4. 8. Luke 21. 8. Rev. 22. 17. 20. Rom. 8. 10. 23. 32 In embracing and reverencing the truth 2 Thess 〈◊〉 10. If now upon all this we shall begin to think that this way is impossible to be gone we must answer and tell you in Christs words the way tâ— heaven is a narrow and a straight way Matth. 7. 13. 1 Pet. 4. 18 For 1 It is a persecuted way 2 Tim 3. 11. 12. 2 It is a way through many troubles Acts 14. 22 Iames 〈◊〉 12. 2 Cor. 4 17. Typed by the travell of the Israelites through the wildernesse 3 It will admit of no turning Acts 13. 10. 4 It crosseth all a mans corruptions 1 Cor. 1. 23. Rom. 5. 5 There are many enemies against them that walk in this way But all this is but to make us to doe as Christ doth exhort Strive to enter in c. Luke 13. 24. Use all meanes and be at any charge to attain it Esay 55. 1 Prov. 23. 23. Matth. 13. 44. And that we may not go without it Let us 1. beginne betâ—â—es to deal upon this purchase 2 Labour earnestly neglect no time nor means 3.
work And this is the condition of all these persons following 1. Such as in whom there is no change at all wrought but they are still in their pure naturals as they were born so they live and they mean to dye 2. Such in whom is there no desire after nor delight in the means of grace 2. Such as have neither will nor skill to any of Gods works as Prayer or the like 4. Such as have no holy motions for these are like the breath and beating of the Pulse that shew the naturall life and where they are not it is a signe the body is dead And to where those are not it is a signe the soul is dead and that there is no spirituall life begun in it 3. Impenetency in Sin it is not mans sin so much as his not repenting of his sin that damns and undoes him Manasseth and Paul sinned much but they repented and were saved Ezech. 18. â—1 Cast away all your transgressions c. For why will you die ô hous of Israel And this is then most pernitious when God cals Upon men to repent when men are exhorted and perswaded to 〈◊〉 and will not hear Matt. 11. 20 2â— 12. 41 Acts 17. 30. 2 Chron. 36. 11 12. 14 15 16. And they do continue in their impenitent estate 1. That do not see a filthines in sin but think it a beautifull thing 2. That are not burthened with sin though they have never so much upon them 3. They whose hearts are like a Vessel without a hole where into the word cannot Peirce 4. They who live in sin still and leave no sin 5. They that cry not out of their sin and bewaile it 6. That are untractable to Gods will Hebr. 3 13. Rom. 2. 5. 7. That will not endure a plain and sincere Ministery they will not be awaked out of sin as a man disturbed is angry doth shew he is willing to sleep on and not to be awaked so it shews these men are not willing to come out of their sin Better to endure the pain of Repentance here then everlasting pain hereafter for one of them must be endured Luke 13. 3. 5. Christs own words Except yee repent yee shall all likewise perish 4. An effectuall or outward calling when men are moved by the Word or afflictions to repent but do not such men as are still under the power of darknes such are they that hear the word but do not repent of sin nor believe the Gospel such are like to a man in a dead sleep when he is called who hears not and therefore lies snorting stil in his sin These answer not Gods call but put them off with delayes and excuses Luke 14. 16 17. Math. 20. 16. Prov. 1. 24. Because I have called and yee refused I have stretched out my hand and none would regard those that were called to the Supper one saith I have bought a farm another I have married a wise a third I have bought oxen 2. These continue still in their unregenerate state and are not changed at all 5. Infidelity the privation and utter want of Faith when Gods promises are wholly distrusted for such men as believe not are damned already that is as sure to go to hell as if they were there already Jo. 3. verse 36. Hee that believeth in the Son hath everlasting life And he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Rom. 1. verse 20. Heb 3. verse 2â— They could not enter in because of unbeliefe Marke 16. verse 16. He that believeth not shall be damned And this unbelief may be discerned by the effects thereof also which are 1. by a mans weaknes to withstand temptation that he is carried and hurried hither and thither with every temptation 2. That a man takes so little care and pains to be reconciled to God 3. That a man doth so little care to please God 4. That a man doth so little desire after grace 5. That a man hath no spirituall joy in him 6. That the heart is so foule and unclean still And 7. that they have so little love to God and his People 1 Iohn 3. 14 15. 6. In a mans own guiltines when a mans sins remain upon his soul being unpardoned because they are not repented of and he hath nothing to do with Christs righteousnes but must stand upon his own bottome the plague of wicked men Psal â—9 27. Lay iniquity upon iniquity and let them not come into thy righteousnes Matth. 22. 11 12. Man how camest thou in hither not having on thy wedding garment that knoweth not what a troubled Conscience for sin and quieted by Christs blood doth mean and therefore take no care use no pains to keep the Conscience quiet and good 7 If we continue still as we are by nature the base born of Satan by similitudinary resemblance we are said to be the Devils children such as bare his image and resemble him in malice and subtilty called children of wrath of the flesh of perdition of Death of Hell Iohn 8. 41. 44. You are of your father the Devil and his works will yee doe And thus it is when we have none of the divine nature in us nor any good affection towards God at all we are more like unto Satan than unto God and when Satan and not Gods Spirit hath filled our hearts and we are led by the Devill and not by the Spirit of God 8. In the warn of love ot or hatred of God the case of all wilful disobedient sinners for every man that is wicked as every man is in his estate of nature doth hate God Rom. 1. 30. which doth appear by his desire to have God depart from him Iob 20. by this that he doth not regard him nor care to please him that he careth not for Gods glory nor doth he regard his ordinances 9. In the hatred of Gods people when men have a settled malice against them without cause that they neither wish them well nor endeavour their good 1 Jo. 2. 11. He that hateth his brother is in death Vers 15. is a man slayer and yee know that no manslayer hath eternall life 1 Jo. 3. 13. 15. Psal 34 21. They that hate the righteous shall perish which may be thus discerned 1. That they love not one of them but for some respect 2. That they hate them for their goodnes sake 1 Jo. 3. 12. Because his own works were evill and his brothers good 3. That they rejoyce nover them and that they â—o not pitty them nor yeeld them any help in their misery Math. 25. I was hungry and yee fed me not sick and in prison and yee visited me not naked and yee cloathed me not c. Judgment mercilesse shall be to him that sheweth no mercy Jam. 2. 13. 10. In Presumption or the want of Gods feare either they fear him not at all or if they do it is as an angry Judge and with a