change though thy be not mentioned there but of such as shall bear the name of the heavenly or of Christ verse 49.50 this is equivalent to Death when there shall be an abolishing of the former Nature and introducing a new one This is a species or kind of death but as it is not a separation of Soul from the Body so 't is not a sleep but it is a sudden transition from corruptible Nature into a blessed immortality Here is the difference betwixt those that die and such as are changed that the former put off the substance of the body but they that are changed put off nothing but the qualities of the body the dead shall rise before the living are rapt up He sends the Clouds for Chariots as Joseph his Wagons for Jacob and his Family O what vast numbers will then mount up like a Cloud and darken the Heavens This is in order to their congregating above 5. The Angeles of God are sent to gather up the scattered Saints Mat. 24.31 And he shall send his Angels with a great sound of a trumpet Mark 13.27 and they shall gather together his Elect from the four winds from one end of heaven to the other It s true some take this to refer to the destruction of Jerusalem but the most solid interpreters apply it to this last Day 1 Cor. 15.52 Paul saith the trumpet shall sound as of old they called the Congregation of Israel together by the sound of a Trumpet So now the Lord shall descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of the Archangel and with the trumpet of God 1 Thes 4.16 I confess here are hard Points which no mortal can resolve as 1st Concerning this Trumpet what it is Calvin saith Relinquo aliis subtilius disserrendum leave to others to discourse subtilty of it 2dly What kind of shout this is which is a kind of magnificent Acclamation to the Judge and summoning all to appear for the word in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth also signify a Command Alluding to Marriners or Souldiers summoned to be ready 3dly Who this Archangel is and what Degrees there are among the Angels which School-men voluminously dispute or whether it be not Christ himself because it s said the dead that are in their graves shall hear his voice John 5.28 and 4thly Whether this shall be an oral shout or voice from the mouth of Christ or only an expression of his Divine Power I am not able to determine But such a Summons there shall be and all the Sons and Daughters of Adam shall appear not one Person gentle or simple can skulk or hide themselves the meanest shall not be lookt on as inconsiderable and the most potent Princes are not at that day invincible In vain shall the Kings of the earth great Men rich Men the chief Captains and mighty Men bond and free hide themselves or call to the mountains and rocks to fall on them Rev. 6.15 16. No no the Summons shall reach all and all must obey and appear whether they will or no the mighty Almighty God can fetch them out his all-seeing Eve can spy them out See the Summons Psalm 50. 1 2 3 4 5 6. He shall call to the heavens from above and to the earth that he may judge his people These be words gather my Saints together unto to me those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice O what a vast multitude will then appear Thousand thousands Minister to him Dan. 7.10 and ten thousand times ten thousand stand before him Yea a great multitude which no Man can number Rev. 7.9 of all nations kindred and people and tongues stand before the throne and the lamb cloathed with white robes and palms in their hands O what a glorious celebrious shining company of beautiful Persons will there be 6. Yet further these multitudes gathered together will have their Spirits perfectly united they shall all speak one Language as the whole earth did before the confusion at Babel There will be an harmony of Minds Wills Affections Consciences conversations no clashing no discord they shall be fully united cemented and perfectly joined together and all to one Rule and Canon They all conspire together in one celestial Song the heavenly quire of Angels stand round about the Throne ecchoing to that innumerable company of believing glorified Jews and Gentiles saying Amen blessing honour and glory and wisdom and thanksgiveing be unto our God for ever and ever Amen Rev. 7.10 11 12. It s worth observing that upon Antichrists ruine a great voice of much people in heaven saying Alleluja Rev. 19.1 And again they said Alleluja v. 3. then again the four and twenty Elders and four Beasts still eccho out the same tune Alleluja The former were more private this publick of the whole Congregation But still upon a new Summons they add ever Alleluja this was the Hosanna Rabba as the Jews call it or an Hallelujatica victoria as old Britans called their Victory over the Saxons All but faint Emblems of that great Solemnity in which the multitudes of glorified Souls are of one heart and lip unanimously adoring their Redeemer acquiessing in his righteous Sentence nemine contradicente they neither contradict one another nor the will of God There is not a jarring String in this Musick Whatever apprehensions or languages may be here they all speak the same there Yea though they did not understand one anothers Dialect in this World yet they shall all speak the Language of Canaan whether it shall be Hebrew as some conceive who knows but it will be intelligible by all that then meet together The Text saith they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall bring again Zion Isa 52.8 Now if ever that Text shall be fulfilled even as two Eyes look both on one Object so the Eyes of all Saints shall be towards the Lord There will be a sweet agreement in Principles Practices Professions Affections as the Primitive Christians that were of one heart and of one soul Acts 4.32 Then shall we all come to the unity of the faith Eph. 4.13 7. These congregated Saints shall be admitted into one place and state of Glory They are before the throne of God and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them Rev. 7.15 These bright Stars shall make a glorious Constellation in the heavenly orb Though posibly one Star may differ from another Star in Glory yet they shall all be irradiated with the Sun of Righteousness according to their Capacities though these vessels of grace be of various quantity yet they shall all be full in that vast ocean not the weakest feeblest shall be lost or left behind the feeble among them shall be as David and the house of David shall be as God as the Angel of the Lord before them Zech. 12.8 Not a grace duty not a mite given in charity shall be lost Psal 56.8 Mat. 12.42 Tears shall be
here botled and a cup of cold Water shall be rewarded there is room enough in Heaven for all the Saints in my fathers house saith he are many mansions John 14.2 Many for number large for extension Rev. 21.10 12 25. That City is four square having twelve Gates filled from all quarters of the World The gates of it continually open never shut O the stupendious vastness of that upper Region Earth is but a point a small Pin-head compared to it though the Text in Revelations speak but of twelve thousand Furlongs which according to some make but fifteen hundred Miles But what is that to Heaven if the City of the great King be meant there by the New Jerusalem as some think But doubtless it is exceeding spacious if indeed it be a place circumscriptively taken but where the King is there is the Court as the Angels do always behold the Face of God and therefore are still in Heaven Mat. 18.10 Heb. 1.14 though imployed about Saints on Earth so it may possibly be with the Saints after the Resurrection Who knows whether the purified Earth may be one Place of their Coelestial Happiness yet some think it will be wicked Men's Hell and place of Torments But be that as it may we are sure there is room enough for all the Saints in Heaven and our Lord will have them all with him not an hoof left behind as slighted for he purchased all at a dear rate prayed for them when he was leaving the World An idea and sum of his present Intercession we have in John 17. particularly verse 24. Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am This will be a blessed Congregation indeed a spacious Temple a large Paradice not in corners houses chappels where they are crowded and often persecuted fined imprisoned here they have liberty yea possibly every Saint shall have his proper Mansion yet in full communion with God and the rest of glorified Spirits But more of this hereafter Thus I have shewed how they are gathered CHAP III. What is implied in this gathering together what is included in it and consequences of it 3. THE next Head to be opened is to give a more particular account of this work of the Saints gathering together and this I shall do in these Seven particulars 1. That all the Saints in the several ages places conditions wherein they have lived shall be gathered into one general Assembly this may seem strange but its true all the Children of God that ever have lived this five thousand Years and upwards since Man was placed on this earthly Globe all that ever have lived do live or shall live till the end of time shall be assembled such as have lived in far distant places many thousand Miles asunder by vast tracts of ground mountains seas in Europe Asia Africa and America such as have died many thousand Years ago and have been long singing praises and enjoying God in the Church triumphant Old Testament Saints and New Testament Saints The Children of God in the Church militant yet fighting under the banner of Christ shall meet with Victors that have been long crowned Persons of all Conditions Ages Sexes Qualities Rich and Poor Old and Young such as never saw each others Faces in this World no nor ever heard of each other yet then they shall meet together Luke 13.29 And they shall come from the East and from the West and from the North and from the South and shall sit down in the Kingdom of God It s said Acts 2.5 There were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews devout Men out of every Nation under Heaven But what are those to these out of all Countries of the World O what a vast number of Souls shall be congregated Such as never appeared together in this lower Region When there shall be a general Collection of Mortals beyond the Theaters or Amphitheaters of the Ancient Romans or Armies of Mahometans Multitudes Joel 3.14 multitudes in this Mount as Joel speaks in the valley of decision 2. That all this Congregation shall then be perfectly holy So it may be truly said of this Assembly as the murmuring Princes said of Israel Num. 16.3 All the Congregation are Holy every one of them and the Lord is among them there is not one feeble Person among them no infant of day's but they are grown up to be strong turn Gyants in Grace They stand in no need of Ordinances ministerial Gifts and the exercise thereof are only for perfecting of the Saints Eph. 4.12 But now they are above them being perfected That City hath no need of the Sun Rev. 21.23 or of the Moon to shine in it As soon as ever the breath departs out of the body of a Child of God it shakes off all Sin and puts on a new Garment of perfect Holiness They take their leave of the Body of Death and Earth together Not one speck of dirt to be seen upon all this great Multitude Souls take their leave of Sin as they are taking their leave of this World O what a glorious sight will that be of milk-white Saints Surely a lovely sight there will be no Pride Passion Impatience nor any thing to vex themselves or others The dregs are left behind and pure quintescence floats upwards Consecrated Souls are now elevated to the highest pitch and defecated from filthy and defiling dregs Oh what a blessed day will that be 3. That all Troubles and Temptations in this lower World shall then cease Neither the Devil nor wicked Men can follow them off this Dung-hill although the Devil be called the Prince of the Power of the Air Eph. 2.2 yet he cannot stop or hurt the Saints as they pass through his Dominions nor shall he shoot a Dart at them or after them All Troubles are at a Period Death it self the King of Terrours is strangled it had no Sting to wound the Saints before 1 Cor. 15.56 Heb. 2.15 now it hath no being The fear of it was gone in some degrees in their lives now the very feeling of it is gone They are delivered not only from the Second but from the First Death They shall never receive a mortal wound no nor any wound The accuser and abuser of the Brethren is cast out Rev. 12.10 Not only cast down but quite cast out and all his Artillery and his Instruments 4. When Saints are thus gathered together they shall know one another It s true some kind of imperfect knowledge shall cease that knowledge which is only acquired in the use of Means shall vanish away 1 Cor. 13.8 Or that which sees through a glass darkly then shall we see face to face verse 12. I must needs confess those two words are beyond my comprehension of knowing even as we are known 1 Cor. 13.12 1 John 3.2 and of seeing God as he is And I suspect that no Mortal can understand what they mean But I
think the Faculties will be strangely inlarged so that the Saints will know all natural things and pierce into the Essence of the most intricate Beings the Nature and Efficacy of Creatures the Properties of Angels the Mysteries of Redemption the Councels of God Though they are not omniscient their Knowledge is limited yet I think they will know all the Antient Patriarchs Abraham Isaac Jacob Joseph David Paul Peter though they had never seen them in this World Thus the rich Man though damned knew Father Abraham Luke 16.23 and Lazarus in his bosom Luther discoursed the Night before he died that Saints shall know one another hereafter from Adam's knowing who Eve was though he was asleep Gen. 2.23 the Disciples knowing Moses and Elias in Christ's transfiguration Mat. 17.3 and indeed his mutual knowledge will not be the least part of Saints heavenly delight 5. The Souls of Men live after they are separated from the Body For what is it which is gathered with the Saints It s not the Body for that is laid in the dust but it s the Soul for the Body and Soul meet not till the great Day of the Resurrection Nor doth the Soul sleep in the dust till then for our Lord said to the penitent Thief Luke 23.43 to day shalt thou be with me in Paradice And Paul desired to be loosed that he might be with Christ Psalm 1.23 nor doth the Soul cease to be it hath an existence in a separate State Men may kill the Body not the Soul Mat. 10.20 Atomists and Epicureans will not grant an annihilation of any one Atom in the Universe surely then not this excellent Creature the Soul of Man Yea the Soul of Man continues its inviduation i. e. it s distinct being and falls not into one common universal Soul of the World as some have imagined Spirits have a numerical Difference a distinct Being Nor are we to think that the Soul returns into the Essence of God because the Text saith The Spirit returns to God who gave it Eccl. 12.7 It doth return to God to receive its Sentence from him not into his Being for then we should make God Divisible and consisting of Parts which is contrary to his infinite Divine Nature thus Souls have a distinct Being yet depending on God the first Being and are individuals and must be accordingly judged 6. That the Soul being gathered with the Elect enters immediately into glory to know where Lazarus's Soul was while he was in the Grave requires more skill then I can pretend to Some think it hovered about the Grave by Christ's order as designing its re-entring the Body but Scripture assures us of the immediate Salvation of gracious Souls They enter into peace when the Body rests in its Bed Isa 57.2 They are pronounced blessed that die in the Lord Rev. 14.13 When Christ who is our life shall appear then shall we appear with him in Glory Col. 3.4 Now they shall be glorious in their Souls At the Resurrection their Bodies will be Glorious Phi. 3.21 even like Christ's glorious Body This answers that Query whether the Saints shall have greater Glory at the Resurrection then they had immediately after their Death It is easy to determine that so far as there is an Addition of a glorified Body to the glorified Spirit so far is the Glory greater what further I know not Though Dr. Hammond thinks the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when Flesh is not joined to it signifies that Life which the Soul enters upon immediately after Death called Resurrection i. e. Glorification Certainly the Soul hath some intuitive Knowledge in its separate State and Felicity also so far as it is capable 7. When these blessed Souls are thus gathered together they shall never part they shall live with God and each other for ever Here we part and meet again and meet and part again and part so as we shall never meet again in this World But in the other World we shall part no more through the Ages of Eternity After Millions of Years the Comforts are as fresh as at the first Moment never weary nor interrupted they are before the throne of God Rev. 7.15 chap. 20.6 chap. 22.5 and serve him day and night in his temple These Waters have a perpetual Spring this Day hath no Night They shall reign with Christ not a thousand Years definitively but for ever and ever O what a lasting and everlasting injoyment of God and Saints will that be What can part them God will not the Devil and wicked Men cannot themselves shall not for they have within them an incorruptible Seed even of that Word that liveth and abideth for ever 1 Pet. 1.23 It is not with Saints in Heaven as with Boon-companions in playing drinking carousing Matches of sport and vanity that must part nor is it with Saints there as with God's Children here in the Worship of God that have their Intermission Cessations Interruptions are forced to break off But there the work continues praising God the place continues it hath Foundations the persons continue he that doth the will of God abideth for ever 1 John 2.17 CHAP. IV. For what End the Saints are gathered together 4. THE next Head is to open the End or Design of the Saints gathering together these are of Two Sorts 1. Principal 2. Secondary and Subordinate 1. The primary and principal End is the Glorifying of God the great God doth all things for this great End 2 Thes 1.10 When he shall come to be glorified in his Saints and to be admired in all them that believe The glory of the Saints shall reflect glory to God God takes himself honoured in his Saints Honour as the Prince is magnified in the splendour of his Court If God be glorified in the bitterest Sufferings of his Saints 1 Pet. 4.14 how much more in their Exaltations Oh what a Luster will they cast when they are all crowned as Kings Dan. 12.3 Mat. 13.43 when they shall shine as the Firmament yea as Stars yea as the Sun in its Meridian glory O what a strange change is this to be raised out of the Durst and Dung-hill to sit upon Thrones How came this to pass surely the Author of this Glory will have the chief share therein all God's perfections will be conspicuous The Saints meeting together in the foresaid Manner will tend to the glory of 1. God's Soveraignty wherein he chose these that were Children of Wrath even as others to make them Vessels of Mercy and left others as good as they to perish and be banished from God to all Eternity then those eternal Councels will be displayed and that Scripture fully explained Rom. 9.15 18 22 23. 2. God's Wisdom shall be illustrious in contriving a way for Man's Redemption and Salvation This Wisdom of God in a Mystery even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory 1 Cor. 2.7 Then the Secrets
it is but a short absence there shall be a joyful meeting A little recess shall be attended with an everlasting converse David would not mourn for his dead Child for saith he I shall go to him but he shall not return to me 2 Sam. 12.23 ch 18.33 but he lamented sore for Absolon whom he was never to see again with comfort Those that die in the Lord are not lost but laid up Their Bodies sleep in Jesus and their Souls rest in the bosom of their dear Lord They are with him in Paradise and say Luke 23.28 43. weep not for us but weep for your selves Imitate our Example worship the same God as we do live at the rate of Heaven let your Affections be with ours hold Communion with us This I have treated of in my Book of Heavenly Converse 6. Make ready to follow these crowned Saints They are got above we are below they pray for the filling up of their Number let us pray that we may be made meet to be partakers of the inheritances of the Saints in light Col. 1.12 The Language of Jesus Christ and all the Saints is be ye therefore ready also Luke 12.40 Be dressing your selves for that Marriage-day Blessed are they that are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb and have put on their fine linnen clean and white which is the righteousness of Saints Rev. 19. 7 8 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Righteousnesses both inherent and imputed Both are necessary for their several Ends and Uses Whether this refer to the Day of Antichrist's fall or at the Resurrection its true in both There 's great and good things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Cor. 2.9 freedom from Sin Sorrows perfection of Peace and Joy immediate Communion with God fulness of Grace and eternal Happiness Wherefore beloved seeing that you look for such things be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless 2 Pet. 3.14 Watching warring wrestling working well-doing waiting till your change come with your Loins girt your Lamps light Luke 12.35 v. 36. burning and shining with Splendour and you your selves like unto men that wait for your Lord. 7. Be longing for that blessed Day when your Souls shall be gathered among them with our blessed Lord Paul saith he desired to depart and be with Christ Phil. 1.23 which is far better It s good to be with Saints here but it s far better infinitely better to be with them in Heaven where the King makes the Court and the Courtiers are all crowned Kings Is there not great reason the Saints should cry out with Monica Austin's Mother quid hic facio What do I here Or with Calvin usque quo Domine How long Lord Oh when shall my poor imprisoned Soul be set at liberty from this body of clay and this body of death When shall I mount up above the Stars into those Coelestial Regions Oh the groanings of my Soul under this body of death and distance from God Yea I groan earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with an house which is from heaven 2 Cor. 5.1 2 3. When will my dear Lord break down these clay-walls and break this cage and let this Soul fly up into the Heavens where it shall be perfected How long shall I dwell in Meshech and sojourn in the tents of Kedar Psalm 120.5 I am weary of Sin and distance from my dear Lord most of my godly Friends are gone when shall I follow after Why is his chariot so long in coming why tarry the wheels of his Chariots Jude 5.18 Make hast my beloved and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices Rom. 6.27 Why doth my Soul thus linger and lagg behind my old Companions Such and such are gone with whom I took sweet councel in familiar Conference about the things of God and our heavenly Country many with whom I have pray'd and praised God with whom I have sitten down at the Lord's Table now they are drinking this Wine new in my Father's Kingdom and why am I left thus far behind worshipping afar off Lord come thou down to me or take me up to thee reach out thy hand pluck me out of this low Dungeon and set me where thou hast promised Mat. 19.25 such as have followed thee in the Regeneration upon Thrones yea thou hast promised that such as overcome shall sit with thee in thy throne Rev. 3.21 The preferment is too high for such a worthless worm such a dirty villain as I am but thy promise is sure to be performed I depend upon it I long for such a day some yea thousands have taken possession I am one of thy redeemed ones thou hast given me the earnest of thy Spirit and some foretasts and perelibations of Glory Oh for a full harvest I reach out my arms towards thee and hope at last to injoy thee the spirit and the bride say come and let him that heareth say come Rev. 22.17 20. he which testifieth these things saith surely I come quickly my soul eccho's Amen even so come Lord Jesus CHAP. XI Encouragement to God's Children from the Saints gathering together in sundry Cases 5. THE last use is of Consolation or Incouragement to the People of God that there shall be such a blessed gathering together 1. That the Saints of God that have lived in all Ages shall then meet and know and injoy each other with mutual Content 'T is worth observing that Plato brings in Socrate's comforting himself with the hopes that upon his Removal hence he should be with Orpheus and Musaeu's with Hesiod and Homer Yea he should greatly be pleased with the Society of Palamedes and Ajax But oh how much more content shall translated Saints take in the Society of those Coelestial Inhabitants of whom they have so often read and heard of with delight when they shall say there stands holy Enoch that walkt with God and was translated Body and Soul to Heaven There stands Noah that just and perfect Man the Father and Founder of a New World There stands Abraham the Father of the Faithful and Friend of God There stands just Lot wrestling Jacob The beloved Joseph more glorious now then in Pharaoh's Court There stands meek Moses the Jews Lawgiver once King in Jeshurun that conversed with God face to face There stands Aaron the Saint of God far more glorious now then in his priestly Garments in the Holy of Holies There appears holy Lot patient Job zealous Josiah David the Man after God's own Heart Behold a troop comes up of Old and New Testament Saints all the Prophets Apostles Ministers Martyrs Confessours and Saints in all Ages which will represent a splendid shew next to the infinite God and our glorious Redeemer Romam in flore Paulum in ore Christum in corpore If Augustin judged it a brave sight and worth
Sting of Death is gone it s but a Trap-door to let us into Heaven Thousands are gone before us they are not lost but laid up We shall meet them again O who would be afraid of Death when Jesus Christ hath perfumed the Grave for us Well may a graceless Soul be afraid to die because he knows not what Company he shall converse with in the other World but may fare with Devils and damned Souls but the righteous hath hope in his death Prov. 14.32 and sees Jesus Christ standing with a Crown on his Head and another in his Hand saying Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life Rev. 2.10 Why should we then fear this King of Terrours that 's disarmed it may hiss but cannot sting us 1 Cor. 15.56 57. It may kill us but cannot hurt us See yonder glorified Assembly of the Spirits of Just Men made perfect have conquered Death and are set upon triumphant Thrones 20. This blessed Society of departed Souls shall continue through the Ages of Eternity In this World they met and parted again there was many intermissions in their sweet Communion But now they shall for ever dwell in the House of the Lord and sing praises to the lamb for evermore Rev. 3.12 Such as overcome shall be pillars in the temple of God and shall go no more out They shall never be banished out of this heavenly Paradise This word ever evermore everlasting puts new Life into the glorious Songs of Praise and daily revives their Spirits After ten thousands of Millions of Ages shall the Joy be as fresh as at their first Entrance That River is still running in thy presence is fulness of joy Psal 16.11 at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore Mortality is writ upon all Sublunaries Eternity puts an Accent upon Spirituals There shall be no night there no Clouds no Eclipes of that Glory Rev. 22.5 for the Lord God giveth them light and they shall reign for ever and ever It is recorded of Diagoras that when he saw his three Son 's crowned in one day at the Olympick Games as Victors died away while he was embracing them for joy But though the Saints shall be in a continual Extacy and transport of Joy in beholding their Children in Christ and their godly Christian-Friends yet their Heart-strings shall not break but be inlarged with comfort and perpetuated for evermore Oh what a day will that be when all the Son 's of the Second Adam shall meet together so many pure Spirits defecated from the sordid dregs of Sin and Suffering shall join their Harmonious Musick and Melody in praising our dear Lord whose glorious Perfections we could never extoll What a brave Quire will that make Not a discordant String among them all But as one Eye moves the other rolls when one String is struck the other sounds such a blending sympathy will there be of well-tuned Praises in that heavenly Chorus Ignatius thinks the Sun Moon and Stars made a Quire about the Star that appeared at Christ's Incarnation oh then what an Halcyon-day will that be when the morning stars shall sing together Job â—8 7 and the son 's of God shall shout for joy O what in harmonious Harmony in perfect Symphoâ—… What mutual Love and Delight in each 〈◊〉 Yea they shall Love one another the better for the perfect Love they have to God And bathing their Souls in that fathomless Ocean of divine Love It s true the infinite God is ultimately and objectively the Saints proper delight both here and in Heaven but glorified Bodies united to these blessed Souls and the blissful Society of Angels and Saints will be no small accessories of the Saints Happiness As there will be no Hypocrite there to cool their Charity so there will not be missing the meanest Member of Christ The weak Christian that cryed out my lameness my lameness shall then be strong The dark Soul that rarely got a glimpse of God or a sealing of the Spirit shall walk for ever in the light of God's countenance The grieved Saint shall be now in an Extacy of Joy Not a gracious Soul shall be missing not the least Grace wanting not a Duty lost all secret Prayers Tears Groans shall come to light and be rewarded Psal 56.8 their Tears were bottled their Prayers bookt and now shall be produced Not an Act of Charity though the Left-hand knew not what the Right-hand did much less others but it shall be brought to light before Angels and Men with high Approbation and Commendation Oh who would not be preparing for such a Day Who would not long for it breath after it and freely welcom it Let all the Children of the bride-chamber make themselves ready Luke 12.35 let your loins be girded about and your lights burning Be waking and watchful attend his Motions be glad of his Approaches and gladly welcom the Bridegrooms coming with all his holy Angels and glorified Spirits descending in the Clouds to fetch you home into those Coelestial Mansions to be for ever with the Lord Be not afraid when he saith surely I come quickly let the redeemed of the Lord eccho Amen even so come Lord Jesus Amen so be it FINIS Advertisement These BOOKS are Publish'd by the Reverend Mr. Oliver Heywood M. A. Minister of the Gospel and Sold by Thomas Parkhurst at the Bible and Three-Crowns in Cheapside viz. 1. BAptismal Bonds Renewed being some Meditations on Psal 50.5 2. Closet Prayer a Christians Duty 3. Sure Mercies of David 4. Israels Lamentation after the Lord. 5. The Holy Life and Happy Death of Mr. John Angier Minister formerly at Denton near Manchester 6. Advice to an only Child or excellent Counsel to all young Persons 7. Best Intail a Discourse on 2 Sam. 23.5 8. Family Altar a Discourse on Gen. 35. 2 3. for to Promote the Worship of God in private Families 9. Meetness for Heaven on Colos 1.12 designed for a Funeral Legacy 10. The New Creature on Galations 6.15 lately Publish'd BOOKS written by the Reverend Mr. J. How OF Thoughtfulness for the Morrow With an Appendix concerning the immoderate Desire of Foreknowing Things to come Of Charity in reference to other Mens Sins A Sermon at the Funeral of Mr. Richard Adams M. A. sometime Fellow of Brasen-Nose Colledge in Oxford The Redeemer's Tears wept over lost Souls In a Treatise on Luke 19.41 42. With an Appendix wherein somewhat is occasionally discoursed concerning the Sin against the Holy Ghost and how God is said to will the Salvation of them that perish A Sermon directing what we are to do after a strict enquiry Whether or no we truly love God A Funeral Sermon for Mrs. Esther Sampson the late Wife of Henry Sampson Doctor of Physick The Carnality of Religious Contention In two Sermons preach'd at the Merchants Lecture in Broadstreet A Sermon for Reformation of Manners A Sermon preach't on the Day of Thanksgiving December 2. 1697. to which is prefix'd Dr. Bate's Congratulatory Speech to the KING A Calm and Sober Enquiry concerning the Possibility of a Trinity in the Godhead A Letter to a Friend concerning a Postscript to the Defence of Dr. Sherlock's Notion of the Trinity in Unity relating to the Calm and Sober Enquiry upon the same Subject A View of that part of the late Considerations to H. H. about the Trinity Which concerns the Sober Enquiry on that Subject The Redeemer's Dominion over the Invisible World A Funeral Sermon for Mrs. Hammond A Funeral Sermon for Dr. Will. Bates A Funeral Sermon for Mr. Mat. Mead. BOOKS written by Mr. Flavel 1. THE Fountain of Life open'd or a Display of Christ in his Essential and Mediatorial Glory containing Forty two Sermons on various Texts Wherein the Impetration of our Redemption by Jesus Christ is orderly unfolded as it was begun carried on and finished by his Covenant Transaction mysterious Incarnation solemn Call and Dedication blessed Offices deep Abasement and Supereminent Advancement 2. A Treatise of the Soul of Man wherein the Divine Original excellent and immortal Nature of the Soul are opened its Love and Inclination to the Body with the necessity of its Separation from it consider'd and Improved The Existence Operations and States of separated Souls both in Heaven and Hell immediately after Death asserted discussed and variously applied Divers knotty and difficult Questions about depraved Souls both Philosophical and Theological stated and determined 3. The Method of Grace in bringing home the Eternal Redemption contrived by the Father and accomplished by the Son through the Effectual Application of the Spirit unto God's Elect being the second Part of Gospel Redemption 4. The Divine Conduct or Mystery of Provividence its Being and Efficacy asserted and vindicated All the Methods of Providence in our Course of Life open'd with Directions how to apply and improve them 5. Navigation spiritualiz'd or a new Compass for Seaman consisting of Thirty two Points of pleasant Observations profitable Applications serious Reflections all concluded with so many spiritual Poems c. 6. Husbandry Spiritualiz'd or the Heavenly use of Earthly things 7. A Token for Mourners 8. The Saint indeed or the Great Work of a Christian 9. The Touch-stone of Sincerity or the sign 's of and symptoms of Hypocrisie Being the Second Part of the Saint Indeed All these Nine by John Flavel late Minister at Dartmouth 1. A Funeral Sermon on the Death of Mr. Joseph Barret by John Whitlock Junior to which is added his Holy Life his Evidences Experiences Holy Resolves Divine Meditations and his constant Course of Self-Examination being part of an Exact Diary written by his own Hand 2. The Remains of Mr. Joseph Barret being the Second Part taken out of an Exact Diary written by his own Hand
together in one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is very emphatical it signifies to recapitalate or recollect or reduce all to an Head it implies that mankind by Sin is separated from God disjointed one from another the Members scattered just like an old ruinous House that 's fallen All the pieces thereof are gone asunder till the workman come and set them together and rear up a stately Fabrick of the old Materials Man hath not lost the faculties of his Soul by the fall but the rectitude thereof Gen. 6.5 Gen. 3.8 Luke 15. All the imaginations of Man's heart are become evil He hath banish't himself from God into a foreign Country In a natural Sense Acts 17.27 God is not far from every one of us But in a moral Sense God and unconverted Sinners are at a great distance Eph. 2.13 Chap. 4.18 they are far off alienated from the life of God but Grace brings Sinners from their wanderings The Spirit in the word unites them by a blessed cement in an efficacious manner and that he that is joined to the Lord is one Spirit 1 Cor. 6.17 And the Blood of Christ unites God and the Soul meritoriously O blessed conjunction Oh Eph. 2.13 22. happy meeting God hath found out a way in the Gospel to gather together the outcasts of Israel Isa 56.8 Alass we are all as Sheep going astray Isa 40.11 John 10.16 but our Lord gathers the lambs into his armes and brings them into fold Jews and Gentiles make one fold For saith the Apostle Paul ye are all the Children of God by faith in Christ Jesus Gal. 3.26 Faith makes a mistical Union Love a Moral Eph. 4.15 But speaking the truth in love or teaching it in love may grow up into him in all things which is the head even Christ Oh this this is the foundation of all the rest conversion is the first collection 2. God gathers his Saints by Death to himself It s said of Abraham that he should be gathered to his Fathers in peace Gen. 15.15 and he was gathered to his people Gen. 25.8 Interpreters observe that this is usually applyed in Scripture to good Men and it refers to the Soul that they go to their godly progenitors Gen. 25.17 Gen. 49.29 and because this is applied to Ishmael therefore the Jews think he was a Penitent But however Num. 20.24 Chap. 27.13 the Phrase is applied most ordinarily to good Men as Jacob and of Aaron of Moses of Josiah 't is said 2 Kings 22.20 I will gather thee to thy Fathers and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace It s true he died in Battle but in peace with God and was translated into the everlasting peace with the Saints this is the way of Divine Providence to carry his Children through a tempestuous Sea into an Haven of Rest they shall not always be tormented with Satan's temptations the Worlds oppositions their own corruptions but when they have done their work here in this wary World they shall enter into peace they shall rest in their beds each one walking in his uprightness Isa 57.2 Oh blessed change God gives them a quietus est from the Troubles of this wary Pilgrimage Rev. 14.13 1 Thes 4.14 they rest from their labours their bodies sleep in Jesus and are laid up safe in a quiet Repository Luke 23.43 and their Souls do enter into Paradice i. e. the third Heaven the immediate presence of God As Earth is the common Mother of all so Heaven is the receptacle of all Believers 3. God gathers them up out of their graves by the resurrection of their Bodies and the re-union of their Souls to those self same Bodies This was a Doctrine believed and well digested in the Old Testament Job 19.25 26 27. Though after my skin worms destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God thy dead Men shall live saith Isaiah ch 26.19 together with my dead body shall they arise The New Testament doth abundantly confirm this great Article of our Faith John 5.28 29. 1 Cor. 15. Oh what an Army of Saints will start up out of the Earth Their scattered bones and dust shall be reared up and coagulated and our Lord will bring their glorified Souls along with him to sing out the high Praises of Jehovah Roses die sweetest Flowers perish and the beauteous Complexion of the Earth turns to a bleak and withered hue in Winter yet in Summer there is a kind of Resurrection If you say in them life is remaining in the Root and Seed we say the Soul is the root of the Body and Christ the root of the Soul and both are living Col. 3.34 and though there be no physical Contract yet there is a relative Union betwixt Soul and Body and a deep rooted love and inclination the Soul hath to it the silly Snail by its natural life and power can make for it self an Habitation yea a Silk-worm becomes a winged Fly See Mr. Baxter of Self-denial Page 206. the warmth of the Hen turns the Egg into a Chicken these are Emblems of the Resurrection And what cannot the Power of God effect If a skilful work-man can turn a little earth and ashes into such curious transparent Glasses why should we doubt whether the mighty Power of God can communicate a glorious perfection to the Flesh that 's dissolved into its Elements Luther saith I love the noble Art of Chymistry it is such a brave Emblem of the Resurrection O what a blessed ravishing sight will that be to see the sanctified Soul united to the glorified Body to receive their reward together This is the next 4. By the same power of God some shall be changed others raised from the dead the Souls of the glorified Saints shall descend and be united to their own Bodies and then ascend to meet the Lord in the Air and the wicked are left behind on their dunghil the earth in setters to receive their Sentence and confined to their Prisons this is that Mystery which possibly the blessed Apostle Paul heard from God when he was caught up into the third Heaven and heard unspeakable words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 worldles words 2 Cor. 12.4 This is 1 Cor. 15.51 52. Behold I shew you a mystery we shall not all sleep i. e. die but we shall all be changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye This is further confirmed and explained in 1 Thes 4.15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep And verse 16. The dead in Christ shall rise first then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air Verse 17. Calvin saith he speaks here of the Faithful only Calvin in 1 Cor. 15.5 the resurrection of the Wicked is a kind of
be cloathed with white robes and palmes in their hands Rev. 7.9 O the triumphant Song they sing Rev. 15.3 It is unintelligible by others and cannot be learned by any but overcomers O happy Souls 7. They meet to see the Execution of God's Vengance upon the Wicked Jude 14.15 Behold the Lord cometh to execute Judgment upon all and to convince all that are ungodly of their ungodly deeds and hard speeches the righteous shall rejoyce when he seeth the vengance Psal 58.10 The more the Saints Will is melted into God's Will the more content will they have in the executing of Justice not so much on God's Creatures but his Enemies see 2 Thes 1. 6 7 8 9. 8. They meet for a clear Manifestation of their inward Principles and outward Practices to each other Saints are called hidden ones Psal 83.3 their best part is most out of sight their life is hid with Christ in God but when Christ who is our life shall appear then shall we appear with him in glory Col. 3.3 4. Yea and the Creature waiteth for the manifestation of the Sons of God Rom. 8.19 O what a display will there be at that day of Men's inward States one to another never before known 1 John 3.1 2. 9. They meet to have their Graces perfected This and never till then is the day when that is accomplished Eph. 4.12 13. The perfecting of the Saints till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect Man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Then will every corner of the Soul be filled with Grace to the full brim He that begun a good work here will perform till the day of Jesus Christ Phil. 1.6 Now they have attained to that they were pressing after O blessed day Oh sweet attainment 10. Yet once more they meet together to injoy God immediately together This Crowns all the rest this is the top of all the Achme and highest Felicity of a rational Soul This is that they have been long breathing after Some glimpes of his blessed Face they saw through the glass of Ordinances and were thereby changed into the same image from glory to glory 2 Cor. 3.18 But that sight of God was but through a glass darkly but then face to face 1 Cor. 13.12 When he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 John 3.2 What Man dwelling on this side Death knows the meaning of that Word God said to Moses thou canst not see my face it s well if we can see his back parts Exod. 33.20 but then the Lord will unveil his blessed Face to glorified Souls We cannot till now how a finite Soul is capable of seeing an infinite Object but then as the faculties will be strangely inlarged and extended so this Vision will exceed our present low Apprehensions This is called the beautiful Vision promised to the pure in heart that they shall see God Mat. 5.8 and it s this that makes them compleatly Happy That 's one of the sweetest words in the Bible 1 Thes 4.17 18. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord wherefore comfort one another with these words CHAP. V. An Account of the Intercourse the Saints have at their meeting together THE former Head referred to the main Business of the Saints meeting together which was glorifying God injoying of him which consists in their personal Felicity 2. This latter concerns their mutual Society and familiar Entercourse one with another which will be additional to their comfort and happiness in those heavenly Regions Communion of Saints is one Article of our Faith and the great Priviledge of Believers in this lower World both that which is Catholick with all Saints through the World and that which is Personal and Immediate with Members of the same Society As soon as any Man commenceth Christian he espouseth this Communion Phil. 1.5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now Wicked Men talk their good Fellowship in feasting drinking jesting gaming alass they are all but Child's play yea Devils sport to this and leave the Soul sapless and guilty But this Fellowship of God's Children is delectable honourable and profitable a distinctive Character of a Saint an Emblem of Heaven a step to Communion with God Yet that Fellowship they have in Glory far exceeds that they have below for they are defecated from the dregs of Corruption and sinful Pasions their Souls purified their Graces perfected and though they be different Lives yet all center in God That the Saints above have familiar Entercourse one with another is generally asserted and very probable because such a Communication doth greatly heighten their Comfort and Happiness But how this is carried on is not so Evident whether it be imprimendo imprinting their Conceptions in the Minds of each other as Scotus saith or representando ordinando ordering their Conceptions in their own Minds and so in some peculiar way representing them by certain Species to others So Aquinas or sonando by forming Sounds which after their way are intelligible But we that are so much strangers to the Nature of Spirits cannot conceive of these things Yet after the Resurrection when Bodies are united to their Souls possibly they may hold Discourse vocally yet it must be said whil'st in this World in a sound Sense that they know no Man after the flesh 2 Cor. 5.16 How much less in Heaven when their Bodies become Spiritual will they know each other or confer together in a low carnal Manner as they do here in this World Let the more learned read Dr. Tuckny's Discouse in his Praelect Theol Page 152 to 157 upon this Question Beati in statu gloriae se mutuo sunt aquituri That the Blessed in the State of Glory shall know each other for which he brings Proofs out of Scripture of Dives and Lazarus and Moses and this in Christ's Transfiguration c. and some Argument But of this I shall say as he quòd questio ista in se contineat veritatem theologicam non fundamentatem fidei Articulum that this Question contains in it a Theological Truth not a Fundamental Article of Faith not necessary to our Salvation but useful to our Edification and Consolation Now if it be asked what Subjects the Saints glorified shall in all probability discourse upon I confess its an high an hard Question for I do find in the 2 Cor. 12.4 that when the Apostle Paul was lifted up into the Third Heavens he heard 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wordless Words or Words that could not be uttered or which it is not lawful for a Man to utter God forbid that I should presume to express either the Matter or the Manner of these Conferences above But words or
salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth observe it Sanctification and Salvation have an inseparable Connexion Saints in the Old Testament and in the New have the same spirit of faith 2 Cor. 4.13 This animates all the Members of Christ running through the Veins of his mystical Body 2 Cor. 1.22 and this is the seal and earnest of our future inheritance Eph. 1.13 14. To be sure God will not lose his Earnest or throw it to Hell 4. Saints shall be gathered together to Christ because they are all wrapt in the same Bond of the Everlasting Covenant it s called the bond of the covenant Ezek. 20.37 And by this Covenant all the Saints become one stick in the Lords hand Ezek. 37.17 Suppose abundance of Twigs be bound up together yet they all make up but one Rod many Stones make but one building many Inhabitants make but one City or Kingdom All Saints are fellow citizens Eph. 2.19 20 21 22. God will not part them either in this or in the other World Sincere and persevering Souls shall all meet before the Throne to sing Hallelujahs with harmonious Melody All the Saints through the World are Children of the same Father God yea they that are of faith are children of Abraham Gal. 3.7 In a Spiritual Sense one houshold of faith Gal. 6.10 fellow heirs of the same body Eph. 3.6 fellow servants Col. 1.7 brethren in Christ faithful brethren Col. 1.2 fellow citizens with the Saints Eph. 2.19 and of the houshold of God Such special Relation calls for this Congregating No doubt they must be gathered together at last CHAP. VII Inferences from this Doctrine of Saints being gathered together THE Improvement I shall make of this Point shall be 1st for Doctrine or information of our Minds and Judgments in these Ten Inferences and Consectaries 1. That God is Omniscent and Omnipotent known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world Acts 15.18 He is infinite in Knowledge and Wisdom that takes account of the meanest Creatures and he is of infinite Power to gather them up these are the Lord's People and his Inheritance which he hath brought out by his mighty power and stretched out arm Deut 9.29 As God brought his Israel out of Egypt so he laid out the same Power in bringing them into Canaan so the same Power that converted Sinners will also save them for they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation 1 Pet. 1.5 2. That Jesus Christ is a compleat Saviour He is able to save to the uttermost Heb. 7.25 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 every way to all intents and purposes Soul and Body in all cases difficulties conditions in all Dispensations Yet it hath a further meaning He is able to save totally finally perfectly and perpetually so as none shall need to come after him to finish what he hath begun yet further He saves so as he shall never cease to be a Saviour to all Eternity For though he finished his suffering Work on Earth and his crowning Work at the great Day of Judgment yet the God-injoying Work shall be by him through the Ages of Eternity as he shall be lookt on as the Authour so he will be the Object of their Happiness and embrace them in the Arms of his Love for evermore 3. That Death is not terrible to a gracious Person It s true to Nature it may well be called the king of terrours Job 18.14 it is a dissolving of this compound Man but it is the shell and cloathing of the Soul that 's laid by an Elementary composition that 's dissolved the Soul is thereby set at liberty and takes its flight into another World a World of Spirits A better State then here Death is but a bridge a portal that opens the Door to Heaven Christ hath unstung Death perfumed the Grave and made it a means of Manumission into the blessed Society of God Angels and Saints thousands better then we are gone who are we to be exempted It s no untrodden Path our best Friends are above let us not be afraid to follow them 4. That Heaven is a capacious place all the Saints in the Old Testament are gone thither and Millions in New-Testament days are mounted to Glory an hundred forty four thousand of all the Tribes of Israel and a great multitude which no man could number Rev. 7.49 Moses and Elias came from Heaven at Christ's Transfiguration Abraham in glory and all his spiritual Off-spring which makes a vast number yet there 's room enough left in those extracted Mansions above How small a point is this habitable World compared with Heaven where there is innumerable company of Angels and spirits of just Men made perfect Heb. 12.22 Yet none refused or kept out that are written in the lambs book of life Heaven is capable of entertaining all the Son 's of God it is a this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 universal Receptacle for all Pilgrims and Strangers here on the Earth Heb. 11.13 5. No unclean thing shall enter Heaven Nothing that defileth no Dogs shall tread on that golden Pavement Rev. 21.27 Chap. 22.15 without are dogs as large as it is wicked graceless Sinners shall not creep or croud into it our Lord keeps the Keys of Paradice in his own Hands he cannot be guilty of an over sight for his Eyes are like a flame of fire Rev. 2.18 none can give him the slip undiscrepâ—bly he knows them that are his and he disowns others For without holiness no Man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 Grace and Glory go hand in hand unconverted Sinners can no sooner enter Heaven continuing so then Devils or damned Souls Persons must be gathered by Conversion or not gathered by Salvation 6. Saints glorified shall retain their Intellection and some kind of Sensation as they shall intuitively see God know as they are known Mat. 5.8 1 Cor. 13 12. discern spiritual Mysteries more clearly then ever So they shall have some kind of sense and feeling from whence come Love Joy Delight for the Soul wants not the exercise of its essential Faculties for want of bodily Organs These opperations of the Soul in Flesh are but imperfect shadows of that Intellection and volition above and so of that excellent Sense and Affections of Love and Joy which we now cannot clearly conceive of here below See this fully in Mr. Baxter's Dying Thoughts page 201. 7. The Saints in Heaven will know one another as the Disciples knew Moses and Elias and those that never saw one anothers Faces in this World shall meet together with great content and this shall be no small part of their Happiness when they shall say there stands holy Enoch righteous Noah grieving Lot believing Abraham upright David patient Job penitent Peter zealous Paul the beloved lovely Disciple John victorious Champions and my glorious Companions for ever And we together are perfected and glorified Oh happy day
God's Children have by a well-grounded Assurance of their Salvation it will raise your Hearts in praise of God and transport your Spirits in love to and delight in him This drops sweetness into all worldly Injoyments it chears up the Heart in Sufferings Heb. 10.34 fortifies the Soul against Temptations excites the Christian to all Acts of new Obedience gives Contentment in every Condition This strengthens against fears of Death and is a certain preludium and fore-runner of Heaven O happy Soul that can say God is my Father Saints my elder Brothers and I shall meet them all in Glory and sing praises with them to God and the Lamb for evermore Quest But how shall a Man know that he shall be one of those that shall be gathered together to Christ in that Solemn day Answ I desire you will faithfully Answer these Seven Questions 1. Have you been gathered to Christ by converting Grace To him i. e. to Shiloh shall the gathering of the People be Gen. 49.10 Hath the Spirit of God in the Word convinced you of your distance from God prevailed with you to enter into Solemn covenant with him Alas by nature we are as Sheep going astray Psal 119.176 Prodigals in a far Country have neither skill nor will to return to God but Christ the good Shephard calleth his own Sheep by name and leadeth them out they know his voice and follow him John 10.34 Formerly saith the returning Sinner I heard but the Voice of Man now methinks I hear the Voice of God rending my Heart discovering those Secret-lusts that no mortal can know of the very Secrets of my Heart are made manifest I must fall down on my face and worship God and must report that God is there in such an Ordinance of a truth 1 Cor. 14.24 25. What concussions and shakings of Soul have you found to unsettle you from your carnal Peace and Security Hath the Lord hewed you by his Prophets Hos 6.5 and slain you with the words of his mouth What convictions of your lost Condition Hos 11.10 11. What tremblings after the Lord When he roareth as a Lion Are you of those that tremble at the Word of the Lord Isa 66.5 Yet it doth not afright you from him but to him I can be safe no where but under the shadow of his Wings Come let us join our selves to the Lord in a perpetual Covenant that shall not be forgotten Jer. 50.5 I will tie this slippery Heart to the Lord with the strongest and streightest Bonds I will not only say it with my Mouth but subscribe it with my Hand Isa 44.5 yea and swear my self to be the Lords and his only Some indeed Swear by the Name of the Lord Isa 45.23 ch 48. 1. ch 49. 22. but not in truth nor in righteousness but the sincere Christian is most afraid of Hypocrisy longs after sincerity approves his Heart to God resolves to resort to his Standard fight his Battles and be on his Side for ever Let Flesh and Blood and all the Devils in Hell say what they can to the contrary is this your Peremptory resolution 2. Have you separated from Sinners 2 Cor. 6.17 Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you For ver 14. 15. what communion hath light with darkness As Man cannot carry their vain Companions to Heaven so not into the Church-state No unclean thing or person can enter the Gates of this holy City Rev. 21.27 For without are Dogs ch 22. 15. Saints may not deny civil Converse with the worst of Men in Neighbourhood or near Relation 1 Cor. 5.10 But in two respects the Apostle denies Society with gross Sinners 1st Not too much or needless Familiarity with them not to be mingled with them as Water and Oil will not mix Christians must not will not be Hail-fellow with dissolute Persons 2dly Especially with such as are pretended Christians and bely their Profession by scandalous Actions these of all others we must keep at a distance from 2 Thes 3.14 as a piece of their Punishment to bring them to Shame and so to Repentance If you Act as Christians you will let him see a strangeness in you towards him ut quaeras ubi So possit prae pudore occultare that he may turn into himself by Self-reflection recognize his Disorders or seek where to hide himself But that 's not all for a godly Person hath a kind of antipathy against wilful Sinners and avoids them as afraid of being infected by them as Joseph was shy of his Mistress And as Solomon adviseth Prov. 58.9 By familiar Converse you may incourage them in Sin and prejudice your Selves Hence all Pious Persons have been afraid to associate with Sinners so David Psal 26.4 I have not sat with vain Persons neither will I go in with dissemblers For in their Company I shall get either Guilt or Grief if I Act as they I shall be guilty if not I shall be grieved The best is to meddle as little as I can with them for God's Honour and my own Peace I will resolve with Old Jacob Gen. 49.6 O my Soul come not into their Secret I dare not touch the Rope least I hear the Bell 1 Thes 5.22 Jude 23. I will abstain from the appearance of evil and hate the Garment spotted by the flesh 3. Have you associated your Selves to them that fear God Godly Persons were holy David's intimate Friends Psalm 16.3 the Saints were in his Account the excellent in the Earth in whom is all my delight Companion am I to all them that fear thee Psal 119.63 I have wise Senators valiant Souldiers but what are these to me if they be not truly Religious one Jonathan is better then many Joabs one Hushai better then a thousand Achitophels I love them that fear God with a peculiar Love yea though they should be severe upon me if I offend I will not only patiently bear it but thankfully own them as my Benefactors Let the righteous smite me Psal 141.5 Prov. 27.6 it shall be a kindness Faithful are the wounds of a friend I will love Nathan the better whil'st I live for his Faithfulness Sit anima mea piis let my Soul be united to Saints I will live with them on Earth with whom I would sing Praises in Heaven Communion of Saints is not only an Article in my Creed but a main Point of Practice yet next to Communion with God my highest Priviledge These these will I converse familiarly with I will confer with them about the things of God pray and praise God with them sit down with these at the holy Supper and walk hand in hand with them in my journey Heaven-wards There is an holy Union of all Saints which yet is not natural or corporal political nor yet personal but yet it is Real and this Union is either
Mystical as Members of the same mystical Body Eph. 5.30 or Ecclesiastical These Converts are said to be added to the Church and have mutual external Fellowship Acts 2.41.42 Thus Paul when converted assayed to joyn himself to the Disciples Acts 9.26 Acts 17.4 And others consorted with Paul and Silas and indeed 't is natural for a Child of God to desire yea and delight in the Society of the Saints thence the Apostle mentions the Philippians fellowship in the gospel Phil. 1.5 from the first day until now mark it it was early and permanent A good Man knows not how to go to Heaven alone They must go forth by the foot-steps of the flock Song 1.8 6. and are like a company of horses in Pharaohs chariot So amiable profitable and pleasant is Christian Society 4. Do you lay to Heart the scatterings of Christians Zeph. 3.18 I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn Assembly who are of thee to whom the reproach of it was a burthen This scattering is either by Persecution or Dissention 1st If Enemies prevail and break up the Saints solemn meetings God's poor Children lay it deeply to Heart hence such lamentable complaints and expostulations of God's People Psal 143.4 Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary Isa 64.9 12. This was one Ingredient of Judah's Lamentation that the ways of Zion mourn and God's People did mourn with her Lam. 1.4 7. Such sympathy speaks kindly bowels and moves God's Heart and possibly in this World they may be gathered however in the other Isa 66.10 Rejoyce ye with Jerusalem and be glad with her all ye that love her rejoyce for joy with her all ye that mourn for her Sions Friends shall partake of Sions Comforts 2dly Such as grieve for the Divisions of the Church within her self Judg. 5.15 16. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart great searchings of heart O the sad Contentions and Animosities that have risen up in the Church in all Ages and the pious and peaceable Members thereof have been grievously afflicted therewith Sometimes upon Personal sometimes Doctrinal differencess have rent the Bowels thereof and rent the Hearts of publick-uniting Spirits and they have almost despaired of seeing an End of them in this World till they arrive in the place where Luther and Calvin are made perfect Friends and all the Saints shall be of one Mind Mourners for these Breaches shall be perfectly cured and comforted Isa 51.11 Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return and come with singing unto Zion and everlasting joy shall be upon their head they shall obtain gladness and joy and sorrow and mourning shall flee away 5. Do you follow the Army of Martyrs in bearing your Cross and preparedness to suffer for Christ hâc fitur ad astra This way have all the Saints gone to Heaven this is the established enacted Law of Heaven If any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me Mat. 16.24 Acts 14.22 We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God Heaven is taken by Storm and the gracious Soul is resolved to go through Storms For Persecution and Evangelii genius the common constant Lot of all the Saints 2 Tim. 3.12 All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution Yea but the Christian is not appaled with nor ashamed of the Cross of Christ nay he takes pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in necessities in persecutions in distresses for Christ's sake 2 Cor. 12.10 Nay he glories in the Cross and in the marks of the Lord Jesus Gal. 6.14.17 as much as an Old Soldier in his Wounds received in the Wars As the poor Woman in the Book of Martyrs thought it a piece of Honour and Happiness that her Foot was put in the same Hole of the Stocks wherein Mr. Philpot's had been before So the Christian rejoyceth to follow that blessed Army of Martyrs to Heaven not meerly by an Apish Imitation from a good Conceit they have of them 2 Cor. 4.13 but having the same spirit of Faith they make their Profession and endure Opposition whatever it cost onwards he will though he die in the Conflict he sees a Crown attending him and so gathers strength by every bout yea by every foil as it was said of Rome Roma cladibus animosior that every Battel yea every slaughter of Men made her more couragious So it is with the conflicting Soul none of these things move him Acts 20.24 that startle others but animate him with more Courage in his Christian Warfare and Voyage through this boisterous Sea to the Haven of Rest Is it thus with you 6. Do you daily make Proficiency in Grace Are you marching on in your Christian course adding daily some Cubits to your Spiritual stature There 's no standing still in Heaven's Road non progredi est regredi not to go forward is to go backward Paul saith I press toward the mark for the Prize of the high Calling of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3.14 Nothing would serve him on this side Perfection Ver. 11. He longs after that pitch of Grace he shall attain to in the Resurrection The sincere Christian grows brighter and better as the shining Light Prov. 4.18 that shineth more and more unto the perfect day Where there is Truth there will be Growth Grace is like a Grain of Mustard-Seed the Christian never thinks he hath grown enough he is still perfecting Holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 getting Ground daily of the Body of Death This is their Duty this is their Property this is what the Apostle earnestly prays for 1 Thess 3.12 13. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one towards another and towards all men c. I would saith the Saint be holier than the holiest Saint on Earth Eph 3.8 but judge my self lesser than the least of all Saints O that I were perfectly free from Sin O that my Blossoms of Grace were ripe Fruit O that I could increase with the increase of God! Col. 2.19 2 Thess 1.13 Let my Faith grow exceedingly to full assurance let my Love grow to delight in God my Repentance be more Evangelical my Hope more fixed my Fear more filial my Obedience more universal and all my Graces more lively and my whole Man more conformable to Christ the perfect Pattern of Holiness Oh that I could go from strength to strength Psal 84.7 till in Zion I appear before God 7. What blessed Instinct inclines you Heaven-wards Heavy things move downwards light things upwards every thing moves towards its Center The Church is compared to pillars of Smoak Cant. 3.6 still mounting towards its proper Element John 3.3 So the Christian is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 born from above and naturally inclines to things above
Saints and be found among them and not be of them for it s said Rom. 9.6 They are not all Israel which are of Israel i. e. they are not of the same Spirit that are of the stock of Israel some Goats may be found among the Sheep till the separating day Some may have a name to live and be dead All 's not Gold that glisters Rev. 3.1 shining Lamps and Oil in the Vessels are different things It will be a dreadful thing when the Master of the Feast comes to view his Guests and finds one not having on a wedding Garment and thus Expostulates with him Friend how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment Alas he was speechless and cast into utter darkness Oh what weeping and gnashing of teeth Mat. 22.11 12 13. O take heed of a shew and semblance of Religion Tremble least when you are weighed you be found wanting least your Works be not perfect before God Rev. 3.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 filled up with the necessary Essentials that constitute a Christian Sirs a day is coming when your inside will be turned out to the open view of all When God will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and make manifest the councels of the heart 1 Cor. 4.5 See then that your Hearts be sound in God's Statutes that you may not be ashamed Psal 119.80 Be sincere and then you will be without offence till the day of Christ Phil. 1.10 Be upright in Heart and downright in Life Keep Conscience void of Offence Walk with God and you shall rest with God 2. Gather your selves together in solemn Exercises of Religion Especially in cases of publick Calamity and common Danger so God calls to Israel Zeph. 2.1 2. Gather your selves together yea gather your selves together O nation not desired before the decree bring forth Be unanimous and harmonious in Fasting and Praying How often doth God call his People of Old Joel 1.14 ch 2.16 to sanctify a fast call a solemn Assembly gather the Elders there 's great reason for it all have sinned all must be humbled all are concerned Persons may be helpful one to another a threefold cord is not easily broken Eccl. 4.9 12. God sometimes expects unanimous Votes which make a great sound in his Ears Let Christians do as the Children of Israel and Judah go together to God weeping and seeking the Lord their God covenanting with God as in Jer. 50. 4 5. Yea in ordinary Duties of Prayer Conference Reading let them strengthen one anothers Hands in God Provoke each other to love and to good works Heb. 10.24 Sing God's praises together Oh what an Emblem of Heaven is this Communion of Saints Many live sticks make a great blaze Grapes put together ripen one another Is Communion of Saints good in Heaven and is it not good here Are not some Christians ignorant and want informing Are not some dead and want quickening Hard and want softening Wandring and want reducing Are not some staggering and want setling Are not some weak and should not we lift up the hands that hang down and the feeble knees Heb. 12.12 Get together here as you hope to come together hereafter 3. Agree lovingly Let not Christians fall out by the way that hope to meet in the End Away with discords and divisions if any occasions of Difference fall out as its likely there will rest not till you seek and obtain Reconciliation If thou have any thing against thy Brother be thou faithful in admonishing if it be his Fault to bring him to Repentance keep not Malice burning in thy Heart avenge not your selves express brotherly kindness to him Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good study Rom. 12.18 21. If thou remember that thy brother hath ought against thee leave thy gift before the altar and go thy way first be reconciled to thy brother and then come and offer thy gift Mat. 5.23 24. God will rather tarry for his due then thou should'st neglect thy Duty if thou be conscious to thy self that he hath just reason to be offended with thee humble thy self confess thy Fault to God and Him if thou be conscious that thou hast done him wrong go to him and know the reason of his Strangeness to thee and endeavour to pacify him but do not fall out with any Brother but live in peace that the God of love and peace may be with you 2 Cor. 13.11 Oh take heed of Quarrels and Animosities study the Wisdom which is from above that 's first pure James 3.17 then peaceable gentle easy to be intreated you must agree in the End now lovingly Agree for shame of the World for the credit of Religion for your own Comfort live peaceably cut not asunder the Veins and Sinews of the Mystical Body of Christ study 1 Cor. 1.10 Phil. 2.1 2. 4. Travel over Sinners for their Conversion Do your utmost endeavour to bring in Souls to God that there may be more at that great Day to be gathered together to Christ This is your present Duty this will be your future Comfort This is Ministers proper Work and every Christians Concern I have heard of a private Christian that used to follow Persons to their Shops Plows and discoursed with them about Soul-affairs and thereby was an instrument to convert forty Souls to Christ O what an honour would this be doubtless private Christians if Wise Serious and Zealous might do much good this way and yet keep their Places Jude 22.23 Of some have compassion making a difference others save with fear putting them out of the fire Alas Sirs how can you find in your Hearts to see Relation or any miserable Sinner dropping into the Fire of Hell and not speak one Word to stop them O dreadful cruelty Are you not some way accessary to that Man's death that 's a going to cut his own Throat and you neglect to lay hands on him Consider this and be not Merciless to Souls Advise admonish rebuke intreat them for Christ's sake for their Souls sake to pity themselves and not leap into the Pit of Destruction who knows what good you may do if you be but instrumental to convert one poor Sinner from the errour of his way you save a soul from death and shall hide a multitude of sins Jam. 5.20 And oh what joy on both sides will there be at your next meeting before the Throne 5. Moderately lament and profitably improve dead Christian Friends They are gathered to Christ and the rest of their Brethren They are safely laid up out of danger they would be loath to be back again in this sinful sorrowful World You may lawfully lament your loss but envy not your Friends gain Sorrow not even as others which have no hope 1 Thes 4.13 As if they were lost or as if you should never meet again for the dead in Christ and survivers shall be ever with the Lord 15 17.