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
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
it come not to pass some languish in their Faith others grow presumptuous in their Security If the Devil prevail thus far he will so work ut nihil in Religione certum aut fixam reliqueret that he will leave nothing sure or fixed in Matters of Religion as Calvin saith on this Text yea by this means Men loosen the cords and break the bands that join together the Articles of our Faith yea strike at the foundation Article of the Resurrection Doct. I. Ministers must be Beseechers As they may command in their Masters nam◠so they must beseech as Servants t◠all the Faithful 1 Thes 5.12 1 Thes 4.1 We beseech you and exhort you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ◠we humbly and earnestly desire you as if w◠went down on our knees to you hence 1 The◠2.7 8. We were gentle among you even as a Nurs◠cherisheth her Children Our business is great sinners inexorable we have great need to use the most obliging Terms as though God did beseech Sinners by us to pray them in Christ stead to be reconciled to God 2 Cor. 5.20 Doct. II. All God's Servants are Brethren Be they high or low rich or poor the most eminent Apostle and meanest yea weakest believe they are Brethren they have all one Father God our elder Brother Christ one holy Spirit that animates them all one Covenant of Grace to wrap them up in one heavenly Inheritance that they are Heirs of hence Col. 1.2 To the Saints and faithful Brethren in Christ O what an endearing Relation is this Let us live up to it Doct. III. Christ will certainly come to Judgment It is certain this noble Man is gone into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return to reckon with his Servanrs Luke 19. 12-27 Christ's coming to Judge the Jews was Imago Arrabo Adceptus ultimi the Image and earnest of his last coming described in 1 Thes 4.15 16 17. Doct. IV. The coming of Christ is a most endearing Consideration to believers This is to the Christian as the Harvest is to the Husband-man James 5.7 8. Be ye also patient saith he stablish your Heart for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh O what a glorious Morning will that day be when the Sun of Righteousness will shine once again with help and healing in his Wings Then let the heirs of glory lift up their heads for the day of their Redemption draws nigh Luke 21.28 You cannot intreat them by more strong and obliging Obtestations or Arguments Doct. V. Though Christ 's coming be stopt to the Saints and certain in it self yet the Time is uncertain to us Our Lord saith to his inquisitive Disciples Acts. 1.6 7. It is not for you to know the times and the seasons which the Father hath put in his own Power hence he saith Mat. 24.42 44. Watch therefore be ye also ready for in such an hour as you think not the Son of Man cometh This is a Key that the wise God locks under his Girdle he keeps this Secret inter arcana imperij among the Mysteries of this glorious Empire In discoursing upon this pleasant Subject I shall open these Seven things 1. What this gathering alludes to 2. After what manner they are gathered 3. What is imply'd in this gathering 4. For what End they are gathered 5. How they are gathered to Christ 6. Why will God thus gather them 7. What improvement may be made of it CHAP. II. What 's meant by this gathering together 1. What it alludes to 2. How it is managed and when transacted 1. I Shall briefly explain the Emphasis of this Word what it signifies and the Allusions to something in common view 1. It alludes to an Hospitable Persons taking in Wanderers to lodge them and kindly entertain them So the Word is used Mat. 25.35 I was a stranger and he took me in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ye gathered me Alass God's Children are Strangers and Pilgrims in the Path Heb. 11.13 as Men oft cast them out and they wander about in Sheep-skins and Goats-skins in Deserts Mountains Dens and Caves of the Earth v. 37 38. but their loving Father takes them in and provides them House and Harbour 2 Cor. 5.1 an house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens Lazarus at the rich Man's Gates is taken up into Abraham's bosom a better lodging then the rich Man's stateliest Chamber thus God gathers them 2. It alludes to a Man's gathering a rich Treasure together Gold Silver precious Stones Laying up in store Isa 39.6 as David gathered a prodigious Treasure for building the Temple three thousand talents of gold seven thousand talents of refined silver all manner of precious stones 1 Chron. 29.2 4. Solomon gathered silver and gold and the peculiar treasures of King's Eccl. 2.8 Exod. 19.5 But what are all these to God's treasure Which too calls his peculiar treasure more worth then both the Indies These God hath his time and way to gather up Mat. 3.17 They shall be mine saith the Lord in the day when I make up my jewels God's jewels lie loose and scattered but he will string them and lay them up safe with himself in Heaven 3. This word alludes to congregating together as in a Synagogue for Religious Acts caetus conventus sacer an holy Religious meeting Luke 7.5 He hath built us a Synagogue that 's for Religious worship so the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imports a Religious meeting And we read of a Synagogue of the Libertines Acts 6.9 but this may be called the Synagogue or the Congregation of Licentiates or highest Graduates in Divinity that have in some sense commenced per Saltum and have leapt out of the Church below into the Church triumphant above being highly preferred by their blessed Master 4. The word imports a meeting in an honourable Councel that 's above an ordinary Assembly Mat. 26.3 Then assembled together the chief Priests and Scribes and Elders c. these were the Sanhedrim and sat as Judges upon causes Criminal and Capital 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it signifies not a vulgar or a common meeting but a convention of States to sit upon Life and Death and though that was a wicked meeting to condemn the Son of God yet this glorious Assembly of Saints shall be convened to be Assessors with Christ to judge their Judges 1 Cor. 6.2 Know ye not that the Saints shall judge the World Rev. 1.6 Psalm 45.16 yea Angels All the Saints of God are Kings and Princes in all the Earth Oh what an honourable Jury will there be to applaud the sacred Judicature of our Lord This is the meaning of the Word 2. I must shew the manner means and method how this gathering together is managed or how the Saints come to be gathered together and when 1. Converting Grace gathers Sinners out of the world to God This is initial and preparatory the word in Eph. 1.10 gathering
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
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
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