at his right hand are for euermore a psal 16.11 Also the Righteous is an euerlasting Foundation b pro. 10.25 And our Lord himselfe saith that such as followe him in the Regeneration and euery one that forsaketh ought for his Names sake shall receyue in this present an hundred folde more with persecutions and shall inherite Euerlasting life c Mat 19.29 Also hee saith againe That at the last day b Luc 18.30 the Righteous shall goe away into eternall life d Matt. 25.46 Also whosoeuer belieueth in Christ shall haue euerlasting life e Io 3.15.16.36 Also the Apostle telles vs That our light afflictions which are but for a moment work for vs a farre more exceeding eternal wait of Glorie f 2. Cor. 4.17.18 Also the same Apo saith We shal be euer with the Lord. g 1. Thess 4.17 Therfore it is termed an incoorruptible crowne h 1 Cor. 9.25 And an InheritaÌ„ce that fadeth not i 1 Pet. 1.4 Also a Crowne of Life k Iam. 1.12 By all these and many more it appeareth euidently that the Blessed and most happie condition of the Saints is eternall or euerlasting Incorruptible it neuer fadeth but abideth for euermore Yea it may bee saide of this for the vnspeakeable comfort of all the Godly the poore hated despised scorned reproched and persecuted members of Christ Iesus that their momentaâ—y or light afflictions shall be recompenced with long and exceeding lardge continuance of happinesse in the Heauens yea their happinesse and Comfort there shall haue no end But when so many thousand yeeres are passed and gone away as there are Starres in the Firmament droppes of water in the Sea sands on the Sea shore grasses on the earth Leaues in Sommer haâ—â—es on the Bodies of liuing Creatures yea when an hundred thousand times so many shall bee passed away and gone ouer yet the ende of the wonderfull Ioyes and the Pleasures which the Righteous shall possesse is as farre as it was at the beginning Is it euen so that there is a Heauen that is of old prepared for the godly and is it so lasting and perpetuall is the blessednesse so exceeding great shall this excellent and most glorious estate be enioyed for euermore Then may Gods adopted sonnes and his deare children yea euery redeemed one may thus solace and comfort himselfe Happy day blessed houre yea thrice happie time that euer I was borne blessed bee the God that created mee the parents that brought me vp the earth that hath borne me the other creatures with which I haue beene nourished to this ende But a thousand times more blessed those times that mine eyes were opened mine heart turned and my sinnes pardoned What thankes shall I returne to the Lord for such mercy such vnspeakeable louing kindnesse Alasse in what case are my poore brethren and sisters which were created in the same Image but either liue in such Countries where they vtterly are depriued of all such meanes of Saluation as I haue had or else liuing in this land where it is doe vtterly neglect or wilfully reiect it oh that they did but knowe what Peace I feele what rest I haue obtained wheras they cannot deny but they are tossed vp and down as a shippe with waues in a terrible storme yea they knowe not where to rest them so that they are at their wits ende not knowing what to doe or which way to turne them Oh that they would hearken and heare that they might take the same course which I haue taken to obtaine this sweete Peace and blessed Rest Neither haue I onely such Rest and Peace but also my Ioy is vnspeakeable and glorious I haue formerly walked in seeming good wayes and haue kindled fires and compassed my selfe with sparkes but euen in laughing my heart was sorrowfull and the ende of that mirth was heauinesse But since I haue receiued the assurance of the Loue of God in Christ I haue beene so comforted for the most part that I haue beene constrained to breake foorth into singing yea the high prayses of God haue bin in my Mouth and I haue sung a loud vpon my bed yea night and day I haue had Melody in my Heart and albeit this hath sometimes beene lesse then at other times yet when I haue searcht my selfe duely and found out the cause and haue sought it againe diligently by fasting watching and prayer it hath returned with great aduantage And besides this I am so rauisht with the Loue of Christ that I can truely say my soule loueth him yea I account all things doung yea filthy and loathsome I desire so much to bee with him which is best of all yea many times I doe groane earnestly in this Tabernacle willing to bee absent from it and to bee present with the Lord Oh how easie is his yoke vnto mee now and how light his burden his Commandements are no longer grieuous but they are become the Ioy and reioycing of my heart whereas sometimes I was obstinate and rebellious and onely what I did was compelled by the terrors of God which made mee affraide and when I was reprooued for swearing lying breaking of the Saboth neglecting vtterly the worshippe of God and such like it makes me to blush in secret when I doe but thinke of my folly and ignorance with these I also am stayed to depend vpon God in all trialles and to waite for an issue yea I can beare any thing through the sweete Hope and blessed expectation of a good ende which the Lord will make yea I am not ashamed of the Gospell of Christ because I can waite for the Saluation that it bringeth Besides these I haue such wonderfull Boldnesse as cannot bee expressed with Pen whereas before the shaking of a leafe would put me in feare and great men would affright me with their high wordes But now I feare them not for I knowe they shall die and fade as grasse neither can the greatest oppressor touch one haire of my head for hurt As for death it is swallowed vp in victory by my Lord Iesus Christ And whereas formerly I was ledde violently to the committing of sinne and lust did raigne in me yea sinne had dominion ouer mee and I like a base Captiue bound hand and foote not able to resist did yeelde the seruice of my members to sin yea had not God in his aboundant mercy holden mee I had broken foorth into all foule sinnes But here behold the wonderfull mercy of God! and vnspeakeable louing kindnesse I haue gotten the victory through our Lord Iesus Christ Yea I can with comfort say O Death where is thy sting Yea I liue no more but Christ Iesus liueth in mee The strong man is cast out and the stronger hath taken possession neuer to be dispossessed I am now his Freeman he hath resisted the Diuell crucified the flesh and ouercome the world for me Yea olde things are passed away and all things are become newe
their Ioy kindle their Loue strengthen their Hope and aâ—de vnto their Boldnesse This this may be rightly termed a Glorious Libertie t Rom. 8.2.21 and a Freedome indeede u 2. Cor. 3.17.18 Io. 8.36 This is that for which Paul gaue thankes euen when a litle before he hath spoken of his wretched Body yet proceedeth thus I thanke God thorugh Iesus Christ our Lord So then with the minde I my selfe serue the Lawe of God but with the flesh the Lawe of Sinne u Rom. 7.24.25 This Freedome shineth out clearely where it is written Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Libertie x 2. Cor. 3.17 Also where the Spirit of Christ is it doeth free such from the dominion of Sinne as appeareth by these words of Paul The Lawe of the Spirit of Life in Christ Iesus hath made mee free from the Lawe of Sinne and Death y Rom 8.2 That is the power of the Spirit of Christ hath freed me from the power of sinne and death Againe the same Apostle affirmeth That where Sinne abounded Grace did much more abound That as sinne had reigned vnto Death euen so might grace reigne through righteousnesse vnto eternall life through Iesus Christ our Lord z Rom. 5.20 21. Also in the very next Chapter the same blessed Apostle answereth an obiection that might hence arise amongst such as peruert the truth thus If Grace doeth the more abound where sinne hath most abounded then let vs continue in sinne and multiply Transgression that Grace may the more abound a Rom. 6.1 To this diuellish obiection the Apostle answereth in that whole Chapter very plainly largely and addeth Reason to Reason yea very strong and inuincible Reasons are brought in place First he doeth shewe his detestation of such conclusions and how farre it is from the Saints so to conclude in these wordes Far be it from vs to admit of this b Rom. 8.8 And he draweth a Reason from the impossibilitie of any such thing How shall we that are dead to Sinne liue any longer therein a Rom. 6.2 As if he would say as it is impossible for dead men to performe any thing so impossible is it for vs to bring any sinne foorth to perfection b Iam. 1.15 Then hee drawes vs to consider of Gods proceeding in bringing vs to Christ that is As many of vs as are now in Christ were first baptized into his death That is were slaine or kild by the Power of Repentance For here is a twofold baptisme spoken of one A Baptisme into the death of Christ Another a Baptisme into Christ c Rom. 6 3. Heb. 6.2 Mat. 3.11 Io. 1.33 The first giuing Sinne his deadly wound or killing vs to Sinne the other quickning vs or making vs aliue to Righteousnesse After this it is added that we are not onely dead but buried by the first Baptisme into death that is by Repentance all the glory and beauty of our flesh is taken away d Is 40 6 7 1. Pet. 1.24 that being raised by Faith in Christs blood wee should walke in newnesse of life e Rom. 6.4 Now this Newnes of Life notes to vs this Freedome from our olde course of sinning As it is a little after He that is dead is freed from Sinne f vers 7. That is from the seruice of Sinne g vers 6. Now that it may yet more plainely appeare there is added the continuance of this glorious Libertie or blessed Freedome from Sinnes-seruice thus Now if we be dead with Christ we beleeue that wee shall also liue with him Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dyeth no more death hath no more dominion ouer him For in that he dyed he dyed vnto Sinne once but in that he liueth he liueth vnto God Likewise reckon yee also your selues dead indeede vnto Sinne or truely dead but aliue indeed or truly aliue to God through Iesus Christ i vers 8.9.20.11 Heere doeth manifestly appeare this Freedome from Sinne and so also from death euen in the same manner in respect of continuance trueth as Christ is freed as it is euident by that it is saide Likewise as also it is clearely made manifest that when once the spirit of life beginnes our Libertie wee are neuer after that inthralled or brought into Bondage Besides these that Scripture is exceeding full stuffed with forcible and strong Reasons euen to the ende of that Chapter as onely to touch them k vers 12. Let not Sinne reigne For Sinne shall not haue dominion ouer you l vers 14. yee were the seruants of Sinne m vers 17. Being made Free from Sinne yee became seruants of Righteousnesse n vers 18. When yee were the seruants of Sinne yee were Free from Righteousnesse o vers 20. But now being made Free from Sinne and become seruants to God yee haue your fruite vnto holinesse and the ende euerlasting life p vers 22. And that this Freedome from Sinnes-seruitude or Bondage may yet more clearely appeare consider that where it is written If Christ bee in you the body is dead for Sinne but the Spirit is Life for Righteousnesse q Rom. 8.10 Also walke in the spirit and ye shlal not fulfill the lustes of the flesh r Gal. 5.16 And they that are Christs haue crucified the flesh with the affections and lustes Å¿ Gal. 5.24 Also if any man be in Christ he is a New Creature And such an one can truely say and with comfort yea great boldnesse and confidence I liue no more but Christ Iesus liueth in me t 2. Cor. 5.7 Of this Freedome Paul gloried where it is written I am the least of all the Apostles that am not meete to be called an Apostle because I persecuted the Church of God But by the Grace of God I am what I am and his Grace which was bestowed vpon mee was not in vaine But I laboured more aboundantly then they all yet not I but the Grace of God which was with me u 1. Cor. 15.9.10 Also hee writeth thus of himselfe I thanke Christ Iesus who hath inabled me for that he counted me faithfull putting mee into the Ministery who was before a Blasphemer and a Persecuter and Iniurious x 1. Tim. 1.12.13.14 But I obtained Mercy because I did it ignorantly in vnbeliefe And the Grace of God was exceeding aboundant with Faith and Loue which is in Christ Iesus Here you see Paul proposing or setting foorth himselfe as an example of one that had obtained this Freedome which euery Iustified one hath also obtained as it is euident in Dauids example who could say of himselfe when once hee had gotten this Freedome or Libertie Thou hast deliuered my soule from death mine eyes from teares and my feete from falling y ps 116.8 Also ô Lord thou hast loosed my Bonds z vers 16. But some will here obiect O B. Doe
had reported all that the chiefe Priests and Elders had done vnto them they ioyned all with one accord in Prayer to God especially for boldnesse to speake the word and receiued from the Lord gifts of the holy Ghost so that they spake the word of God with Boldnesse h Ast 4.13.19.20.23.29.31 So we reade of Paul that he spake boldly in the Synagogue at Ephesus for the space of 3. moneths disputing and perswading things pertaining to the kingdome of God i Act. 19.8 Also he exhorteth the Ephesians to pray for him that vtterance may bee giuen that hee may open his mouth boldly to make knowne the mystery of the Gospell k Ephes 6.19 This boldnes appeared in Steuen who being full of faith and power spake boldly to the aduersaries applying his speech so closely to their consciences that they were cut at the heart â—nd gnashed on him with their â—eeth yea they stoned him with stones that he died l Act. 7.51.52.54.55 This boldnesse â—s euident also in Paul when as there went many Prophecies of him concerning his handling at Ierusalem and all his louing friends with teares intreated him not to goe thither But his answer was what meane yee to weepe and to breake my heart for I am ready not to be bound onely but to die at Ierusalem for the name of the Lord Iesus m Act. 1.12.13 This boldnesse or confidence is an inseparable effect of faith in Christ and where it is not there is not any faith in Christ at all as it is euident where it is written We are alwaies confident For wee walke by faith and not by sight wee are confident I say and that this is faith in Christ the words following doe make plaine The Loue of Chrisâ— constraineth vs and God hath reconciled vs to himself by Iesus Christ Againe the same Apostle writeth thus That vnto Principalities anâ— Powers in heauenly Places is madâ— knowne by the Church the manifold wisedome of God According to the eternall purpose which he purposed in Christ Iesus our Lord. In whom wee haue boldnesse and accesse with confidence by the faith of him o Eph. 3.10.11.12 Here is boldnesse and confidence as before ioyned with faith in Christ Also such as haue beleeued the Gospell and are entred into rest such doe come boldly to the throne of Grace p Heb. 4.16 Adde to this where it is written That where remission of sinne is there is no more offering for sinne but such haue boldnesse to enter into the holiest by the blood of Iesus q He. 10.22 So that you see that boldnes is an inseparable companion of faith in Christ And therefore such onely are the Lambes warriours as are called and chosen and faithfull r Reuel 17.14 Obserue men may be chosen to saluation and not yet called nor faithful so was Paul when hee consented to Stephens death Å¿ Act. 7.58 the 8.1 Also they may bee called and neither chosen nor faithfull as it is written Many are called but few chosen t Mat. 20.16 So were Iudas and Demas called but neither chosen and so not faithfull So were the Apostles before the holy Ghost was giuen vnto them or before that power from on high was receiued a Lu. 24.49 Witnesse their running from Christ at his apprehension b Ioh. 16.30 31.32 And Peters deniall of him three seuerall times with cursings and swearing c Mat. 6.70.72.74 Now then we may safely conclude that such onely are the bold Soldiours of the Lambe as are called and chosen and faithfull as were all the Apostles and Disciples when they had once receiued the holy Ghost and as Paul could with comfort testifie of himselfe I haue fought a good fight I haue finished my course I haue kept the Faith So these onely shall be able to testifie and euery of these shall be able to testifie the same So that it is now most euident that such as doe indeede beleeue with the heart to Righteousnesse doe also confesse with the mouth vnto Saluation d Rom. 19. And such as beleeue in Christ shall not be ashamed e Ver. 11. And Paul could say I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God vnto Saluation to euery one that beleeueth f Rom. 1.16 Yea euery such beleeuer can hazard his life for Christs sake as it is written Whosoeuer will loose his life for my sake and the Gospels the same shall saue it And there is added whosoeuer shall bee ashamed of me and of my wordes in this adulterous and sinfull generation of him also shall the Sonne of man bee ashamed when he commeth in the Glory of the Father with the holy Angels g Mar. 8.35.38 Neither are the Saints terrified by their Aduersaries which is to them an euident token of Perdition but to themselues of saluation and that of God for vnto such it is giuen in the behalfe of Christ not onely to beleeue on him but also to suffer for his sake h Phil. 1.28 29. The contrary to this is in men before Iustification as it is plaine where it is written The wicked flye when none pursueth i Prou. 28.1 Also wee haue not receiued the Spirit of bondage to feare againe k Rom. 8.15 Where we plainly see that before Iustification we haue that Spirit of Bondage This made the Iaylor to tremble l and Paul to be astonished and to tremble when hee was smiteÌ„ to the Earth m Act. 9.6 And caused this Cornelius to be afraid of the Angels n Act. 10 4. This is euident where it is written That the curse or the wrath of God abideth on such as doe not yet beleeue in Christ o Io. 3.36 And part of that curse is feare and astonishment as it is written I will appoint ouer you terrour p Leuit. 26.19 and yee shall flee when none pursueth you q Vers 7.36.37 Also God saith to the disobedient I will giue thee a Trembling heart and thy life shall hang in doubt before thee and thou shalt feare day and night and shalt haue no assurance of thy Life in the morning thou shalt say would God it were Euen and at Euen thou shalt say would God it were Morning for the feare of thine heart wherewith thou shalt Feare r Deut 28.65.66.67 And it is also saide that men remaining so fearefull shall haue their portion with whoremongers the abominable and murderers sorcerers idolaters and all liars in the Lake which burneth with Fire and Brimstone which is the second Death Å¿ Reuel 21.8 And thus you haue seene the wonderful Blessednesse which such as are once Iustified by Faith in Christ haue obtained by this Boldnesse and Courage euen here in this life To these may bee added their Freedome from the reigning power of Sinne Freedome which is not the least Priuiledge and doth wonderfully encrease their Peace nourish
not the Children of God Sinne after they are once Iustified by Faith in Christ What say you then to that where it is written If we say that we haue no Sinne wee deceiue our selues a 1. Io. 1.8 Also in many things we offend all b Iam. 3.2 Also there is not a iust man vpon earth that doeth good and sinneth not c Bâ—â—le 7.20 And many moe Scriptures to the same purpose I answer ANS That there is great difference betweene hauing sinne and sinning betweene sinning altogether against purpose and sinning with delight and consent of heart betweene failing in the performance of good and doing that which is absolutely euill betweene reigning and dwelling So that these Scriptures are thus to bee reconciled The Saints after iustification haue sinne dwelling not reigning in them and hence it is that in euery good Purpose they faile much in their performance and giue offence to God and many times to their brethren And therefore they are taught dayly to forgiue their brethren a Luc. 17.3 4. And dayly to aske forgiuenesse of God in the name of Iesus Christ b Mat. 6.9.12.14.15 Yet all this doth not proue that which some would vrge out of these and such like places that they commit sinne and this is most euident for if they should commit then were they still the seruants of sinne as it is written Whosoeuer committeth Sinne is the seruant of â—in c Ioh. 8.34 Such an one is a tran gessor of the Law d 1. Ioh. 3.1 he abideth not in Christ neither did euer see him or know him e Ver 6. Such an one is of the diuell neither is it possible for him that is borne of God to commit sinne f Ver. 8.9 For wheresoeuer the Sonne of God dwelleth and abideth he doth manifest his abode there by destroying the workes of the diuell g Ver. 5. with 8. And howsoeuer it is obiected that Paul doth crie out of his Body and confesseth that hee cannot doe the good he would but the euill which hee would not yet obserue the same words and hee shall answer for himselfe Thus Now if I doe that I would not it is no more I that doe it but sinne that dwelleth in me h Rom. 7.20 not that reigneth in me but dwelleth in mee Thus Paul hath freed himself from committing sinne So that then hee is thus to be vnderstood that hee is thus to be vnderstood that heâ— could performe nothing so perfectly as he would And this made him grone vnder his Tabernacle i 2. Cor. 5.1.2.3.4.5.6.7 8. Rom. 7.24 and crie out O wretched man that I am who shall deliuer me froÌ„ this body oâ— Death So that the Saints Freedome from the reigning power of Sinne remaines firme and vnshaken and it is most manifest that where Christ hath once cast out the strong man hee as the stronger takes possession neuer to bee dispossessed k Lu. 11.21 22. Ioh. 10.29 Ioh. 8.35 And this is not the least benefite that the Children of God doe enioy in this life and for which they praise God as it is written God be thanked ye were the seruants of Sinne but ye haue obeyed from the heart the form of doctrine which was deliuered you l Rom. 6.17 Also the same Apostle writing to the Colossians giues thanks vnto the Father who hath made them meete to â—e partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light and had deliuered theÌ„ from the Power of Darkenesse and translate them into the kingdome of his deare Sonne m Col. 1.12 13. And this freedom for which they continually praise God and which they most comfortably enioy commeth by embracing the Truth as it is written The Truth shall make you free n Ioh. 8.32 Whereas before they are ouercome of sinne and it is euident they are sins-slaues or bondmen as it is written Of whom a man is ouercome of the same is he brought into Bondage And Paul tels vs plainly that as he himselfe so all of vs were by nature seruants to diuers lusts and pleasures o Tit. 3.3 And this is one of the most excellentest benefits that we here enioy and the want of this is accompanied with the want of all the Rest that haue beene before or shall hereafter be mentioned Adde to this the vnsearchable Wisedome Wisedome which the Saints doe enioy euen here such as Christ is become their Wisedome p 1. Cor. 1.30 These are Wise indeede and how can it bee but such should be Wise for whom God layeth vp sound Wisedome and who may at any time when they want it goe to God and haue it for the asking as it is written If any of you lacke Wisedome let him aske of God that giueth to all men liberally and vpbraideth not and it shall be giuen him q Iam. 1.5 This is not that earthly sensuall and diuellish Wisedome which is accompanied with bitter enuying and strife But this is the Wisedome from aboue that is first pure then peaceable gentle easie to be intreated full of mercy and good fruits without Partiality without Hypocrisie yea such as haue it will shew out of a good conuersation his workes with meekenesse of wisedome r Iam. 3.13.14.15.16.17 This was one of the Reasons that Moses vsed to prouoke the people of Israel to obedience shewing them That it should bee their wisedome and vnderstanding in the sight of the Nations which shall heare all these Statutes and say Surely this great Nation is a wise and vnderstanding people Å¿ Deut. 4.6 This was the wisedome that made Ioseph famous in Pharaohs Court and exalted him to bee Ruler ouer all Egypt As it appeareth by Pharaohs speech can wee finde such a man as this in whom is the Spirit of God t Gen. 41.38 And Pharaoh saide vnto Ioseph Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this there is none so discreete and wise Thou shalt bee ouer my house and according to thy word shall all my people be ruled u Vers 39. And wee reade that the Lord layeth vppe sound wisedome for the Righteous u Prou. 2.6 yea as before hee is their treasurer This wisedome appeareth in Elihu where he reprooueth Iob and his three friends and checketh them sharpely for their grosse ignorance As it is written of him I saide Dayes should speake and multitude of yeeres should teach wisedome But there is a spirit in man and the Inspiration of the Almightie giueth vnderstanding Great men are not alwayes Wise neither doe the aged vnderstand Iudgement a Iob. 32.7.8.9 And a little after he saith Wherefore Iob heare my speeches I pray thee and hearke to all my words My words shal be of the vprightnesse of my heart my lips shal vtter knowledge clearly b Iob. 33.1.2.5 This wisedome was in Dauid as it is euident where he saith O how I loue thy Lawe it is my Meditation all the Day Thou
and I knowe my selfe to be in Christ by that I am a newe creature And when I take a viewe of my Folly and ignorance how brutish I haue beene it doeth euen couer mee with blushing and shame and when withall I doe call to minde what aboundance of wisedome I haue obtained since Christ became my wisedome yea when I consider Gods wonderfull liberalitie in opening to me his treasury of wisedome and knowledge and bidding mee aske what I will this doeth many times amaze me and wonderfully astonish mee that so vile a person as I am should bee trusted with Treasures of such value and Pearles of such price I doe thinke thus with my selfe what am I that I should be so regarded as that my mouth should be made a Well of Life my lippes should know what is acceptable that they should feede many and that other should seeke the Lawe at my mouth That such Wisedome and Spirit should be giuen me that all mine aduersaries should not be able to gainsay or resist oh blessed be my God for euermore oh let my tongue neuer cease to sound foorth his prayses and to tell of his louing kindnesse from day to day And when I looke without me me thinkes the Communion of Saints doeth rauish me the feruent Loue which we haue amongst our selues whereas I was once a companion of Murderers such I meane as vnaduisedly would breake out into anger wrath and rage disclose secrets breake couenants carry tales to shedde blood amongst whom though I sometimes blessed my selfe yet was my condition fearefull for I could expect nothing but death euery day such was the vncertaintie of any staiednesse in their familiaritie But now I am a Companion of the Sonnes of Peace All my Familiars are Peacemakers wee are one an others Keepers Many wholesome exhortations Louing instructions and Amiable reprooffes doe passe betweene vs. Manie are the feruent Prayers we put vp one for another yea all that wee haue we account not our owne in one anothers necessitie Our Loue is not in word and in Tongue but in deed and in Truth It is continually increased and doeth daily Flourish Oh what comfort is it to meete in great Assemblies in the time of Peace to heare the Word break Bread togither and to ioyne in heartie prayers and praises to our louing Father Also I now doe plainly see that we haue more with vs then against vs For I was wont to consider of the multitude of wicked men in the world and how they bandie themselues and conspire against the Saintes but now I see their attempts are exceeding weake for wee haue our Seate on high and are compassed round with a Wall of Fyre yea the Angels of God as Chariots of Fire and Horses of Fyre doe compasse vs round continually Yea they also beholde our Fathers face in Heauen readie to execute vengeance on our aduersaryes and to beare vs in theyr hands that wee hurt not our foote against a stone Besides all this the Creatures were at enmitie with me the Sunne Moone and Starres in theyr courses the Earth would haue swallowed the Water drowned the Fire consumed me yea the Winde would haue throwne downe Trees and Houses vpon mee the very stones of the Fielde were at oddes with mee the Beasts Fowles and Creaping things at variance The Corne Wine and Oyle these did as it were disdaine or refuse to yeeld me strength whereas now on the contrarie the sweete Familiaritie which is betweene vs is exceeding great The Sunne will not hurt me by day nor the Moone by night the Heauens doe as it were smyle vpon mee the Fire warmes me the water yeelds me moysture the Earth habitation the Ayre refreshing What shall I say Mee thinkes I see the Fire comming from Heauen the Water preparing the Earth opening wide her mouth the Ayre threatning yea all the Creatures mustering themselues and in continuall readinesse to execute vengeance vpon such as shal euer dare to touch me for hurt And all these are accompanyed with aboundance of all necessaries for my selfe and my children and whereas before I was in continuall want in the midst of plenty and euer caring for more though I had enough Now haue I abundance of all thinges with gteat Contentment that hundred fold gaine by Godlinesse yea I can truely say I can be abased and I can abounde I haue learned in what estate so euer therewith to be content Yea I know that I shall neuer want any thing that is good neyther shall my children beg their bread And when to this I can adde the sure continuance of this estate and doe knowe that I shall neuer be remoued neither is my estate subiect to Change but I shall increase not decrease growe not dye goe forwards not backwards flourish decay and that I am in Christ as stable firme and vnmooueable as God is stable firme and vnmooueable this doeth so rauish me with comfort that it drawes teares from mine eyes I cannot but reioyce exceedingly And yet further when I thinke on my estate to come at that day which will be a dreadfull day to the wicked I finde that all this which I haue cald to minde is very little yea scarse a handfull of the whole sand of the Sea in comparison of that blessednesse then to bee receiued Then when our glorious Lord the Lord of Glory shall descend from Heauen with a shout with the voyce of an Arch-angell and which the Trumpe of God when hee shall come most gloriously in his owne Glory his fathers Glory and the Glory of all his holy and mightie Angels attended with tenne thousands of his Saints in flaming fire to be glorified in them When he shal sit vpon the throne of his Glory and all nations shall bee gathered before him and he shal seperate them one from another as the shepherd diuideth his sheepe from the Goates and hauing set the sheepe on his right hand then shall this King of Glory say vnto them on his right hand Come yee blessed of my Father inherite the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundations of the world Then shall I with the rest of Gods redeemed ones passe away with great triumph and in a glorious manner enter those heauenly Mansions to take possession of my euerlasting habitation There I shall see God face to face Yea I shall know him euen as I am knowen Then shall I be like him for I shall see him as he is And when this my corruptible body hath put on Incorruption and this Mortall bopy hath put on immortalitie then shal be fully and perfectly brought to passe for mee and all the elect that which before was truely beleeued That death is swallowed vp in victory And will not this bee a wonderfull and most glorious estate when I shall shine foorth as the Sunne in his greatest glitter and most glorious brightnesse when I shall bee as the Angels in Heauen alwaies beholding the face God Where I shall haue no companions but