into Hell What were the Apostate Angels damned for was it for any more than Proud thoughts This is the first note of Trial He who reverenceth a Deity flies from Sin It is a saying of Anselm If Sin were on one side and Hell on the other I would rather leap into Hell than willingly sin against God 2. He who Fears God walks by Rule rather than Example Example is for the most part corrupt Examples of great men are influential Pharaoh had learned Ioseph to swear but Ioseph had not learned Pharaoh to pray The examples of others cannnot justifie a thing intrinsecally evil A fearer of God steers the Rudder of his Life according to the Compass of the Word He looks to the sacred Canon as the Mariner to the Load-Star or Israel to the Pillar of Fire to direct him Isa. 8.20 To the Law to the Testimony 3. He who Fears God keeps his commandments Eccles. 12.13 Fear God and keep his commandments Luther said He had rather obey God than work miracles A Gracious Soul crosseth his own will to fulfil Gods if the Lord bid him Crucifie his bosom-sin forgive his enemies he instantly obeys An Heathen exercising much cruelty to a Christian asked him in scorn What Great Miracle his Master Christ ever did The Christian replyed This Miracle that though you use me thus Cruelly I can forgive you An Holy Heart Knows there is nothing lost by obedience David sware unto the Lord that he would not rest till he found a place for God Psalm 132.4 5. And God Sware again to David that of the fruit of his body he would set upon his throne Psalm 132.11 4. He who Fears God is alike Good in all Companies He diffuseth the sweet savour of Godliness where ever he comes Hypocrites can change themselves into all shapes and be as their company is Serious in one comcompany and Vain in another He who reverenceth a Deity is semper idem alike Good in all places An even Pulse shows Health an even walking shows Grace If a Good man be providentially cast among the wicked he will not coalesce with them but in his deportment shows forth a Majesty of Holiness 5. He who Fears God is good in the Station where God hath set him Take an instance in Ioseph Gen. 42.18 I fear God And see a pattern of Relative sanctitie He showed towards his Master fidelity towards his Mistress chastity towards his Father duty towards his Brethren bounty A good man makes his family Palaestra Pietatis a Nursery of Piety as it was said of Cranmer 6. He who Fears God dares not neglect Family or Closet-prayer Psalm 109.4 I Give my self to Prayer Prayer whispers in Gods ears Clemens Alexandrinus calls it private conference with God Why was Nymphas's house call'd a Church Col. 4.15 But because it was consecrated by Prayer A Gracious Soul puts forth fervent sighs in Prayer Rom. 8.26 And sure that prayer doth soonest pierce Heaven which pierceth ones own Heart If Prayer be made the Touch-stone then the number of those who Fear God is but small Are there not many prayerless Families in this City and Nation Iob 15.4 Thou casteth off fear thou restrainest prayer When men restrain prayer they cast off the Fear of God It is the brand set upon a Reprobate Psalm 14.4 He calls not upon God 7. He who Fears God will not oppress his Neighbour Levit. 25.17 Ye shall not oppress one another but thou shalt fear thy God How can he be Holy who is not just A Saint yet an Extortioner is a Soloecism A cruel oppressor is like Iudas his bowels are fallen out The Fear of God would cure this Neh. 5.8 Will ye sell your brethren v. 9. Ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God As if Nehemiah had said If ye had the Fear of God ye would not be so wicked ye would not rise upon the ruines of others and to wrong them damn your selves 8. He who Fears God is given to works of Mercy The Fear of God is alwaies joyned with love to our Brethren Grace may have a Trembling hand but it hath not a Withered hand it stretcheth out its self to relieve the indigent Iam. 1.27 Pure Religion before God and the Father is this to Visit the Fatherless and the Widdows in their Affliction To Visit them is not only to go to see them in Affliction our Saviour expounds what Visiting is Mat. 25.36 Ye visited me how was that vers 35. I was an hungred and ye gave me meat Good works are not the Cause of our Justification but they are the Evidence How far are they from the Fear of God who are hard-hearted to Christs Poor You may as well extract Oil out of a Flint as the Golden Oil of Charity out of their hearts Dives denied Lazarus a Crumb of Bread and Dives was denied a drop of Water 9. He who Fears God had rather displease man than God Exod. 1.17 The Midwives Feared God and did not as the King commanded but saved the man-Men-children alive What not obey the Kings Command How could this stand with their Allegiance Very well because it was an unlawful command The King bad them put to death the Males of the Hebrews which they durst not doe for Fear of incurring Gods displeasure King Nebuchadnezzar erected a Golden Image to be worshipped but the three Children or rather Champions said Be it known unto thee O King we will not serve thy Gods or worship thy Golden Image Dan. 3.18 They would rather burn than bow He who Fears God knows it is best to keep in with God he is the surest Friend but the sorest Enemy 10. The Fear of God will make a man Fear these six things 1. Satans Snares 2. His own Heart 3. Death 4. Judgement 5. Hell 6. Heaven 1. The Fear of God will make a man afraid of Satans snares He hath the eye of Faith to see these snares and the wing of Fear to fly from them Pedibus Timor addidit alas 2 Cor. 2.11 We are not ignorant of his devices The word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 subtile Stratagems Satan is called the Old Serpent Rev. 12.9 Though he hath lost his Holiness he hath not lost his Policy his snares are so Cunningly laid that without the Guidance of Gods Fear we cannot escape them 1. One subtil Artifice of Satan is he baits his Hook with Religion he can change his Flag and hang out Christs Colours here he Transforms himself into an Angel of light The Devil tempts men to Evil that Good may come of it Rom. 3.8 He whistles them into the snare of preferment that hereby they may be in a capacity of doing God more service The white Devil is worst Who would suspect Satan when he comes as a Divine and if need be can quote Scripture 2. Another snare of Satan is to tempt to sin under a plea of Necessity Lot offered to expose his Daughters to the lusts of the
goes there this mortal shall put on Immortality Let us labour to be in the number of Gods Jewels that when the Lord shall make up his Jewels he may perfect our Souls and Bodies in Glory How shall we know that we are in the number of Gods Jewels Have we inherent Holiness 1 Cor. 6.11 But ye are washed but ye are Sanctified We are not Jewels by Creation but Regeneration If Holiness sparkle in us it 's a sign we are Jewels and then when God comes to make up his Jewels he will put Glory upon our Souls and Bodies for ever CHAP. XIX The Third part of the Saints Reward Gods sparing them 3. THE Third part of the Saints reward is Gods Sparing them I will spare them as a man spareth his own Son that serveth him The Hebrew word to spare signifies to use Clemency In this Phrase is a Meiosis there is less said and more intended I will spare them that is I will deal with them as a Father doth with his Son the same tenderness that a Father shews to his Child the same will I shew to them that Fear me God will deal with them that Fear him as a Father doth with his Son Two things are in this Proposition 1. That God is a Father He is a Father 1. By Creation he hath given us our Being Mal. 2.10 Have not we all one Father hath not one God created us 2. God is a Father by Election he hath culled out a certain number to be his Children Eph. 1.4 3. God is a Father by special Grace he stamps his impress of Holiness upon men Col. 3.10 All Gods Children resemble him though some are more like him than others 2. That God will deal with them that Fear him as a Father doth with his Son 1. God will accept them as a Father doth his Son If the Child doth but lisp and can hardly speak plain the Father takes all well so God as a Father will accept of what his Children do in sincerity Ezek. 20.40 There will I require your Offerings I will accept you with your sweet Savour 2. Such as Fear God he will be full of Bowels to them as a Father is to his Son There are in God 1. Bowels of Compassion 2. Bowels of Complacency 1. Bowels of Compassion A Father Compassionates his Child Sozomen makes mention of a Father who offered to be put to death for his two Sons who were sentenced to dye God hath soundings of Bowels Isa. 63.15 The Compassions of Parents are Steel and Marble compared with Gods Luke 1.78 Through the tender Mercy of our God in the Greek it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Bowels of Mercy these Bowels make God sympathize with his Children in Misery he is touched in their wounds Psal. 103.13 As a Father pitieth his Children so the Lord pitieth them that fear him 2. In God are Bowels of Complacency How dearly did Iacob love Benjamin his life was bound up in him Gen. 44.30 All the Affections of Parents come from God they are but a drop of his Ocean a spark of his flame Gods love is a love that passeth Knowledge Ephes. 3.19 The Saints cannot Love their own Souls so intirely as God loves them In particular 1. God loves the persons of his Children they are the Apple of his Eye Zach. 2.8 He engraves them upon the Palms of his hands Isa. 49.16 It alludes to them who carry about them graven on the Stone of their Ring the Picture of some dear Friend whom they intirely affect 2. God loves the places his Children were born in the better for their sakes Psal. 87.2 God loves the Gates of Sion ver 5. This and that man was born in her i. e. This and that Believer God loves the very ground his Children go upon Why was Iudaea the Ancient seat of Israel called a delightsome Land Mal. 5.12 Not so much delightful for the fruit growing in it as for the Saints living in it 3. God so loves his Children that he chargeth the great ones of the World upon pain of death not to hurt them their persons are sacred Psalm 105.14 He reproved Kings for their sakes saying Touch not mine anointed By anointed are meant such as have the anointing of the Spirit 1 John 2.20 4. God delights in his Childrens company he loves to see their faces Cant. 2.24 Let me see thy Countenance If but two or three of Gods Children meet and pray together God will be sure to make one of the company Mat. 18.20 There am I in the midst of them 5. God so loves his Children that his Eye is never off them Psalm 33.18 The Eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him But is this such a priviledge to have Gods Eye upon his Children Gods Eye is upon the Wicked too Answ. It is one kind of Eye that the Judge casts upon the Malefactor and another that the Prince casts upon his Favourite Gods Eye upon the Wicked is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Eye of Revenge but his Eye upon his Children is an Eye of Benediction 6. God sets a continual guard about his Children to preserve them from danger He hides them in his Pavilion Psalm 27.5 He covers them with the Golden Feathers of his Protection Psalm 91.4 God preserved Athanasius strangely he put it into his Mind to depart out of the House he was in the night before the Enemies came to search for him No Prince goes so well guarded as Gods Child for he hath a guard of Angels about him The Angels are a numerous guard 2 Kin. 6.17 The Mountain was full of Horses and Chariots of fire those Horses and Chariots of fire were the Angels of God gathered together in the manner of an huge host to defend the Prophet Elisha 7. God puts his Children in rich apparel Psalm 45.13 Her cloathing is of wrought Gold Jacob loved his Son Joseph and gave him a finer Coat to wear than the rest of his brethren Gen. 37.3 He made him a Coat of divers Colours God loves his Children and gives them a finer Coat more curiously Woven a Coat of divers Colours it is partly made of Christs Righteousness and partly made of inherent Holiness 8. Such is Gods love that he thinks nothing too Good for his Children he enricheth them with the upper and nether Springs he gives them the Kidneys of the Wheat and Hony out of the Rock he makes them a feast of fat things Isa. 25.6 He gives them the body and blood of his Son and delights to see his Children spreading themselves as Olive plants round about his Table 3. Such as are Fearers of God he will receive their Petitions from them as a Father doth from his Son they may come boldly to the throne of Grace Heb. 4.16 If they come for pardon of sin strength against Temptation God will not deny them Three things may cause boldness in prayer the Saints have a Father to pray to
RELIGION OUR TRUE INTEREST OR PRACTICAL NOTES UPON The Third Chapter of MALACHY THE Sixteen Seventeen and Eighteen VERSES Seasonable for the Times By THOMAS WATSON sometimes Minister of Stephens Walbrook Lond. PROV 14.27 The Fear of the Lord is a Fountain of Life LONDON Printed by I. Astwood for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns at the lower end of Cheap-side near Mercers-Chappel 1682. TO THE READER Christian Reader BOOKS are the Children of the Brain In this Writing Age ferè ad nauseam I intended my Pen should have been silent but the variety and Weightiness of this Subject as also the desire of some Friends did prevail with me to Publish it The main design of this excellent Scripture is to encourage Solid Piety and confute the Atheists of the World who imagine there is no gain in Godliness It was the Speech of King Saul to his Servants 1 Sam. 22.7 Will the Son of Iesse give every one of you Fields and Vineyards Will the World or mens Lusts give them such noble Recompences of Reward as God bestows upon his Followers Surely it is Holiness carries away the Garland As for this Treatise it comes abroad in a plain dress Truth like a Diamond Shines brightest in its native Lustre Saint Paul came not to the Corinthians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with excellency of Speech or the Pride of Oratory His Study was not to Court but Convert It is an unhappiness that in these Luxuriant times Religion should for the most part run either into Notion or Ceremony The Spirits of Religion are evaporated When Knowledge is turned into Taste and digested into Practice then it is Saving That God would accompany these few impolite Lines with the Operation and Benediction of his holy Spirit and make them edifying is the Prayer of him who is Thine in all Christian Service Thomas Watson Dowgate Nov. 22. 1681. THE TABLE ALPHABETICAL A ABusers of Gods Iewels Punished pag. 181. Afflictions have their Consolations p. 227 Apostacy dangerous p. 8 Appearance of sin to be shunned p. 47 Arguments to hold fast Integrity in evil times p. 7 Assurance and the Fear of God consistent p. 21 B BEst need Sparing p. 202 Bodies of the Saints shall be perfect p. 192 C CArnal Fear evil p. 14 Christians instead of speaking one to another speak one of another p. 89 Comfort when God saith Ye are mine p. 171 Covenant Vnion with God to be endeavoured p. 172 D DAy of Iudgment how far to be feared by a Child of God p. 71 Day of making up Gods Iewels p. 190 Death how far to be feared by a Child of God p. 67 Different carriage of God towards his Children and the Wicked p. 134 E EVil Thoughts are Punishable in Gods Court p. 111 Excellency of the Fear of God p. 29 Eyes of Sinners at present shut p. 209 F FEar of God Described p. 15 Fear of God is by a Trope put for all Religion ibid. Fear of God makes us Fear Sin p. 45 Fearing God and keeping his Commandments Conjoyned p. 54 Fear of God how to be attained p. 80 Fear of missing Heaven p. 78 Folly of Idolaters p. 136 Friends may be forgetful but God will not p. 150 G GOD deals with his Saints as a Father with his Son p. 195 God deals well with his People when he Afflicts them p. 217 God takes notice of the Good in his Children p. 130 Gods hearkning to us should make us hearken to him p. 138 God hath a Book of Remembrance for his People p. 140 Gods owning of his People p. 161 Gods Sparing them p. 201 Good Conference to be used p. 82 Graces of the Saints shall be perfect p. 191 H HAsty Words shew the Devil to be in the Tongue p. 87 Hearts Deceit p. 62 Heart not to be hardened against God p. 156 Helps to good Discourse p. 100 Helps to holy Thoughts p. 127 Hell how far to be Feared by a Believer p. 73 Honour attends Holiness p. 174 I IDle Talk Censured p. 85 Incitements to holy Thoughts p. 114 Ingredients into the Fear of God p. 16 Integrity to be preserved Inviolable p. 3 Iovial Sinners reproved p. 25 M MAking up of Gods Iewels what it implys p. 185 Maintain honourable Thoughts of God in Affliction p. 231 Matter of our Holy Musings p. 113 Means to be good in evil times p. 9 Mercies of God to be Recorded 149 Murmuring a God-provoking Sin p. 87 N NAme of God what it signifies p. 103 O OAths weigh heavy in Gods Balance p. 89 Omnisciency of God to be admired p. 132 P PRiviledges of being in Covenant with God p. 165 R REasons enforcing the Fear of God p. 19 S SAints should be sparing in their Censures of others p. 205 Saints have Gods Ear. p. 134 Saints Purgatory is in this Life p. 144 Saints Gods Iewels p. 175 Saints should shine as Iewels p. 183 Satans Snares p. 59 Scoffers the vilest of Sinners p. 28 Secure Sinners Characterized p. 27 Serve God as a Son doth his Father p. 203 Signs of the Fear of God p. 45 Signs of such as shall goe to Hell p. 74 Silence in Religion a loud sin p. 85 Sinful compliance sordid p. 5 Sin worse than Affliction p. 46 Sin begins in the Thoughts p. 109 Sinners have not right thoughts of God p. 107 Sinners shall not be spared p. 203 Sins of the Wicked written down in Gods Book of Remembrance p. 146 Swasives to holy Conference p. 94 T THinking of God in a right manner p. 125 Thoughts of God may be Peccant p. 124 Thoughts and good Speeches of the Godly are Written down p. 140 Time of Discerning between the Righteous and the Wicked p. 210 V VAin Thoughts the froth of the Brain p. 108 Vain thoughts Pernitious p. 109 Vnion of the Saints at last p. 189 W WAnt of the Fear of God the cause of all sin p. 22 Wicked men Vile in Gods account p. 178 Wisdom to engage the Lord of Hosts on our side p. 158 Works of Mercy p. 57 ERRATA PAge 85. line 26. for no read not Pag. 155. marg 3 Vse dele 3. Pag. 188. l. 15 for discords r. discord PRACTICAL NOTES UPON MALACH III. Ver. 16 17 c. Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another and the Lord hearkned and heard it and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and that thought upon his Name And they shall be mine saith the Lord of Hosts in that day when I make up my Iewels and I will spare them as a man spareth his own Son that serveth him c. CHAP. 1. Shewing that Christians should hold fast their Integrity in times of defection THE Scripture of Truth is the Ground of Faith This Portion of Scripture which now presents it self to our view hath its Sacred Elegancies and is all glorious within It was composed by Malachy whose name imports Messenger he came upon an
is full of fallacies he who Fears God fears his Heart lest it should rob him of the blessing That saying of Epicharmus is Good 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Remember not to trust 3. The Fear of God will make a man Fear death Death may challenge a part in our Fear 1. Because it is such a serious thing it is the in-let to eternity and puts us into an unalterable estate 2. Because of it's Proximity it is nearer to us than we are aware it may be within a few hours march of us God may this night seal a Lease of Ejectment and say Give an account of your stewardship and what if death should come before we are ready 3. Because after death there is nothing to be done for our Souls there is no repenting in the Grave Eccles. 9.10 There is no work nor device in the Grave whither thou goest So that death is to be feared with an holy and Religious Fear How far may a child of God Fear death 1. So far as the Fear of Death is a Curben-bit to keep him from Sin A believer may lawfully make use of all means to deter him from sin No stronger antidote against sin saith Austin than the Fear of Death Am I sinning and to morrow may be dying 2. A Child of God may so far Fear death as it makes him dye to the World The Fear of death would sound a retreat and call us off from Vanity What is the world we must leave it shortly and all we can purchase is a burying-place 3. A Child of God may so far Fear death as this Fear fits him more for death Jacob feared his brother Esau's coming against him and he prepared to meet him he addressed himself to Prayer Gen. 32.7 24. So when we Fear deaths coming and we prepare to meet it we set our Soul in order This is a Good Fear of death But this Fear of death in the Godly must be mixed with hope The nature of death to a Believer is quite changed death is in it self a curse but God hath turned this Curse into a Blessing To a Child of God death is not a destruction but a deliverance When the Mantle of his flesh drops off he ascends in a fiery chariot to Heaven 4. The Fear of God will make a man fear Iudgment Anselm spent most of his thoughts upon the day of Judgement and Hierom thought he alwaies heard that Voice sounding in his ears Surgite mortui Arise ye dead and come to Judgment That there shall be such a day is evident 1. From Gods Veracity He who is the Oracle of truth hath asserted it Psalm 96.13 For he cometh for he cometh to Judge the earth There is a duplication 1. To shew the Certainty he cometh he cometh it is an indubitable Maxim 2. To shew the Celerity he cometh he cometh the time draws near it is almost day-break and the Judge is ready to take the bench Jam. 5.9 Gods decree cannot be reversed 2. There shall be such a day for the Vindication of Gods Justice Things seem to be carried in the World Partially the Godly suffer the Wicked Prosper Atheists are ready to think God hath cast off the Government of the World and minds not how things are transacted here below therefore there must be a judicial Process that God may undeceive the World and set things right 3. That there shall be such a day is evident by the Principles ingrafted in a natural conscience When Paul reasoned of Judgment to come Felix trembled Acts 24.25 The Prisoner at bar made the Judge tremble That a Wicked man dying is so surprized with terrors whence is this but from a secret apprehension of Judgment ensuing It will be a great Assizes never was the like seen 2 Cor. 5.10 We must all appear before the Iudgment Seat There is no flying no absconding no bribing no appearing by a Proxy but all must make their Personal appearance They who were above Trial here and the Law could not reach them must appear before the Tribunal of Heaven Who shall be Judge Jesus Christ Iohn 5.22 Acts 17.31 He hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world by that man whom he hath ordained In that Christ is called a Man hence the Socinians blasphemously deny the essential Deity of Christ. That he is God is most clearly evinced from Isaiah 9.6 Ioh. 1.1 1 Cor. 8.6 1 Ioh. 5.20 We are in him that is True even in his Son Iesus Christ this is the true God Christ is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Consubstantiate with God the Father Heb. 1.3 But Christ the Judge is called Man because he shall Judge the world in a Visible Shape He must be both God and Man he must be God that he may see mens Hearts and he must be man that he himself may be seen What a solemn day will this be when Christ shall sit upon the Bench of Judicature he will judge righteously Psalm 9.8 Though he himself was wronged he will do no wrong And he will judge Critically Mat. 3.12 Whose fan is in his hand and he will throughly purge his floor He will see what is Wheat what is Chaff who have his Image upon him and who the mark of the beast Sure the Fear of God will cause an holy trembling at the thoughts of this day In what sence should those that Fear God Fear the day of Judgment Not with a Fear of amazement or despondency for the day of Judgment will be a Iubile a blessed comfortable day to them The Thrush sings at the approach of Rain so may Believers at the approach of Judgment Christ who is their Iudge is their Advocate But 1. The Godly should so fear Judgement as every day to renew their Sorrow for Sin They have sins quotidiani incursus that creep upon them daily and they must with Peter weep bitterly they must steep their Souls in the brinish Tears of Repentance It would be sad to be found at the last day in any sin unrepented of 2. The Godly should so Fear the day of Judgment as it makes them afraid of Sins of Omission The not dressing a wound brings death the not discharging duty may bring dâ—mnation You may read the solemn Process at the last day Mat. 25.42 I was an hungred and ye gave me no meat naked and ye cloathed me not sick and in Prison and ye Visited me not The charge here brought in is for sins of Omission Christ doth not say Ye took away my meat from me but Ye gave me no meat He saith not Ye put me in prison but Ye visited me not The sins of Omission condemned them Not praying in the family not sanctfying the Sabbath not giving Almes will be the fatal Inditement 3. The Godly should so far Fear the day of Judgment as it makes them afraid of dissembling in Religion For at that day false hearts will be unmasked Why did Paul walk
and down in the World and which is worst these Jewels lye among rubbish they dwell among the Wicked Psalm 120.5 Wo is me that I dwell in the Tents of Kedar Kedar was Ishmaels Son Woe is me saith David that I live with an Ishmael-brood The Wicked are still molesting the Righteous Gods Jewels lye scattered among the unclean but here is the Comfort that shortly God will gather his People from among the Wicked he will make up his Jewels and all the Pearls and precious stones shall be by themselves in Bliss 2. It is Comfort in case of Dividing Gods People here are divided their love is so little it may almost lye upon a knives point they oft look strange one upon another these divisions are unseemly and are flaws in Gods Diamonds Discords among Christians brings a reproach upon Religion advanceth Satans Kingdom hinders the growth of Grace Divisions are fatal and do presage Gods Judgments coming upon us Impius haec tam cult a novalia miles habebit Barbarus has segetes Enquò discordiacives Perduxit miseros But this is Comfort God will shortly make up his Jewels he will so gather his Saints together that he will unite them together they shall be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all of one Heart Act 2.46 What an happy time will it be when the Saints shall be as so many Pearls upon one string and shall accord together in a blessed Unity 2. Gods making up his Jewels implies his perfecting his Saints Then a thing is said to be made up when it is perfected you make up a Garment when you perfect it you make up a Watch when you put all the Wheels and Pins in perfect order so Gods making up his Jewels signifies his perfecting them The Godly in this Life are imperfect they cast but a faint lustre of Holiness they receive but the first-fruits of the Spirit Rom. 8.23 that is a small measure of Grace the first-fruits under the Law were but an handful to the whole Vintage This may humble us to consider if we are Jewels yet imperfect our knowledge is checker'd with Ignorance 1 Cor. 13.5 Our love to God is feeble Behold here Clouds in the Diamond This may take down our Top-sail of Pride to consider how incompleat we are but when God shall make up his Jewels and perfect his Saints it will be a glorious time and this brings me to the second Question What is that day when God will make up his Jewels 1. God makes up his Jewels at the day of Death then he makes the Saints Graces perfect 2. He makes up His Jewels at the day of the Resurrection then he makes the Saints Bodyes perfect 1. God makes up His Jewels at the day of death then he makes the Saints Graces perfect Hence it is the Saints departed are called the Spirits of just men made perfect Heb. 12.23 Sin doth mix and incorporate with a Christian he cannot write a Copy of Holiness without blotting Grace though it doth abate yet not abolish Corruption but at Death God makes up His Jewels he perfects the Graces of his People Will not that be a blessed Time never to have a Vain thought more never to be within the sight of a temptation or the fear of a Relapse This me thinks may make death desirable to the Godly then the Lord will make up his Jewels he will compleat the Graces of his Children they shall be as holy as they desire to be and as God would have them to be How will Gods Diamonds sparkle when they shall be without flawes In that day of death when God makes up His Jewels the Saints 1. Light will be clear 2. Love will be perfect 1. Their Light will be clear They shall be so divinely irradiated that they shall know the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the deep things of God They shall in this sence be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Angels Mat. 22.30 Their Intellectuals shall be raised higher and made more capacious than in Innocency Through the Chrystal Glass of Christs Humane Nature the Saints shall have Glorious transparent sights of God they shall know as they are known 1 Cor. 13.12 A riddle too mysterious for us Mortals if not for Angels to expound 2. In that day the Saints Love will be perfect Love is the Queen of the Graces it out-lives all the other Graces In this life our love to God is luke-warm and sometimes Frozen a Believer weeps that he can love God no more but at the day of death when God makes up his Jewels then the Saints love shall be Seraphical the spark of Love shall be blown up into into a pure flame the Saints shall love God secundum actum as the Schoolmen speak as much as they are able they shall love him superlatively and indeficiently they shall be made up of love O blessed day of death when God shall make up his Jewels the Saints Graces shall shine forth in their Meridian Splendour 2. God makes up his Jewels at the day of the Resurrection then he makes the Saints bodyes perfect these like sparkling Diamonds shall shine in Glory At the Resurrection God is said to change the bodies of the Saints Phil. 3.21 How will he change them not that they shall be other bodies than they were before the substance of their bodies shall not be changed but the qualities as wooll when it is died into a Purple colour is not altered in the substance but quality and is made more illustrious so God in making up his Jewels will cause a greater resplendency in the Saints bodies than before When God makes up the Jewels of the Saints Bodies at the Resurrection they shall be perfect four wayes 1. In Amability or sweetness of Beauty Here the Bodies of the Righteous are oft deformed Leah hath her blear Eyes and Barzillai his lameness but at the Resurrection the bodies of the Saints shall be of unspotted fairness and no wonder for they shall be made like Christs Glorious body Phil. 3.21 2. When God at the Resurrection makes up the Jewels of the Saints bodies they shall have Perfection of parts Their bodies in this World may be maimed and dismembred but in the day of the Resurrection they shall have all the parts of their bodies restored Acts 3.21 Such as have lost an Eye shall have their Eye again such as want a Leg or an Arm shall have their Arm again 3. When God makes up the Jewels of the Saints bodies at the Resurrection they shall be Velocious and quick in their Motion Here the Bodies of the Saints move heavily but then they shall be sprightly and move swiftly from one place to another Here the body is a Weight in Heaven it shall be a Wing 4. When God makes up the Jewels of the Saints bodies they shall be Immortal the Body once Glorified shall never be Subject to death 1 Cor. 15.53 This corruptible shall put on Incorruption Heaven is an healthful Climate no Passing-Bell