revealed in the day of the manifestation of the Sons of God when all they that follow holinss shall see God not only by the light of Faith as now but in the light of glory shall see him apprehensively as he is though not comprehensively or adequately so see him as to be like him to be satisfied in him and blessed with him and in the Communion of the Lord Jesus and his holy Angels and Saints and then also obtain an eternall freedom from the remains of sin and suffering And this consideration may also lead them on the other side to compare the pleasures of sin that are but for a season with the everlasting sad wages of it which is death and that in the loss of God blessed for ever seperation from the Communion with Father Son and Holy Ghost and not only in the loss of God which is unspeakable but also in those just and holy punishments from the hand of God which it is righteous with him to recompence to them that are workers of Iniquity and who by despising the glory of Grace now because of some inconveniencies it is cloathed with though they are so only to depraved minds and such whose hearts are set upon the world and the lusts of it do judge themselves unworthy to find Grace in Glory hereafter which considerations sanctified may promote very far their turning to God and that they may have this saving efficacy on such Souls shall be my prayer to God for them into whose hands they may come But further which shall draw this Epistle to a close I am well satisfied if they find not that acceptance here they may deserve yet the revival of these Sermons in Print to the eye and memory of them that were Ear-witnesses of them from his own mouth will be an acceptable service to them who have known from the beginning his manner of life which was blameless grave and exemplary and in speciall his ministry to the finishing of his course wherein he was a burning and a shining light among whom though being dead he yet speaketh and his name is a precious ointment and his praise amongst all the Churches in that wilderness as being a man of singular learning profound judgement a master in that Israel a Scribe indeed instructed for the Kingdom of God of whom it may be said as once was of another that He was one not only that had a treasure but was himself a treasure to the Church of God while he lived How himself lived in the power of the truth he preched may be seen by the annexed letter to this treatise which was penned upon occasion of a dear friend of his begging his assistance about his Soul concerns which every Reader sensible of spiritual things will judge answered with an excellent spirit the spirit of God and drawn out of his own experiences and this when but newly entring upon his minstry as he lived holy so he dyed in peace and admiring Gods Grace his last dying words almost being these Lord thou callest me away to thee I know not why if I look to my self but at thy bidding I come although hee needs not this recommendation having received his reward and so is above it yet we that survive need it whose business it is to follow the faith and holiness of such especially when we behold the end of their conversation and not only so but it is in order to the publishing of other things of his if this find acceptance which that it may and a good success is the Prayer of Reader Thy Servant in the Gospel JOHN COLLINS June 29 1667. Of the Perfection of Glorification hereafter in Heaven SERMON I. 1 Pet. 5.10 But the God of all grace who hath called us into his eternal glory by Christ Jesus after that ye have suffered a while make you perfect stablish strengthen settle you FRom this Verse to the end of the Chapter is the conclusion of this Epistle written by the Apostle to the suffering Saints of those times that were and were yet like to be under great sufferings and tryals Chap. 1.6 and 4.13 17. and 5.9 In this 10 th Verse we have the Apostles farewel wish or prayer for those suffering Saints he writes unto Men especially good men in their farewel words and wishes defire to speak much in a little room But the God or now the God of all Grace c. Dutch Version and so the English in other like conclusive prayers renders the same Greek particle now Heb. 13.20 Rom. 16.25 Jude 24. Here 1. The things he desires and prays for sor they are great and weighty make you perfect stablish strengthen settle you 2. He takes hold of and prayes to God under such titles and considerations as are sweet grounds of faith for that he prayes for and most comfortable and suitable for suffering Christians to feed upon viz. 1. From his rich and all-sufficient grace The God of all grace 2. From the great effâ—ct and fruit of that grace viz. his calling the faithful unto glory by Christ Jesus or the glory he hath called them to which is the only thing we shall at present take up to insist upon from these words this Glory is here set forth and described 1. From the peculiar property and duration of it viz. Eternity it is eternal or everlasting Glory No such thing no honour or splendor or welfare that is eternal is to be found in this World 2. From the nature of it His Glory that heavenly Glory which he liveth in and communicateth the similitude and likenâ—ss of it in measure unto his Joh. 17.22 That thâ—t is laid up with him in Heaven and stands in the enjoyment of him so as he is both the singular Author and as I may say the matter of it 3. The Causes of it The Principal God included in that His Glory and also in the first Clause of the Verse The grace of God in and by Christ Jesus Christ the Mediator Subordinate viz. the work or Grace of effectual calling 4. The subject of it viz. those that are called i. e. effectually called Whether us or as some Copies read it you Beza that makes no difference as to the sense He speaks of those that are or are reputed to be effectually called those are they that shall be brought to this Glory Vocation is the way to Glorification that is the strait Gate that leadeth into life eternal 5. The order wherein we are brought unto it or the antecedent of the actual possession of it viz. after we have suffered a while for if we read it us in the first Clause then so the words must properly run Now the God of all Grace who hath called us after we haue suffered a while unto his eternal Glory by Christ Jesus I see no reason why the person should be changed from us to ye nor is after suffered a while to be referred to the following but the foregoing Clause The way to Heaven lies
promise presently make over to you both Grace here and Glory hereafter Everlasting Life and Blessedness Isa 55.3 Heb. 5.9 Oh hearken to this word of the Lord this voice of the High-calling of God in Christ Jesus you that have hitherto been stooping down to the dust minding nothing but Earth and Vanity yea running down hill in the way of sin toward the lowest Hell Incline your Ear and hearken to a motion and offer of Eternal Glory in Heaven open your eyes and see the Lord Jesus standing withall Grace and Glory in his hands and inviting to him to let out of your hands i. e. out of your hearts the trifles of the World and take Eternal Glory in and with a Saviour Behold Heaven is opened to you the door stands open before you if once at last you will be perswaded to enter in And you that have believed already sit not by as if this Exhortation did not concern you but oh believe again imbrace Christ again come to him afresh with fresh and new sweetness with more clearness and establishment in believing so you should do at every time he calls you and sets his Glory before you Joh. 2.11 and so at this time this day Renew your Conjugal Imbraces of Christ Jesus and so your lively hope of this Glory Christ delights to be often asking for our hearts and setting himself before us as the attractive object of them and we should delight to be often giving our hearts to him and clasping about him as the only Glorious Lovely hope and rest and portion of our Souls Now for the pursuing of this Exhortation or pressing the Call of the Gospel by this Argument of Eternal Glory to be had and which we are Called to by Christ Jesus Let us a little improve the point and Text before us 1. By way of motive or quickning and perswasive considerations to draw our hearts to Christ Jesus 2. By way of direction and help to guide us in our believing on him 3. By way of Answer to some Objections that tend to beat us from Believing For the first though it is God only can draw and perswade yet he does it by his word and therefore we must apply our selves to speak and hear to listen to such quickning drawing Considerations as the word of the Gospel does suggest and in that way the spirit breaths 1. If the Lord Call thee to Eternal Glory or to come and receive Everlasting Blessedness through Christ then what does he Call thee from or out of Why from a state of Eternal wo and misery which is that that we are naturally in and that belongs to us as sinners and as in our selves considered 1 Pet. 2.9 Colos 1.13 Joh. 5 24. The word of Christ therefore calls thee from Death to Life Oh consider what damnation is about thee yea upon thee considered in thy self and in thy Natural Estate whereby thou lyest under all sin and under all Wrath Temporal Spiritual and Eternal Rom. 6.23 That work thou hast done and that wages Death Eternal Death belongs and is due to thee thou art sinking under the burden of the Curse lying under it as without Christ Gal. 3.10 and it is all upon thee Joh. 3.36 ready every moment to drop into Hell lyable to everlasting seperation from God to hear that doom Mat. 25.41 Seperation from God thou hast the beginning on 't already in the result of the guilt and power of sin in that dead dark and Godless heart of thine and thy estrangement from God thereby and this strongly tends to perfect separation from God and that is Hell as è contra c. Why this should make this word of Salvation this offer of Eternal Life and Call to come to Christ for it wonderful sweet and acceptable Bread in Famine Deliverance in Emminent dangers Life to him that is going down to the pit how precious is it Job 33.22 24. It is to one that is going down to the pit that the Lord speaks this Calling word should not that go to thy heart As thou art going down to Hell the Lord calls thee up to Heaven When that doom is pronounced in Mat. 25.41 and those multitudes going away to Hell suppose thy self among them and that one should then come with a message from God to call thâ—e back again and to invite thee to go up with Christ in Heavenly Glory what a ravishing thing would that be Why then there will be no place for recovery or hope But now such a like thing is really done to thee thou art going down to the Pit among the Uncircumcised posting on in the way to the lowest Hell under the Curse c. And yet behold now the Lord Calls to thee to turn about and accept of a Saviour and of Eternal Life and Salvation in him Thou poor perishing Sinner if thou hast any mind to Salvation it 's offered thee freely in Christ Act. 16.31 Is not this worthy of all acceptation 2. Remember what Glory it is that you are called up unto or that is to be had by Christ Jesus Here reflect upon all the promises all that hath been spoken of the Excellency of Heavenly Glory which is indeed above what Tongue can speak or Heart conceive Blessedness perfect and Everlasting Blessedness freedom from all evil from the worst of Evils sin all sin that deadly and bitter evil that kills thee all the day long the vision and fruition of God that Ocean of goodness compared with which the whole World is but a drop Should the Lord offer you heaps of Gold and Silver and bid you take them freely what flocking would there be and what hearkning would there be to such a proposition should he tell you of Crowns and Kingdoms and make Proposals about them Should a match be offered to thee that should bring with it Riches and Honours and Treasures in abundance how would thy heart spring and leap within thee at the thoughts of it and you would not need much perswading We offer you this I mean the good and Comfort that is in these things and more ten thousand times more as Mic. 2.11 If poor Ministers had Gold and Silver to tell you of they should be hearkned to Why but we have that that is better as much better as the Heaven is higher than the Earth and this we lay before you in the name of our God The Earth and the Glory of it is too low a business to send his Son Jesus to purchase for you and to bless you with or the Gospel to tell you of But Heaven Heaven if you have any mind to that Eternal Glory that is to be had by Christ Jesus and that the High-Calling of God in Christ calls you to Come will you leave the Earth and go up to Heaven will you throw the World at your feet as dung and dust and go up thither into the bosom of God to have the Love of the Father the Grace of the Son the
For it all comes from that fountain of Gods Grace Ephes 2.8 though purchased by Christ yet to us Christ himself and all is the Gift of Grace Eternal Glory and all that belongs to it is from the God of all Grace Text. If God do in Heaven reward any little service we do him here it is a reward of Grace and not of Debt Reason 2. From Christ It is by the means of Christ Jesus that we are brought to this Eternal Glory Text. So Thes 5.9 As the Grace of God is the fountain original and wel-spring of it Luk. 12.32 so Christ Jesus the Mediator is the great way and means whereby it is accomplished for us and conveyed communicated to us Christ brings us to Eternal Glory 1. By his purchase of it by his Death or passive Obedience he purchased our deliverance from Eternal Death and Wrath And Righteousness or active obedience he purchased and procured for us everlasting Life and Happiness Hence Rom. 5 21. It is through and by means of the Righteousness of Christ his obedience whereby being imputed to us we are made righteous in Justification v. 19 18. that Grace powerfully accomplisheth our Eternal Life For Grace will so contrive and carry on the matter as that Justice may be answered and attended that it may be a Just and Righteous thing with God to give us life and so it is by means of the Righteousness of Christ Had it not been for which the sentence of death must everlastingly have reigned over us Sinners 2. By his possession of it for us as our Head and Agent Heb. 6.20 Joh. 14.2 By the Ascension of Christ way is made for us into Heaven The first Adam could have brought us but into an Earthly Paradice but the second Adam being Lord from Heaven 1 Cor. 15.47 48. and ascending thither after he had wrought the work of our Redemption on Earth Heb. 1.3 Hence the Head draws up the Body after it and to it Joâ— 17.14 Hence Believers also shall ascend thither and have an Inheritance there in the third Heaven and in all the Glory of it 3. By preparing and ripning us for it by the work of his Spirit that whole work of Grace that is begun and carried on in this World to fit us for Glory conducting us through this World as he did Israel of old through the Wilderness to bring them to Canaan Isa 63.9 14. so 2 Cor. 5.5 Ephes 4.30 Rom. 9.23 4. By coming again to receive us to Joh. 14.3 the great end of his second coming is the actual full and final accomplishment of the Salvation of his people or putting them into full possession and fruition of it so to remain forever which is the end and upshot of all his work Heb. 9.28 2 Tim. 4.8 He will come again into this lower World even here to put Glory upon his people in the sight of all Colos 3.4 Rom. 8.18 19. and then to carry them up to Heaven where he now is Joh. 14.3 and 17.24 Reason 3. From the work of Vocation the tendency and scope whereof is to bring us to this Eternal Glory Text. In Vocation the Lord calleth us out of a state of nature of sin and death into a state of â—ternal Salvation and layes that foundation of Grace the superstructure whereof issues in Heavenly Glory The Lord in the word of the Gospel calleth us to possess and receive Eternal Life or Glory in and with Christ 2 Thes 2.14 and makes it over to them that obey that call or that effectually believe 1 Joh. 5.11 And he calls us to look at Eternal Glory in pâ—rfect Communion with God as the end of our Race or Journey and to travel towards it toward that mark of Heavenly Glory which is the prize that we are called to run for Philip. 3.14 1 Cor. 9.24 25. The Lord calleth us out of this World to be men of another World to take up our Lot and Portion in Heaven and to seek and wait for it being as strangers here as Abraham was called to leave his Country and Kindred to wait upon a promise of the Heavenly Canaan a figure of the Earthly Heb. 11.8 9 10 13 16. It is a Christians Calling the business he is called to attend upon to get to Heaven to seek for Glory Honour and Immortality to come The Grace begun in Vocation hath an inseperable connexion which tendeth to and issueth in groweth up to the perfection of Eternal Glory Glory is but the Harvest of that seed that is sown in Effectual Calling It is the perfect man which is an Infant in Vocation If the seed be sown the Child born as it is in Vocation or Conversion Regeneration then the harvest must needs follow Calling is the first patent link of the Chain for Predestination is latent in the Counsel of God the first openwork of Grace upon an Elect person and Glorification is the last but the connexion between them is inseperable Rom. 8.30 And also Vocation is the strait gate that leads to Life Eternal through which all must pass that get to Glory and by which they are prepared for it Rom. 9.23 24. Hence none but such and all such all the Effectually Called shall infallibly be brought to Eternal Glory If God have begun the work of Grace in Calling he will finish it in Heavenly Glory Phil. 1.6 Reas 4. From the Sufferings and Troubles of the Saints here 1 Pet. 5.10 The Saints having suffered with Christ here they must reign with him hereafter Rom. 8.17 2 Tim. 2.12 Having been troubled in this World they must go to rest in that to come 1 Thes 5.7 The best services and sufferings of the Saints do not deserve or merit any such thing as Heavens Glory But the Lord is pleased according to his free promise and abundant Grace Richly to reward such poor things above their worth The Lord rewards his poor Subjects not in any way of exact Justice as poor men that will give the Labourer but his hire But like Generous and Bounteous Princes that will give a Pound for that that scarce deserves a Penny Yea far more largely then so our Services and Sufferings bear no proportion with Heaven But God will Bounteously give it and call it the Recompense of Reward Heb. 11.26 i. e. a Reward of Grace not of Debt or Merit But such is the Lords promise and Grace that he hath laid up a rich Reward for his suffering Saints and they shall not lose it nor miss it They that have their Suffering Labouring Fighting time here they shall have their Rejoycing Resting Triumphing time hereafter 2 Cor. 4.17 The Lord will not be behind hand with any of his people nor yet deal scantly with them for a moments suffering and service on Earth they shall have Eternal Glory in Heaven Vse 3. Of awakning and Terrour to all Impenitent and Unbelieving sinners from the consideration of their loss or of what they continuing in that estate must and will
in to quicken us to make sure of Heaven May we not get this meat out of the eater this good out of all the evils and troubles that are in the World Is it now a time to walk at peradventures with God to live at uncertainties to hang between Heaven and Earth to be to seek of a resting place when trouble fills the whole Earth When the Lords anger is burning up and down the World and his fury poured out like fire every where and the Rocks thrown down by him Had we not need make sure of his love and be able to say the Lord is good and my strong hold c. Nah. 1.14 15 16. When Hypocrites cannot stand as they cannot before God appearing in his dreadful and devouring wrath hâ—d we not need make sure of sincerity of Gâ—ace Isa 33.14 15 16. You may bear up your head for a time and go up and down carelesâ— but sooner or later one way or other there will come such a devouring fire such an appearence of wrath such dreadful Judgments as no false heart now slight chaffy professor shall be able to stand before Mat. 3.12 He had need have Gold tryed in the fâ—ee Grace that is of Golden solidity and purity Dross and chaffe will not biâ—e the fire that unkindled in the day of Gods Judgments when he takes his Fan into his hand to sever purge out and burn up the Chaffe the hypocrites and sinners in Sion that is mixed with the wheat and found on the floor of the visible Church When Jerusalem's sins are ripe for Judgment and God hath waited his time upon obstinate sinners and despisers of the Gospel as he did on the Jews in and after Christ's time then a threshing and winnowing fanning and to the chaffe a burning time comes Then indeed the Lord will lose never a grain of sound wheat it had need be sound and solid wheat that can bear the tossings of the Fan and the blasts of the wind and not be heaved and driven quite away But chaffy hypocrites and sinners will not be able to stand or abide such a time Amos 9.9 or I will fanne the house of Israel as Corn is fanned tossed in a fanne 10. Oh we had need be sure to be good and sound wheat at such a time be setled strengthned stablished in Grace well built and founded as Peter prayes for them here in Text. To a time of great afflictions Sufferings and Troubles 1 Pet. 5 9 10. in a time when Judgment was begun at the house of God 1 Pet. 4.17 and of fiery tryals v. 12. Oh at such a time it is a suitable and a precious thing to have a lively Inheritance as he begins the Epistle 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5 6. When the Earth looks uncomfortably when the face of things in this lower world hath terrour trouble and blackness in it and was it ever blacker than at this day It is then seasonable to be looking up stedfastly into Heaven and to get a clear sight of the Glory there and of our Interest in it Act. 7.54 55 56. Oh we might make a gaine of all the troubles of the times did we turn them this way to lift up our eyes to Heaven and to awaken our Souls to make sure of a portion there 4. It is a shrewd sign of one that is not like to get to Heaven to be careless of making sure of it For whence is this carelesseness but from taking up with and resting in other portions things of this World and see Jam. 4.4 1 Joh. 2.15 they that take up their portion in the Earth are not like to see Heaven to be sure in that way they never shall from slighting despising and dis-esteeming Heaven for what a man highly prizes and makes his portion his chief good he will be solicitous and studious to make sure of To be careless herein is as much as to say that we make no great matter whether we have or lose it get or miss it It shews one to be a negligent seeker of Heaven and Eternal life for if he were in good earnest he would pursue the matter till he made sure work on 't till the matter were brought to some issue he would seek till he find But it is only the diligent seeker that shall obtain and no other Heb. 11.6 Prov. 8.17 and 13.4 Qui frigide rogat docet nâ—gare The Lord will not pin Heaven upon our sleeves He will make us seek after it in good earnest if ever we have it Rom. 2.7 Luk. 13.24 there may be fits and pangs of carelesseness but God will recover and awaken if he intend mercy They that seek and run to purpose cannot endure to be at uncertainties 1 Cor. 8.26 27 28. uncertainly vid. Dutch Anotat Paul cannot end enduâ—e to run at such a rate that he may be as like to lose as win v. 24. 5. It is sure we were once in the way to Hell we had need to look to it to make sure that we are got into the way to Heaven We lie by nature children of wrath were set down into the World in Hell-path and it may be did for a long time palpably and evidently go on therein even in the broad way that leads to destruction and had we not need be sure and clear that we are got out of that way and state into the way and state of Eternal Life He whose life was never in danger will not be so solicitous But take a Malefactor that was condemned to die if there be any hopes overtures of pardon how careful will he be to have it sure and under all the confirmation that may be We are by nature under a real title to Hell guilty of sin whose wagâ—s is death and by the Curse and Sentence condemned to die and under the power and dominion of sin that was â—â—â—rying us to Hell and would inevitably do it if left to our selves Had we not need look that we have got a real title to Heaven that theâ—e be a reallity in our claime to that An empty broken hope a shaddow an â—hâ—â—oâ—â—â—ncy is not enough to set against a â—â—â—liâ—ys The Câ—rsâ— is real and sin real and our being heirs of Hell real Oh is our pardon real our fellowship with Christ real our title to Heaven real our Regeneration real and certain Joh. 3.3.5 6. It is certain we were flesh are we become spirit new Creatures made spiritual and holy we were born naturally to an Inheritance in Hell are we indeed born again supernaturally to see the kingdom of Heaven 6. Consider that great danger of being deceived here it 's a matter of highest moment to be deceived about everlasting life is a dreadful thing and yet we are wondrous prone and apt to be deceived Mat. 7.13 14. Christ tells the Pharisees that they could not not escape the damnation of Hell Mat. 23.33 and yet they themselves thought that they could not but be heirs of Heaven and that whoever
A DISCOURSE OF THE GLORY To which God hath called BELIEVERS By JESUS CHRIST Delivered in some Sermons out of the 1 Pet. 5 Chap. 10 Ver. Together with an annexed Letter Both by that Eminent and Worthy Minister of the Gospel Mr. JONATHAN MITCHIL late Pastor to the Church at CAMBRIDGE in NEW-ENGLAND Rom. 8.30 Whom he called them he also Justified and whom he Justified them he also Glorified 1 John 3. ver 3. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself as he is pure LONDON Printed for Nathaniel Ponder at the Peacock in the Poultry Anno Dom. 1677. TO THE READER THe ensuing Treatise being transmitted to me by a friend from New-England with a desire of its Publication I did in order thereunto seriously peruse it and finding as far as I am able to judge an excellent discourse spiritually and powerfully managed and improved and thereby most likely to redound to the edification of every Reader all Divine Truth having an influence and efficacy into Conversion and Sanctificaton when God shall command a blessing by it upon the Soul but above all more peculiarly suited to the support and consolation of the Saints in this their wayfaring and afflictive pilgrimage I have been thereby induced to recommend it to such into whose hands it shall come being fully persuaded that its own worth will speak for it self with such a conviction upon the minds of all whose senses are exercised in and about things of another world and who have any experience of Christ in them the hope of Glory as that they will neither think their time or pains mispended in its Perusal The subject matter of these Sermons for so they were as being delivered to a popular Auditory in the course of the Authors Ministry doth relate to that Glory to come unto which God hath called his chosen after their sufferings here during their absence from the Lord. To add any thing about it beyond what the Reader will find in the Book it self as it is above my ability so if it were not I should account it beneath that modesty which I desire to observe in all things All I shall therefore say is this that whatever is usually spoken of this Glory either as it is objective or formal the Reader will find much discoursed about both to his satisfaction if he come unto the perusal of it with a pious humble heart and withal desiring to be edified by Spiritual Soul-searching Doctrine But if any shall expect those curious speculations which may be met with in the discourses of the School-men upon this subject some of which are perhaps temerarious to be sure at best un-intelligible to vulgar capacities they will be disappointted For our Authors design being rather to profit others then to beget an opinion of his own abilities though they were very great he hath avoided all such matter and manner of handling of it other then what he had learned from the Scriptures and chose to insist mainly on that which may be helpful to form up the Soul to a meetness for that Inheritance amongst the Saints in light than meerly to object to mind the high Idaea's of that future state when perhaps the heart may be wholly a stranger to the very first fruits of that Communion with God in Jesus Christ by Faith and Holiness out of which as from its root doth spring the hope of this Glory to come Yet also is there enough said considering it was deliver'd in an Auditory of plain humble growing Christians to mix pleasure with advantage As that which besides sound Doctrine and incorruptness in speech hath also the ornament of variety of truths handed out in a copiousness of expression and confirmed illustrated and urged from most pertinent Texts of Scripture and strongly fastned as nails and goads by a workman that needed not be ashamed in his service to the Church under the great Master of the Assemblies To be sure the called ones to the hope of this Glory will find that full account given of what is their own Inheritance in that future state as may be very conducing to sweeten to them the sorrows temptations and afflictions of the present and to mantain themselves under a fixed expectation of Gods promise of Eternal Life made to them in Christ before the World began without which we can neither live holily nor die comfortably Death is only sweetned to us as we can look upon it our priviledge is an out-let from sin and misery and an in-let to Glory both in Holiness and Happiness And then indeed do We begin to live when by believing We have everlasting life John 3. ult And when the tasts of it now and the hopes of its consummation hereafter are improved in our Christian course as a means motive to take heed to walk worthy of it by mortifying our sins and purifying our selves even as he is pure 1 John 3.3 and to strengthen our selves thereby to a patient enduring the troubles of this present time especially those sufferings which are for Righteousness sake which in the Apostles Arithmetick are reckoned not Worthy to be compared with the Glory that shall be revealed And withall to engage us to be stedfast and immovable always abounding in yea faithfully finishing of the Work God hath given us to do as knowing that our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. Which ends and purposes as the Glory to come in the Contemplation of it is of Wonderful Vse to effect and perfect them So the management of this by the Author as it is singularly adapted to an acquaintance with the Nature Properties Adjuncts Enjoyments and Consolations of that state So also it is powerfully improved to the moving the heart and affections to endeavouring a making it sure to our selves partly by ministring close matter of search that We be not deceived in our hopes partly by instruction how to live up to them so as to give all diligence to be found of Christ without spot and blameless So that together with a full information of the Truth it self there is carried in with it what may make it if the holy one teach us to profit most effectuall to receive it in the love and power of it which is and ought to be the great design of delivering over to others any thing of moment especially divine truths And further I cannot but hope that God may sanctifie it to some sinners who have as yet no interest in Grace and so no right to Glory whilst they continue such if they shall to the reading of them subjoin prayer to God that he would by his spirit ingraft them into their minds to the saving of the Soul For while on the one side they view how great the future portion of Gods now poor despised ones is and will be it will naturally lead them to compare the present difficulties of Religion and the ways of holiness in this World with the exceeding great glory that shall be
through sufferings Act. 14.12 But it is but suffering a while compared with eternity or suffering a little as the Word may be rendred compared with the weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4.17 Doct. Eternal Glory in the World to come is that which the faithful the effectually called shall be brought unto or obtain by Christ Jesus or by the Grace of God through Christ Jesus after that they have suffered a while in this world This Eternal Glory is the prize of the High-calling oâ— God Phil. 3.14 i. e. the Prize the Crown the Glory which they are called to run for and to obtain possession of at the end of the race The perfection of everlasting Glory is that which the Calling of a Christian the work of Vocation aimeth at tendeth to and issueth in Rom. 8.30 and 9.23 24. Vocation is the first open work of Grace upon an Elect person and Glorification is the last so 2 Thess 2.14 1 Thess 5.9 We are upon the last great benefit that Believers have by Christ as we see in the Text it is by Christ Jesus setting forth the Blessed Estate as such viz. Glorification We have spoken of the Incoation of it which is in this life It follows to consider of the Perfection or Consummation of it which shall be hereafter in Heaven And this is the Subject now before us from this Text which plainly speaks of future Glory for it speaks of that shall be actually possessed and enjoyed after we have suffered a while here There is a Glory now upon the faithful in their sufferings 1 Pet. 4.14 But this Text speaks of that perfect fulness of Glory for ever that shall be enjoyed after all their sufferings are ended That it is so or the truth of the Doctrine is evident in the Text and in multitude of other Scriptures Rom. 8.18 2 Cor. 4.17 18. 5.1 Luk. 18.29 30. 1 Pet. 1.4 It is that God hath promised and appointed Jam. 1.12 2.5 Luk. 12.32 Christ hath purchased Hebr. 9.12 15. prayed for Joh. 17.24 and possessed as our forerunner Joh. 14.2 3. Hebr. 6.20 and that all the Saints have expected and lived and died in the certain hope of Hebr. 11.10 16 26. 13.14 Rom. 5.2 2 Tim. 4.8 18. Philip. 3.20 21. Col. 1.5 2 Thes 1.5 7. Ps 73.24 Nothing more evident and frequent in the Scripture than this As it is a matter of Faith not seen at present but believed and hoped for so God hath given us abundant ground for Faith or testimony concerning it in his Word Q. But the principal question before us is What this Glohy is that the faithful shall enjoy in the world to come A. We cannot fully tell you what it is 1 Cor. 2.9 if not the good and great mysteries of the Gospâ—l then much less the Glory of Heaven which is the up-shot of all those mysteries and whereof the best Saints do see but some glimmerings here But what the Scripture hath plainly recorded we may gather up and thence draw a little map or general view of that Glory that is prepared for us in another world such as may suit and reach useful practical ends to stir us up to seek after it to esteem it above all the world and make us account it the only great matter and necessity to get to Heaven and may help the Saints to rejoyce in their portion and comfort them over all their sorrows in this life c. though not to satisfie or feed a curiosity of roving speculation A sober apprehension of Heavens Glory is sufficient for us while we are in the way to it an exact comprehension of all particulars will be had time enough when we come thither But when Earth is full of trouble and evil round about us it is not unsuitable to hear of Heaven and to be looking into that 2 Cor. 4.16 18. we shall not faint as long as we look upward Act. 7.54 55. We are ready to look on the right hand and on the left but to be looking up stedfastly into Heaven is the best posture in evil times We need bitter things here to drive us off from the Earth but our hearts had need be relishing and tasting the sweetness of Heaven to draw them up thither When Peter wrote to the Saints under great and manifold tryals and afflictions in a time when Judgment must begin at the house of God and many amazements and terrours were ready to seize on poor Christians both men and women 1. Pet. 3.6 14. Now he discourses much of Heaven and of the Glory there He begins with it 1 Pet. 1.4 5 c. and ends with it in the Text. A discourse on such a subject is not unsuitable at such a season Now therefore for a short view of that eternal Glory that is the portion of the faithful in the world to come or of the Glory of the Saints in Heaven it may be set forth and considered 1. In a Positive 2. In a Comparative or Argumentative way from such Comparisons and Considerations as may argue the greatness and goodness of this Glory 1. In a Positive way so we may take this description of it ☞ The Glory of the faithful in the life to come wherein the benefit of Glorification is consummate it is the perfect blessedness of the Saints whereby in their souls after death and in soul and body after Judgment or after the Resurrection being fully freed from all evil both of sin and sorrow they shall be filled with holiness and comfort and all good in the full fruition of God or compleat communion with God Father Son and Holy Ghost all together in the highest Heavens for evermore The summe of it stands in 1. The Matter or Essâ—nce of it which consists 1. In perfect freedom from all evil 2. Perfect enjoyment of all good 2. The continuance or duration of it that it is eternal or for evermore 3 The degrees of it that it is enjoyed 1. In soul after death 2. In soul and body at and after the last Judgment 1. This Glory of the Saints in the world to come contains in it 1. Perfect freedom from all evil They are in part freed here some beginning of deliverance from sin and misery here but there perfectly every rag and remnant every spot of sin and wrinkle of misery shall be there utterly taken away and abolished Ephes 5.27 1. From sin the worst of evils there will bâ— perfect freedom and deliverance from sin not only guilt and reigning power but from thâ— being of it Those prayers then will be fully answered Hos 14.2 Psal 39.8 and that design of Christ fully accomplished 1 Job 3.5 Tit. 2.14 1 Pet. 2.24 Hebr. 12.23 therefore free from the moral imperfection of sin perfectly sanctified You shall then be freed from sin both 1. In the habit the disposition of sin will be â—hen abolished the roots and â—eeds and principles of it plucked up no more inclination or proneness to the least evil or
turned out of the straight way to Heaven by such things as 2 Pet. 1.11 The Scriptures have told us before-hand of Sufferings and Tryals and therefore it should be no strange thing to meet with them But it hath also told us and set before us the Glory that shall follow this should swallow up the other and make us endure them easily Hebr. 12.2 and 11.26 2. Hence it is that that is worth looking and seeking after bending all our desires and endeavours to obtain viz. the Happiness and Glory of Heaven for it is Eternal and 2 Cor. 4.18 Eternal things should be the things we look at and after as our scope as the word is our aime mark and designe To lay out our selves about Temporal things and make them our maine business is a great folly Prov. 23.5 Psal 39.6 Men are busie about this and that about many things but there is but one great business Luk. 10.41 42. to provide for Eternity to get and make sure of that good part that shall last for ever and never be taken away from us And 3. With what study earnestness care and seriousness with what intention of mind what Ardency of affâ—ction should we look after Heaven For Eternal Glory and Salvation is a great matter a great object we had not need be slight or negligent about such a thing about a business of Eternal Concernment It is said of Zerxes that Elegant Painter when asked why he spent so much time and labour about what he did when others turned off their work apace that he answered Ego propter Etermitatem pingo I paint for Eternity that that should stand and continue in after times We in a more proper and full sense may say we act for Eternity and therefore we had need be more intense and exact when as we pray for Eternity ask Eternal life of God hear for Eternity follow God for Eternity come to Christ Jesus for Eternal and Everlasting Life How Serious Hearty Affectionate Fervent Intense should those Prayers Duties Comings be Why that is that we are seeking after if in earnest to lay hold on Eternal Life 1 Tim. 6.12 19. Oh with what fear and trembling care and diligence should we pursue that business Come not slightly to Christ in a negligent careless manner or with a piece of thy Heart when thou comest for Eternal Life c. The Salvation Christ holds forth and calls to attend unto and come and follow him for is Great Salvation for it is Eternal Salvation Oh be not negligent about that Hebr. 2.3 and 5.9 how humbly obedient unto him Oh with what an humble Heartiness Affection Seriousness Thankfulness whole heart should a poor sinner come and look to Christ imbrace and cling to him hang on him for deliverance from Eternal Death and for the gift of Eternal Life how precious is that Grace Rom. 5.21 for Rom. 6.23 SERMON IV. 3. IT follows to consider of the degrees of this future Glory as it is enjoyed 1. In Soul after Death 2. Both in Soul and Body at and after the Resurrection and last Judgement In the former state the Saints have a more incompleat though sweet and excellent in the latter a more compleat full and perfect enjoyment of this Glory I shall not speak of the different degrees of Glory in Heaven comparing one Saint with another Though that seems to be a truth that as we see there are dissâ—ring degrees of Grace and Holiness here and God distributes more eminent Gifts and Graces to one than to another not withstanding that the Imputation of Righteousness in Justification be equal to all so there will be in Glory hereafter When God shall Crown his own Graces in his Saints Every one shall not have such a Crown as Paul to whom the Fruits of his Ministry will then add to his Crown and rejoycing 1 Thes 2.19 nor be set next to Christ as some shall be Mat. 20.23 there will not want order in the Heavenly Mansions nor variety mixed with Identity wherein the Lord delights viz. Calvin Instit lib. 3. cap. 25. Sect. 10. and in Mat. 13.43 and 20.1 16. Bucan Loc. com pag. 446. Leigh's Body Divinity pag. 872. But only somewhat of the Glory of the Saints in those two â—â—ates the state of the Soul in its separation from the Body after their re-union which all the Saints that die do pass through Here 1. Consider the Glory and Happiness enjoyed by the Soul in its separate state after death from thence to the Resurrection 2. The Accession or increase or more compleat fulness of Glory that followes upon the re-union of the Soul and Body at and after the Resurrecion 1. The Souls of the Faithful do after death immediatly pass into Glory even that Glory that we have before spoken of The substance whereof they do enjoy in as perfect a degree or in as full a measure as the Soul in its separate state is capable of though there is a further degree and fulness of Glory reserved for the whole man upon re-union of the Soul and Body of which afterward the Soul of a Saint is presently Glorified after death though the Body be not It presently enters into peace Isa 57.2 Rest and Consolation Luk. 16.22 25 Into Blessedness and Glory Revel 14.13 from henceforth from this time from the time of their death and so on forward they are in blessedness and rest no fear of passing through paines of Purgatory for a time as Papists had taught before the Light of the Gospel broke forth The Souls of the Saints departed do enjoy that Heavenly Glory that we have spoken of For 1. They are at Death immediatly made perfect in Grace and Holiness Heb. 12.23 perfectly freed from all sin and endued with all heavenly perfection of mind and will of which what it is we spoke before Death puts an end to the death of sin in the Saint he rests from the Labour and Burden thereof and he is clothed with perfect Holiness fit for that place of Heaven and Heavenly presence of God which he is passing into 2. They enjoy the Beatifical vision and Glorious presence and Fellowship of God and Christ Philip. 1.23 No sooner departed and the union of the Soul and Body dissolved by death but he in his Soul is with Christ 2 Cor. 5 6 8. as soon as absent from the body and that is the Soul departed that is absent from the Body and while absent in its seperate estate If Paul be absent from the Body it is in his Soul which is there and oft in Scripture called man he is present with the Lord. When Stephen falls asleep by death the Lord Jesus receiveth his Spirit or Soul Act. 7.59 so Psal 49.15 Eccles 12.7 3. The Soul departed enjoyes in some way and some degree the Company and Communion of other Souls and Spirits of the Blessed Heb. 12.23 The Soul of Lazarus is with Abraham and so with all the Saints the Children of Abraham that
Eternal though one would think you should need little perswading Now this is most true and evident Deut. 30.19 if you chuse life you shall live Joh. 3.19 Therefore if they had loved light rather then darkness i. e. chosen light i. e. Christ and all his Grace they should not have been condemned but saved see Prov. 1.29 Isa 56.4 5. Psal 119.30 173. Isa 66.3 4. Every man hath his choice Do you chuse Lust Sin Vanity World you shall have it Do you chuse separation from God to live at a distance and in estrangement from him that will inevitably be your everlasting portion if you continue in that choice But if the Lord give you an heart to chuse Heaven i. e. not meerly as a place of outward ease but of Holy Communion with God and fruition of him rather than Earth If you indeed chuse God and his Fellowship rather than the World Christ and Grace rather than sin then you shall have that Why is there any Body that does not chuse Heaven that would not be saved Yea a great many viz. they that chuse sin Prov. 8.36 and 1.22 That chuse this present World for their Portions 2 Tim. 4.10 That will none of God Psal 81.11 For it is the enjoyment of God that makes Heaven why if you will none of Heaven if you refuse Eternal Glory or the way to it if you care not for Blessedness no wonder if you miss of it and just will be your perdition But oh who come to be so sottish and brutish as to chuse evil before good Earth before Heaven and Death before Life chuse Life and that you may have forever 5. Whither will you turn you if you disobey this Call and neglect this offer of Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus Where will you take up your portion Where will you find any thing Comparable to this or ought that can make you happy if you refuse this Isa 10.3 You will go to the Creature to a vain World to the pleasures profits and preferments of it you will dig in the Earth for a Portion But alas there is no Eternal Glory to be found there is no good here that can make up happiness much less a durable happiness There is no Treasure on Earth but there is a destroyer lies by it Mat. 6.19 There is nothing safe in this World you can lay up nothing where destruction may not find it There is but one safe place to lay up a portion in and that is Heaven You do but lay up for the fire what you lay up on Earth for that will be the last end of all things here 2 Pet. 3.10 When that day of the universal burning of the World comes what a sensible demonstration will it be of the vanity of laying up our portion on Earth and so are all particular burnings of Houses or Towns or Cities in the lesser dayes of Gods Judgements now How many wayes does the Lord proclaim unto men that here is no suitable or durable portion for them to be had on Earth You must to Heaven if you will have any true or lasting Happiness any Eternal Glory There no Moth nor Rust no Fire nor Water no Pirate or Robber comes Make this World your Inne and not your Home and then when it is fired you may leave it without loss the Traveller suffers little or no loss when the Inne where he lodged all night is set on Fire and go home to an Everlasting Habitation Oh men may call the things of this World a Glory as Genes 31.1 but there is nothing here worthy that name or if it be it is not Eternal Glory to be sure it is but a fading fashion that passeth away Look upon the various changes losses destructions wherein the best and goodliest portions in this World do fade and fail and pass away you may write on them Sic transit gloria mundi Why then if you neglect and refuse Heaven and turn to the things below you do but imbrace shadows for substance shells and shews and vain things that cannot profit you and what a madness and folly is that 6 Consider the peril of refusing or disobeying this Call and offer of Salvation or what the issue would be should you neglect it viz. everlasting heaviness misery and damnation If you will not have Heaven you shall have Hell for you must have one of them yea a deeper and hotter Hell because you had the offer of Heaven and refused it The Lord hath brought the matter to this pinch there is but this choice before you either Heaven or Hell either Eternal Glory or Eternal Misery If you refuse the former you shall not escape the latter If you will none of Christ and Grace you shall have sin and be given up to it If you will not have the Fellowship of God you shall have the Company of the Devil and his Angels If you will not hear the voice of the call and promise of the Gospel you shall one day hear that dreadful word Mat. 25.41 Why if this be the choice is it not plain and easie to determine which is to be chosen Shall not thy Soul with fear and trembling groan to God to deliver thee from such a madness and misery as to neglect Heaven and chuse Hell to hate Christ and love death And such a madness it is to disâ—regard the Call of the Gospel the voice of wisdom and to go after the foolish woman whose Guests are in the depths of Hell 7. Remember that we must hear Christs call now in the word and Kingdom of his Grace if ever we would hear his Blessed and Glorious call at the last day unto the immediate actual fruition of Fellowship with him in the Kingdom of his Glory If we would then hear him say come as Mat. 25 34. we must hear and obey that word from him now Come now if you would come then Come now to Christ Jesus and enter into Fellowship with him as God calls you 1 Cor. 1.9 in a way of Faith and Grace if you would then come into his Kingdom and be for ever with him in a way of Glory Are you willing to hear Christ at the last and great day when he shall break out of the Clouds set him down on the Throne of his Glory and call all Nations before him then to say to you Come you Blessed inherit the Kingdom Then you must hear him now who cryes to you in the Gospel Come come unto me that you may have Life and Glory for evermore Luk. 14.17 The same portion for substance that the Saints are called to then you are invited and called to now viz. Fellowship with Christ and participation of all his benefits Peace Grace and Glory there from an Inchoation you pass to the Consummate fruition of them here from a total want to an entire possession of them so at the first believing which is in that regard a greater matter than the other will that word be acceptable and
you are of that number for whom an Inheritance is reserved in Heaven who shall obtain this Eternal Glory That so you may be able to rejoyce in the lively hope and certain Expectation of it as Rom. 5.2 and know as Paul did 2 Cor. 5.1 and 1 Joh. 5.13 This may be known though the fruition of this Glory is reserved for Heaven yet a certain interest in it title to iâ— and the knowledge thereof also is given on Earth Labour after this It is that we are exhorted to by the Apostle 2 Pet. 1.10 If we make sure of Effectual Calling we make sure of this Glory for there is an inseperable Connexion between them To quicken thereunto Consider 1. Great matters cannot be made too sure and in all other matters of great moment common reason and nature teaches men to be diligent to make all sure If Estate or Life be in hazard how sollicitous are men to be upon sure grounds In settling of Earthly Inheritances how careful punctual and exact that no flaw no matter of doubt or danger be left What matter is of so great a weight as the matter of Eternity everlasting Life and Glory Hezekiah when like to die was desirous of a sure evidence that he should live and recover out of his sickness and have his fifteen years time more here 2 King 20.8 How much more sollicitous should we be to be sure of Eternal Life Life through all the dayes and years of Eternity when we were so like to die the second death and therefore to have it confirmed not by miracles but by Scripture signes and evidences in great matters and matters wherein the affection goes out much men will delight to have the assurance and ratification over and over as 1 Sam. 20.16 17. Oh when we are making a Covenant with Christ and he with us about matters of everlasting Life that that is for ever after this life as v. 14 15. we cannot but desire him to speak again yea swear again as he condescends to both Heb. 6.17 18. and Establish his promise to us over and over our love to him and intence desire to be sure of his love should induce to this When Jacobs heart was upon being buried in the Cave of Machpolah in the Land of Canaan which was a type of Heaven and being buried therein of that possession that the faithful take of Heaven when they die when they go to a place of their own properly the Sojourners and strangers while they live in this World He will have Joseph both promise and swear to bury him there and gave charge to all his other sons about it too Gen. 47.29 30 31. and 49.29 32. So Abraham how careful is he to make sure his possession of the Cave of Machpelah Genes 23.17 18 20. He can be content to have never a foot of Land of his own while he lives but he will make sure of a good burying place when he dies i. e. of an happy Estate after death of a portion of the Heavenly Canaan and of being buried in the certain hope as of all the promises of God to be made good to him and his so in special of an happy Resurrection to Eternal Glory that was the meaning of it Oh though you have never so little in this Earth while you live though strangers and pilgrims here yet make sure of Heaven when you die make that one bargain sure and you are happy that you shall have a possession of your own in that better Country even an Heavenly Kingdom 2. We have nothing else sure we had need make sure of this we have no portion certain nothing to trust to if we have not this portion of Eternal Life and Glory There is no certainty of any thing in this World Riches have wings the top of honour is a slippery place life it self is but a vapour All things here lye within the reach of many devourers and destroyers Moth and Rust and Thieves Pirates at Sea and other Sons of violence at Land And what is saved from other Destroyers is but reserved for the fire that must be the end of alâ— the possessions upon Earth 2 Pet. 3.10 All Earthly possessions must turn into a blaze and end in smoak as Genes 19.28 At the great day of Judgment there shall be an universal burning all the Earth on a light fire in particular previous dayes of Judgment here which are tasts and hansells of that the Lord often contends by fire Why if men will not see by the light of the word one would think they should see by the flames of devouring fire though indeed seldom do men see by the latter or by any destroying Judgments that have obstinately refused the light and voice of the former But in it self it is a wonderful help to see and it will be so to them that regard the word the vanity uncertainty and perishing nature of all things here But to be sure our enjoyment of all things in this World at best hangs but upon the twine-thread of our life which there are so many sharp edged tooles Sicknesses Diseases sad Accidents continually ready to cut asunder we are not sure to have it continued one hour longer Had we not need be sure of something when all these things shall fail as Luk. 16.9 Paul knows what he hath to trust to when this World turns him out of doors he hath then an house to hide his head in 2 Cor. 5.1 Oh it is a Comfortable thing when temporal habitations fail to be sure of Eternal ones Imagine you were now to die this moment leaving the World how glad would you be to be sure of Heaven and of a better life Why that must be e're long and you cannot think to be sure of it then in a dying hour if you do not labour to make it sure now in a time of health and peace Wnen David looks over the World and sees the vanity fading uncertainty of all portions of Riches Glory Honour fair Dwellings c. here what a thing is it to him to be sure of a God to receive him into Arms of Love and Mercy when he dies and of an happy waking in the morning of the Resurrection to Eternal Glory Psal 49.6 15. and 73.17 24. when you see men stand in slippery places and one tumbling down after another the Rich tumbling into poverty the Great into Contempt then look to your feet and to your standing what foot hold have you what sure bottom and foundation have you to stand steady upon as Psal 26.11 12 13. The wicked stand in slippery places but the godly that walk with God in integrity stand in an even place The Covenant is sure 2 Sam. 23.5 the state of Grace is a sure standing Rom. 5.2 Psal 20.7 8. indeed in regard of themselves they would fall as soon as any but they have a sure hand to hold them Psal 73.23 24. 3. Should not we make this use of the times we live
unless he speak a word of peace to me Psal 69.2 3 17 8. and 143.4 7. And in a time of need God will help when you are lost God will find you when you are sick to death he will heal you Isa 57.16 28 29. His bowels will earn towards you Never fear want of Consolatian if your Humiliation be not ineffectual And here let me warn you of a thing or two Take heed least some lesser sorrows and affections heal and ease you and so you be kept from great and effectual sorrows and from Comfort by Christ only Many a one sees himself in a miserable Condition hereupon he goes alone he prayes and weeps too it may be very affectionatly for mercy Upon this he grows well and whole again His good affections please him and heal him though he be indeed still as far from Christ and grounded Comfort as ever Take heed of this As also secondly Of resting in some hopes of mercy or in some tasts of mercy Many things give a man good hope that God may save him and the words of Comfort are sometimes sweet and refreshing to his heart this quiets him He hath enough now he runs away with this when as Christ himself is not yet his nor is he satisfied with him only Many perish here not but that these affctions and hopes are very good and they may be true and be sure to be exceeding thankful for any such thing that you have any desire to seek God any tears at any time before him and hope toward him it s more than thousands have and very good encouragement to seek after Christ more but not to be rested in without Christ It 's a sign a mans heart is false when a little of any thing will serve him Use those sorrows heart-breakings and hopes as blessed encouragemnts and ingagements to follow on still and get nearer to Christ and to gain in upon him but rest not till you be sure you have Christ and fully rest in him and your heart live upon him only alone wholly and alwayes Now for the way you are to take in the Case owned and expressed by your self I would add a little as the Lord shall help Do not say there is no hope and so give over striving Give not way to a sullen desperateness and deadness of heart to a dulled sunk discouraged spirit as it were in vain to stir and will never be better with you Do not say thus it hath been and thus it is and you cannot help it and there tear it No no arise and be doing and God will be with you is an old and good Rule What ever your Case be never be discouraged Be humble and afflicted under sin and misery the more the better but never be discouraged Resolve I will yet follow God for all this come on me what will See 1 Sam. 12.20 Know that God is God and not man he can help nay he will He is willing to help you if you be not unwilling to have it See Isa 55.8 Jer. 33.3 Hos 13.9 Joh. 4.10 and 6.36 He hath after mercies for them that have abused former mercies Ezek. 39.26 Jer. 3.1 22. If it were but a may be Amos 5.15 Zeph. 2.3 A who can tell Jon. 3.9 Joel 2.14 A Lord if thou wilt Mat. 8.2 It 's enough to make us follow after God to the last gaspe Secondly look up to the infinite God to help you for his names sake and for the Lord Jesus sake You know you are miserable and have unspeakable need of his help though you do not feel it and be not offended with it Upon this ground and this is ground enough go to God and tell him that the less sense you have the greater is your misery and the more need you have of his help None but God can pull you out of this pit can inlighten this darkness and break this Adamant to him therefore you come according to his own Counsel Rev. 3.18 Tell him he knows you and sees you though you do not know or see him no nor your self neither He can take hold of you though you cannot take hold of him Joh. 15.16 Bring such an heart as you have longing that it were better to him that he would mend it Bewaile this impenitent heart cry out of this secure sottifh heart as the greatest evil that could befall you beseech him to use any means to break it and change it Fill your mouth with Arguments before him tell him of his free oh hang there upon free mercy his tender his preventing his manifold rich mercy Say you are resolved never to leave him till he give you this Grace effectually and all the Grace you want everlasting mercy Cry to him out of the thick darkness and out of the low â—ungeâ—n Lam. 3.55 When you have no mind to pray when Devil and World when heart and the gates of Hell are agaist you Yâ—t then even then pray in spite of all your spiritual Adversaries Offer violence to the Kingdom of Heaven stir up your self to take hold on God lay hold on Eternal Life when nothing but darkness and death is about you when God stops his ear against you and shuts up his heart too yet then fall down before him put your mouth in the dust judge and loath your self hate your sin that brought you to this pass Look again toward him as Jon. 2.4 7. close with him at and upon the sword point though he kill me yet will I trust in him Bless his name and say as Lam. 3.22 Châ—tâ—er before him leave your self to his mercy to his absolute soveraign meer mercy renouncing all other props and comforts Sâ—â—â— Isa 50.10 Tell him as Daniel 9.9 â—â—solve to follow him though blindfold anâ— see Rom. 11.32 33. Gal. 3.22 When you are shut up under sin and unbelief then look to him who is able to save to the utmost them that come to God by him You know not how to look to him nor what it is to believe nor how to go about such a thing therefore tell God that you come to him for Faith as well as other things You want every thing and you come â—or every thing the poorest Creature that lives and know that the blessed God would have you come to him in Christ for every thing Christ hath all power in his hands to help you Joh. 17.2 and see Joh. 6.37 Thirdly continue in seeking God till you find him Follow on to know the Lord and then be your Case what it will you shall know him Hos 6.2 Col. 4.2 Luk. 18.1 Many are very serious and earnest for a fit but they give over before the Lord come and will rather patch up their Comfort and Salvation of any fashion then take the pains to hold out in seeking God with all their might Multitudes perish here Oh! look to this for do not think especially in the Case you are in to get Grace and Christ in the sense before spoken of