he was more Godly and holy then his Fellows Heb. 1. 8 9. He was one that knew no sin that did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth but he always did those things that pleased his father And when the due season was come he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross as he received commandment from his father And because in obedience to his father he laid down his life and hath taken it up again therefore the father loveth him and so loveth him that he hath given all things into his hands Joh. 10. 17 18. with chap. 3. 35. And unto him the promises were made Originally and most fully now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made he saith not unto seeds as of many but as of one and to thy seed which is Christ Gal. 3. 16. And he is become the root and foundation of godliness for us 1 Tim. 3. 16. Without whose Abasement Death Resurrection and Exaltation there had been no forgiveness of sins for us nor could we have been made partakers of the favour of God nor would Repentance and Faith have availed us any thing Heb. 9. 22. 1 Cor. 15. 12 17 20 Nor could we have come unto God so as to have received mercy and salvation from him Joh. 14. 6. Act 4. 11 12. But now in Him who by the grace of God tasted death for every man and rose again all the promises of God are yea and in him Amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. And if we be Christ's to wit in a special consideration then are we Abraham's seed and Hears according to promise Gal. 3. 16 26 29. And Heirs of the promises in being united by Faith unto him who is the Heir of all things Heb. 1. 2. 1 Cor. 3. 21 23. 1 Joh. 5. 11 12. The promises are not made with or absolutely assured unto any person in a personal Consideration but to such manner of persons as do exercise themselves unto Godliness and Righteousness Thus the everlasting Covenant which did contain exceeding great and precious promises was not made with Abraham as a man known by that name simply but it was made with him as he was a Truly Pious and upright man Thus it is said the Lord appeared unto Abraham and said unto him I am the Almighty God walk before me and be thou perfect or sincere and I will make my Covenant between me and thee c. Gen. 17. 1 2 7 8. And to the same purpose it is else-where said thou foundest his heart faithful before thee and madest a Covenant with him Neh. 9. 7 8. And this Covenant was thus made with him not for himself onely but for his spiritual Seed also and so it was made with him as a father of many Nations Gen. 17. 4 5 8. Rom. 4. 16 17. And so those that are sincere like unto him are Heirs of the same Covenant as to the choice things therein contained and assured Rom. 4. 16 17 24. As the Apostle saith know ye therefore that they which are of Faith the same are the Children of Abraham So then they which be of Faith are blessed with faithful Abraham Gal. 3. 7 9. with Rom. 4. 11 13 16. It is out of God's love to righteousness that God doth delight in and is well-pleased with them that heartily follow it and walk in it the righteous Lord loveth righteousness and therefore his countenance doth behold the upright Psal 11. 7. To him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward Righteousness tendeth to life Prov. 11. 17 18. In the way of righteousness is life and in the path way thereof there is no death ch 12. 26 28. Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way chap. 13. 6. and chap. 8. 20. 21. And this is the general and constant Current of the holy Scriptures both of the Prophets and Apostles that not such persons meerly but such manner of persons graciously qualified persons are the Heires of the promises of life and salvation and shall so abiding in due season inherit the blessings therein propounded and thereby assured Who shall Ascend into the hill of the Lord and who shall stand in his holy place he that hath clean hands and a pure heart who hath not lift up his soul unto vanity nor sworn deceitfully He shall receive the blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation This is the generation of them that seek him that seek thy face O God of Jacob. Selah Psal 15. and 24. 3. 6. When the Evangelical Prophet largely treats of the Everlasting Covenant and of the blessings thereof in Isa 54. He then in the close of that Chapter gives us to understand who are the Heirs of it and shall inherit the Blessings and Benefits of it saying This is the Heritage of the servants of the Lord and their righteousness is of me saith the Lord. And then by his servant the Prophet he makes this Proclamation and Invitation Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and he that hath no money no worth no worthiness Hearken diligently unto me and eat ye that which is good and let your soul delight it self in fatness Incline your ear and come unto me hear and your soul shall live and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you even the sure mercies of David As if he should say if ye will indeed learn the way of my people as Jer 12. 16. and sincerely become my servants also then upon these terms you shall be heirs with them of the same Covenant and inherit the same blessing with them Isay 54. 17. and chap. 55. 1 2 3. Psal 84. 11 12. and 125. And to the same purpose our Lord and Saviour and his Holy Apostles have spoken to us in the Word of the Lord My Sheep saith our Lord Jesus hear my voice and I know them and they follow me And I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any pluck them out of mine hand John 10. 27 30. and chap. 14. 21 23. Matth. 7. 24 27. Col. 1. 22 23. 2 Pet. 1. 3 4 8 10 11. 1 John 2. 24 28. Rev. 22. 12 14. The way of the Lord even sincere Holiness and Righteousness is strength to the upright Prov. 10. 29. And he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul Prov. 16. 17. But as for them that turn aside to their crooked paths the Lord will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity but peace shall be upon Israel even upon the Israel of God Psal 125. 5. with Gal. 6. 15. 16. For Persons therefore to rely on and bolster up themselves with the Promises while they walk ungodlily and their way is perverse before the Lord this is to turn the grace of our God into Lasciviousness and Wantonness as Jude 4. And this is that which is highly provoking unto the Holy Lord God Hence Moses gives this caution to the People of Israel when they
man his whole duty excellency and interest that it may be well with us in the life to come And it is worthy our serious consideration and observation that when the Apostle Paul referrs to that forementioned prophecy of Isaiah in which he fore-declares and prophesies of the future judgment in which every knee shall bow to our Lord Jesus and every Tongue shall confess him Lord to the glory of God the Father He then gives such like exhortation as is before-mentioned to the believers saying Wherefore my beloved work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling for it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of good pleasure Do all things without murmuring and disputings that ye may be blameless and harmless That I may rejoyce in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain neither laboured in vain Isa 45. 22 23. 24 25. with Phil. 2. 9 10 12 13 14 16. And as this Holy Apostle gives such like counsel to the Believers unto whom he writes so he also set before them an Imitable example by his own practice that they might be followers of him I have hope toward God saith he that there shall be a Resurrection of the dead both of the just and of the unjust And herein do I exercise my self to have alwayes a conscience void of offence toward God and toward Men Act. 24. 14 16. And again he saith of himself and of other hearty Believers We labour that whether present or absent we may be accepted of him For we must all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ that every one may Receive the things done in his own Body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad knowing therefore the terrour of the Lord we perswade Men c. 2 Cor. 5. 9 10 11. Eccl. 12. 13 14. Luke 21. 34 35 36. But we shall enlarge no further unto this particular but proceed on to what remains to wit 2. We come in the next place to enquire and consider what is meant by and contained in The Life to come which is mentioned in the Text now we may premise this before we come to speak more distinctly hereto That though in the Evidences before-mentioned we have spoken of the future state indistinctly and in a general consideration Yet here in the place we are discoursing of and from by the Life to come we are to understand that blessed and happy Estate they shall enter into hereafter who do now exercise themselves to sincere Godliness and unfeigned Obedience And so much is plainly intimated to us in the words themselves to wit Godliness is profitable unto all things having promise of the Life that is to come Without all peradventure that which is promised and which is promised unto Godliness and unto them that heartily exercise themselves thereto must needs be as is there also said Profitable and highly desirable and valuable As also we may premise this that I shall not here distinctly discourse of that Intermediate State which the Spirits of Righteous Men made perfect are in between the Death and Resurrection of the Body but of that which they shall enter upon and perfectly enjoy in and after the Resurrection of their proper Bodies Now having very briefly premised these two things we may say in general that by the Life to come here mentioned we are to understand a full and compleat deliverance from all that is evil and afflictive and a perfect glorious and everlasting enjoyment and fruition of all that Good and Bliss which they shall be made capable of And as on the one hand Death comprehends all that Misery Curse and wosul Punishment which is the due and deserved reward of Mens Trangression and Disobedience Thus the Lord at the beginning threatned our first Parent Adam saying In the day thou eatest of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil Thou shalt dye the Death Thou shalt surely dye Gen. 2. 17. and so the Apostle saith The wages of Sin is Death to wit all Misery and Affliction Rom. 6. 23. and that eternal and dismal Torment and Destruction wherewith they shall be punished and tormented who know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour is called The second Death Rev. 2 11. and chap. 20. 6. So on the other Hand all that Glory and Happiness which is assured unto and shall hereafter be enjoyed by them that exercise themselves unto and perservere in well doing is called Life and Eternal Life and here The Life that is to come So also it is said This is the Record that God hath given unto us Eternal Life and this Life is in his Son He that hath the Son hath Life These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye have eternal Life 1 Joh. 5. 11 12 13. And concerning both the punishment of sin and the gracious Reward of Piety the Apostle saith The wages of Sin is Death but the Gift of God is eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord As in like expressions also Moses had spoken in former times calling the punishment of Sin and Disobedience Death as that comprehends all Cursing and Misery and the reward of Righteousness and Obedience Life As that encludes and containes as we have said all Blessing and Happiness whatsoever of which they shall be made capable Rom. 6. 23. with Deut. 30 15 16 19 20. Ezek. 33. 11. And so we may say of all who continue to exercise themselves to true Piety 1. That though they must needs all of them dye as well as other men yet they shall in due season be Raised again to the Resurrection of Life John 5. 29. Luk. 14. 14. They that are Christ's in a special consideration shall be quickned at his coming John 11. 25. 1 Cor. 6. 14. and chap. 15. 23. Our Lord Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life and He hath the Keys of the Grave and of Death Rev. 1. 18. And therewith he will in the proper season open the Gates of Death and the Doors of the Grave and will bring them forth that sleep in him to the compleat enjoyment of that Glory and Happiness which he hath by his precious Blood obtained for them and and Promised to them and will then give unto them Spiritual Powerful and Immortal Bodies so as then they Can dye no more for they are equal unto the Angels and are the Children of God being the Children of the Resurrection Luk. 20. 35 36. For this Corruptible saith the Apostle Paul must put on Incorruption and this mortall must put on Immortality c. 1 Cor. 15. 53 55 58. Then their Body which is now Vile shall be fashioned into the Likeness of the Glorious Body of Christ Phil. 3. 20 21. 2. Eternal Life by our blessed Saviour is opposed unto and set against Condemnation Joh. 5. 24. and chap. 3. 15 16. with ver 18. and so it
The Childs Delight together with an English Grammar Reading and Spelling made easie both by Tho. Lye Aesops Fables with morals thereupon in English Verse The Young-mans Instructor and the Old-mans remembrancer being an Explanation of the Assemblies Catechism Captives bound in Chains made free by Christ their Surety both by Tho. Doolittle Eighteen Sermons preached upon several Texts of Scripture by William Whitaker The Saints care for Church Communion declared in sundry Sermons preached at St James Dukes-place by Zech. Crofton The life and death of Edmund Stanton D. D. To which is added a Treatise of Christian-conference and a Dialogue between a Minister and a Stranger Sin the Plague of plagues or sinful sin the worst of Evils by Ralph Venning M. A. Cases of Conscience practically resolved by J. Norman The faithfulness of God considered and cleared in the great Events of his Word or a second part of the fulfilling of the Scripture The immortality of the Soul explained and proved by Scripture and Reason to which is added Faiths-triumph over the fears of death by Tho. Wadsworth A Treatise of the incomparableness of God in his Being Attributes Works and Word by George Swinnock M. A. A discourse of the original c of the Cossacks The generation of Seekers or the right manner of the Saints addresses to the throne of Grace with an Exposition on the Lords-Prayer The administration of Cardinal Ximones An Essay to facilitate the Education of Youth by bringing down the rudiments of Grammar to the sense of seeing which ought to be improved by Syncrisis by Mr. Lewis of Totenham An Artificial Vestibulum wherein the sense of Janua Linguarum is contained compiled into plain and short sentences in English for the great ease of Masters and Expeditious progress of Scholars by M. Lewis Speculum Sherlockianum or a Locking glass in which the admirers of Mr. Sherlock may behold the man as to his Acuracy Judgment Orthodoxy A discourse of Sins of Omission wherein is discovered their Nature Causes and Cure by George Swinnock His Majesties Propriety in the British Seas vindicated Quakerism no Christianity or a through-Quaker no Christian proved by their Principles and confirmed by Scripture by J. Faldo Differences about Water-baptism no bar to Communion by Jo. Bunian The Dutch-dispensatory shewing the virtues qualities and properties of Simples the vertue and use of Compounds whereto is added the Compleat Herbalist Judg Dodaridge's laws of Nobility and Peerage Dinglys Spiritual Feast Solitude improved by Divine Meditation by Matth. Ranew A Murderer punished and pardoned or Tho. Savage his life and death with his Funeral sermon Hurst Revival Grace Buryes Husbandmans Companion help to holy walking Hanmers view of Antiquity Nomenclaturas Wases Grammar Vincent of Conscience Gouges Principles of Christian Religion Christian Direction Word to Saints and Sinners Young mans guide Christian Housholder Perrots Englands duty The Nonconformists vindicated Wadsworths remains Shepherdy Spiritualized Calamys Art of divine Meditation Faldos Quakerism no Christianity vindication of 21 Divines Small 8vo A defence against the fear of death by Zach. Crofton Gods Soveraignty displayed by William Gearing The Godly mans Ark or a City of Refuge in the day of his distress in five Sermons with Mrs. Moors evidences for Heaven by Edmund Calamy The Almost-Christian discovered or the false-Professor tried and cast by M. Mead. The true bounds of Christian-freedom or a discourse shewing the extent and restraints of Christian-liberty by S. Bolton D. D. The sinfulness of Sin and fulness of Christ in two Sermons by Will. Bridg. A Plea for the godly or the Righteous mans Excellency The holy Eucharist or the Sacrament of the Lords Supper A Treatise of self-denial All three by Tho. Watson The life and death of Tho. Wilson of Maidstone in Kent The Life and Death of Dr. Samuel VVinter A Covert from the Storm or the fearful encouraged in the day of Trouble Worthy-walking press'd upon all that have heard the Call of the Gospel The Spirit of Prayer All three by Nath. Vincent The inseparable union between Christ and a Believer by Tho. Peck A discourse of Excuses setting forth the variety and vanity of them the sin and misery brought in by them by John Sheffield Invisible reality demonstrated in the holy life and triumphant death of Mr. J. Janeway The Saints encouragement to diligence in Christs service both by Mr. James Janeway A discourse concerning the Education of Children Convivium Caeleste a plain and familiar discourse concerning the Lords Supper both by R. Kidder The Saints perseverance asserted in its Positive-ground against Mr. Ives by Tho. Danson A Wedding-ring fit for the Finger by VVill. Secker An Explanation of the shorter-Catechism of the Assembly of Divines by Tho. Lye The life and death of Tho. Hall A Plea for the Non-Conformists tending to vindicate them from Schism by a Doctor in Divinity The flat opposition of Popery to Scripture by J. N. Chaplain to a Person of Honour The Weavers Pocket book or Weaving spiritualiz'd by J. C. D. D. Two disputations of Original sin by Richard Baxter The History of Moderation The welcome Communicant The little-peace-maker discovering foolish Pride the Make-bate Philadelphia or a Treatise of Brotherly love by Mr. Gearing Reformation or Ruine being certain Sermons on Levit. 26. 23 23. by Tho. Hotchkis The Riches of Grace displayed to which is added the priviledge of Passive obedience and 52 proposals in order to help on Heart-humiliation by VVill. Bagshaw The parable of the great Supper opened in 17 Sermons by John Crump A present for Teeming-women by J. Oliver Non-conformity without Controversie by Benj. Baxter A Treatise of Closet-Prayer by Richard Mayo The Religious Family by Philip Lamb. A discourse of the prodigious Abstinence of Martha Taylor Index biblicus multi-jugus or a Table of the holy Scripture wherein each of its Books Chapters and particular matters are distinguished and Epitomized The day of Grace with the Conversion of a Sinner by Nathanael Vincent An easie and useful Grammer for the learning of the French Tongue by Mr. Gosthead Gentleman The Miners Monitor or advice to those that are employed about the Mines A Protestant Catechism for litte Children A Scripture Catechism by Samuel Petto A Catechism according to the Church of England Nero Tragidea Cornelianum dolium Wilsons Catechism Elenchuus motuum nuperorum in Anglia Cackaines Poems Croftons Foelix Scelus or prospering-profaneness provoking holy conference by Zach. Crofton Gramaticus Analyticus by the same Author Alexanders advice to his Son H. Excellency of Christ set forth Phelps Caveat against Drunkenness Lamentation for the loss of a good man Antidote against desperation Bury against Drunkenness Wadsworths last warning to Sinners Dr. Wilkinsons Counsels and Comforts to afflicted Consciences Cappello and Bianco a Romance Calys Ghimpse of Eternity Period of humane Life Defence of Period of humane Life both written by the Author of the whole Duty of man c. An Answer to the period of humane Life Survey Quakerism Tho. Vincents Explication of the Assemblies Catechism Vincent on Prayer On Conversion and day of Grace Covert from storm Worthy Walking Parsons Letter to VVem Adams Catechism Lambs New Years Gift Perks way to mend the World Burys Antidote against the fear of Death Mr. Corbets Kingdom God among men with a Tract of Schism Self-imployment in Secret by John Corbet Solomons Proverbs Traughtons Popery the grand Apostacy Heywoods Christ displayed Bishop Reignolds Meditations Mr. Edward Wests Legacy Gerhard on Death Whole Duty of Youth Welcome Communicant Ames Marrow Diuinity Tho. Vincent against the Quakers being the sandy Foundation shaken A warning to young men or Brinkhursts Narrative Mr. Kidders help to smallest Children in their understanding of the Church-Catechism Thomas Vincents Himns Bartlet on the Sacrament Greens needful preparatory to the Lords Supper Dr. Collings of ordinary matter of Prayer Wilsons Childs Trade Scandrets Catechism Sheffiields Catechism Much in a little or an abstract of Mr. Baxters plain Scripture-proof for Infants Baptism Some brief Directions for the improvement of Infants Baptism Books Twelves Drexellius Repository Meads Spiritual Wisdom Nathanael Vincents little Childs Catechism All three by Tho. VVhite The duty of Parents towards their Children A little book for little Children A method and instruction for the Art of divine Meditation The considerations of Drexelius on Eternity The shadow of the Tree of Life by M. M. The Psalms of David newly translated more plain smooth and agreeable to the Text than any heretofore Mr. Henry Lukin's Life of Faith FINIS
first use but shall now proceed on unto a second namely 2. Seeing God hath made that which is our Duty to be our great and only real Interest seeing he hath made Godliness our true and most excellent Gain and Advantage we may infer and learn from hence that it is his good Will and gracious Mind in Christ concerning us that we should all of us seriously and in good earnest exercise our selves unto true Piety That we should not onely or chiefly have a form of Godliness upon us but that we should entertain and obey the Power thereof and be all of us in sincerity Godly Persons Therefore hath he entail'd all profitable Prosperity on Godliness that we might never think of enjoying the former without our embracing the latter No good thing will He withold from them that walk uprightly Psal 84. 11. Hence he thus expresseth himself and evidenceth it to be his Cordial desire that we should apply our selves to the hearty Obedience of him O that there were such an heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my commandments always that it might be well with them and with their Children for ever Deut. 5. 28 29. And now Israel saith Móses what doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to fear the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul to keep the Commandments of the Lord and his Statutes which I command thee this day for thy good chap. 10. 12 13. It adds nothing really unto him if we be holy and good nor doth it take any thing from him if we be ungodly and prophane If thou sinnest what dost thou against him or if thy transgressions be multiplyed what doest thou unto him If thou be Righteous what givest thou him or what receiveth he of thine hand Job 36. 6. 8. No but he hires us to the Embracement and Practice of sincere Piety and Purity with the undoubted Advantage of it to our selves And therefore we may rationally and certainly conclude that God our Saviour will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledg of the Truth as 1 Tim. 2. 4. That he is not willing that any man should perish while it is called to day but that all should come to Repentance 2 Pet. 3. 9. Therefore he sets before us Life and Good and Death and Evill Blessing and Cursing not as if he was indifferent which of them we chuse but he doth Councel us and Cordially desire we should chuse Life and to that end that we love the Lord our God and obey his voice and cleave unto him for He is our Life and the length of our dayes Deut. 30. 10 15 19 20. And doubtless seeing it is his hearty will we should seriously exercise our selves unto the obedience of Faith he will not be wanting to enable us thereto by the asistance of his grace if we be not wanting to our selves for he giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not Jam. 1. 5. It is God that worketh in you saith the Apostle both to will and to do of his good Pleasure Phil 2. 12 15. If therefore we continue disobedient and ungodly and so perish in conclusion we shall have no just cause to blame the God o◠all Grace who hath done so great things for us and set so great encouragments before us to move and engage us to serve him acceptably But our Destruction will appear to be wholly of our selves and that we our selves have by observing lying vanities forsaken our own mercies and have been too too like prophane Esau who for one morsel of meat sold his Birth-right Heb. 12. 14 17. 3. Seeing Godliness is profitable unto all things and that our exercising our selves thereto is our most certain excellent and eternal advantage This then discovers and evidences unto us the great and pernicious mistake and folly of them that think and speak otherwise and so exercise not themselves thereto but walk in Ungodly Unrighteous and Intemperate ways and practises as if Impiety were the onely and mainly gainfull thing they could exercise themselves unto To this purpose Job speaks of some wicked ones who did greatly Flourish in this world in their unrighteous courses and who thought that because they did so therefore it would be a vain and unprofitable thing to serve and fear the Lord. They spend their days saith he in Wealth or Mirth and in a moment go down to the grave Therefore they say unto God depart from us for we desire not the knowledg of thy ways What is the Almighty that we should serve him And what profit should we have if we pray unto him Job 21. 14. 15. And to the same purpose Eliphaz speaks of them namely They say unto God depart from us And what can the Almighty do for them see how brutish they are in their thoughts or expressions of God while they give him the Title of the Almighty they yet say What can he do for them whereas they might rather and most truly say What cannot the Almighty do for them most strange That he should be Almighty and yet should have no Hands no power to provide for his servants Thus some wicked ones did Reason with such contradictious Talke But though they doubted of or denyed his Providence and Bounty they did partake thereof while they spake so Atheistically for it presently follows yet he filled their houses with good things Job 22 15. 17. 18. Yea such foolish and brutish ones there were not onely amongst them that were without the Church but of them also that were of the Church and of the most Reformed part thereof of Judah God's pleasant Plant. Hence it is said concerning some therein your words have been stout against me saith the Lord Yet ye say what have we spoken against thee ye have said it is vain to serve God And what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance And that we have walked Mournfully before the Lord of hosts But whence proceded this unreasonable and absurd talk of theirs Surely from hence Because wicked ones did grow Great and were Fat and Flourishing therefore they thought that their Impiety was their great Interest and Advantage for so much is signified in the following words of these simple and unwise Persons to wit And now we call the Proud happy yea they that work wickedness are set up yea they that tempt God are even delivered Mal. 3. 13 14 15. Nay that Good Man was envious at the foolish when he saw the prosperity of the wicked That there were no Bands in their death but their strength was firm That they were not in trouble as other men neither were they plagued like other men That their eyes stand out with fatness and they have more than heart could wish Behold saith he these are the ungodly they prosper in the World they increase in Riches And while he looked upon their security and prosperity according to outward appearance he was to ready and
reverence and Godly fear he provides for them as for his children in an especial consideration and as Heirs of his Covenant and promises The Lord is gracious and full of compassion He hath given meat to them that fear him he will ever be mindful of his Covenant Psal 111. 4 5. And it was David's observation when he was grown into years that God did always provide what was good for the righteous I have been young saith he and now am old yet have I never seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread He is ever merciful lendeth and his seed is in the blessing Psal 37. 25 26 27. And when the same holy Prophet pronounceth the blessedness of the truly Godly person saying blessed is the man that feareth the Lord that delighteth greatly in his Commandements he then gives us to understand that this is a part of his blessedness namely wealth and riches shall be in his house c. Psal 112. 1 3. Prov. 22. 4. It must be acknowledged that God hath not promised to them that walk uprightly before him an abundance of outward and worldly good things or such a fulness as some others enjoy out of his general goodness and kindness who have their portion in this life and whose bellies God filleth with his hid treasure as Psal 17. 14. But that Competency which he gives them with his blessing is better then the whole world without it And indeed as our blessed Saviour faith a mans life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth Luk. 12. 15. A little that a righteous man hath is better then the riches of any wicked Psal 37. 16. Better is a little with the fear of the Lord then great treasure and trouble therewith Better is a dinner of herbs where love is however where men are in the well pleased love and favour of God then a stalled Oxe and hatred therewith Better is a little with righteousness then great revenues without right Prov. 15. 16 17. and chap. 16. 8. And he hath assured them that they that seek and serve him shall not want any thing that is really good and profitable for them Psal 34. 8 9 10. and 84. 10 11 12. And such Promises are not only propounded and ascertained to the Fearers of the Lord before the coming of the Son of God into the world but since that time also Our Saviour doth not only direct his disciples thus to pray to their Father which is in heaven to wit Give us this day our daily bread Mat. 6. 11. But also in the same chapter gives them this assurance and encouragement Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you to wit what ye shall eat and what ye shall drink and wherewith ye shall be cloathed And so whatsoever your heavenly Father knoweth ye have need of shall be given to you And this is propounded to them that they might have their conversation without covetousness and carefulness Mat. 6. 31 32 33. Luk. 12. 29 31 32. So the Apostle saith having food and raiment let us therewith be content This we shall have in leading our lives in Godliness and honesty But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition For the love of money is the root of all evil 1 Tim. 6. 6 7 8 9 10. And again he saith to the believing Hebrews let your conversation be without Covetousness and be content with such things as ye have for he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee so that we may boldly say the Lord is mine helper and I will not fear what man shall do unto me Heb. 13. 5 6. with Deut. 31. 1 6. Yea and there are Promises and assurances given to them that he will take care of and provide for his faithful servants in a time of scarcity and want when he orders cleaness of Teeth in those quarters or Nations in which God hath bounded their Habitations Job 5. 20 22. Behold saith the Psalmist attend to and minde this diligently the eye of Jehovah is upon them that fear him upon them that hope in his mercy To keep them alive in famine Psal 33. 18 19. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied they shall have enough to hold their souls in life withall Psal 37. 19 25. The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to wit them or their persons to famish but he casteth away the substance of the wicked Prov. 10. 3. And in such times in times of death and famine he hath wonderfully and Marvellously taken care of and kept alive such as waited upon him and walked before him in former days and with him is no variableness nor shadow of turning Gen. 12. 10. and chap. 26. 1. and chap. 42. 5. But no more to that particular 3. Godliness is profitable having also the promise of the life that now is as to God's special and gracious protection and salvation from all such dangers and troubles as might be indeed evil and hurtful to them he is especially the Saviour of them that trust in him hefore the Sons of men and whose hearts are perfect towards him hence the Psalmist thus pours out his heart before the Lord saying shew thy marvellous loving kindness O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them Psal 17. 7 8 9. and 31. 19 20. His eyes run to and fro throughout the whole earth to shew himself strong on the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him 2 Chron. 16. 9. Psal 9. 9. 10. They that dwell in the secret of the most High shall lodge under the shadow of the Almighty He will cover them with his feathers and under his wings they shall trust his Truth shall be their shield and buckler Psal 91. 1 3 4. So he is said to be a buckler to them that walk uprightly Prov. 2. 7. And a Shield to them that put their trust in him chap. 30. 5. The name of the Lord is a strong Tower the righteous runneth into it and is safe Prov. 18. 10. As with respect to them that are wicked and stubbornly sin against God Salvation is far from them Psal 119. 155. Isa 59. 11 12. But surely his Salvation is nigh them that fear him Psal 15. 9. Be their enemies then never so numerous have they never so much power in their hands or on their side as Eccles 4. 1. Be they never so full of Enmity and Malice towards such as are upright and never so full of subtilty and cunning Craftiness to accomplish their evil and mischievous designs against them who out of the fear of God dare not have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness yet they need not be afraid
through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus Rom. 3. 22 25. And he will pour out his spirit unto the truely pious persons and thereby make their souls like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not which will spring up unto everlasting life Isa 58. 6 11. How much more saith our Saviour shall your heavenly father give the holy spirit to them that ask him Luk. 11. 13. But this is to be understood of the first-fruits thereof the Harvest thereof is still to be waited for as the Apostle saith we our selves also which have the first-fruits of the spirit even we our selves groan within our selves waiting for the adoption c. Rom. 8. 23 25. Even as before the children of Israel came into the Land of Canaan they had a first-fruits as it were of that excellent land which was the glory of all lands brought unto them in the wilderness for their encouragement to hold on their way and that from thence they might conceive and conclude that the land of Canaan was a most excellent countrey Numb 13. 23 24 26 27. So now while they are in the wilderness of this world God doth in some beginnings and in a small measure give unto them that live godly in Christ Jesus a Taste of what they shall hereafter compleatly and fully enjoy that they might Hunger and Thirst after righteousness and press toward the mark for the prize which is set before them He is now merciful to their unrighteousness Heb. 8. 12. And doth remember them with his special favour Psal 106. 4. Prov. 8. 17. And gives them grace for seasonable help Psal 84. 11. Heb. 4. 16. And is filling them with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ to the praise and glory of God Isa 61. 3. Joh. 15. 1 8. In taking Christ's yoke upon them and learning of him they shall find rest to their souls while they meet with various afflictions and occasions of sadness as with respect to the outward man their soul shall dwell at case and lodge in Goodness Mat. 11. 28 30 Psal 25. 11 14. God is now filling them with joy and peace in believing in the midst of all the troubles and exercises wherewith they are exercised and is also effecting in them and quickning them unto a lively Hope and well-grounded Expectation which maketh not ashamed of the Harvest and future inheritance and this Hope they have as an Anchor of the Soul both sure that which will not break how highly soever the waves lift up their voice or how fiercely soever the winds bluster and blow yet this Hope will hold firm and it is stedfast it will not slip for it is centred in Christ that Rock of Ages against which the gates of hell shall not prevail nor against those that firmely abide in him Yea this Hope which is the Anchor of the Soul entreth into that within the veil whither the fore-runner is for us entred even Jesus made an High-priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech Heb. 6. 18 20. 1 Joh. 3. 1 2 3. But we shall here add no more as to this first particular in which the Apostle doth evince and evidence to us the great advantageousness and profitableness of true piety holiness and righteousness to the end we may seriously and stedfastly exercise our selves to the unfeigned belief of the mystery of it and also to the sincere practice of it in saying unto us having promise of the life that now is And now God willing we shall proceed on unto the second contained in the last clause namely 2. Godliness is profitable having promise also of the life that is to come to wit after this uncertain and frail life shall have an end In which is intimated to us that though men lead never such pious and good lives though they walk never so holily justly and unblamably in having their conversation as becomes and adornes the Gospel of Christ Jesus yet they shall not live here always but they must depart this life as well as other men It is appointed to men generally once to dye to dye the first death Heb. 9. 27. What man is he that liveth and shall not see death and shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave Psal 89. 48. Nor indeed would it be good for them to live here always in this polluted evil troublesome and dangerous world for while they are at home in the body they are absent from the Lord but when this life is at end they shall then be with Christ and shall enter into the joy of their Lord. And therefore as the present life is theirs while it is continued to them so death is theirs also to them to dye is gain the day of death is better to them than the day of their birth Eccl. 7. 1. To which I shall at this time enlarge no further But though they also must needs dye and depart out of this world yet in unfeignedly exercising themselves to Godliness they have the promise of the life that is to come As things present are theirs so also are things to come All things are theirs and they are Christ's and Christ is God's 1 Cor. 3. 21 22 23. If in or for this life onely they have hope in Christ they are of all men most miserable as 1 Cor. 15. 19. But they have the promise and assurance of a suture and better life and are begotten again to the lively hope of it But now in speaking unto this last clause I shall desire so to do in this following order That is to say 1. Evidence and shew that there is a future life a life to come when this present short and frail life is ended 2. What is meant by and contained in the life to come 3. That Godliness hath the promise thereof 1. I Say we shall give some evidences and shew that there is a future state to be entred upon another life besides this present a life to come when this frail vain and Transitory life is ended and expired and this may appear and be evidenced in these following evidences namely 1. From plain intimations and expressions which are contained in the Scriptures of Truth This was more darkly signified and made known in the holy Scriptures written before the coming of our Lord Jesus in the Flesh Thus those words spoken unto Moses by God in the bush to wit I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob Exod. 3. 6. are made use of by our blessed Saviour to prove a future state after this life For saith he God is not the God of the dead but of the living for all live unto him These Patriarchs though they are dead unto us yet they live unto him and shall be raised again in due season Mat. 22. 31 32. Mark 12. 26 27. Luk. 20. 37 38 Thus also whereas the Prophet saith he will swallow up death in victory and the Lord
God will wipe away tears from off all faces c. The Apostle Paul proving the Resurrection of the dead and particularly saying this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality c. He then addes the former part of that Prophecy before cited to wit Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written Death is swallowed up in victory And the latter clause of the Prophet's forementioned is cited by the Apostle John when he speaks of the future state of such as were truly Godly persons Isa 25. 8. with 1 Cor. 15. 53. 54. and Rev. 7. 14 17. and chap. 21. 4. That Prophecy also of the prophet Hosea's to wit O death I will be thy plagues O Grave I will be thy destruction The Apostle doth cite when he treats of and proves the resurrection Hos 13. 14. with 1 Cor. 15. 55. Thus also when the Prophet Isaiah is speaking of the removal of the righteous out of this world by death saying The righteous perisheth And merciful men are taken away none considering that the righteous is taken from that which is evil he then immediately signifieth that there is not then an utter end of them or that for ever they cease to be but he very plainly gives us to understand that they enter upon a better state when they are hence departed for he immediately subjoynes to the former He shall enter into peace they shall rest in their beds each one walking in his uprightness or before him Isa 57. 1 2. And the Prophet Daniel doth very plainly and perspicuously speak of a future state to be entred upon by both good and bad when they by death are passed out of this world for he thus prophetically speaks saying Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt And by the word many there we may well understand all or the multitude for it doth so signify in other places of Scripture Dan. 12. 2. with Rom. 5. 15 19. with vers 18. Psal 32. 10. c. And though the life to come or future state was more darkly discovered or less clearly revealed then it is since Christ came a light into the world yet it was then so plainly made known that the holy ones in the Church of Israel did firmly believe and confidently expect a better life when they should depart out of this and the faith and hope thereof made them willing to forgo the desirable things of this present life and world and to undergo afflictions persecutions and torments yea and death it self for the name of God Heb. 11. 13 16 24 26. And so it is said Others were tortured not accepting deliverance to wit upon their enemies Termes That they might obtain a better Resurrection And others had trial of cruell Mockings and Scourgings yea more-over of Bonds and Imprisonments c. Heb. 11. 35 36 40. Yea it appears that not only the truly pious ones in that Church did thus believe and confess But it was the general belief of all among the Jews the Sect of the Sadduces excepted Mark 12. 18 27 37. Matth. 22. 23 33. And particularly of the Pharisees it is said They confess a Resurrection and Angels and Spirits Act. 23. 6 8 9. See also John 11. 24. Act. 24. 14 15 16. and chap. 26. 6 7 8. But that there is a Future State to be entred upon by All when this Transitory and Momentany State shall be ended and determined is much more clearly revealed and evidently discovered to us in the Holy Scriptures written since the coming and appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath abolished death and brought Life and Immortality to Light by the Gospel 2 Tim. 1. 9 10. with Mat. 22. 24 30. How plainly was this declared by our Lord Jesus himself while he was upon the Earth When saith he the Son of Man shall come in his Glory and all the Holy Angels with him Then shall he sit upon the Throne of his Glory and before him shall be gathered all Nations And he shall separate them one from another as a Shepherd divideth his Sheep from the Goates Matth. 25. 30 32 41 46. And again our Lord saith unto the Jews Marvel not at this for the hour is coming in which all that are in their Graves shall hear the voice of the Son of Man and shall come forth they that have done good unto the Resurrection of Life and they that have done evil unto the Resurrection of Damnation John 5. 27 29. Once more he saith I came down from Heaven not to do mine Own Will but the Will of him that sent me And this is the Will of him that sent me That of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up at the last day And this is the Will of him that sent me That every one that seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting Life And I will raise him up at the last day John 6. 38 39 40. and Chap. 11. 25. And the holy Apostles after the Holy Spirit was received by them in that most plentiful effusion of it mentioned in Act. 2. did very frequently and most clearly Preach through Jesus the Resurection from the dead Act. 4. 2. and chap. 10. 42 43. And particularly the Apostle Paul speaketh thus of his Faith and Hope After the way which they call Heresy so worship I the God of my Fathers Believing all things which are written in the Law and the Prophets And have hope toward God which they themselves also allow That there shall be a Resurrection of the Dead both of the Just and of the Unjust Act. 24. 14 15 16. And indeed to this end Christ both Died and Rose and Revived that he might be Lord both of the Dead and living For it is written As I live saith the Lord every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God So then every one of us shall give an Account of himself to God Rom. 14. 9 11 12. with Phil. 2. 9 11. And in 1 Cor. 15. the same Apostle doth very largely assert and evidence by manifold Arguments that all shall be raised again in due season And particularly in ver 21 22. he saith For since by man came Death by man came also the Resurrection of the Dead For as in Adam all dye so in Christ shall all be made alive But every man in his own order See also Rev. 20. To this I might further have enlarged but what hath been written doth sufficiently evince that the Scriptures do very fully and plainly assure us that there is a Life to come a future State to be entred upon by all when this short and frail state is ended And I shall here only add that this is a very considerable momentous and weighty Evidence of the Truth hereof For the Scriptures cannot be broken And it is easier
for Heaven and Earth to pass than one tittle of the Law to faile Luke 16. 17. And when the Rich man in the Parable said unto Abraham I pray thee therefore Father that thou wouldest send Lazarus to my Fathers House for I have five Brethren that he may testify unto them lest they also come unto this place of Torment Abraham then saith unto him They have Moses and the Prophets let them hear them Intimating plainly that they gave sufficient notice of a future State that those that heard them might avoid that dismal place of Torment Psal 9. 17. and 49. 14 15. And he said nay Father Abraham But if one went unto them from the dead they will Repent And be said unto him If they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the dead And the same may be more fully affirmed concerning them that will not believe our Lord Jesus and his holy Apostles Luke 16. 27 29 31. with Heb. 2. 1 3. and chap. 10. 28 29 31. and chap. 12. 18 25 29. And so much for that first and most material evidence 2. That there is a Life to come a future State to be entred upon when this present Frail one is ended is evidenced also by some Instances of the Truth hereof which are mentioned in the Holy Scriptures Thus it is said of Enoch That He walked with God and he was not For God took him Or as the Apostle saith By Faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death and was not found because God translated him to wit from Earth to Heaven for before his Translation he had this Testimony that he pleased God But without Faith it is impossible to please him Now if there be not a future State to be entred upon when this present one is ended and a better Life to be enjoyed by such as please God when they depart out of this then Enoch had fared the worse for his very signal and eminent Holiness For he was the shortest liver in this World by far of any of them mentioned in Gen. 5. And doubless God removed him to a far better place and state to give assurance to others that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him And this Instance of a future Blessed State was the more considerable before the Scriptures were written that the World might know that it is no vain thing to serve and please the Lord Gen. 5. 22 24. with Heb. 11. 5 6. And as the Son of Sirach saith Enoch pleased the Lord God therefore was he translated for an ensample of Repentance to the Generations Ecclus 44. 16. And again Upon the Earth was no man created like Enoch for he was taken up from the Earth chap. 49. 14. Thus it is also said of Elijah There appeared a Chariot of fire and Horses of fire and parted Elisha and him asunder and Elijah went up by a whirl-wind into Heaven and Elisha saw it and he cryed My Father my Father c. 2 King 2. 9 11 12. And many hundred of years after this even when our Lord Jesus was upon the Earth Moses and Elias were with him when he was transfigured As it is said Behold there talked with Christ two men which were Moses and Elias who appeared in Glory and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem And Peter James and John a competent number of credible Witnesses Saw the two men that stood with our Lord. And Peter said unto Jesus Master it is good for us to be here or as some that we Remain here And let us make three Tabernacles one for thee and one for Moses and one for Elias c. Luk. 9. 30 31 32 33. Our Lord also who was not in Appearance only but really dead John 19. 33 34. And who continued untill the third day in the Grave was then Raised again from the Dead in that very individual Body in which he was Crucified Dead and Buried Luk. 24. 38 40. John 20. And unto his holy Apostles He shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs being seen of them forty dayes and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God Act. 1. 3. Yea he was not only seen of his Apostles but also of above five hundred Brethren at once 1 Cor. 15. 6. And after his Resurrection and after his Remaining forty dayes upon the Earth While his Apostles beheld he was taken up to wit into Heaven And unto his Disciples two Angels said Ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing up into Heaven This same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven Act. 1. 9 10 11. And some considerable time after this the Holy Man and Martyr Stephen saw him in Heaven For it is said He being full of the Holy Ghost looked up stedfastly into Heaven and saw the Glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God and said Behold I see the Heavens opened and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God And this good confession he witnessed before those Who gnashed on him with their Teeth and presently after stoned him Act. 7. 54 55 56 59. And after this again the Lord Jesus Appeared unto Saul in the way Act. 9. 15. and was seen by him Hence he saith Am I not an Apostle Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord 1 Cor. 9. 1. And saith he Last of all he was seen of me also as of one born out of due time 1 Cor. 15. 8. Act. 22. 8 14 15. and chap. 26. 11 16. And himself by his Angel thus speaketh unto St. John saying I am he that liveth and was dead and behold I am alive for evermore Amen This is a true and Faithful saying And therefore worthy of all acceptation Rev. 1. 18. and chap. 2. 8. So that we have full assurance and infallible proof given us of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and of his enjoyment of an everlasting and endless Life in the nature of man Heb. 7. 16 17. And this Instance is the most Considerable of all because he died and rose as a Publick Man as the last Adam He by the grace of God tasted death for every man And rose again for their justification and is become the Resurrection and the Life John 11. 25. He is a quickning Spirit In and by whom All shall be made Alive after they are dead 1 Cor. 15. 45. with ver 21 22. And the very end of his dying and rising and reviving was that he might Lord it over quick and dead and be Judge of all Rom. 14. 9 12. And saith the Apostle Paul God now commandeth all men every where to Repent Because he hath appointed a day in which he will Judge the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him
from the dead Act. 17. 30 31. 1 Cor. 15. 20 22. and chap. 6. 14. 1 Thes 4. 13 18. And presently after the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus from the dead many other Holy Ones were raised As it is said And the Graves were opened and many Bodies of Saints which slept arose and came out of the Graves after his Resurrection and went into the Holy City and appeared unto many Mat. 27. 52 53. which might be some first-fruits of fulfilling of that Prophesie of Esaias where he saith Thy dead men shall live together with my dead Body shall they arise c. Isa 26. 19. And Lastly our Saviour in the Parable or Story of the Rich Man and of Lazarus doth plainly give us to understand that when they departed out of this Life and World they then entered upon another State the one of Joy and Comfort and the other of Misery and Torment for it is said The beggar died and was carryed by the Angels into Abraham's Bosome The Rich Man also died and was Buried And in Hell he lift up his eyes being in Torments and seeth Abraham afarr of and Lazarus in his Bosome And said Father Abraham have mercy upon me and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue for I am Tormented in this Flame But Abraham said Son Remember that thou in thy life-time received'st thy good things and likewise Lazarus evil things but now he is 〈◊〉 Comforted and thou art Tormented In which also is plainly signified to us that Abraham the Father of the Faithful was then alive in his Spirit and did live unto God as our Saviour also else-where affirmeth Luk. 16. 19 22 24 25. and chap. 20. 38. And the Apostle John saith I saw under the Altar the Souls of them that were slain for the Word of God and for the Testimony which they held And they cryed with a loud voice saying How long O Lord Holy and True dost thou not Judge and Avenge our Blood on them that dwell on the earth c. Rev. 6. 9 10 11. and chap. 7. 14 15 17. But I shall enlarge no farther unto that Second Evidence of a Future State and Life to come but proceed unto the Third to wit 3. The Truth of the former is further Evidenced by the Desire and Vote of Pious and Serious Persons to be removed out of this World I do not mean or speak concerning the Desire or Prayers of some good men in a Passion or Distemper such an one it may seem Elijah was in when Jezebel vowed to take away his Life for then he requested for himself that he might Dye and said It is enough O Lord take away my Life for I am not better than my Fathers 1 King 19. 1 4. with Jam. 5. 17. So also when Jonah saw that God spared Nineveh upon their serious Repentance It displeased him exceedingly and he was very angry And said Take I beseech thee my life from me For it is better for me to dye than to live And again when his Gourd withered And the Sun beat upon the head of Jonah that he fainted He wished in himself to dye and said It is better for me to dye than to live And God said unto Jonah doest thou well to be angry for the Gourd and he said I do well to be angry even unto Death Jonah 4. 1 3 6 7 8 9. Job 6. 8 9 10. and 14. 13. with chap. 36. 20 21. But I speak concerning the Vote and Desire of Good men when they were in a good calme composed frame and temper of Spirit So that Good and Holy man Simeon when he had seen our Lord Jesus and taken him into his Armes He then blessed God and said Lord Now lettest thou thy servant depart in Peace according to thy word c. Luk. 2. 26 28 29 30. And Paul saith of himself and of other unfeigned Believers Our selves which have the first-fruits of the spirit even we our selves groan within our selves waiting for the the Adoption to wit the Redemption of the Body Rom. 8. 23. And again he saith For we know that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolved we have a Building of God an house not made with hands Eternal in the Heavens for in this we groan earnestly desiring to be cloathed upon with our house which is from Heaven For we that are in this Tabernacle do groan being burdened not for that we would be unclothed but clothed upon that Mortallity might be swallowed up of Life We are confident and willing rather to be absent from the Body and to be present with the Lord 2 Cor. 4. 16 18. and chap. 5. 1 2 4. 8. And the same Holy Apostle as with Respect to himself saith I am in a straight betwixt two having a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far better Phil. 1. 20 23. And of the Patriarchs and Holy Ones in former times it is said If they had been mindful of that Countrey from whence they came out they might have had opportunity to have return'd But now they desire a better Countrey that is an Heavenly wherefore God is not asham'd to be called their God for he hath prepared for them a City Heb. 11. 9 10 13 16. Gen. 49. 18. And these Holy Ones who thus Desired were not Novices in the Faith but Eminent ones therein they were Pillars in the Church as it were or however some of them were so Patriarchs Prophets and Apostles and so such as were guided by the Holy and Eternal Spirit of God which searcheth all things yea the deep things of God And by which Blessed and infallible Spirit they were assured that there was a future state to be entred upon when they are departed out of this Evil and passing world and so Faile from among the Children of men or otherwise it was not at all desirable to go out of this Life and World For not to be is next unto and little better than to be miserable as our Saviour seems to signifie to us in Matth. 26. 24. Mark 14. 21. And also by this good and most Understanding Spirit they were perswaded to Believe that the future State that good men shall enter upon when they are departed out of this World is far better and much rather to be chosen then that they were then upon while they were in this Frail Mortal and Corruptible Body as the Apostle Paul saith To me to live is Christ and to dye is Gain Phil. 1. 20 21. And so particularly it is said of that Pious man Simeon fore-named who desired to depart out of and leave this World and Life when he had seen God's Salvation which he had prepared before the face of all People that the holy Ghost was upon him and it was revealed to him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see Death before he had seen the Lord's Christ And he came by the Spirit into the Temple
away And he that sate upon the Throne said unto me faith St. John Write For these words are true and faithful Rev. 21. 1 4 5. And then they shall for evermore Reap that Harvest of unmixed joy and light which is now sown for them they shall enter into the joy of their Lord when they are absent from the Body they shall be present with the Lord and shall for ever be in his Blessed and Glorious Presence In whose Presence is fulness of joy and at whose right hand are Pleasures for evermore Matth. 25. 21 23. 2 Cor. 5. 6 8. Rev. 22. 4. And if now they greatly rejoyce in hope and expectation of the Glory of God which now they see not nor fully enjoy Rom. 8. 24 25. what will their joy and rejoycing be when they have a compleat glorious and never-ending enjoyment and fruition of what they now in this day longingly and patiently expect and wait for 5. Sometimes Eternal life is declared to consist in the Knowledg of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord gives us to understand in his Address to his Father saying unto Him This is life Eternal that they know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent John 17. 2 3. with 1 John 5. 20 21. Indeed that imperfect and small knowledge of God and Jesus Christ which they now have while they are absent from the Lord is very sweet and delightful My Son saith the Wise-man eat thou honey because it is Good and the honey combe which is sweet upon thy palate so shall the knowledge of Wisdom be unto thy soul when thou hast found it Prov. 2. 10. and chap. 24. 13 14. It is called The light of the knowledge of the glory of God 2 Cor. 4. 4 6. And Light and Understanding and Excellent Wisdom are put together Dan 5. 11 14. to signifie that what Light is to the outward man knowledge and wisdom is to the Inner even to the soul And truly the light is sweet and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the Sun Eccl. 11. 7. But if that very small and little measure of knowledg and understanding which the Saints now partake of be so grateful and pleasant how sweet satisfactory and ravishing will be the perfect and compleat knowledge they shall enjoy and be made partakers of in the future state they shall enter upon We now know in part saith the Apostle and we Prophecy in part But when that which is perfect is come then that which is in part shall be done away For now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face Now I know in part but then shall I know even as also I am known 1 Cor. 13. 9 10 12. And through the present perfect sight and knowledg of our Lord Jesus Christ they shall also be compleatly conformed to his most excellent Image and Likeness which is now effected in part through the imperfect sight of him as it is said We all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. 12 18. But when they shall behold him without a glass when they shall see him eye to eye as Isa 52. 8. they shall then be perfectly made like unto him To this purpose the Apostle John speaks to the believers saying Now are we the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear to wit to themselves fully what we shall be But we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 John 3. 2 3. Matth. 5 8. Isa 33. 15 16 17. 6. Sometimes by the life to come is meant that Kingdome or reigning state that is proposed to and set before us in the Gospel to move and excite us to exercise our selves seriously and constantly to Godliness and Righteousness and which Crown of Glory they shall undoubtedly receive who run the ways of Gods commandments with diligence and perseverance Thus whereas in two verses in Mark 9. we have these expressions used by our Lord Jesus It is better for thee to enter into life In another verse in the same place it is thus expressed It is better for thee to enter into the Kingdome of God c. vers 43 45. with vers 47. Thus also it is said of them which receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness that they shall reign in life by one Jesus Christ Rom. 5. 17. And the Future life the life to come which is promised to the unfeigned believers is called The Crown of life so it is said When he is tried he shall receive the Crown of Life else-where called by the same Apostle The Kingdom which the Lord hath promised unto them that love him Jam. 1. 12. with chap. 2. 5. And our Lord saith unto the Angel of the Church in Smyrna Be thou faithful unto the death and I will give thee a Crown of life Rev. 2. 10. And so this is contained in the future life which is promised unto Godliness that they that now hear Christs voice and follow him shall then be exalted to inherit a Kingdome Luk. 12. 32. As the holy ones confess to the praise of the Lamb that was slain saying Thou hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall Reign on the earth Rev. 5. 9 10. Rom. 2. 9 10. And they shall Reign for ever and ever Rev. 22. 5. 7. And lastly sometimes life and eternal life are opposed to Corruption and Mortality thus the Apostle saith That Mortality may be swallowed up of life 2 Cor. 5. 4. Gal. 6. 8. And life is joyned with Immortality 2 Tim. 1. 10. And so it signifies an endless life and therewith an everlasting deliverance from all wrath death pain punishment enemies shame weeping and grief c. And an eternal enjoyment and possession of all Glory Honour Peace Joy and compleat bliss and happiness as we have intimated all along in what we have written and as is also imported to us in the very Pharse of everlasting or eternal life Heb. 7. 16. Psal 133. 3. and 36. 7 9. Thus I have given some short and very imperfect account of what is meant by and contained in the life to come of which Godliness hath the promise of which the Apostles themselves have not onely known but also Prophesied in part in those excellent things spoken and written by them and then how should such a Child in understanding as I am do otherwise then darken it by words without knowledge 1 Cor. 13. 9 12 1 Joh. 3. 1 2. Isa 64. 4. with 1 Cor. 2. 9 10. Psal 31. 19. And we shall hereafter see cause to use the words of the Queen of Sheba concerning this eternal life and Salvation namely It was a true report that we heard of it from the holy Prophets and Apostles Howbeit Behold