that estate he desires to be freed from Answ 1. Answ It is against nature that any man should have contentment in affliction barely considered as affliction for nature cannot be content with any thing hurtfull to it but a renewed man is content in it as an act of his Fathers will and as a means of his spiritual good even as a sick Patient hath no contentment in the bitter potion of medicine as it is simply a bitter potion but yet he is content with it as an order from his skilful Physitian and as a means of his better health 2. He may both desire and also use the lawful means to be freed Ezechias both praied and also applied the Fig to the boyl 2 King 20. But our desires must be ever with a submission to Gods will As our Lord contented with his Fathers will praied If it be possible let this cup passe from me neverthelesse not as I will but as thou wilt Impatient and masterful desires of deliverance in a time of trouble cannot consist with true contentment but humble and submitting desires consist very well with it To God the sole Authour of true contentment Father Son and holy Ghost be all praise Amen The second act of the composure of his Spirit in all conditions of life is manifested in his solid and equal carriage I know both how to be abased and how to abound The sound beleever is not carried here and there like a willow with the contrary windes of prosperity and adversity Doct. The sound beleever in all estates is unmoveable but he remains unmoved as an Oak he is not up and down He is not like churlish Nabal in his prosperity and jollity despising his betters and in his adversity dejected with pusillanimity and dead like a stone 1 Sam. 25. But he is of a prudent solid and equal temper of spirit 1 Cor. 7.30 They that weep as though they weep not and they that rejoyce as though they rejoyce not The Children of God will not in a dissembling way counterfeit with their tongues and eyes with sorrow for publick calamities as cruell Ishmael the Sonne of Nethaniah did and yet have malice and revenge boyling in their hearts Jer. 41.6 Neither will they as the Pharisees disfigure their faces when there is no sorrow in their hearts Matth. 6. But they carry the variety of their condition in such a mystery of moderation that beholders cannot reade their condition in their countenance or outward behaviour This is that Christian moderation which the Apostle requires Phil. 4.5 Let your moderation be known to all men when we so moderate our affections in all occurrences that they exceed not Our joy in prosperity we moderate by the grace of humility Our sorrow in adversity by Christian Fortitude and Faith in God Psa 27.19 I had fainted unlesse I had beleeved to see the goodnesse of God in the Land of the living In the midst of all their worldly troubles their heart rejoyceth in God and in the midst of outward wants they enjoy the allsufficient God This inward joy moderates their outward griefs 2 Cor. 6.10 As sorrowfull yet alwaies rejoycing as having nothing and yet possessing all things for a beleever enjoys God who is all in all to him The Reasons of this Doctrine Reasons of a Christians equal carriage in all conditions That a sound beleever is of a solid and equal carriage in all conditions are 1. Because God puts his fear in the hearts of his own children Jer. 32.40 and fear to offend God by abuse of prosperity keeps the heart humble and stable he considers that a plentifull condition hath been a snare to many and therefore he rejoyceth in trembling he walks softly and circumspectly like a man in the midst of snares so also in adversity the fear of God moderates his grief that it exceeds not to impatience and unbelief he feareth the displeasure of God according to that Heb. 10.38 If any man draw back to wit by unbelief my soul shall have no pleasure in him 2. Faith keeps the heart in a solid and equal temper in a time of worldly prosperity faith looks to things eternal reserved in heaven for us this makes us have humble thought of those flying shadowes of worldly pleasures in comparison of that substance of glory that endures for ever faith also in adversity quiets and settles our spirits when we beleeve that our light afflictions which are but for a moment work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory 2 Cor. 4.17 fear and faith are to the soul as ballast and sails to the ship the one keeps it from being overcarried in the top of the wave and the other from being swallowed up in the gulph between the waves so the fear of God keeps the heart of a beleever from being overturned by strong temptations in the top of his prosperity and assurance of faith like a main sayl carries the heart through the deeps of afflictions and keeps it from being overwhelmed This Doctrine serveth for reprehension of two sorts of people Vse 1 Reproof to such as know not how 1. To abound 1. Of such as know not how to abound How many are there that cannot carry the cup of prosperity even their pride is intollerable they trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches Psal 49.6 Some abuse their prosperity to riot and excesse feeding themselves without fear of God that covereth their table Jude v. 12. Jam. 5.5 weep ye rich men ye have lived in pleasure on the earth and been wanton this is the worst sort of ingratitude to render to our God evil for his goodnesse like Jeshurun that waxed fat and kicked against his feeder Deut. 32.15 Some make not a right use of their plenty for a supply to the indigent Jam. 5.2 3. How lye rich men your gold and silver is kankered and the rust of them shall be a witnesse against you Some saucily despise those that are in adversity like Nabal in a festivall day 1 Sam. 25.10 Who is David there be many servants that now adayes break away from their masters c. they will give evil words but do no good works And others are insolent oppressors of the poor Prov. 22.7 The rich ruleth over the poor and the borrower is servant to the lender he abuseth that to make it a burden which should be an ease and relief The mercies of the wicked are cruel Prov. 12.10 2. Of such as know not how to be abased 2. To be abased but miscarry in á day of adversity some are stupid and senselesse of the Lords visitation Isa 42.25 He hath poured upon Israel the fury of his anger and the strength of battell and it hath set him on fire round about and it burned him yet he laid it not to heart Some are in the other extream they faint in the day of adversity if riches decrease they droop like thin feathered
then will he return and double his temptations as he did to that man Math. 12. he returned with seven worse but watch thou and pray that thou be not led into temptation though now thou be molested with one temptation after another yet resist them being stefast in the Faith and be comforted in the hope of thy eternal rest and immunity from all temptations in thy Country that is above in it there will be no tempter Then shall Sathan be fastened to damnation by the indissoluble chains of darkness in heaven there will not be remaining in us any inordinate concupiscence to be tempted Then our will and affections will adhere so close unto to God the supreme Good that it will be impossible to draw the heart from God No ayr of temptation can intervene The Angels who stood not in the truth though they had neither a tempter from without nor inordinate concupiscence from within they being created pure and holy yet were they created of a condition mutable but the Saints in heaven will be confirmed and established as pillars in a condition immutable Revel 3.12 Him that overcometh will I make a Pillar in the Temple of my God Adam in the estate of innocency had posse non peccare a power not to sin but in heaven there will be a non posse peccare an impossibility to sin 3. Here is comfort for them who groan under the burthen of indwelling corruption rejoyce in this the day of refreshment is coming Let thy indwelling corruption be the matter of thy daily grief and humiliation before God Let it be to thee as Hagar and her brood was to Sarah and as the daughters of Heth to Rebekah Let it be the occasion of thy daily wrastling and subjecting the flesh by works of mortification Let it be as pricks and goads in thy sides to push thee toward the throne of Grace with Paul 2 Cor. 12. that the strength of Gods Grace may be perfected in thy weakness In such a wrastling condition rejoyce in hope and be of good comfort though now the flesh lusteth against the Spirit yet at death thy warfare will be accomplished And after thy resurrection there will be nothing in the whole person but Spirit and grace here in an hour of temptation thou prayest for strength in heaven thou shalt praise God for thy victory over sin Sathan and the world 4. Here is matter of comfort against all thy calamities publike or private in the midst of all thy troubles rejoyce in the hope of that glory Rom. 5.3 We glory in tribulation 2 Cor. 4.17 Our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory Rom. 8.18 I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us That Kingdom in heaven cannot be shaken that treasure of unsearchable and durable riches cannot be robbed nor wasted There all tears will be wiped from thine eyes all enemies will be subjected to Christ and also unto all the members of his Mystical body they will be made his footstool and the footstool in below all the parts of the body in that day of perpetual separation of the wicked from the godly it will be seen as it is said of Pharaoh and his hoast that persecuted the Israelites Exod. 14.13 The Egyptians which ye have seen to day ye shall see thē again no more for ever To God who giveth us victory over all our enemies and crowneth us with everlasting mercy the father son and holy Ghost be all praise honour and glory for now and ever c. Amen I having spoken of the time when our compleat happiness will begin 3. Point the perfect disposition of glorified Saints and of the matter and manner of our happiness at our awaking in the day of resurrection from the sleep of the death we shall behold the face of God Now we proceed to speak of the the perfect disposition of the glorified Saints and of the measure of their happiness The third point considerable in the words is the perfect disposition of Saints glorified in soul and body I shall behold saith he in righteousness at my awaking and rising out of the grave I shall be perfectly righteous in my soul and body and being wholly pure shall behold thy face and so be satisfied in this life the personal righteousness of the Saints is not perfect in many things we fail all Righteousness is a conformity to the will of God the only and supream rule of right and wrong in the estate of innocency man had a righteousness pure without mixture of imperfection but not exempted from mutability in the estate of renovation the renewed man hath personal inherent righteousness firm and sure with an immunity from a total and finall decay 1 Ioh. 3.9 but it is not perfect and pure though our renovation be perfect in parts both in soul and body yet not in degrees In heaven our personal righteousness will be pure perfect in degrees and unchangable then will the Saints follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth there will be no declining from him and his commandments The Saints in heaven will be perfectly and wholly righteous in their souls and bodies then will there be a perfect conformity in all things Doct. The Saints in heaven will be perfectly righteous in souls and bodies and for ever to the acceptable will of God Eph. 5.25 26 27. Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word and that he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle in the course of our regeneration he clean 〈◊〉 but the perfection of holiness and beauty will be in that day when the marriage between the Lamb and his Spouse shall be consummate here the Church of Christ is like an house in building but there the topstone and crown of Glory will be put on here it is as a young child growing in his dimensions but in heaven we will be at our term of consistence even our perfect measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Eph. 4.13 here there is much imperfection in the righteousness of the children of God there be many infirmities and faults that others may and themselves should censure and condemn but in heaven we shall be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 faultless Iude Ep. 24. To him that is able to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy to the only wise God our Saviour be glory and Majesty The Church triumphant will be then as a beautiful bride adorned and prepared for her Husband Rev. 21.2 here on earth is the time of her purification but at the day of resurrection she will be presented perfectly pure in that Temple not made with hands and praise him for ever for his mercy and grace bestowed on her
THE MYSTERY OF CONTENTATION In and Through CHRIST LONDON Printed by A. M. for Joseph Cranford at the Signe of the Phoenix in St Pauls Church-yard 1655. TO THE Right Honourable and truly Religious Lady JANE Countesse Dowager of Marr Encrease of Grace and Peace Madam THE certain knowledge I have had for a long time of your devout affection toward the saving Truths of Jesus Christ the recent sense of manifold favours received at your hands both since and in the time I had the honour of employment for many years in that Noble Family and the experience of your gracious acceptance of my hearty endeavours unto your service makes me bold to offer to your Ladiship this part of my weak Labour as a small Testimony of my humble acknowledgement of much duty I do here present you with some refreshing drops from that Mystery of Contentment found in the Fulnesse of Jesus Christ In him is enough to supply all defects in the inward man and more then enough to supply all wants in the outward man which can befall us from the disappointing and discontenting changes in persons or things of this world yea it is of the Lords wisedome and mercy that our waies are hedged up with thorns that we may return to our first love Hos 2.6 7. That we may delight our selves in him and enjoy that solid satisfactory and unchangeable Contentment which in experience we perceive cannot be found in the empty insufficient uncertain and perishing comforts of the poor creatures Many times the Children of God enjoy most of himself when they enjoy least of the Creature As the Sufferings of Christ abounded in Paul so Consolation also abounded by Christ 2 Cor. 1.5 He had most of Gods presence when he had least of mans countenance 2 Tim. 4.16 17 Stephens face shined like an Angels when men looked on him like Devils Act. 6.15 Such enjoyments at such a time are no other as Jacob said from his experience of light arising out of darknesse then the gate of heaven a prelude on earth of that immediate Contentment we shall have in heaven in God alone without either opposition or interposition of the Creature Hence it is that the Children of God from the comfortable sense of this love have most vigour of grace sometimes under greatest outward pressures they can glory in tribulations Rom. 5.3 And sing praises to God in a prison Act. 16.26 Then have they enlarged spirits when their bodies are under restraint As the Sunne re-enforceth his light in the time of an Eclipse so the graces of the Spirit in the inward man are the more united and strengthened in an hour of darknesse from outward troubles The heat of our love as the Sunne-beam from the hard rock is the more reflexed toward the Sunne of righteousnesse from the cold and hard re-encounters of the Creatures In a day of prosperity our affections lagge and straggle here and there seeking Contentment in things farre below our happinesse and no waies proportionable to the vast desires of the spirit of man Therefore our God in great wisedome and mercy so orders the removall of worldly objects that our affections may be retired amazed and with greater vigour set upon himself that according to our measure of enlargement of heart our measure of delight and contentment in Christ may be the greater he dryeth up the brinks to the end we may seek and be filled with purer and sweeter contentment in the Fountain This earnest and first-fruits of absolute and full satisfaction abiding them in heaven makes the Children of God humble in their greatest prosperity and patient with much contentment in their greatest adversity Faith looks to things not seen It reckons all worldly advantages but losse and dung in comparison of the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord and also reckons that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with that glory which shall be revealed in us A look to things not seen preserves the soul from fainting at what we see or feel And though the Children of God be subject to some qualms of fear in time of storms and trials yet all these will be gone as a sea-sicknesse when our Lord shall bring us within the port of eternal salvation Madam You know both whom and what ye have beleeved As it 's his will ye should look to the glory set before you and endure the Crosse So that ye should also rejoyce in the hope of that Kingdom which cannot be shaken that eternal mansion above all possibility of decay and that Inheritance incorruptible which cannot be defiled and fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for you by his Intercession who purchased it by his merit That your Ladiship may be comforted guided and guarded by his Spirit in this life and brought into the possession of that full happinesse in the other life is and shall be the humble prayer of him who in all duty is obliged to shew himself Madam Your Ladiships most faithfull and devoted Servant WILLIAM COLVILL THE MYSTERY OF CONTENTATION In and Through CHRIST PHIL. 4.11 12 13. For I have learned in whatsoever estate I am therewith to be content I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and suffer need I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me AMongst the many sweet and excellent fruits of the Crosse of Christ Contentation most necessary for a beleever Contentation of minde to a Beleever in all conditions of life is one exceeding necessary Hereby a beleever becomes Master both of the little and great world Of unruly desires within himself and of temptations in the world without It makes him acceptable to all with whom he converseth and to be admired and envied by his enemies His contentation is their bane and discontent It is their torment they cannot spoil him of this little heaven when possibly they have robbed him of his earthly emoluments It is a treasure hid in his soul that he carrieth with him to the third heaven where an exceeding weight of glory and contentation with full satisfaction to our desires will be added to the little stock of our contentment here which as Jacob said of that gracious manifestation Gen. 28. is no other but the house of God and the gate of heaven For God al-sufficient dwels in the heart of a beleever and giveth contentation to the soul where he dwels though the out-let of his allowance here to a beleever be not comparably such as it will be in heaven where we shall see him face to face and be filled with God yet it is the gate of heaven it is the porch wherein we wait for an entrance to the Temple not made with hands wherein the measure of our contentation according to the full measure of our knowledge and enjoyment of God will be full and
of contentment to them in all their labours and difficulties So the full assurance of hope we have of that port of eternal salvation of that harvest of full joy and of that Crown of immortal glory is and shall be a ground of contentment in tempestuous times in our seed time of tears in our warfare against terrours within and fightings without Faithfull is he who hath promised Psal 34.19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivereth him out of them all Joh. 16.20 Verily verily I say unto you that ye shall weep and lament but the world shall rejoyce and ye shall be sorrowfull but your sorrow shall be turned into joy As in the time of affliction thou findest this true in thy experience which thy Lord foretold so it is ground contentment in such a time that thy Lord hath foretold also of a comfortable issue The sick Patient in the time of his pain while the medicine is a working being forewarned of it by the Physitian hath some contentment and comfort in the hope of the good of it in his after health foretold him also by his Physitian So thou maist be assured as thou findest the experience of sorrow by thy Lord so thou shalt also finde the experience of joy for the same faithful Lord hath foretold both 2. 2. By the example of Christ We learn contentment and submission of spirit from our Lord Jesus Christ who in his lowest condition rested content with his Fathers will Samaria refused to entertain him James and John was highly discontent and breathed nothing but fire against Samaria yet our meek Lord rebuked them and said Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of Luke 9.53 54 55. In thy bodily wants learn contentment from him when he was hungry and none ministred unto him The devil tempted him to discontent and murmuring Mat. 4.3 If thou be the Son of God command that these stones be made bread Our Lord answered It is written man should not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God He that at first by his powerful word gave life to the creature can if it so please him by that word preserve life When such means fail yet learn from thy Lord to submit to the will of God and to trust in his power that is not limited to ordinary means In his thirst they gave him gall whereas others at their death got wine to make them forget their pain yet he was content he did not complain of them to God but in great calmnesse of spirit and eminency of love praied to the Father for them Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing He renders wine for their gall yea though all thy life time thou shouldst live in poverty yet look to Christ and be content for he was poor in his birth poor in his life and at his death he was stript of his garments 2. When thou sufferest in thy Name learn contentment from his example 1 Pet. 2.21 Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example that we should follow his steps who when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously When in speaking the truth thou art contradicted by proud and contentious men who call thee ignorant or a lyar be patient and look to thy Lord who was the way the verity and the life yet was a sign of contradiction Luk. 2.34 And when thy heart begins through discontent at the hard speeches of the world against thee to faint within thee then consider thy Lord that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself lest ye be wearied and faint in your mindes Heb. 12.3 When thou art traduced by malicious detracters be patient and content look to thy Lord who was without all spot and blame and yet was traduced as a man gluttonous and a wine-bibber a friend of Publicans and sinners Mat. 11.19 a deceiver of the people Joh. 7.12 Mat. 27.63 and a complier with that arch malignant spirit Mat. 12.24 The Servant should be content when he is no worse yea not so evil entreated as his Lord and Master when thou art affronted and mocked to thy face by insolent enemies insulting on thy misery be content and look to thy Lord who was as a sheep dumb before her shearer he was affronted with a Scepter of reed put into his hand with a tormenting crown of thorns on his head they mocked him by bowing the knee wagging the head and upbraided him with cruell mockings Luk. 23.5 when thou sufferest injury in thy person at the hands of cruell and insolent men yet be content and submit to the will of God who takes off the collar of restraint from their tongues and hands Look to thy Lord blinde-folded spitted on buffeted scourged and crucified between two theeves If they do these things in a green tree what shall be done in the dry Luk. 23.31 3. By the Spirit of Christ by 1. Inlightning 3. We learn this lesson of contentment by the Spirit of Christ who teacheth us by enlightening the understanding with faith to perceive and discern the unsearchable riches of Christ Then as this sight makes the beleever have low thoughts of the best things in this present world and to count them but losse and dung in comparison of the excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ Phil. 3.8 So it makes him rest content in all his sufferings and to think them light in comparison of that glory hid with Christ in God which will be revealed to us at the second coming of Jesus Christ Rom. 8.18 I reckon saith the Apostle that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us 2. 2. By sealing The Spirit of Christ worketh this contentment in us by Obsignation and Sealing us after we have beleeved Eph. 1.13 24. In whom also after ye have beleeved ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise which is the earnest of our Inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory The Spirit seals to the beleever two great priviledges 1. His Adoption Rom. 8.16 The Spirit beareth witnesse to our spirits that we are the children of God 2. The other is our right in Christ to the heavenly inheritance and our future possession the assurance of our adoption makes us content to drink of the cup of affliction given to us by our heavenly Father and in a like though no waies equal frame of a submisse spirit we say as our Lord the beloved Son of the Father said both for satisfaction in our behalf and for an example of submission to us Job 18.11 Shall I not drink of the cup which my Father hath given me to drink The assurance of our Inheritance makes us content in this time of our minority to be under the rod some earnest penny
meant by good work how then is it said God will perform it until the day of Christ Answ I answer to the first by good work is meant a communion with Christ in the graces of his spirit wrought in us by the Spirit and word of promise Of this good work the Apostle speaketh in this Chapter vers 5. their fellowship in the Gospel To the second I answer What is meant by performing it the word rendered perform signifieth the bringing to an end a work already begun as a house already founded is perfected when the topstone is put on Heb. 8.5 So the performing of the good work is the bringing of the work of Sanctification unto the term of perfect sanctity and purity in a gradual and absolute conformity to the will of God in the estate of glory To the endeavours whereof we are exhorted 2 Cor. 7.1 Having therefore such promises let us cleanse our selves from all filthyness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God It is true the work of Sanctification in respect of our soul is perfected at the hour of death because no unclean thing can enter into Heaven No infirmity no spot comes there we must be perfectly cured of that hereditary leprosie of sin before we can come within the camp of that triumphant Israel corruption cannot inherit the incorruption of glory But the whole suppositum and person consisting of soul and body is not perfected until that glorious day of Jesus Christ Though the souls of the godly immediately after their parting out of the body be perfectly sanctified and admitted to behold the fathers face in glory yet the body being laid in the dust is not restored from that state of corruption nor perfected until the day of Christs second coming which is called the day of restoring all things Acts 3.21 at which time the good work of Sanctification begun here in soul and body will be absolutely perfected in both A renewed man Doct. in whom God hath begun the good work of Sanctification Renewed persons cannot fall totally from grace cannot fall totally from the state of grace but persevere therein to the end of his life for the Apostle is confident that God who hath once begun the good work in them will perform it until the day of Christ before I confirm this doctrine two questions would be answered 1. What is understood by persevering in grace What is understood by persevering in grace 2. How perseverance being a thing to come is said to be certain Answ I answer to the first the word grace is taken ordinarily for Gods free favour for that giving grace from which as the fountain doth flow through the merit of our mediatour all spiritual blessings It is so taken Eph. 2.8 by grace are ye saved Rom. 3.24 being justified freelie by his grace It is also taken for the grace that is given which doth flow from the fountain of free grace and love Ioh. 1.16 Of his fulness have all we received and grace for grace Such graces are faith hope Love and other saving Graces of the Spirit There is a perseverance actual in the exercise and actings of holy duties Act. 2.42 They continued stedfastly in the Doctrine of the Apostles And there is to speak so an effectual perseverance in respect of a settled inclination and disposition to holy duties though there may be some remitting in or intermitting of the acts and exercise thereof such is our perseverance in prayer Eph. 6.18 Col. 4.2 Praying alwaies as a Musical instrument well tuned by the hand of the skilful Musitian though it be not alwayes plaid on and giving out a sound yet it is sâ—ill well tuned So this inward disposition and frame of Spirit unto holy duties remains fixed in the children of God even in their failings in their coming short and imperfections about holy duties Rom. 7.19 The good I would do I do not though he did not act and exercise the commanded duty yet at the same time he persevered in an holy disposition and inclination of will to the duty To the other question I answer How perseverance in grace is said to be certain A thing to come is said to be certain two wayes 1. In respect of Gods Decree and this is the certainty of Immutability because Gods Decree counsel and purpose is unchangeable Heb. 6.17 Thus it was certain that our Lord should be delivered unto death because it was so determined in the eternal counsel of God Act. 2.23 Him being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God 2. A thing to come is said to be certain in respect of Gods fore-knowing and revealing that such a thing shall be This is the certainty of infallability because Gods knowledge is infallible Thus it was certain that Judas should betray our Lord because our God in his permissive Decree foreseeing it would be revealed the same in his Word the perseverance of renewed men is certain in both respects first in respect of Gods Decree Rom. 8.30 Joh. 6.39 Next in respect also of Gods revealed Will concerning their perseverance Ioh. 10.28 I give unto my sheep eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand Iohn 6.39 This is the Fathers will that of all which he hath given me I should loose nothing The Doctrine of a renewed man his perseverance in Grace and the certainty thereof is proved from Scripture Proofs of the perseverance of the Saints first he is continued in the loving kindness of the Lord and so perseveres in an estate of free Grace and favour with God for whom he loveth once with that love of complacency as his children in Christ he loveth them to the end Ioh. 13.1 It is true he is displeased with them when they offend as a loving Father with his children and chastisech them yet will he not consume and destroy as a Judge in his wrath Psal 89.31 32. Psal 99.8 Ierem. 46.28 Next the renewed man perseveres also in the Grace given and received the stock of Grace infused is never totally lost Faith Hope and Love remain in the habit and root though in an hour of temptation the act and fruit thereof may intermit and fail Iohn 3.36 He that believeth in me hath everlasting life It is not said he shall have but in respect of the infallible consequence of eternal life to Faith in Christ Eternal life certain It is said in the present tense he hath eternal life Eternal life is certain in the Promise because God is Faithful who hath promised eternal life to every one that believeth in Iesus Christ It is certain in the earnest because Faith is an earnest of the Spirit and the Faithful Lord who giveth the earnest of Grace in this life will certainly give the summe of Glory in the other for Grace is the earnest and first fruit of Glory Iohn 4.14 Whosoever drinketh of the water that I
be fully manifested in the day of the glorious resurrection of our bodies Object Object But is not the punishment of sin as well as the fault taken away in our Justification by the blood of Jesus how comes it to pass that the children of God notwithstanding the forgiveness of their sins are yet punished by temporal death Answ I answer Answer Death is not inflicted on Believers in wrath that death temporal is formally and properly a punishment when it is inflicted by God as a Judge in his wrath and when it is a door and passage to the second death and to a perpetual separation from the face of God But the death of the godly is not inflicted by God in wrath for these reasons 1. Because in the remission of their sins and reconciliation with God in their justification all wrath is taken away God forgiveth and forgetteth their sins Isa 43.25 I blot out thy transgressions for my own names sake and will not remember thy sins But where wrath remaineth sin is not forgotten 2. That which is sent and turned by God into a blessing is not inflicted in wrath but death is turned into a blessing to the children of God Rev. 14.13 it is a passage unto their eternal rest in their countrey that is above It is as a speedy passage by sea to a traveller returning home to his Fathers house 3. That which which is precious in the eyes of the Lord is not inflicted in wrath for precious things are testimonies of love and not evidences of wrath but the death of the Saints is precious in the eyes of God Psal 116.15 Next I answer death to the godly is not a door of fear and condemnation but of hope and salvation Rom 8.1 There is no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus There may be in a great Princes house a common door and gate at which Malefactors do enter and go down into the dark dungeon at which also the children may enter and go up to the rooms above that are full of light The door is one and the same but the use of it is far diverse in the respect to the one and the other So dissolution at death is common both to the godly and wicked but the relation that death hath to them is diverse to the one it is a passage for glory and to the other for eternal pain from whence it appeareth that the punishment standeth not so much in the dissolution of the person which is common both to the godly and wicked As in that ordination of the first death to be a passage unto eternal death which in Gods purpose is ordained and in justice executed on the wicked It is true death wil be bitter in the pains of it even to the godly but this bitterness of death is not properly a punishment to the godly as a bitter potion given out of the hand of a loving father to his weak child is not given as a punishment but as a medicine that though it be painful for a time yet he may have stronger health in time to come So after the bitterness of death is passed the children of God get confirmed health and salvation in the kingdom of heaven Object Object But hath not Christ by dying once fully satisfied for us how is it then that Believers are not freed from that debt of death for the which their surety hath given satisfaction Answ I answer true it is Our Lord died Answ Believers dy not to satisfie divine justice that by his death he might satisfie divine justice fully but to this end we dy not that we may satisfie divine justice for a finite creature cannot satisfie infinite justice yea the wicked in hell do not by their sufferings fully satisfie they will be ever in satisfying but never able to make out the satisfaction The end of the death of the Godly is not as was the end of Christs death to satisfie the justice of God as a Judge but to subject themselves to his fatherly pleasure and wisdom that by death they may be purged from the dross of inbred corruption and thus enter into the glory and Joy of their father for corruption cannot inherit incorruption did not our Lord fulfill all righteousness for us in his active obedience and yet we stand obliged to the mandatory power of the Law as we have endeavoured to prove elsewhere in Serm. 4. on Ezek 36 6.27 though we be not bound to obey the Law for the same end our Lord obeyed it to wit for our justification yet we are bound thereto for this end that by our obedience we may testifie our thankfulness to the Lord our creator and redeemer likewise in our Lords passive obedience his end was to satisfie for our guiltiness and obligation to punishment but a special end in all our sufferings is that we may be conformable to the Lord our head Rom 8.29 not by satisfying with him but by our patient submission to the will of our heavenly father like as our Lord in all things submitted to the will of his father Object Object But many of the dear children of God are not freed from the fear of death as David and Ezechias had their own fears in a large measure Psal 116. Isa 38. How then say ye that Christ hath delivered us from the fear of death Answ Answ Believers have a natural fear of death I answer it is no wonder the godly have a natural fear because they have as all creatures a natural desire of self-preservation and this natural fear being concreated with man in the state of integrity was not sinful But sometime this natural fear exceeds in the godly when faith and hope is weak This excess of natural fear is in them a sinful infirmity not to be defended by any but to be pitied by others and mourned for by themselves and prayed against by all weakness of faith at such times makes their fears great and strong when the children of God have deep apprehensions of death and but weak apprehensions of Iesus Christ and of eternal life by him then is their eye fixed on the bitter potion which breeds astonishment until the time they gather their thoughts and by faith and hope look to that eternal health which will follow upon this bitter potion Our Lord said to Peter Mat. 14 Why art thou so fearful O thou of little faith little faith makes much fear but a vigorous faith into Gods special presence though it do not altogether expel yet will it moderate and regulate our natural fear of death Psal 23.4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me thy rod and thy staff comfort me They are as children in their loving Fathers hand and fear not to pass through that dark trance to their eternal Mansions of light and glory This doctrine serves to rouse raise our hearts unto the duty of Thankfulness
Vse 1 Be thankful for victory over death Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ How should we bless our God for sending his wel-beloved son into the world to deliver us from all our enemies and from this awful enemy death that assaileth us in our lowest condition The damosels of Jerusalem praised David who had slain his ten thousands how then is Davids Lord and ours to be praised who hath overcome innumerable thousands at death in the behalf of his elect and redeemed ones As Sampson killed many at his death so the Captain of our salvation in his lowest condition subdued our enemies in their greatest strength for the weakness of God is stronger then men 1 Cor. 1.25 Then was our Lord strongest in the might of his power when he appeared weakest in his outward condition by his cross he triumphed by the shame he endured he overcame that perpetual shame and confusion we had deserved by his pains he saved us from eternal pains and by his death he was the death and plague of our death how then should we love this Lord who hath delivered our souls from the sting and curse of death our eyes from perpetual tears and our feet from falling into that bottomless gulph out of which there is no returning Amongst the Heathen in whose hearts were engraven by the finger of nature some dim lines of the law of gratitude If any man in time of battel had rescued and saved a Roman Citizen he was adorned with a new oaken crown or garland and highly praised how then should we for whom and before whom Christ was and is crucified praise him who rescueth us from the power of death and prevents us with mercy that we are not sent from death into hell The people of Israel did sing the high praises of the Lord for dividing the red sea for bringing them through it and for his mighty power and mercy in bringing them through Jordan to their promised rest how then should we praise our Lord who in his infinite power unsearchable wisdom and rich mercy hath made a way for us through the deep of his sufferings into that heavenly rest as at the Priests entering the river Jordan Iosh 4. it divided and gave way to the people of God to pass over so our great high Priest by going down to death hath made a way for us through it unto eternal life therefore from a deep sense of that which our Lord hath done already for us and in hope of that happiness before us hid with Christ in God Let us bear a part in that new song Rev. 5.13 Blessing glory honor and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever It serveth for admonition Vse 2 Submit to the disposals of God in sickness death seeing our Lord Jesus Christ by his death sanctifieth our death and all our bodily indispositions by making them work for our good and this also is a part of his victory it is our duty in weakness and sickness to submit unto the wise gracious dispensation of God for doing whereof I propose these ensuing motives 1. Motives 1. Because in the sickness of the children of God his wisdom is made manifest ordering the sickness of their bodies for the healing of their souls Rom 8.28 All things work together for good to them that love him their sickness is Gods medicine and hath an operation on their souls for their good what ever be the end of it if the child of God recover his sickness bringeth forth the peaceable fruit of righteousness Heb. 12.11 that is to say a near and closer conformity to the will of God the supreme Law of all righteousness which righteousness and endeavour of conformity to the will of God bringeth forth peace of conscience as a sweet and pleasant fruit But if the sickness be unto death it bringeth forth the incorruptible fruits of eternal life Therefore in time of sickness submit wholly to his most wise and holy will Our Lord said to Peter Joh. 13. What I do thou knowest not now but thou shalt know so in the time of thy sickness wherein the Lord purgeth thy soul thou knowest not what thy Lord is doing but afterward thou shalt know Though the manner of his operation be a great mysterie and secret yet the work brought forth in thy soul and conversation shall be manifest Though sickness be like a medicine sharp and bitter in the operation yet it proveth very profitable in the souls health that followeth upon it shall we take bitter potions upon the word of a man a skilful Physitian for the healing of our bodies and shall we not accept sickness as a Medicine out of the hands of our wise God and loving Father for healing our souls he is faithful and hath promised that our afflictions though grievous for the present shall bring forth the peaceable fruit of righteousness Heb. 12.11 If we endure trials we shall receive the Crown of life Iam. 1.12 Some in Gods preventing mercy have been drawn to God by their sickness as that Palsie-man Mar. 2. and that haemorish woman The great Physitian at one time healed both their souls and their bodies according to that of Isa 48.10 I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction he refines his own children as Gold maketh them vessels of honour and setteth his Image and superscription upon them in the legible characters of true holiness and righteousness 2. Because he maketh his loving kindness and indulgency manifest to his own children in time of their sickness do they not under long and lingering diseases now and then feel some sparks of his love warming and cherishing their hearts and his sensible strength in the inward man upholding them under the burthen of a sick body These glances of his countenance and favour are as cordials to keep their hearts from fainting Thus did the Lord visit his servant David Psa 31.7 Thou hast considered my trouble thou hast visited my soul in adversities and Paul 2 Cor. 1.4 He comforteth us in all our tribulation 3. Submit to his will in sickness and consider with thy self the Lords preventing mercy in preserving thee at such a time from many sins whereinto thou mightest have fallen if thou hadst enioyed health and liberty to go up and down a world full of snares Therefore if thou be yong and under weakness and a daily decay of bodily strength adore the deep wisdom and rich love of thy Lord who keepeth thee in durance as a prisoner of hope A father that keepeth within doors his distempered and distracted child without liberty to go abroad doth it not as an act of rigor and unkindness but out of much wisdom and love fearing he should abuse his liberty and throw himself away into dangers so thy heavenly father by sickness puts a restraint upon thee not out of hatred but out of much love It is
far better to suffer affliction in a weak and sickly body then to act sin in a strong and healthful body It is much better to have the strength of grace made manifest in thy weak body then to have a weak and unruly spirit in a strong body It is much better to be under a sickly and suffering condition then to be like those yong widows rambling up and down in their licentious health such are not only soul-sick but dead while they live in that base element of noysome lusts 1 Tim. 5.6 but the children of God living to him in their sickness have healthful souls in sick bodyes they have freedom of spirit under bodily restraint It serveth for a ground of comfort and encouragement to the children of God against the fear of death Vse 3 Comforts against the fear of death and for the better establishing of our hearts I propound these consideraons 1 Consider Death is a naked and spoyled enemy Our Lord hath taken the sting from it so that it cannot harm thee It is true the dear children of God have their own fits of natural fear when they look to deaths pale and gastly face but when in their second and better thoughts they consider death hath no power nor weapon wherewith to hurt them this doth raise and comfort their drooping spirits and upon this account I may say to the child of God as the two faithful spies said to the Children of Israel affrighted with apprehensions of strong and mighty enemies in the way unto their promised rest Num. 14.9 Their defence is departed from them and the Lord is with us fear them not 2. Consider Thy Lord and Captain of salvation is with thee at thy death and will lead thee through that dark trance This was Davids comfort Psal 23 4. I will not fear although I walk through the valley of the shadow of death because the Lord is with me This valley is like that of Achor to the child of God a door of hope Hos 2.15 As the children of Israel were much encouraged and comforted by the first tasts of plenty in Achor at their entrance into the promised land so the children of God at their entring into the valley of death and border of eternity receive of the first fruits of eternal life peace in their consciences and joy of the holy Ghost in their hearts by faith and hope they see some light before them at the further end of this dark valley like a light on the shoar towards which their will doth steer the course of their affections Psal 48.14 He will be our guide even unto death Think not thy God who hath been thy guide through the wilderness will leave thee when thou comest to Jordan and to the border Thou art both unthankful and unbelieving to entertain such unkind thoughts of thy kinde God upon whom thou hast been cast from the womb make better use of tried love then to distrust him in the end of the day who hath been with thee since the morning of thy life but rather learn as David to make good use of former kindness first to praise him Psal 71.6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb my praise shall be continually of thee Next to hope and confide in him vers 14.16 I will hope continually I will go in the strength of the Lord God And last to pray to him for continuing his loving kindness ver 17 18. O God thou hast taught me from my youth Now also when I am old and gray-headed O God forsake me not 3. Consider thy union with Christ This is a main ground of comfort at death he is the saviour of his body all his members will be brought where himself their head is he will be compleat in his body he will not want the weakest or poorest believer that did on earth cleave to him with purpose of heart 4. Consider he prayed for thee that thou mightest be where he is Joh. 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me and he prayed also that the father would keep them in his name and power by the way until they came unto the end of their faith the salvation of their souls Thou who in thy sick bed prayest for the same thing our Lord sought in prayer for thee and before thee thou mayst be assured to be heard when thy prayer is founded on his merit and on the efficacy and example of his prayer 5. Consider the godly man is a great gainer by death It is best to be with Christ Phil. 3.23 The man who liveth to Christ and dieth in Christ doth not loose the good things of this world but exchangeth them for far better A man returning from a strange and poor countrey to his own home and in place of base mettal which he leaves behind him receiving a bill of exchange to be answered in gold and ten thousand for one that man looseth nothing by leaving that poor countrey and base coyn but gaineth much so the believer at death upon the account of Gods true and faithful promise made to him in place of empty and perishing riches receiveth in heaven solid and durable riches in place of honour worldly that is like the inconstant wind he gets his adoption manifested to him when he is put in possession of eternal glory when he is made a sure pillar in that new Jerusalem whereupon holiness and glory is engraven with indeleble characters The new Jerusalem is wholly founded upon Jasper stones Rev. 21.19 All such precious things so much esteemed in this world are far below our contentment and happiness in heaven as the foundation of a house is far below the plenishing and precious furniture of it God himself infinite in greatness goodness beauty and all perfection will replenish our house there with his own presence wherein is fulness of joy and pleasures for ever Psal 16.11 Compare I pray you our happy being with Christ after death and our being in the miseries of this life Then canst thou not but assent to that of Paul It is best to be dissolved and to be with Christ at the best here we are but Pilgrims and is it not best for a Pilgrim to be at home in his fathers house we may and should as Pilgrims resolve for hard and unkindly entertainment in this strange world yea entertain a pilgrim never so well yet his heart is homeward so though the child of God were every way in a prosperous condition here on earth yet his heavenly mind is far above those empty husks his heart is in heaven here not only are we in a course of pilgrimage being absent in the body from the Lord but also in a daily warfare not only against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers against Satan the world our own rebellious corruption by which as a domestick traitor Satan and the world do deceive assail and overcome us now and then
in the hour of temptation we get rest in time of our life from divers temptations which Satan as a crafty fowler useth thereby as so many calls and whistlings to allure into his Net divers kinds of silly fools in our yonger years we are tempted to untowardness and frowardness in riper years to riot and sensuality after that to pride and ambition and in our declining age to covetousness and worldly mindedness To have our hearts even then fixed in the world when one of our feet is already in the grave a most untimely temptation and yet prevails with too many Is it not therefore best to be dissolved and to be with Christ There and then will be perfect peace and freedom from this body of sin and inordinate concupiscence which like a troubled sea raised up with the winds of temptations doth cast up mire and dirt but in heaven with Christ our Lord there is a perpetual calm all the stormy winds are in the inferior region of the air so all the winds of temptations are here below but none there where our Sun of righteousness shineth for ever Man here is subject to one cross after another like Paul no sooner out of the danger of the raging sea but a Viper leapeth upon his hand Act. 28. No sooner do our eyes dry but we are put to weeping again The breathing times and respite God in his goodness giveth to us at one time are to prepare us for a new onset at another time is it not therefore best to be there where all tears will be wiped from our eyes Rev. 21.4 2. It is best to be in heaven with Christ if we compare the small beginnings of glory here with that cempleat glory and hapiness there here the children of God receive the earnest of the spirit and the first fruits of eternal life but what is the earnest penny in comparison of that full sum of glory which cannot be conceived or numbred by the heart of man here And what is the handful of the first fruits in comparison of the full harvest of Joy in heaven I grant the earnest should comfort and encourage us in the assured expectation of the full bargain of happiness for faithful is he who hath promised And the first fruits some grains of peace and joy bestowed on us here should comfort us in the hope of that full joy there that shall never be taken from us The same was a ground of the Apostle his willingness to be dissolved and of his confidence to be eternally happy after his dissolution 2 Cor. 5.6 8. He hath given unto us the earnest of the spirit we are confident and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord 6. Consider to what society and company we go at our death we remove not to a strange countrey but to our fathers house to the immediate fruition of God Father Son and Holy Ghost to the soc ety of holy Angels and to the souls of just men made perfect what ravishment and contentment of spirit had Peter upon the Mount in the society of our Lord at his transfiguration and of those two witnesses Moses and Elias It is good to be here said he what then wilt thou think and say when thou shalt have an immediate communion with thy Lord and a comfortable but unspeakable communion with all the Angels and Saints in heaven Old Jacob was much encouraged to go down unto Egypt when he considered Joseph was there before him to receive and welcome him when he looked beside to the waggons and provision sent to him for his journey and when he looked behinde him to a land of famine from which he was to depart So at the hour of death we have matter of encouragement when by faith we look before us Our Joseph the Lord Jesus Christ the great Steward and dispenser of grace and glory is before us to welcome us when we look with the eye of sense and experience beside us Our Ioseph sendeth some provision of faith and hope to hold in the life of grace by the way And when we look behinde us we leave a world abounding in sin and misery That divine Philosopher Socrates said death would be a hard matter to me if I thought not I were going to men departed this life and those far better then many who stay behind them Therefore in this respect also it is best to be dissolved and to be with Christ 7. Consider our happy condition is a thing certain and sure already prepared for us by the merit of Christ and reserved for us in heaven 1 Pet. 1.4 It is not with us blessed be God as with the Emperour Hadrian he knew not whether his soul went at death when he said O my silly wandering soul into what places wilt thou now go But a Believer saith with Paul 2 Tim. 1.12 I know whom I have believed Our Lord hath told us Joh. 14.12 I go to prepare a place for you As a man espousing a wife in a strange countrey returneth to his own countrey maketh all ready for her coming home and in his convenient time sendeth his special friends for her to convoy her home so our Lord by his word hath suited us and by faith wrought in us by his Spirit hath espoused us unto himself he hath gone before us prepared all happiness for us and in his own good time doth send his holy Angels to convoy our souls at death unto that eternal house in heaven not made with hands The sight and knowledge of this made the Apostle to groan in his spirit and long for it 2 Cor. 5.1 2. As one dwelling for a time in a strait dark and rainy house compassed about with naughty and wicked neighbours such a man after he hath gotten a promise of a large lightsome and close house that hath the society of good and comfortable neighbours how much will he long for the term of removal Such is our condition in the body Much straitness and suppression of spirit through many grievous troubles much ignorance and darkness in our understanding Many temptations like rain dropping in through the open and ill-guarded organs of our senses And also many wicked men do compass us like Bees to sting us but in that house and happy condition above there is largeness of spirit and freedom from all molestation full light and knowledge stability perpetual in grace and glory above the rain and wind of temptations And there is the blessed society of God Angels and perfect souls Therefore from all these considerations we must and should conclude it is best to be dissolved and to be with Christ with whom our life is hid in God Object Object But may not the child of God in a time of sickness desire to live and pray to God for recovery Answ I answer no doubt he may so did David Psal 39.13 Answ A believer may in time of sickness pray to live and Ezekias Is
most certain in both respects 1. 1. It is foretold It is foretold and revealed by the holy Spirit in the Scriptures both of the Old and New Testament in that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 first Gospel preached by God himself in Paradise Gen. 3.15 the seed of the woman shall bruise the head of the Serpent that is destroy all his works when the head is bruised and crushed forthwith all the operations and actings proceeding from it are crushed and destroyed So the power and dominion of death over the body in the grave one of his works brought upon us by his tempting and our own virtual consent in our first Parents is destroyed in the seed of the woman as was foretold in that first and fundamental Gospel-Promise Exod. 3.6 I am the God of Abraham Isaac and Iacob which place our Lord cites against the Sadduces to prove the certainty of the resurrection Math. 22.32 Because God is the God of the whole man and man is not whole without the body Iob 19.25 I know my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth And though after my skin worms destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God whom I shall see my self and mine eyes shall behold and not another Iob is confident of his resurrection in the same individual body Psal 17.15 I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness which place sound Interpreters both antient and modern do expound of the awakening of the body from the sleep of death in the day of resurrection To this purpose speak also the holy Prophets Isa 25.8 He will swallow death into victory And this is by delivering our bodies from the captivity of the grave wherein death and corruption for a time had power over them Isa 66.14 Your bones shall flourish like an herb at the day of resurrection the bodies that were hid in the graves and secret receptacles of the earth like a herb hid under the ground in time of Winter The Son of righteousness at his return will revive them and make them spring forth in fresh and lively colours by the effectual influence of his mighty power Dan. 12.2 Many of them that sleep in the dust shall awake some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt It is certain also from the divine Oracles of the New Testament Math. 12.41 The Ninevites shall rise in Iudgement Ioh. 11.24 I am the resurrection and the life saith our Lord Act. 24.25 Paul preacheth before Foelix of the Iudgement to come and if there will be a Judgement certainly the resurrection of the body must precede that the persons to be judged may give appearance before the Judgement Seat And Paul preaching to the same purpose Act. 26.9 saith Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you that God shall raise the dead As the resurrection of the body is infallibly certain 2. It is appointed by God in respect it is revealed and foretold in holy Scriptures so it is immutably certain in respect it is so appointed by God in his eternal counsel and decree which cannot be altered Act. 10 42. God hath commanded us to preach that Jesus Christ is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead If God ordained him to be Judge then certainly he ordained that there should be a resurrection that men might be brought before this Judge for without a resurrection there could be no persons to be Judged Rom. 14 10. We shall stand before the Iudgement seat of Christ There cannot be a standing till first there be a raising from the dead Act. 17.31 He hath appointed a day wherein he will Iudge the world in righteousness The Apostle proveth the certainty of the resurrection from the certainty of a day of Judgement set and appointed of God Iob 6.40 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 In which words our Lord sheweth us that eternal life is appointed and ordained of God for all that believe on him and that the resurrection of the body is a means also appointed of God for executing the Decree of their compleat glory That the resurrection of the body is possible and probable 3. It is possible and probable the Apostle Paul proveth at large 1 Cor. 15. from Gods power seen in things natural and obvious to sense as in raising out of the grain of corn sown and dying under the clod a fair stalk of corn with many grains The day saith Tertullian is buried in the night and yet riseth in the morning we see also in vegetables the herb that is withered in the Winter doth in the Spring time revert and flourish again the Lillie puts on again those pleasant colours in the Spring time that were laid aside in the Winter Do we not see that Alchymists out of divers herbs cast into one common Limbick do extract those simple principles of which at first they were composed And what is our sleeping in the night time but a shadow and resemblance of death then are our senses bound up from exercise and our awaking in the morning is a rising to the use and exercise of our senses such like arguments prove only the possibility of a resurrection for with God nothing is impossible and all things are alike possible to him who is of infinite power but the certainty of it is proved only from holy Scriptures for God is able to do many things which he will not as to raise up children to Abraham of stones This possibility of the resurrection is well inferred from his infinite power but the certainty of it is concluded from his will and purpose revealed in holy Scriptures which are infallibly true This Doctrine serveth for admonition to all Vse 1 Be thankful for the revelation of this Mysterie who live within the verge of the Church of Christ to be thankful to God who of his good pleasure hath revealed to us this great mysterie hid from the wise men and great Philosophers in former ages who in their conjectures about the estate of the dead became vain in their own imaginations It is true they had some glimpses of the immortality of the soul Plato in his Dialogue entituled Phaedo saith by deaths coming to a man that which is in him immortal departeth freed from corruption and giveth way to death Cicero in his Tusculan questions lib. 1. saith it was a maxim inbred in the Antients that man at death is not so taken away that by it he is altogether destroyed and annihilated The Poet Lucan lib. 1. rendreth the reason why the old Gauls were so hardie in all their encounters at â—â—ght because their Pagan Priests called Druides did teach them that their souls immediately after death would be in a happy condition but concerning the resurrection of
most true that good Works are necessary by way of concomitancy in him who is to be saved for without holiness none shall see the face of God Heb. 12.14 Although thou canst not be justified in this life by thy good Works yet in the day of resurrection thou shalt be judged according to thy Works Math. 25. 2 Cor. 5.10 Therefore as in the day of resurrection thou wouldest differ from evil doers who will be raised unto damnation see thou differ from them in thy living and dying Godly differ from the wicken in living 1. The wicked man in his life-time employeth his desires endeavours and time to serve his own lusts but the care of a Godly man and sound believer will be to serve his Lord Rom. 13.14 Put on the Lord Iesus and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof 2. The wicked man walketh in the broad way that leadeth to destruction he taketh unto himself ease and pleasure in sin as one having room in a broad way he doth not afflict or grieve his own heart at any time by refusing the unlawful desires of it But thou who wouldst rise to life must walk in the strait way that leadeth unto life thou must straiten and hem up thy desires and afflict thy unrenewed part and flesh by refusing and rejecting unruly desires and if at any time thy heart look back unto sin thou must afflict thy Spirit with Godly sorrow for any step thou hast made toward the broad way The Godly man and sound believer differeth also from the wicked in his dying Godly differ from the wicked in dying The wicked man at his death layeth not hold on Christ and dyeth unwillingly but thou that wouldst rise unto life thou must with old Simeon an old expectant of glory embrace Christ and hug him and the Promise of life made in him in the arms of thy faith as a dying man holdeth fast his gripe so shalt thou keep thy gripe of Christ in the day of resurrection thou shalt be found in him The Godly man dieth willingly commending his Spirit unto God as a faithful Creator he goeth unto death as his bed out of the which he will rise in that morning of eternity with refreshment but the ungodly and impenitent go to death unwillingly as unto a prison out of which they know they will be carried unto Judgement This is the heavenly posture of a Godly man on his death-bed he resteth by Faith on the only merit and satisfaction of Jesus Christ as a sick man doth upon a soft Mat underneath him he hath the lively hope of a glorious rest to his soul after its parting from the body and of a glorious resurrection of the body as a Pillow to hold up his head and heart that in all his pain he fainteth not and he hath good Works as a coverlet to adorn him in the sight of all that behold him The Believer at his death resteth not on them they are his coverlet but not his mat he is adorned and covered with them before the world who seeth them in him and should both glorifie God in his rich and free love for his graces bestowed on him and should labour to imitate him in his good life and happy death If thus thou differ from wicked men in thy life and death and be not an evil doer as they are in the purpose of their heart and course of their life The Lord who by his grace maketh thee to differ from them in this life shall in eternal mercy make thee to differ from them in thy resurrection for thy resurrection shall be unto eternal life if thou live to Christ thou shalt dye in Christ and in that day thou shalt be found in him and go with him to the third heaven and remain in glory for ever with him It serveth for a ground of terrour and awakening to the ungodly Vse 2 Terror to ungodly men who rush into sin as the horse into the Battle go on in their sins like the Ox unto the slaughter and will not know the evil of their wayes till the deadly dart of Gods wrath strike through their souls Remember O foolish man if thou live and dye in thy sins and as Zophar speaketh Iob 20.11 If thy bones be full of the sins of thy youth and they lie down with thee in the dust thou shalt rise unto damnation what thou wouldest not believe in this thy day thou shalt be forced from sense of pain to believe in that day of the Lord and then shall the faithful Ministers of Jesus Christ say as Paul did to his fellow-Passengers in the Ship Act. 27.21 If ye had hearkened unto me ye should not have gained this harm and loss The remembrance of neglected opportunities will encrease the fretting torment of their souls It may be thou hast pain and sickness in thy body with great agony at thy death but consider all that is but as a flea-bite in comparison of that worm that dyeth not and the fire which cannot be quenched Thou mayest be assured unless thou repent while thou art in the body thy pained and deformed body shall be raised up in greater pain and deformity An ugly and hideous spectacle will thy face and body be so that if it were possible in that day thou wouldest flye from thy self Then soul and body at their reunion and uniting will in a manner curse one another and live or rather languish together as it were in mutual imprecations for ever This will be a part of their hell like two Mastiffs chained together and tearing one another the soul will curse the body and all the Members of it for ministering temptations by the eyes and ears and for being too ready to bring forth and act sin conceived in the heart then soul and body that sinned together shall be tormented together as they were bound together in sin so also in punishment therefore let the sad forethought of pain in the body in that day calm thy impetuous affections Remember as thou sowest in the body so shalt thou reap in the body Gal. 6.8 thou shalt receive according to that thou hast done in the body 2 Cor. 5.10 The serious forethought of this will be an awful means to suppress thy tumultuary affections The Town-clerk Act. 19.40 composed the tumult with one word we are in danger said he to be called in question for this dayes uproar so consider thou art in danger to be called in question in that day of resurrection for the insurrection and rebellion of thy heart against thy Lord in this thy day The Royal preacher soundeth forth this sad but profitable Note into the ears of young men who are dit-times violent like Jehu in their sinful courses Eccles 11.9 Rejoyce O young man in thy youth c. but know thou that for all those things God will bring thee unto Judgement This Doctrine serveth for a solid ground of comfort to the Godly who
endeavour to glorify God in the body Vse 3 Sound comfort to the Godly let the meditation on these glorious qualities of the body in the day of resurrection comfort thy heart under all the pains and troubles in the body Thy vile body will be changed now thy body is decaying and dying daily thou art troubled in underpropping thy ruinous house of clay and do what thou canst one time it will fall down but there is thy comfort it will be raised in incorruption This was the ground of the Apostles comfort against the decay and dissolution of the body 2 Cor. 5.1 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 there we will get a Mansion John 14.2 In my Fathers house are many Mansions then our condition will not be subject to alterations like men dwelling in a Tabernacle and removing from place to place but it will be fixed and permanent without any change it will be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an abiding of glory and joy 2. Though now possibly there be some deformity in thy body yet in that day thy body shall be compleat and comely though at thy death thy body were full of fores and ulcers yet if thou dye in the Lord thy body shall be raised in honor and comely beauty in that day Lazarus will have no sores as the body will be fully purged in that day from all contagion of sin so will it be freed from all deformity which was only a Symptom of indwelling corruption 3. Whereas thy body is now weak and frail a little thing doth soon distemper thy Spirit and little labour makes thy body weary This is thy comfort that in the day of resurrection thy body will be raised in strength though now thou canst not go up a little hill without some weariness in the body yet in that day thou shalt go up in the body to the third heaven and shalt not be weary 4. Now thou art much troubled about the natural operations and imployments of the body for food and rayment and other things pertaining to this decaying life but in that day thou wilt have appetite after nothing but God himself and all thy appetite will be fully satisfied by a perpetual delight in thy God infinite all-sufficient unchangeable and eternal in glory goodness and bounty towards thee Thou who art vexed disquieted in this life with the relicks of inordinate concupiscence remaining in the body thou hast cause to be humbled in the sight of God for that body of death yet there is thy comfort thou shalt be freed in that day from all such molestation in the body and thou shalt be like unto the spotless Angels without all inclination to delight in any thing but in the knowledge and love of God◠In that day great will be thy joy at the meeting of the soul and the body Though at parting here by death there was much pain and trouble like the parting of Iacob and Benjamin yet their meeting will be with great joy like the meeting of Iacob and Ioseph the soul will bring down good news from heaven to the body like the report of the faithful spies Numb 14. to encourage the body to go with it unto the heavens where they shal rejoyce together for ever in the presence of God then shall their joy be encreased at their meeting with Christ and perpetuated in their abode with Christ in the third heaven and following with praise and triumph the Lamb where-ever he goeth To him with the Father and holy Spirit be all praise honour and glory now and ever Amen Of Eternal Life by and with CHRIST PSAL. 17.15 As for me I will behold thy face in righteousness I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness AS the glorious resurrection of the body is a refreshing stream from the fulness of Christ so is also eternal life Eternal life is in and from Christ which is the full and compleat happiness of soul and body in one person This is purchased by the Merit of the righteousness and obedience of Iesus Christ Rom. 5.20 21. Where sin abounded Grace did much more abound that as sin hath reigned unto death even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Iesus Christ our Lord by Faith in Iesus Christ we get a right and claim unto eternal life Ioh. 6.47 he that believeth on me hath everlasting life by him we shall be put in possession of eternal life Math. 2◠34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you After that the bodies of them that have done good are raised up and inlivened with the souls then shall the Saints go with the Lord unto the third heaven and there in soul and body enjoy eternal life The great blessing of eternal life is laid before us by the Psalmist The sense of the words in these words I know some Interpreters understand the words to be meant of the lively sense of Gods favour bestowed upon his children after they have been for a time under a night of trouble It is most true light is sown even in darkness for the upright in heart though the Lord hide his face in a little wrath for a moment yet with everlasting kindness will he have mercy Isa 54.8 But I conceive as many sound Interpreters do the Prophet speaketh of that confidence and hope the children of God have of rest happiness and satisfaction after this life when their bodies that sleep in the grave shall be awaked to the resurrection of life Because he opposeth the hope of after happiness as a strong prop to sustain the children of God in all their troubles and wants in this life against the temptations from the prosperity of wicked men in this present world to whom God giveth a large portion of things worldly The Prophet comforteth himself and all the Godly with the hope of that full and enduring portion in the other life some read the latter part of the verse thus I shall be satisfied when thy Image or likeness is awaked and the original will bear it as if the meaning were thus when I who was once created to thy Image shall rise again I shall be satisfied but I encline rather to the ordinary reading I shall be satisfied with thy Image when I awake by Image is understood the face of God which in the former part of this verse is called a beholding of Gods face in the immediate seeing whereof will stand our eternal happiness when we shall see him as he is 1 Ioh. 3.2 In the words we have The parts of the Text. 1. The time of his compleat and consummate happiness when I awake 2. The matter of his happiness and the manner of enjoying it the matter and object Gods face or likeness the manner
familiar and gracious revelation of his presence and of his holy will by some glorious visible and created representation which in comparison of Gods not revealing himself so fully unto others is called face to face Exod. 33.11 Num. 12.7 8. The Lord spoke unto Moses face to face as a man speaketh to his friend 4. The irresistible power of God throwing down every impediment in the way of his eternal purpose and counsel Isa 64.3 The mountains flowed down at thy presence or face 5. The sense of Gods favour when he comes unto a soul with healing under his wings like the Sun with his beams reviving a withered herb Psal 13.1 How long wilt thou hide thy face from me Isa 54.8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee God is said to hide his face when he restrains the sense and comfort of his love in time of great trouble and sheweth not in the face of providence any sign of his love Because pitty in the heart is oft-times seen in the face and countenance 6. The face of God signifieth that essential infinite increated and invisible glory of God Exod. 33.20 Thou canst not see my face for there shall no man see me and live 1 Cor. 13.12 Then shall we see face to face and in this sense it is taken in this place As to the second what is understood by beholding his face What it is to behold the face of God I answer there is a beholding of God in his works when in the creatures we behold footsteps of the power and wisdom of God as the skill of an excellent Artificer is seen in the works of his hands Rom. 1.20 The invisible things of God from the Creation of the world are cleerly seen 2. There is a beholding of God in a created and visible representation Thus Moses is said to have seen God Exod. 33. and Isai 6. it was not properly a beholding of God but something created by God from the which visible representation the beholders did perceive with their understanding something of the greatness and Majestie of God 3. There is a beholding of God by the eye of faith when we know and perceive him to be our God reconciled to us in Iesus Christ in whom as the only Mediator we behold Gods face and good will towards lost man 2 Cor. 4.6 God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Iesus Christ 4. There is an immediate beholding and knowing the essentiall glory of God Mat. 18.10 Their Angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven So in this place to behold the face of God is to know immediately and to enjoy him fully as a man beholding a face immediately and perfectly when it is set before his eyes at noon-day The compleat and full happiness of the Saints in heaven Doct. standeth in the seeing and fruition of God Compleat happiness stands in the seeing of God Mat. 5.8 Blessed are the poor in heart for they shall see God 1 Ioh. 3.2 We shall see him as he is Our natural life consists in a union of soul and body our spiritual life in a union of our souls with Christ by faith and eternal life in an immediate union with God and communion of glory Our growth in the spiritual life of Grace here must go before our coming to the stature of the fulness of Christ in that eternal life of glory Eph. 4.12 13. For clearing the doctrine we would know wherein stands the matter and object of our happiness 2. What is the manner of our participation and fruition of that object As to the object and matter of our eternal happiness What is the matter or object of our happiness the spirit of God in holy Scriptures expresseth it in terms borrowed from things of highest esteem in this world that by such expressions he may condescend to our capacity that we may learn things invisible by things visible and that our desires may be stirred up by things earthly toward things heavenly 1. It is called â— Light It is called Light Psal 36.9 With thee is the fountain of life and in thy light shall we see light It will not be a dazelling and confounding light as was the brightness of Moses his face at his coming down from the Mount the people could not behold him it will not be an astonishing light as that in the Mount at our Lords transfiguration the Disciples fell to the ground their weak eyes could not behold those glimpses of glory that shined through the vail of flesh but the light in our heaven of happiness will be a strengthning and comforting light it will strengthen and confirm the eyes of our understanding to behold it Then shall we be enabled as the young Eagles to behold the Sun of Righteousness in his brightness and glory it was said by the Lord to Moses none can see my face and live Exod. 33.20 that glorious sight which Daniel saw took strength from him Dan. 10.8 The object being without him drew out all his spirits to behold and admire it and so weakned him but in heaven our God whom we shall see and know will be within us to strengthen us then shall we live because we see his face It will be also a comforting light like the light of the morning to the wearied watchman who longed after it in the night time 2 It is called a Kingdom Luc. 12.32 2. A Kingdom Fear not little flock for it is your fathers will to give unto you a Kingdom It is a Kingdom that cannot be shaken or moved Heb. 12.28 there will be no commotions or divisions as in these inferiour sublunary Kingdomes in that Kingdom will be everlasting peace Rev. 22.11 without are dogs to wit contentious and seditious men who like dogs barking at the superiour lights do despise dignities and dominions which God hath appointed to be as the greater lights for ruling this inferiour world such men living and dying in their seditious disposition and courses will not come within the border of that Kingdom It is a Kingdom of incorruptible glory Suppose a man were Monarch of all the world in great splendor and prosperity yet all his glory and contentment is but a flying shadow in comparison of that solid substantial and eternal glory of the least of Saints in the Kingdom of heaven as the creature is infinitely inferiour to the Creator so is created glory to the increated which the child of God beholdeth in that Kingdom of glory Isa 40 15. Behold the Nations are as the drop of a bucket and are counted as the small dust in the ballance how doth the glory of earthly Kings and their Kingdoms pass away like the glory of a King in a stage-play but the glory of the Kingdom of heaven is fixed and permanent as the Kingdom is immortal so
the glory of it is incorruptible 3. Our happiness is called a Crown Jam. 1.12 A Crown He that endureth trials shall receive the Crown of life The four and twenty Elders had on their heads Crowns of Gold Rev. 4.4 The Romane Senate of old after some great victory did send to their Generals and great Captains a triumphal Crown and they did also send to the Souldiers chains bracelets and garlands Our Lord and great Captain of our salvatâ—on Iesus Christ after he had overcome all our enemies was Crowned with glory Heb. 2.9 He became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name that at the name of Iesus every knee should bow Phil. 2.8 9 10. This glory of the subjection of all things is peculiar to the Son of God exalted to the right hand of the Father in our Nature in which he was promoted to glory and Crowned as the Kings Purple Robe is advanced with him when he ascends into the Throne so the humane nature wherewith our Lord was invested was glorified with him in his Ascension and exalted to the right hand of God in glory like as the Captain of our salvation after his victory obtained his Crown super-eminent a name above every name so every one that fighteth the good fight under his command and in his strength shall receive their Crown of glory also which he by the merit of his valour in spoyling principalities and powers on the Cross hath purchased for them and to them 2 Tim. 4.7 8. I fought a good fight henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness Then our righteousness begun here will be crowned with perfection and glory God will crown not our merits but his own gifts it is a crown that fadeth not away 1. Pet. 5.4 a crown incorruptible 1 Cor. 9.25 then both head and Crown will be immortal the person and the glory will endure for ever 4. An inheritance It is called an inheritance incorruptible that cannot be defiled that fadeth not away 1 Pet. 1.5 It is an inheritance infinitely large which will satisfie all the children and heirs without any occasion of envy or contention it is not like that land that could not contain both Abraham and Lot with their substance which was the occasion of quarrelling to the heards-men 5. It is called an house not made with hands An house not made with hands c. eternal in the heavens 2 Cor. 5.1 here we are as men remaining for a time in Tabernacles our life is subject to changes and decays our bodies must be dayly repaired our spark of life would soon languish and dye without entertainment our bodies like a house of clay do daily fall down in one place or other with every new shower of a defluxion or distillation from our heads that are the roof of this house but in heaven our condition will be fixed and permanent as in a large house there is much ease and room for the Inhabitants so Ioh. 14. In my fathers house saith our Lord are many Mansions there is abundance of happiness and glory for every child of God it is a house full of light Rev. 21.23 there is no need of Sun nor Moon the Lamb will be the light thereof it is a house full of all provision for eternity in our fathers house saith the Prodigal is bread enough bread of life and water of life yea God himself will be all in all to us we shall live in him and with him and shall be continually refreshed and entertained by the seeing and enjoying of God 6. A plentiful common Table Our happiness in heaven is set forth by a plentiful common Table where all the glorified Saints will be entertained with a communion of one essential glory in the perpetual beholding of the face of God Luke 22.29 30. I appoint unto you a Kingdom saith our Lord that ye may eat and drink at my Table Our Lord in such expressions condescends to our weak and childish capacity thereby to signifie that satiety of pleasure and joy that shall redound unto the affections and sensitive part of our souls from the blessed Vision of God and also to set forth that Communion of glory with Angels and glorified Saints all the heavenly guests will be refreshed with the cleer vision of an infinite glorious God the entertainment will be great eye hath not seen ear hath not heard neither can it enter into the heart of man to conceive what God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Cor. 2.9 there will be good and solacious company Angels and just men there will be sweet and pleasant melody no jarrings there but perfect harmony singing that Trisagium Rev. 4.8 holy holy holy Lord God almighty which was and is and is to come This heavenly feast will not have an end as Ahasuerosh his feast had though it lasted many dayes But Psal 16. At thy right hand are pleasures for ever As to the manner how we participate this happiness and vision of God The manner how we participate of the vision of God there is something of it in the general revealed in holy Scripture but the particular and distinct knowledge of it is reserved to our experience and feeling in heaven that which is revealed to us is 1. 1. Intellectual That this vision of God in heaven is intellectual and mental for whereas it is said 1 Ioh. 3.2 We shall see him as he is and 1 Cor. 13.12 We shall see him face to face it is expounded by the Apostle in the same place of knowledge then shall I know even as also I am known It is true we shall see our Lord Iesus Christ in his glorified humane nature but God being a Spirit cannot be seen with the eye of the body for nothing can be seen but that which hath colour And God is of a most simple essence without all composition whatsoever 2. 2. Immediate This vision and fountain of God will be immediate 1 Cor. 13.12 H re we see as through a Glass we receive some representations of God in the two glasses of his word and works as in a glass we see here only the representation and some reflex of the face of God but in heaven we shall see him face to face without the interposition of any midds here we see him through the Lattess Cant. 2.9 But in heaven we shall see him within that eternal house of glory here we know God by his word but in heaven Prophecying and Teaching shall cease 1 Cor. 13. As when the building is perfected the scaffolding and other means necessary in the time of building are removed Though in heaven there will be no midds intervening betwixt the soul God in that blessed vision yet mans finite understanding will be corroborated and supported by the mean and midds of a glorious created strength that it may
be inlarged and in some measure made capable of the fruition of an infinite God As the eye of the body until it be somewaies strengthned cannot look stedfastly on a bright and beautiful colour at a neer distance so the finite understanding of man cannot behold that infinite beauty and Majestie of God unless it be supported by the hand of God Zacheus being of a low stature went up to the Sycomore-tree and from it got a sight of Christ though at that time there was no midds of a glass betwixt his eyes and Christ yet he had a midds mean under his feet the Sycomore-tree elevating supporting him for the beholding of Christ So in that blessed vision in heaven there will be no midds intervening betwixt our understandings and God for representing God to us yet there will be a mean and midds for corroborating the understanding to perceive and the heart to enjoy and delight in that vision 3. That vision will be perfect 1 Cor. 13.12 3. Perfect then shall we know as we are known But our God knoweth us perfectly to him all his works are known All our members are written in his book Psal 139.16 he knoweth all his works more perfectly and distinctly then any man knoweth what he himself writes down daily in his Diary here we know saith the Apostle as in a riddle Our knowledge of many mysteries is but general and confused as men hearing a riddle do understand the Gramatical sense of the words but little or nothing of the Mystical or moral sense So there be many Divine Mysteries whereof we have but a general and confused knowledge in comparison of that we shall have in heaven As of the blessed Trinity distinct in persons and yet one in Essence the unspeakable manner of the generation of the Son the unspeakable manner of the procession of the holy Ghost from the Father and the Son the unspeakable manner of the Union of the Divine and humane nature and their subsisting in one person as also other mysteries we know but in part we believe the matter because it is revealed But of the manner and great depths of those mysteries we are ignorant with a pious ignorance when God sets bounds we must not touch the Mount These depths of knowledge are reserved for us until the day we shall be promoted to that highest Class with Angels and glorified Saints and shall be made capable of God himself who will be all in all to us and in us there will he teach us immediately by himself as we see in vulgar Schools the Master himself and not the under Doctors do teach these of the highest Class here we know by the ministry of our senses Our common sense is the ordinary passage through which light and the species or samples of things are carried into the understanding from the outward senses But this light is very like light transmitted into a dark Dungeon through narrow bores but in heaven the soul and understanding will be filled with light from within because filled with God who is light As if a man were within the body of the Sun he would be full of light Then the soul will be united immediately to God It will be said unto the faithful servant enter into thy Masters joy light and joy will not so much enter into us as we shall enter into it by being unseparable and immediately joyned with God Then shall we know him as we are known of him Now we have but weak and shallow apprehensions of him by our trembling hand of an infirm Faith but then shall we get our arms full of God the understanding and will shall be filled with the knowledge love of God and in comparison of the weak and little gripe we have here in our wayfaring we shall be comprehendors in our Country above Though to speak simply and absolutely none can comprehend God who is infinite and incomprehensible to any creature 4. 4. Eternal This vision is permanent and eternal that glimpse of represented Majestie and Glory which Moses saw Exod. 33. was but transient and that which Peter saw in the Mount did soon disappear and a cloud followed after though the children of God get some comfortable sense of Gods favour at any time in this life yet it abideth not Our Condition here is subject to a vicissitude and change At one time we have some sense of his favour and great joy Psal 4.7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart more then in the time that their corn and wine increased at another time God hideth his face and then there is great sorrow of heart Psal 28.1 If thou be silent unto me I become like them that go down to the Pit But in heaven our sight of God will be permanent God wholly God alone and God for ever will be in our eye and heart Revel 22.5 There shall be no night there and they need no candle neither light of the Sun for the Lord giveth them light and they shall reign for ever and ever Not only will our happiness stand in the vision and knowledge of God in our understandings Our wills shall be filled with love and delight in God but also our wills shall be filled with love and delight in God Then will our love toward God be pure without mixture perfect without defect and permanent without change or fear of change 1. Our love will be pure without mixture 1. Pure here our affections are drained forth like rivulets and run toward our lustful delights and comforts in the creatures but in heaven our affections will be all gathered together as waters in the fountain and be poured forth on God 2. Our love of God in heaven will be perfect 2. Perfect Our love here for the most part doth rise from some sign or effect of Gods love towards us in it there is much reflecting on our selves But in heaven we will love God for himself wholly here our love is weak in the degree and measure but in heaven we will love God perfectly with all our soul heart and strength as forces scattered here and there are strong when they are united into one body so our affections strugling here on divers objects will be then united together and in their full strength set on God 3. Our love will be permanent even in the full strength of it 3. Permanent here our love though sometimes it be bended set on God yet in an instant it sluggs and remits of the bent but in heaven our love to God will be ever intended and kept in the full height here fear like an heavy weight draweth down our hearts and weakens our love but in heaven perfect love will cast out fear 1 Cor. 13 then will we be delivered from all fear either of the change of our sense of the love of God to us or of our love toward God we will be confirmed in the assurance of his love toward us
for ever and our hearts will be established in our love toward God for ever This Doctrine serveth for a timely admonition Vse 1 Our chief care should be to enter into this happiness seeing there is an eternal happiness attainable in the vision and fruition of God It should be our chief care in time to enter into that way that leadeth into such an happy end in heaven is laid up a Crown of glory but it is given to such only as endure to the end The rich prize is there but given to such only as run their race with patience and finish their course thou must have some mediate sight of God in the word here in the way before thou attain that immediate sight in thy Country The knowledge of God in Christ here by Faith is the rudiment and pedagogy of our immediate and perfect knowledge of God in heaven Joh. 17.3 This is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent the Disciples of Christ must be grounded in their Rudiments here before they be commenced there Masters of all perfect and happy knowledge Obj. How shall I know that I am in the way to eternal happiness for there is a way that seemeth right unto a man but the end thereof are the wayes of death Prov. 14.12 Many men are of Tamberlans opinion that every man living civilly and honestly may be saved in his own Religion Answ Infallible signs of entering into life 1. Faith There be three infallible Antecedents of Eternal life 1. Faith in Jesus Christ as there is no coming to the end of the Journey unless a man set his feet in the way toward it so there is no coming to salvation without Faith in Christ 1 Pet. 1.9 Receiving the end of your faith the salvation of your souls Faith at the end of our life is turned into vision in that life eternal 2. 2. Conformity to Christ A conformitie unto Christ Rom. 8.29 Whom he did foreknow he also did Praedestinate to be conformed to his Son thou must in some measure be conformed to Christ in holyness in this life otherwayes thou canst not be conform to him in the other life in happiness because as God Predestinates a man to glory so he doth also Predestinate him to grace and holyness Ephes 1.4 He hath chosen us before the foundation of the world that we should be holy This conformity unto Christ standeth not only in an outward profession and approaching to the Ordinances which hypocrites may do with a great shew of piety in bodily exercise Isa 58.2 3. but specially in the ordering of our life and conversation according to the precept and example of Jesus Christ our Lord Phil. 2.5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus we must be conformable to him in our sufferings by patience and submission to the good will of God Not my will said our Lord in his Agony but thine be done and we must be conformable to him in meekness toward violent men who are instrumental in our sufferings 1 Pet. 2.23 Christ also suffered for us leaving us an ensample who when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that Judgeth righteously 3. 3. The first fruits of the Spirit The third evidence of our walking in the way to true happiness is the first fruits of the Spirit To wit such saving graces as are the beginnings and first fruits of eternal life as knowledge of God in Christ sense of his love peace of conscience and joy of salvation in our heart The first fruits were consecrate to God in testimony of thankfulness they were grounds of hope of a plentiful harvest and motives to stir up a longing desire after the harvest in like manner the child of God should be thankful for those beginnings and first fruits of happiness he may be confident also that God who hath given unto him the first fruits in the state of Grace will give unto him a joyful harvest of glory This was the ground both of Pauls confidence and willingness to be dissolved and to be with Christ 2 Cor. 5.5.8 He hath also given unto us the earnest of the Spirit we are confident and willing rather to be absent from the body It serveth also for matter of comfort unto the children of God Vse 2 Comfort to mourners under imperfections fears c. who mourn here under the sense of many imperfections under the fear of many and daily temptations who groan under the burthen of indwelling corruption that hangeth so fast on and under the heavy pressures of many troubles and calamities look by faith unto that rich recompence of reward and rejoyce in the hope of that everlasting happiness when ye shall behold the face of God in glory 1. Here is matter of comfort against the imperfections of our knowledge in our wayfaring we are ignorant of far more then we know but then shall we know God himself and all things in him as a resplendent Mirrour so far forth as he sees may conduce for our happiness here our knowledge is confused and dark in the valley of Baca but there it will be distinct and clear in Mount Sion that is above where no mists are Now we know in part but then shall we know fully and perfectly Then shall we say as the Queen of Sheba did 1 King 10.6 7 8. It was a true report which I heard in mine own Land and behold the half was not told me Thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard here our love is imperfect God is not our all in all Our love is carried on other things beside God but then God will be all in all in us and to us whatever we loved here in the creature will be exceeded and swallowed up in that vast ocean of love and delight we shall have in God himself here are great changes in our love sometime we are hot in our zeal like David dauncing before the Ark at another time we are cold and stupified when any thing crosseth us in our performance of holy duties as David was when Vzzah was smitten 1 Chron. 13.12 but in heaven our love and zeal to Gods glory will be perfect in degrees unchangeable in condition and perpetual in duration 2. Here is comfort under manifold temptations It is true we are subject here to one temptation after another and when in the strength of our Lord we have resisted one yet are we disquieted with the fear of another for Sathan who departed but for a season from our Lord who was temptation-proof Luc. 4.13 he leaveth us but for a short time waiting an advantage of our security which is his opportunity he will appear sometime to depart from tempting but if we become proud as having resisted his temptations by our own strength or if we become secure and negligent in prayer and watchfulness
28.8 in our regenerate estate though we have joy from Christ that is formed in us yet the impression of the terrours of God before the time of our new birth remain in us as in a commotion of the Sea by a great tempest after the stormy wind hath ceased yet the impression of the storm remains and makes an Agitation The tender mother recovering her young child from danger of a fall hath joy from the recovery but with much fear with the impression of the danger so after we are recovered here from our dangerous falls by the rich and tender mercies of our God sometime prevening us sometime restoring us though we rejoyce in his mercy and in our own recovery out of the snares of Sathan yet in the midst of our joy the remembrance of former guiltiness and danger do humble our our hearts with much sorrow and some trepidation of heart As our joy here is mixed with fear so with sorrow also The sound believer doth look up to Christ crucified and doth rejoyce in his incomparable love that such a person should have dyed such a death for such as were enemies to God by sinful inclinations and wicked works They look down also upon their own sins that have wonnded and crucified the Lord of Glory and this breaketh the heart as a widdow should mourn who by her froward and lewd behaviour hath burst the heart of a kind and loving husband The sound Believers look to their small beginnings of Grace and they rejoyce in the Work of Gods hands but when they compare it with that original and primitive righteousness they mourn bitterly as the Elders of Israel did at the rebuilding of the Temple Ezra 3.12 Those who had seen the first house weeped But in heaven our joy will be full without mixture of sorrow Ioh. 16.20 Your sorrow saith our Lord shall be turned into joy Then will there be no sorrow for a present trouble nor present fear of future troubles Then their eye will deeply affect their heart The sight and knowledge of God the supreme and infinite good will ravish and take up all their heart with joy and delight Peter in the Mount Math. 17. was so affected with that glorious sight that he forgot both the delights and troubles that were below It is good to be here said he How much more will all worldly troubles and delights be forgot at that soul-satisfying sight in heaven which is as far above that of Peter in the Mount as the third heaven is above that Mount and as the increated is above the created glory Obj. But will not the Saints in heaven remember the evils on earth from which they were delivered and if so be they remember them will it be with any sorrow or fear Answ The knowledge and remembrance of miseries which the Saints in Heaven have is with our anguish No doubt they will remember great deliverances Revel 5.9 Thou wast slain and thou hast redeemed us say the four and twenty Elders yea the Saints in heaven have some knowledge of the great misery of the damned Not only from the remembrance of the Word of God foretelling it but also from their own great happiness as knowing one contrary by another they know well the misery of such men is extream who are deprived of the great happiness themselves do enjoy But all their knowledge of the misery of the damned and the remembrance of troubles in this life will be without all anguish or sense of pain Augustine of the City of God lib. 22. ch 30. compareth the knowledge that the Saints in heaven have of the misery of the damned unto that knowledge Physitians have of painful diseases from their reading but not from sense and experience of the pain in their own person The Saints in heaven will remember the troubles of this life as Souldiers after the victory remember the fight and as passengers safely arrived remember a dangerous voiage This remembrance will encrease their joy and praise to God The knowledge of the misery of the damned though of their dearest friends and acquaintance on earth will be matter of praising Gods Justice declared on them and of his eternal mercy manifested on themselves the glory of Gods Justice will so affect them that they neither can nor will be sorry for the misery of any person This joy of the Saints in heaven will be full in the measure of it for if the measure of our joy here from faith into the gracious promises and from some sense of love be above expression what will be the joy in that facial vision If such be the joy of faith in hearing of our Lord and husband by his sacred letter and secret tokens of love what will be our joy in seeing him and dwelling with him for ever if the passengers at Sea have such joy in seeing the desired Land a far of through the prospect of faith what will be the measure of their joy when they come within that part of eternal salvation where they shal have perpetual tranquillity and perfect delight in the fruition of God in whom as the center do meet all the lines of created comforts and delights that have been drawn forth at any time to any part of the circumference of this world yea much more then eye hath seen ear heard or heart can conceive As our joy in heaven will be intensively full in the degrees and measure so will it be extensively full to the whole person both to the soul and to the body Ioseph at his inlargement out of prison got a new garment a ring and honourable preferment so in the day of the inlargement of our bodies out of the grave there will be given to the Saints a long and large white robe of innocency both to soul and body Then heavenly comliness and brightness shall as a ring adorn the body and the whole person in soul and body will be preferred to sit at the right hand of God in glory the soul being but a part of the person and whole suppos it hath a natural desire and longeth for the re-union of the body therefore in the day of resurrection when the body will be reunited the desire of the soul will be fully satisfied That joy of soul and body at meeting will be mutual like the joy of two dear friends meeting together after some separation for a time then will the soul be affected with joy from the body when it looketh out by the eye and beholdeth the glorious body of Christ the glorified bodies of the Saints and the brightness of that body wherein it self lodged the soul will have great joy in perceiving this glorious change in the body like a noble guest sometime straitned and molested in a nastie house doth afterward much rejoyce in a clean large and quiet habitation As the soul will have accession of joy from the reinvestiture of the body So the body over and besides its own proper outward glory