34 29.30 For they shall shine as the brightnesse of the Firmament n Dan. 12.3 as the Starres yea as the Sunne it selfe o Mat. 13.43 when it shineth in his greatest strength and dazeleth the eyes of all the beholders Nay as the Sunne of righteousnesse p Mal. 4.2 CHRIST IESVS himselfe VVee know how glorious his body was in his transfiguration vpon the mount q Mat. 17.2 when he gaue those three Disciples but a glimpse of that resplendent brightnesse wherewith his bodie doth now shine most gloriously Such as was then yea such as is now the glory of his body in the highest heauens such then also shal theirs be For their bodies shall be made conformable vnto his s Phil. 3.21 Now we are the sonnes of God saith that beloued Disciple of Christ Now we t 1 Iohn 3.2 are the sonnes of God euen all the faithfull but yet it doth not appeare what wee shall be But wee know that when hee shall appeare we shall be like him They shall be made like vnto him in glory though not equall They shall haue the same kinde of glory put vpon them though not the same degree and measure As their bodies were some-wayes comformable vnto his in his humilitie and abasement in regard of their sufferings as the Apostle speakes of himselfe v Gal. 6.17 I beare in my body the markes of the Lord Iesus and in regard of their manifold weaknesses and infirmities whereunto they are now continually subiect so then they shall be made conformable vnto his glorious body being beautified with the same glory and shining with the same brightnesse Such as is the Head such shall be the members As the Sunne giueth light vnto all the other Lights of heauen so shall CHRIST vnto all the Saints by communicating his owne glory vnto them Or as the Ayre being inlightned by the light of the Sunne is so transformed into the brightnes thereof that it seemes not so much to be lightened as to be light it selfe so the bodies of the Saints being inlightned with the beames of the glory of GOD and his Sonne Christ Iesus which shall shine vnto them x Ioh. 16.22 and in them shall be euen transformed into the glorious Image of God shining clearely with the brightnesse of that glory which is in the Son of God himselfe When the glory of the Lord reflected vpon Moses vvhiles hee was with him certaine dayes vpon the Mount it made his face to shine so brightly as it was formerly said that the people could not behold him but were afraid to come neare him for the glory of his y Exod. 34.33 2 Cor. 3.7.13 countenance so that hee was faine to put a couering vpon his face and to vaile himselfe because otherwise they were not able to talke with him and to heare that Message which hee had vnto them from the Lord Oh then how glorious must not onely their faces but their whole bodies be who shall not be certaine dayes or yeares but continually in the presence of God in his heauenly Mountaine vvhere hee shall cause all the beames of that vnspeakeable brightnesse and glory of his to be euer reflecting euer shining vpon them Adams body in his integritie was glorious and had a kinde of Maiestie vpon it so that all the Creatures stood in awe z Gen. 2.19 20. Psal 8.6.7 and reuerence of his presence much more shall theirs when liuing in that coelestiall Paradise they shall be made like not that earthly but that heauenly Adam CHRIST IESVS our blessed Lord and Sauiour whose Image they shall then a 1 Cor. 15 48.49 beare The Sunne that glorious creature vvould not so much dazle our eyes if wee should looke full vpon it in the greatest brightnes thereof as the bodies of euery one yea of the least of the Saints would if wee should now behold them in the glory wherewith then they shall be inuested in a wonderfull manner What should I say more The tongue of man is not able to expresse the greatnesse of their glory In briefe then to inlarge this no further whiles the bodies of the wicked like loathsome carkasses shall be vile contemptible inglorious full of shame and confusion yea an abhorring to all flesh b Isa 66.24 theirs shall shine in that brightnesse of glory which is vnspeakeable and rather with comfort to be expected then with words sufficiently expressed They onely who shall be made partakers of it shall know what it is And as their bodies shall be made thus glorious so much more their soules Nay the glory hereof shall as much exceede the other as the Soule it selfe doth excell the body which they that are of any vnderstanding vvill grant to be exceeding much Great yea marueilous great shall the glory thereof be They shall be changed and renued and of a farre more excellent condition then they now are changed I say not in regard of their essence for that shall remaine the same without any difference any alteration but in regard of their qualities which shall be refined and much altered from that they were before of a new stampe and impression as it were inriched with new endowments new ornaments yea the glory of them shall be wonderfull farre aboue that wee are able to thinke or conceiue of them More particularly The Image of God c Eph. 4.24 Col. 3.10 and of Christ which now through sinne is much defaced in them shall then shine forth in them in most glorious manner It is begunne in them here d 2 Cor. 3.18 it shall be perfected there Their Vnderstandings shall bee inlightned to know whatsoeuer may make for their happinesse Whereas now they are ouer-shadowed with much darkenesse then they shall shine most clearely most brightly They shall vnderstand perfectly the whole Mystery of e 1 Tim. 3.16 Godlinesse They shall know God yea see him as he is euen face to f 1 Cor. 13.12 face as much as the nature of a finite and humane creature is able to comprehend the glory of so infinite and so glorious a Maiestie There shall be no darknesse of error or ignorance in them for they shall liue alwayes in the light yea where hee that is the Father of lights g Iam. 1.17 shall continually cast forth his shine vpon them illuminating and inlightning their vnderstandings with the bright beames of his Spirit and making them partakers of the rich treasuries of all heauenly vvisedome and true spirituall knowledge and vnderstanding Great was the knowledge which Adam had in Paradise before his fall when as at the first veiw hee was able to giue vnto euery h Gen. 2.20 creature both Fowles of the Ayre and Beasts of the Field a name according vnto their nature but it was not so great as that which the Saints shall haue in Heauen I list not here to feede the curious Reader with nice speculations of things not reuealed i Deut. 29 29.
are written with the finger of the Spirit of God and wherein the manifold and vnsearchable vvisedome of God and those great and glorious mysteries are most clearely reuealed to them that haue eyes to behold them Ephe. 3.9.10 Next vnto this the heauens are the clearest and fayrest Booke that vve can open or reade in Thence wee may learne what profound and excellent knowledge yea hee that hath skill of neuer a Letter may herein read distinctly the magnificence â—â—b 37.23 â—â—al 19.1 the power the wisedome the glory and maiestie of the Almightie Lord and Creator of all things â—â—m 1.20 Hee is altogether inexcusable that hath no skill no desire no endeuour to gather instruction vnto himselfe out of it or that hauing it so long open before him shewes himselfe to be a Non-proficient one that is nothing at all bettered by it in regard of his knowledge and vnderstanding of those things vvhich concerne GOD and his Worship and Seruice Lord let that Booke of thine be neuer closed or sealed vnto me neyther let mine eyes bee so dimme that I should not bee able to reade those things which thou hast written therein in such great and Capitall Letters and vvith such a cleare and legible hand but giue mee the right vnderstanding of the same and grant that from thence I may learne to feare to loue to praise and extoll thy great and glorious Name vvho art so exceeding vvonderfull in all thy workes Gods marueilous workmanship in the frame of the world IF thou seest a stately Palace or some rare and exquisite frame wrought by the hand and by the curious Art of man thou dost presently vvonder and admire at it and vvithall giue large commendations of him whose workemanship it was Loe thou beholdest euery day that most exquisite and glorious frame of heauen and earth the worke of Gods owne hand Psal 8.3 and 135.6 the roofe vvhereof is bespangled and adorned vvith those celestiall creatures Eccle. 3.11 those glorious Lights the Sunne the Moone and all those bright and glittering Stars in vvhich the wonderfull glory and vvisedome of the Creator shineth forth so clearely Psal 104.24 111.2 that euen the blinde Heathen could not but see and acknowledge it yea the vvhole building whereof euen euery part of it is most admirable such as that it sheweth plainely that it had no other to be the Maker and builder of it then GOD himselfe Iob 38. and yet thou neuer or seldome lookest vpon it vvith an holy admiration thou art neuer moued with the serious consideration of it to acknowledge the great and vvondrous vvorke of God therein and to magnifie the Creator of all things O the blindnesse and senslesnesse nay Psal 92.5.6 brutishnes of man Lord doe thou raise vp my thoughts to the due meditation of thy vnspeakeable wisedome power goodnes mercie in those things which thou hast created and made for thine owne glorie and for the vse and benefit of man euen those wonders of thine in the heauen the earth the sea and all places Psal 107.12.24 Rom. 1.20 Let me in them see the inuisible things of thee who art God and Lord of all euen the infinite power and glory of thy eternall and incomprehensible Deitie Iob. 26.14 Let me acknowledge thy goodnesse and mercie towards mee a worme of the earth for whose sake thou hast made heauen and earth yea let mee neuer cease to praise and glorifie thee vvhose name is so excellent in all the vvorld who art Creator and Gouernour of all things holy and blessed for euer Amen The creatures prouoke man to serue his Creator ALL creatures serue their Lord and maker The birds of the ayre by their pleasant notes and cheereful melodie sing praise vnto their Creator Psal 104. the fishes of the Sea the beasts of the field by seruing for the vse of man according to the ordinance and appointment of God Euen the creatures without sense and life the Sunne the Moone the Starres all these keepe their places their motions which he hath assigned vnto them al these declare the glorie of God their maker and shew forth his power and wisedome Psal 145.10 Man only is found disobedient vnseruiceable nay rebellious against his Creator who of all should chiefly be seruiceable and obedient vnto him since all things were made for his sake euen to draw him to loue to duetie and obedience that so he might glorifie his Creator vvho had so highly honoured and aduanced him Ierem. 8.7 O blessed Lord farre be it from me to be more senselesse then the bruite beasts yea the insensible creatures themselues O let it be farre from me to be so vnkinde so vndutifull so ingratefull so stubborne and disobedient towards thee my God my Creator my Father my Soueraigne to whom I owe all seruice and homage yea let me passe the beasts in dutie and obedience or else euen they those dumbe and vnreasonable creatures shall be witnesses to testifie against me and cause thee to proceed in iudgement Psal 8.4.5 and to giue sentence with more rigour and seueritie to my deeper condemnation The greatnesse of the benefit of the redemption of mankind by Christ and how much we are bound vnto God for the same IF any one of vs were taken by his enemy put into a darke prison or deepe dungeon where he could see no light of the Sun or of the Moone not any of the Starres for a long season and besides this were laden also with many heauy chains and yrons and no waies able to helpe himselfe out of that misery yea in regard of any meanes which himselfe could vse were cleane out of all hope euer to bee deliuered sure to rot and perish would he not thinke himselfe much beholding and greatly indebted vnto him that should freely of his owne loue and voluntary accord seeke to bring him out of that wofull estate vnto light life and libertie especially if so bee that hee that did him this fauour were one of whom hee neuer deserued any thing yea to whom hee had beene a professed and open enemie 1 Tim. 1.17 Reuel 4.10.11 O then how much more ought wee euen all such as are the chosen of God and the redeemed of Christ Iesus to magnifie the grace and the tender mercie of God our Sauiour towards vs how deepely are we to acknowledge our selues to be indebted vnto him for the exceeding riches of his loue and vnspeakable kindnesse towards vs how are we to praise his name and to extoll his infinite goodnes and bounty so graciously vouchsafed and so manifestly declared vnto vs seeing that no prison no darknesse no bondage no miserie is Isai 42.6.7 Zach. 9.11 or can be like vnto that vvherein vve were inclosed and shut fast vp vvithout all hope of euer enioying the light of that glorious Sunne of righteousnesse or once beholding the bright beames of that rich grace mercie of God which
now shine so clearely so comfortably vpon vs in the face of Christ Iesus our Lord seeing that we being holden vnder sinne and Sathan and sitting in the shadow of death vvere neuer able in any wise by any meanes whatsoeuer procured by our selues or others Angels or any creature else to haue recouered our selues but should haue lyen rotting in that vvoful and damnable estate and so haue perished eternally if God of his meere loue had not vouchsafed speciall grace and fauour vnto vs and that vvhen vve were his enemies Rom. 5.10 Isay 49.9 Luke 1.79 and freed and redeemed vs from that miserable bondage and thraldome yea from the power of darknesse euen death and destruction it selfe and translated vs into that glorious libertie of his Saints in light and this by no smal or ordinarie meanes 1 Pet. 1.18 but by the shedding of the precious blood of Christ his deare son our blessed Sauiour who loued vs and according to the determinate counsell and decree of God gaue himselfe to be crucified slaine for vs euen for vs that had dealt most treacherously and rebelliously against him made our selues altogether vnworthy of the least mercy and fauour of his O mercifull God heauenly father giue me to see vvhat and how great this benefit is which I haue receiued from thee in and through thy Christ Let me euer be mindfull of it and vnfainedly thankefull vnto thee for it yea as this bountifull and inestimable goodnesse of thine towards me so sinfull a wretch and so vnworthie a creature as I am and haue beene deserueth all praise so let mee indeuour by al meanes to set forth and to publish the same vnto the glory of thy grace whereby in the riches of thy loue through thy beloued thou hast done so great and wonderfull things for me for which I can neuer be sufficiently thankefull nor returne that praise which is most due vnto thee Oh that thou wouldest draw me yet neerer vnto thee cause me euen to melt in loue towards thee my God and Sauiour and with heart voyce and life to magnifie and extoll thy name yea to giue vp my selfe both body and soule and all that is within me vnto thy seruice and to the aduancement of thy glory both now and euer Amen Thankefulnesse to God for all his fauours towards vs especially that wonderfull loue of his in our redemption IF GOD had giuen vs nothing but our being wee ought to be stirred vp with the remembrance of that alone to be thankeful vnto him and to acknowledge his mercie and goodnesse towards vs herein But now seeing that hee maketh vs Lords of all these senselesse and vnreasonable creatures Psal 8.6 whereas hee might haue made vs bruitish and voyd of sense and reason like vnto them 21. for wee were all made of the same common matter vvith them and were in his hands as the clay in the hand of the potter to bee wrought to what forme and fashion it pleased him the Creatour of all things 42. seeing he hath preferred vs before all these visible creatures making them to serue vs whereas he might haue subiected vs vnto them and in euery creature both in heauen and earth doth sparkle towards vs his loue with innumerable benefits yea which is the summe of all in Christ vpon the Crosse casts forth the flame of perfect charitie and of his infinite vnspeakeable mercie and kindnesse towards vs sure our hearts are frozen and euen dead within vs if vvee be not moued to loue him with an entire and vnfained loue How should vvee bee affected vvith these things O blessed LORD touch my heart with a true and liuely sense and feeling of the riches of that endlesse incomprehensible loue of thine towards me inlarge this narrow heart of mine that I may be able in some measure with all thy Saints to comprehend the bredth Eph. 3.18.19 length depth and height of that wonderfull and vnspeakeale kindnes of thine towards me in thy Christ which passeth all knowledge Inflame my affections with the meditation thereof and let mee be constrained thereby to loue thee with all my heart with all my soule with all my strength euer to acknowledge thy free grace and marueilous goodnes towards me and for the same to sing prayses vnto thee continually who onely art worthy to be praised and magnified now and for euer Amen Who are the redeemed of Christ THey that are Christs are led by the spirit of Christ that dwels in them rules them Rom. 8.9.14 gouernes sanctifies them thorowout It freeth them from the law of sinne and death and causeth them to liue the life of grace and holinesse Rom. 8.2 they are crucified with Christ in regard of their corrupt and fleshly nature and the sinnefull lusts and affections thereof Gal. 2.19 5.24 1 Cor. 3.16.17 2 Cor. 6.16 so that they liue not now as they did before but Christ liueth in them maketh them a mansion and a holy temple fitted and prepared for the blessed and glorious God to rest and to abide in for euermore This is a truth that the Scriptures of God haue sealed and therefore cannot be denied or once doubted of except we will giue the lie vnto the spirit of truth it selfe who hath spoken it Whose then are they that are led altogether by the spirit of the vvorld euen that vvicked spirit that worketh in the hearts of the children of disobedience by the spirit of enuie Ephes 2.2 maliciousnesse vncleannesse prophanenesse c. walking after their owne lusts following the sway of their owne corrupt and sinnefull nature and delighting in fulfilling the will of the flesh and of the minde resisting the spirit of grace and rebelling against Christ Luk. 19.14 and that light which hee hath reuealed vnto them in his word so that they will not haue him to rule ouer them Surely Luk. 19.14 1 Ioh. 3.8.10 they are exceeding blinde and marueilous full of selfe-loue and vaine presumption if they can thinke that they are Christs redeemed by his bloud and iustified by his grace nay if they can once imagine themselues to be otherwise then of Satan the god of this world such as if they continue in that estate wherein they are he will cause to be slaine before his face Luk. 19.27 Rom. 8.13 when hee shall appeare in the brightnesse of his glorie yea Psal 2.9 2 Thes 1.8 Matt. 25.46 bruise and crush them in pieces as it vvere with a rod of yron and cast them into hell where they shall be kept for euer in chaines of darkenesse with the rest of those damned spirits because they haue taken part with Sathan against Christ and shewed themselues to be enemies to him in refusing to beleeue obey his blessed Gospell Let not therefore their owne hearts which are very deceitful nor Sathan who hath beene a lyar a murtherer from the beginning deceiue delude
62.4 so farre as he may make vse of them and receiue some benefit by them the spirituall man doth loue and that entirely and vnfainedly euen his greatest enemies Psal 35.13.14 Mat. 5.44 Acts. 7.60 2. Sam. 16.11 2. Cor. 11.30 Phil. 4.12 2 Cor. 12.10 Acts. 5.41 those that seeke his hurt and are most malitiously bent against him The naturall man is greatly afraid of contempt disgrace and ignominie he cannot with patience indure to be reuiled or abased by any meanes the spirituall man willingly vnder-goeth this yea he reioyceth when he is thus humbled he accounteth it a matter of great ioy that he hath this honour vouchsafed vnto him to suffer rebuke for Christ and for righteousnesse sake he esteemeth more of it then of all the treasures of the world Heb. 11.26 hath more ioy whiles he suffereth then others whiles they wrong him or if he be any waies grieued it is not for his owne sake so much as for theirs who are his enemies vniustly and speake euill of him falsely to the dishonour of God and the great hurt of their owne soules The naturall man is neuer throughly content when his estate is best Num. 11.6 Psal 78.18 but seekes causes of discontentment where there are none the spirituall man is alwaies content euen when his estate is at the worst or at least he desireth 2 Cor. 4.8 Phil. 4.11 and endeauoureth to be so The naturall man seeketh for praise and estimation amongst men to be in account and reputation aboue that which he deserueth and to be honoured and applauded of the world 1 Sam. 15.30 Ester 5.9 the spirituall man aymeth in all things at this especially that whatsouer becomes of him or howsoeuer it fareth with him God may be glorified by him that he may receiue that praise and honour which is due vnto his name 1. Thes 2.6 Phil. 1.20 2 Cor. 6.8 though himselfe suffers the greatest disgrace and be exposed to the greatest ignominie and dishonour that may be The naturall man esteemeth death his greatest enemy the very remembrance of it is exceeding bitter vnto him he thinks as it is indeed that he loseth all when that comes the spiritual man iudgeth it to be no losse no hurt but great gaine and aduantage to him Phil. 1.21 and therefore feares it not as an enemy though in it selfe an enemy and somewhat fearefull to him till he looketh wishly on it and with other eyes then those of flesh and nature but addresseth himselfe willingly to entertaine it as a welcome guest Luk. 2.29 a meanes of much good vnto him He desires to be dislodged and to be with Christ his Sauiour and saith often with Dauid Psal 42.2 when shall I come and appeare before the presence of my God when shall I behold his face in glory and be satisfied with the plenty of his house and commonly the nearer he is vnto death the greater tast and feeling hath he of the life to come The naturall man liues by sense Iude. 10. and beleeues nothing but that he can see reason for or bring vvithin the compasse of his braine the spirituall man liues by faith beleeuing things that are farre aboue the reach of sense and naturall reason Gala. 2.20 which the worldling wonders that he can beleeue and trust to So great is the difference betweene a naturall and spirituall man euen whiles they liue together in this world yea more then hath beene yet set forth vnto vs. O heauenly father weaken I humbly pray thee and diminish the power of corrupt nature daily more and more in me and vouchsafe vnto me such a plentifull increase of thy grace that I may in euery thing see a manifest difference in my estate and in the whole conuersation of my life from that which is in those that are altogether carnall and vnregenerate yea that I may finde such an inward change and alteration in me such holy motions and desires and such sanctified affections as are in none but in those that are renewed by thy grace and become truely spirituall hauing the liuely impression of thine owne image which sinne had before exceedingly defaced that thus I may not onely haue more full assurance of the certaintie of my election and saluation hauing that seale of thy spirit apparantly set vpon me which is proper to thy elect chosen but also may be euery day better inabled to passe the rest of my time vvhich I am to liue in this sinnefull world more to thy glory then I haue done heretofore euen as it becommeth him whom in thy infinit mercy thou hast translated from the state of nature into the state of grace from the power of darkenesse into the kingdome of thy deare Sonne to whom with thee O Father and thy blessed Spirit be all prayse and thankesgiuing both now and euermore Amen Exhortations and Reproofes THey that doe not as occasion serueth and according to their places and calling mutually exhort rebuke and admonish one another they haue forgotten what charge the Lord hath layd vpon them Mat. 18.15 Heb. 3.13 they neglect those necessarie duties which the lawes of friendship and charitie require of them Leuit. 19.17 Pro. 27.5.6 They are regardlesse of the good estate of their neighbors for what more wholesome what more profitable then a seasonable exhortation admonition or reprehension It is as pretious balme of a very soueraigne nature for the curing of internall and spirituall maladies of great vse and necessitie for being blinde in our imperfections how needfull is it for vs to borrow our friends eyes and to lend them ours that so wee may aduise admonish and correct each the other to the mutuall good one of another Nay that I say no more they that are sparing or altogether carelesse of this dutie they are or at least seeme to be either enuious or else quite voyd of all compassion towards their poore brethren and those amongst whom they liue and conuerse vnwilling to doe so much for them as one that hath any good nature in him would doe for the bruite beasts Exod. 23.4.5 For vvho would not as the law of God also enioyneth take vp the beast euen of his enemie vvhen it went astray and vvere ready to perish Pro 12.10 and yet they cruell friends and mercilesse men will not seeke to reforme and to saue the soule of their friends yea Iam. 5.19.20 of their brethren vvhen it wanders out of the way of life and saluation and is in perill for want of their helping hand of imminent destruction and vtter confusion Farre be this from me O Lord forgiue me my former desert and want of the due performance of this so necessary and so profitable a dutie which thou commaundest and euen Nature it selfe calleth for at my hands and make mee more carefull for the time to come of the discharge thereof in a wholesome and seasonable maner O let not that
louing thee inwardly in heart soule and manifesting my loue towards thee by the fruits effects of it in my life and conuersation I may euerie day haue more full assurance of thy especiall loue towards me and comfortable experience of the riches of thy grace and mercy sealed vnto my soule conscience yea I may see by the fruits and pledges of thy loue that thou louest me and delightest in me and wilt cause thy gracious countenance to shine vpon me all my daies yea that thou wilt refresh my soule in the midst of my troubles and cause my fainting spirits to reuiue within me when death shal be ready to seize vpon me and assoone as death shall put an end to this fraile and sinfull life wilt stretch forth thy hand to imbrace me with thy armes and to translate me immediatly by the ministery of thy Angels h Luk. 16.22 into that blessed and glorious kingdome of thine where I shall enioy thy presence see thee face to face and haue the bright beams of thy louing countenance shining alwaies most clearely and comfortably vpon me to thy endlesse praise and glorie and my vnspeakable felicitie and happinesse for euermore and all this through the merits and mediation of thy blessed Sonne my onely Sauiour and Redeemer in whom it hath pleased thee graciously to respect me and to whom with thee O Father and the spirit of grace and loue three persons and one most glorious God be all praise dominion and thanksgiuing from this time forth and for euer Amen Loue of the children of God IT is impossible to loue God and to hate his image to loue Christ who is the head and to hate Christians who are his members Nay the more that any one loues the one the more must he of necessitie loue the other and the more his affection increaseth toward God the more also it will increase towards those that are the children of God resembling him in their measure in the inward graces and vertues of their mindes puritie righteousnesse holinesse and the rest of those diuine a Mat. 5.43 perfections wherein he hath set himselfe as a patterne and president to be imitated and followed of them He loues them intirely and vnfainedly because hee seeth that he is nearely tied vnto them by many and strait bonds as being members b 1 Cor. 12.27 of one bodie children of one father c Math. 5.45 Ephe. 4.6 brethren d Mat. 12 50 Heb. 2.12 of one Saâ—â—our fed e 1 Cor. 10 17. at one table where they haue mutuall communion and fellowship in one f 1 Cor. 12.13 Ephes 4.4 and the same spirit nourished with the same meat in the word and Sacrament liuing together in one and the same familie which is the visible Church g Heb. 11.31 1 Pet. 2.11 stangers togither in this world and trauelling as pilgrimes towards the same countrey that heauenly Canaan h 2 Tim. 4 7. souldiours fighting together vnder the same banner the profession of the same faith i Ephe. 4.5 and against the same common enemie the deadly enemie of all mankinde Sathan and his complices and confederates partakers of the same grace of Gods holy and sanctifying spirit and ioynt-heires with Christ of the same glory reserued for them and all the Saints in the highest heauens Being so nearely allied and so straitly vnited mutually each to other by so many bands so many Obligations how can it be but that they should loue one another with an entire and Christian affection in truth and sincerity without vanity and flatterie Shamelesse k Iohn 4.20 lyars therefore they are who glory in word that they are of God and yet shew forth by their deeds that they haue no loue to his children but hate and despise them or at least make little reckoning of them If there were nothing else this were enough to conuince them that they are not yet admitted into this fellowship called to this brotherhood but remaine still as they were bred and borne Ioh. 8.44 1 Ioh. 3.27 the bastardly brood of Sathan vnto whom and to his impes they are ioyned in the same league of friendship and familiaritie m Pro. 29.27 1 Pet. 4.4 hating and iniurying them who vvill not be n Gen. 49.5 brethren with them in iniquitie and vanitie O Lord knit my heart daily more vnto thee in an vnfained loue of thee my God who hast loued me so dearely and in an entire and Christian loue and affection vnto thy children to whom thou hast linked and fastened me with so many bonds let me loue them not in tongue or in vvord onely o Iohn 3.18 but in deed and in truth as it becommeth me and manifest my loue towards them in seeking by all meanes to the vttermost of my strength and power to procure their good euery way yea the more that they doe appeare to be thine the more thy graces doe shine in them the more let my loue and affection increase towards them the more let me seeke to doe them good Hereby shall I haue a certaine proofe and a sure euidence that I loue thee vnfainedly seeing I loue thine for thy sake yea hereby my heart shall assure me before thee that I p 1 Ioh. 3.19 am in the truth I shall haue a comfortable assurance that I am one of thine one of that small number of thy adopted chosen children indued with thy grace and heire together with all thy Saintes of the riches of that glory which thou reseruest for them in that heauenly kingdom which thou hast purchased so vs by the death of thy onely Sonne and our alone Sauiour in whom thou hast graciously accepted vs and to whom with thee and thy blessed spirit of grace and comfort be all praise and glory both now and euer Amen How the hatred of the world is to be esteemed of the godly IF the world hate vs what marueile is it seeing that it a Ioh. 15.88 hated and persecuted him to the death by whom the world was made b Heb. 1.2 and who is the Lord of the world and all things therein euen Christ Iesus our blessed Sauiour Shall he that is the king of glory be content for our sakes to indure the crosse and to be c Psal 24.7 crowned with shame and dishonour d Mat. 27.29 and shall we sinfull wretches wormes of the earth shall we be vnwilling to haue shame and reproch fastened vpon vs for his sake yea rather how ought wee to account it our e Mat. 5.10 11. 1 Pet. 3.14 blessednesse when men reuile vs disgrace vs and say all manner of euill against vs for his sake falsly how ought we to reioyce and be glad vvhen vvee suffer such things at the hands of the world vvhich alwayes hath and euer will be in irreconciliable enmitie and in flat opposition vnto Christ our blessed Lord and Sauiour vvho vvilleth vs to follow
of it and waite and expect continually for the comming of those vnto whom it is promised that so being e Heb. 11.40 consummate the number of them fully accomplished they may reioyce together in most glorious manner for euermore O blessed Lord thou seest what a heauie yoke is now vpon me vnto how many miseries and grieuances both of body and minde I am continually subiect by reason of my sinnes f Psal 38. I am in a strange land g Exo. 2.22 Hebr. 11.13.14 where I haue many enemies alwayes warring against mee and euen seeking to oppresse mee with that bondage and seruitude which they vvould bring vpon mee My dayes are h Gen. 47.9 few and euill full of trouble and affliction full of griefe and sorrowes many feares and dangers many distracting cares earthly vanities doe breed me continuall annoyance and great encumbrance and vvould make this life of mine yrkesome and burdensome vnto mee if I had not hope of a better i 1 Cor. 15 19. O doe thou giue me patience to vvait vpon thee and in expectation of the accomplishment of thy free and gracious promise to passe on the rest of my appointed time in this vale of miserie cheerefully comfortably and contentedly Graunt that I may set my face alwayes towards heauen the place which thou hast prouided for me and that I may continually lift vp mine eies vnto that crown of endlesse vnspeakeable glory vvhich all the afflictions of this present time are in no sort to be accounted worthy of k Rom. 8.18 and which thou that art the righteous God infinite in mercy and truth and vnsearchable in thy loue and kindnesse towards thy elect and chosen ones vvilt in due time l 2 The. 1 6.7 1 Pet. 5.10 euen after that I haue suffered here a while on earth freely vouchsafe to bestow vpon me to the praise of the glory of thy grace through the merits of thy Sonne and my onely Sauiour who with thee and thy Spirit is blessed now and euer Amen III. From the benefit that comes thereby it being Phisicke to the Soule VVEE vvill take downe bitter pilles sowre and loathsome potions for the good of our sicke and diseased bodies and for the procuring of our decayed health Is not the soule of more vvorth then the body Is not the health and good estate thereof more to be respected more regarded and sought after then of the other Surely I thinke there is none so voyd of sense and reason but will freely acknowledge it O mercifull LORD thou seest what a sicke and diseased Soule I haue how exceedingly it is distempered euen in all the powers and faculties thereof O then let no affliction though neuer so bitter in it selfe when I first taste of it seeme grieuous vnto me since thou sendest it for the health of my Soule which is so corrupted with sinne yea let mee willingly cheerefully and thankefully drinke downe the bitterest cup which thou shalt offer vnto me knowing that for the present tartnes I shall finde much sweetnesse in the end a Heb. 12.11 yea being assured that it vvith all things else shall worke together for my good b Rom. 8.28 euen for the increase of thy grace in me and for the furtherance of my Saluation hereafter Another IF thy Phisition cures thee of some dangerous disease thogh he vse many sharpe medicines and puts thee to much paine for the while yet thou both thankest and rewardest him Wee are all of vs by nature sicke most dangerously a Isa 1.6 euery one of vs is diseased with a most grieuous malady the issue whereof will be death b Rom. 6.21.23 if it be not looked to in time If the Lord then the sole and soueraigne Phisition of our sicke and diseased Soules take the cure of thee vpon him if hee apply many sharpe and bitter medicines which although they be grieuous smarting for the present yet heale thee at length when as thou art in so desperate an estate that there had beene no helpe if this remedie had not beene vsed vvilt thou complaine saying that hee deales hardly vvith thee and so become impatient and discontented vvhiles thou art vnder so gracious and mercifull a hand Is this the thankefulnesse which is due vnto the LORD for so great a benefit vvhich he vouchsafeth vnto thee for so great a cure vvhich he intendeth hereby to vvorke vpon thee Is this the recompence is this the reward that thou giuest vnto that good Physition who tendred thy wretched and miserable estate and sought to heale thee of that grieuous disease which were deadly if he should not cure it O my God who seest how I am sore diseased how many and how dangerous maladies I am continually subiect vnto haue mercy vpon me worke thine owne worke vpon me Loe b 2 Sam. 15.26 here I am Cut me launce me giue me the bitter potions of many troubles and afflictions and let me drinke daily of them rather then that I should not be healed and cured rather then that my disease should proue mortal and deadly O Lord correct me but in mercie c Iere. 10.24 not in wrath and indignation deale graciously with me as thou art wont to doe with thy children whom thou louest and whatsoeuer it shall please thee to doe vnto me since I know it is and shall be for my good let me with patience subiect and submit my selfe wholly therein vnto thy gracious and fatherly care and prouidence yea seeing that I cannot make any other recompence vnto thee for this mercie and goodnesse of thine towards me grant that I may now and alwaies returne vnto thee true praise and thankfulnesse with faithfull and constant obedience which are the things thou only requirest and which I vnfainedly desire to performe vnto thee Lord helpe me in my weakenesse and strengthen me with thy grace whereby I may be inabled for the performance of them for euen this is thy gift also who art the author and giuer of euery good thing all is from thee to thee be glory for euermore Amen A further inlargement of the benefit thereof THE benefit which Winter brings is not perceiued till it be past and ouer and the Spring approching and drawing on but then when we see the hearbs flowers fruits and trees begin to reuiue and to recouer their decayed life to waxe greene and to flourish in most pleasant and delightfull manner then we can easily say as the truth is that without Winter this had neuer beene thus that if there had not beene such hard weather such cold and nipping frosts we should not haue had such a goodly spring nor that hope of a plentifull haruest which now the earth promiseth and we with ioy expect All see this in naturall things few see or acknowledge it in those things which are spirituall and yet thus it is in them yea much more in them then in these Whiles affliction
a Esa 66.24 Matt. 25.41.46 2 Thes 1.9 vvithout any intermission any ease or hope of recouery It will not be for a yeere a hundred a thousand no nor a hundred thousand yeres that they shal indure those torments but for euer yea for euer and euer It swallowes vp my conceipt when I thinke of it If they might indure them but so many yeeres as there bee sands on the shore Fishes in the Sea Starres in the Firmament or grasse piles vpon the ground it vvere some comfort though God knowes very small considering the grieuousnesse of the torment in that time to be suffered the bearing of vvhich but one houre one moment were enough to quaile the greatest Champion that euer was and to dampe the stoutest courage in the world though neuer so hardie but yet when so many thousands of yeeres and ages are passed ouer their torments alas shall bee as fresh and new to beginne as euer they vvere and as farre from an ending as at the first beginning For there shall be no end of them but as long as the Sunne and Moone lasteth as long as Heauen and Hell lasteth yea as long as God is God so long shall they endure those torments in that wofull place of vvoe and torment If it vvere not for hope wee say the heart would breake Sure then their hearts may breake vvell enough for they shall be out of all hope It vvill be in vaine for them euer to looke for any ease any comfort any succour no not for the least refreshing that may be were it but so much as that rich glutton b Luke 16. desired euen one small drop of water to coole their tongues vvhich together vvith all the parts of their bodies and faculties of their soules shall be for euer tormented in that flame Though they should neuer cease crying c Matt. 7.22 Lord Lord they could not obtaine it at his hands for then the Lord will be deafe to them d Prou. 1.28 hee will not heare them he will not be intreated of them Nay I say yet more though e Ezek. 14.20 Noah Iob Daniel yea all the Saints and Angels in Heauen should with one consent put vp their earnest suite and make continuall supplication for them vvhich notwithstanding they shall be farre from rather f Psa 58.10 64.9 reioycing in the vengeance that shall be powred out vpon them for euermore yet if it could be imagined they might be brought to doe this for them they should nothing preuaile for the release or recouery no not for the mitigating of the paines of some one of them in the least manner but after thousands thousands yeres gone and past they should still lye frying in that g Mat. 13.42 fiery fornace that scorching fire in comparison of which our fire is but a painted fire yea no fire lye bound and fettered hand and foote h Mat. 22.13 hauing the flames of Gods wrathfull indignation scorching their soules the worme of conscience lye gnawing vpon their consciences for euermore their pangs horror and miserie rather increasing euery day and growing to greater extreamities then any wise abating or diminishing in any manner Yea so farre shall any be from helping or succouring them in that vvofull condition into which they shall be plunged that there shall be none to pitie them or to take any compassion of them If children should cry to their parents vvho whiles they liued with them on earth were most tender-hearted towards them being no lesse affected vvith their miseries then with their owne yet then they should be moued with no pitie towards them And if Parents should make their mone vnto their Children they would not once be touched with it they would not regard it for i 1 Cor. 15 24.44 nature and all naturall affection shall then be quite taken away there shall eyther be no knowledge or at least no respect of Parents Children Brethren Sisters Kindred Friends or Acquaintance as they are such but Gods glory shall be onely eyed and regarded of all those that shall be made partakers of his glory in the heauens They shall haue no pitty no compassion towards those who though they were their friends in this world and neare vnto them in many respects yet now they see to be Gods enemies k Luke 19 27. such as hauing before cast him off are now iustly separated from him and cast out of his presence for euer and therefore not loued but hated of him and all that are his who shall loue onely where hee loueth and hate where hee hateth yea so farre shall any be from pittying them or being affected with their misery that they shall be laughed at on all hands God shall laugh them to scorne l Psal 2.4 Prou. 1 2â— and haue them in exceeding derision The Angels shall laugh at them All the Saints shall laugh at them and m Psal 58 10 reioyce in their miserie seeing the glory of Gods Iustice shining forth in their iust and deserued condemnation O fearefull and lamentable estate and condition And if it be so feareful to heare of these things which shall befall the wicked vvhen they shall be cast into that place of torment prouided them in the congregation of the dead and damned how dreadfull shall it be for euer to endure them Tremble at this O yee carelesse and secure ones Be amazed and astonished at the very remembrance of it O yee prophane and vngodly wretches that liue and wallow in your lewd and sinfull courses blasphemies prophanations of the Sabbath contempt of Gods ordinances adulteries vncleannesse or any other wickednesse whatsoeuer vnrepented of Tremble and be amazed at it as doubtlesse yee would if your eyes were not blinded by the deceitfulnesse of Sinne n Heb. 3.13 and your hearts hardened through the suggestions of Sathan and your soules euen bewitched and inchanted by that euill Spirit which driueth you on head-long to that wofull place of endlesse torments neuer letting you see the dreadfulnesse of it till you be plunged so deepe into it that there is no hope for you of any recouery out of it What will you doe when these things shall come vpon you yea like a raging Sea with great violence rush in vpon you to your euerlasting confusion Of all the wonders in the world this mee thinkes is the most strange and wonderfull that men men otherwise of wisedome and vnderstanding knowing considering with themselues as the word teacheth that there are such things prouided prepared for the wicked and impenitent liue notwithstanding as if they neuer feared any such matter but boldly and most presumptuously continue in their former vngodly vvayes delighting in sinne and wickednesse and euen hastening forward vnto that place vnto those torments the very thought of the enduring of the least of which if it were but but for one houre vvere enough to amaze and astonish a man and to make his heart to
and glorious is that celestiall mansion the kingdome of glory in the vvhich the Lord of glory dwelleth in the fulnesse of his glorie and maiestie There is no night no darkenesse in it but the brightnesse and glory of the Lord doth shine continually most gloriously in it yea farre more brightly then the Sunne vvhen it is in his greatest strength Nay the glory and shining beauty thereof is so great that the resplendent brightnesse thereof doth as farre excell the brightnesse of the Sunne and Moone as they doe exceed a little candle at noone day Our eyes as now they are vvere not able to behold one glimpse thereof s Exod. 40 34.35 but would be dazeled presently and ouercome with the shine and luster of it We cannot see it and liue We see how glorious the outward Court * Iob. 37.18 or pauement of it is in vvhich those celestiall bodies as so many burning lampes t Iob. 38.7 Psal 148.3 doe shine forth most clearely with their glittering and radiant beames and cause the diligent beholder to stand u Iob. 137 14 as one amazed vvondring at the skill and marueilous wisedome of the maker of so curious and glorious a workemanship so excellently adorned and garnished in euery part more then if it were all sprinckled with the most bright shining pearles or pretious stones that the vvhole earth can affoord how much more glorious then thinke you must the inward Court needs be Besides vvho is able to consider how large and spacious that glorious mansion is who can mete out the breadth the length or compasse of that heauenly Citie If one starre as the learned doe in that Art affirme bee many times greater then the whole earth vvhat is the firmament in vvhich there are so many starres and some of them of greater magnitude and if the firmament be so large what may we thinke is the heauen of heauens vvhich compasseth in all the other as a lesser circle It passeth mans vnderstanding both for glory and greatnesse O how blessed and happie are they that shall be Citizens of such a Kingdome that shall liue in such a glorious place for euermore euen in the presence chamber of the Lord of glory Assuredly this world is but a barren wildernesse a wearisome prison yea a darke dungeon in comparison of it But to giue thee yet a further view of that heauenly life As the place vvhere they shall liue is wonderfull glorious so the company vvith whom they shall liue in that place is no lesse glorious yea farre aboue it It doth exceed it by many degrees For what company shall they haue there Euen the blessed societie of all the Saints Patriarches Prophets Apostles Martyrs Adam Enoch Noah Abraham Isaak Iacob Iob Dauid Daniel c. x Heb. 11. 12.22 Euen all those worthies and renowmed ones that haue beene from the beginning of the vvorld to this present or shall be to the end thereof the beholding of some one of vvhom is greatly desired of vs and would wonderfully content vs. They shall bee companions of Princes yea the least and meanest of their companie shall be greater then the greatest Prince in this world for they shall all be crowned Kings * Reue. 1.6 and triumphant Emperours set vpon heauenly thrones y Ephe. 2.6 Reue. 2.26 27. 3.21 These are their familiars and companions and with these together with that innumerable multitude of the elect and chosen Angels those coelestiall and heauenly creatures shall they continually liue and conuerse each ioying and delighting in the company and societie of the other as being partakers of the same glory and truely louing and entirely affecting one another more then euer Ionathan did Dauid vvhose loue notwithstanding was wonderfull z 2 Sam. 1.26 hardly to be patterned Being knit among themselues by the band of one spirit into a holy communion they shall haue as it vvere one soule willing the same things affecting the same things and re ioycing mutually and continually in him who is the fountaine of all their ioy glory and happinesse The ioy of one shall be the ioy of all and the glory of one the glory of all Nay which is farre farre greater matter and the thought vvhereof may euen rauish our soules they shall enioy the sweet and heauenly company of their blessed Sauiour and Redeemer a Ioh. 12.26 17.24 Christ Iesus the Prince of peace b Isa 9.6 1 Tim 6.15 the King of glory yea the glory of heauen and earth the image of his Father c Coloss 1 15 Heb. 1.3 Iohn 1.9 in vvhom those things which are inuisible are seene the brightnesse of the euerlasting light the vndefiled mirrour of the maiesty of God the desire of all nations * Haggai 2.8 whose name is Wonderfull whose power vnspeakable the beholding of vvhom euen whiles hee was heere on earth in the state of his frailty and humilitie made good old Simeon to reioyce exceedingly d Luke 2.28 and vvould haue gladded the hearts of many Kings and Prophets e Math. 13 16.17 that were before him who desired and longed after this and would haue accounted themselues happy in the enioying of it They shall enioy his company whom the Angels doe reuerence and adore f Heb. 1.6 Psal 97.7 and the very sight and appearance of vvhom will be an exceeding refreshing * Act. 3.19 vnto them yea cause their hearts to spring within them g Luke 1.41 as the babe did in Elizabeths wombe at the salutation of the blessed Virgin Oh how shall their hearts be rauished with ioy when they shall see the Lord of the family the heire of the whole world the Prince of glory clothed with their nature c Luke 12.37 13.29 and sitting downe at the same table with them and speaking most sweet and comfortable vvords vnto them Eate d Can. 5.1 O friends drinke and make you merry O welbeloued They shall haue fellowship familiaritie acquaintance with him as one brother vvith another e Mat. 12.49 Hebr. 2.11 to their vnspeakeable comfort the very consideration vvhereof makes their righteous soules now in the time of their absence * 2 Cor. 5.6 from him to crye out as Paul did f Phil. 1.23 I desire to be dissolued and to be with Christ for that is best of all And vvith the Spouse in the Canticles g Cant. 8.14 O my welbeloued flee away and be like vnto the Roe or to the young Hart vpon the Mountaines of spices and vvith the Spirit and the Bride in the Reuelations h Reuel 22 7.20 Come come Lord Iesus come quickly Oh that wee may once see thy face and behold that brightnesse of thine who art so wonderfull in thy Saints and redeemed ones Here is their hope their ioy and their reioycing And vvith him they shall enioy the gratious and most comfortable presence of the blessed and glorious Spirit yea of the Father
of Spirits i Heb. 12.9 euen the vvhole Trinitie that great and glorious God the splendor and brightnesse of vvhose Maiestie is so great that the eye of no mortall creature k 1 Tim. 6 16 now were able to behold the same Hence vvhen Moses not throughly vveighing his owne vveakenesse besought the Lord to see his glory hee receiued this answere from the Lord l Exod. 33.18.20 Thou canst not see my face for there shall no man see me and liue But they then shall see his face that is the fulnesse of his glory as farre as the nature of man is able to comprehend the same for neither man nor any creature else can perfectly discerne his whole nature for that is infinite they finite and limited vvith certaine bonds which they cannot passe They shall see him not as in a glasse m 1 Cor. 13.12 as they doe in the time of this life here vpon earth darkely obscurely and as it vvere a farre off but euen as hee is n 1 Ioh. 3.2 yea they shall haue his name written vpon their foreheads o Reuel 3.12 22.44 they shall liue with him in that glorious mansion hauing as farre as their nature is capable fellowship and communion vvith him reioycing in his presence vvith ioy vnspeakeable and glorious nay p Reuel 3.20 Ioh. 14.23 dining and supping with him in a manner at that heauenly table being continually fed with that pleasant Manna the food of Angels and refreshed vvith those pure waters which flow vncessantly from the throne of God wondering at the glory the might Maiestie of their Creatour yea wondering and admiring at their owne blessednesse which is farre aboue that the heart of man q 1 Cor. 2 9. now is able to conceiue or the tongue to expresse Our vnderstandings are too shallow to comprehend these things It is a light which our dimme and weake eyes are not able to behold without dazeling All earthly things are but toyes and trifles and dreames of imaginarie fancies compared thereunto yea vaine vanities r Eccl. 1.1 The Queene of Sheba s 1 Kin. 10 8 counted them happy that might stand euer in the presence of king Salomon Oh then how blessed and happie are they that stand continually in the presence of that glorious God seeing and admiring his wisedome his glory and vnspeakeable Maiestie yea liuing raigning and triumphing with him in fulnesse of ioy and happinesse for euermore who doth not wonder at their blessednesse If Peter was so rauished when hee saw Christ in his transfiguration on the Mount vvith those two worthees of his Moses and Elias attending vpon him that he forgat his home his wife and familie breaking forth into that speach Master it is good for vs to be heere t Mat. 17.4 Le ts make this our mansion place Let vs here builde vs Tents and Tabernacles to dwell in How much more must all the Saints needs reioyce yea be euen swallowed vp with ioy and admiration when they shall behold the diuine and glorious Maiestie of the Sonne of God yea of the whole Trinitie the great God of Heauen and Earth not onely haue a glance or glimpse of his glory but fully behold it as much as the nature of man is able when they shal enioy the presence of that glorious Maiestie when they shall haue such heauenly companie and societie euen the companie and societie of God himselfe the Father of lights v Iam. 1.17 of Christ Iesus their Sauiour of the Holy Ghost their comforter of all the Saints and Angels their fellow-brethren x Reuel 22 9. yea of the whole Court of Heauen who together with them make vp one family y Ephes 3.15 What a life is this Who doth not admire at it What a change is this from the estate wherein before they were For whiles they continued here vpon earth as Pilgrims and Strangers z Heb. 11.13 from their owne Countrie they were constrained to liue amongst the wicked of all sorts Sathans imps children of Beliall a Iudg. 19.22 who did continually vexe molest them b Prou 6.12.14 2 Pet. 2.8 vvith their prophane and vngodly courses being as the Cananites vvere to the Israelites prickes in their sides and thornes in their eyes making their hearts to ake within them and causing them to complaine with the holy man of God d Psa 120.5 Wo is me that I dwel in Meshec and that I haue my habitation among the tents of Kedar Or with that other who was led by the same spirit e Ier. 9.2.20 Oh that I had in the Wildernesse a cottage of wayfaring men that I might leaue this people this naughtie and crooked generation * Phi. 2.15 and be gone farre off from them Oh that I might once leaue this drie barren wildernes wherein there bee so many cruell and sauage beasts on euery side Lions f Nahu 2.11 Psal 22.13 2 Tim. 4.17 Tygers Wolues g Mat. 10.16 Foxes h Luke 13.32 i Pro. 17.12 Beares c. which are ready to prey vpon mee and to deuoure me Thus it was with them whiles they liued in this wretched and sinnefull world k 1 Ioh. 5.19 Mat. 13.41 1 Cor. 5.10 where there is a mixture of all sorts But now it is farre otherwise with them in steade of these they are receiued into the company and fellowship of all the Saints and Angels yea of God himselfe l Psal 16.11 in whose presence is fulnesse of ioy and at whose right hand there are pleasures for euermore I might lead thee further to a more ful distinct view of the maner of that blessed and glorious life which the Saints together in the presence of God shall enioy in that place of glory happines into which they are to be receiued yea I might euen wilder both my selfe and thee whiles I wander with thee in the varietie and plentie of matter which here doth offer it selfe vnto me and put me to a stand knowing better where to beginne then to end To keepe within some limits The life which they shall there leade is marueilous glorious in regard of the exceeding glorie which shal be put both vpon their bodies and vpon their soules They shall bee glorified in both First their bodies to let passe the fruitlesse and vncertaine speculations vvhich some haue broched with more curiositie of speech then euidence of truth their bodies no doubt shall bee very glorious farre aboue that our hearts now are able to conceiue yea so glorious that if now whiles wee are in the flesh wee should see the glorie of one of them euen the meanest of them as it shall then be vve could not be able to looke vpon it but wee would be amazed at the beholding thereof as the Israelites were at the shine vvhich was vpon Moses face when hee came from the Mount after that God had talked vvith him m Exod.
as whether the Saints in glory shall know one another the father the sonne the mother the daughter one neighbour another or one friend the other c. So much onely I will say hauing ground for it out of the Scriptures that no manner of knowledge shall bee wanting vnto them which may make for the increase of their happines neyther shall the knowledge of this be wanting vnto them if it will make them the more happy But to proceede Their Wils also shall be perfectly sanctified so that they shall will onely that which is good that which God willeth and not possibly be once moued or inclined vnto that which is euill that which GOD willeth not They shall not onely haue a will not to sinne but also an impossibilitie of willing that which is sinfull otherwise then it was with Adam in his greatest perfection Their Affections shall bee rightly ordered and tempered yea in an excellent frame and harmony without any vnpleasing discord They shall onely affect that loue that ioy and delight in that which is pleasing and acceptable vnto God and making most for his glory and so much the more ioy and delight in it as they shall know it to be more pleasing and delightsome vnto him Yea they shall haue that measure of holinesse infused into them both into their Wils and Affections and all the faculties of their soules that they shall be holy according vnto the capablenesse of their nature euen as God himselfe is holy pure as hee is pure righteous as hee is righteous For then is the time and not before as some foolish Heretiques haue fondly dreamed when the Church that glorious Spouse of Christ and euery member thereof shall be without spot or wrinckle k Eph. 5.27 without staine or blemish as it becommeth the vndefiled Spouse of that heauenly Bridegroome the Lambes wife l Reu. 19.7 Their soules shall be so purified so purged with those cleane waters which flow out of the Sanctuarie that they shall not onely be free from all sinne but which is more not so much as once subiect to the least sinne nor any fit subiect for sinne to worke vpon They shall be pure and Angelicall In briefe they shall shine most gloriously glistering with all heauenly graces of the diuine Spirit for they shall be made partakers of the diuine nature m 2 Pet. 1.4 in more full manner not that the diuine essence shall be infused into them but that those diuine and heauenly qualities of wisedome glory righteousnesse holinesse puritie c. wherein the Image of God consisteth shall bee communicated vnto them in plentifull and abundant manner so that if their bodies as the Truth it selfe hath said shall shine as the Sunne then their Soules shall shine no doubt farre more gloriously O how excellent shall the brightnesse thereof be who is able to conceiue it Blessed are they that shall be partakers of it Thus the Saints shall be glorious in their bodies glorious in their soules yea both in body and in soule they shall bee clothed as it vvere vvith long white n Reu. 3.4.5 7.13 robes of glory and dignitie hauing Palmes in their hands in signe of victory and triumph ouer Sinne Sathan Death Hell and Damnation and Crownes on their heads in signe of royaltie sitting also with Christ Iesus in his throne o Reu. 3.21 euen as he sitteth with his Father in his throne They shall liue like kings yea raigne and triumph like Emperours hauing conquered the World p 1 Ioh. 5.4.5 and the Prince of the World q Iohn 12.31 Sathan and his infernall host r 1 Cor. 15.55.57 Rom. 16.20 Keu 20.13 There shall be glory without measure in the presence of that glorious God yea all the glory of the most glorious things in the world is nothing vnto it All the pompe royaltie and magnificence of all the most Princely Potentates and mightie Monarchs in the whole earth with all their glorious glittering shew though euery one of them were as glorious yea more glorious then Salomon was when he was at the height of his glory were nothing vnto that glory but euen as dust no more to be compared to it then brasse to the finest Siluer or Copper to the purest Gold To be briefe for words cannot expresse these things to the full Paul when being rapt into the third heauens hee had a view thereof said that hee saw things s 2 Cor. 12.4 that cannot be vttered where that great Apostle is silent who can speake To be briefe therefore so glorious shall their estate then be that in an holy admiration they shall euen wonder at it for indeede marueilous and wonderfull it shall be farre aboue that which they expected whiles they lay crawling like Wormes vpon this lower earth and had their habitation in these baser cottages these houses of clay yea as Luther that hammer of Antichrist said of Abel so it may be said and shall be verified of euery one of them They shall be in better estate and condition then if they had the possession of a thousand worlds with all the riches and glory thereof And hence to leade thee on yet further with mee for I am as one in a Maze I know not where to get out such varietie offereth it selfe on euery hand in this diuine Meditation for the minde that is heauenly affected to exercise it selfe in Hence I say from the fruition and apprehension of the greatnesse of that glory and happinesse of theirs shall arise and spring forth vnto them and in them abundance of peace and ioy They shall be filled and replenished vvith true peace and vvith spirituall and heauenly ioy euen that ioy vvhich shall rauish their hearts and soules They shall liue a heauenly and an Angelicall life singing and reioycing hauing that new song continually in their mouthes which they with the rest of that celestiall quire euen all those blessed Angels and glorious spirits shal continually sound forth Haleluiah praise and glory and wisedome and thankes and honour and power and might be vnto our God for euermore Amen They shall haue fulnesse of ioy in the presence of God and be euen satisfied with those pleasures of his right hand for euermore a Psal 16.11 yea all pleasures and delights which this world can afford are but vaine shadowes smoake trifles for children and babes yea no pleasures no delights in comparison of those sweet pleasures delights wherewith the Saints shall be refreshed in that glorious Kingdome They shall feed daily vpon that Manna b Reuel 2.17 of diuine and heauenly consolation and all spirituall comforts which the heart of man can desire nay more then the heart of man can thinke of They shall drinke downe the cup of saluation and gladnesse c Isai 12.3 and draw waters of life out of the riuer of his pleasures vvhich shall flow forth abundantly vnto them Then they shall indeed tast d Tim.
2.3 Psa 31.19 how sweet and how gracious the Lord is vnto his chosen and beloued ones Their hearts shall reioyce and glory in him And no marueile that they shall haue such peace and ioy in the presence of God For if they finde now such inward spiritual ioy in their soules and consciences in the place of their exile and banishment yea in their prison as it were euen this valley of teares when God letteth some bright beame of his gracious countenance shine vpon them through the thicke clouds of many temptations and afflictions wherewith they are continually exercised when by his word and spirit he giueth them but a droppe of that diuine and heauenly comfort as they alone know what a refreshing this ioy is vnto them who haue truly tasted of it e Pro. 14.10 others are strangers to it how great then must their ioy needs bee when being taken vp into heauen the place of their glory those celestiall mansions God shall cause the light of his countenance to shine fully vpon them when he shall reueale himselfe perfectly vnto them when he who is the God of all true comfort and consolation shall powre out himselfe vnto them and open wide as it were all the fountaines of his rich grace and mercy towardes them in Christ Iesus and cause them to tast of the plenteousnesse of his house f Psal 36.1 and to drinke downe abundantly the vvaters of his diuine and heauenly comforts If the poore distressed Saints of God whiles they indure many miseries and afflictions in the world and of the world yet notwithstanding haue that peace g Phil. 4.7 which passeth all vnderstanding a continual feast * Pro. 15.51 and reioyce with that ioy which is vnspeakeable and glorious as the Scripture testifieth h 1 Pet. 1.8 euen whiles they are absent from Christ not seeing him with bodily sight * 2 Cor. 5 7 but only belieuing in him looking vpon him with the eyes of faith in the promises of the Gospell how great then and wonderfull shall their ioy be vvhen being freed from all these miseries whereunto they are now subiect they shall be present with Christ their Sauiour whom so long before they expected and desired see him with their eyes i 1 Ioh. 3.2 Iob. 19.25 26 yea liue and conuerse with him in familiar manner and be made partakers with him of the same glory k Ioh. 17.1 22.24 into vvhich he is exalted that in his time appointed he may draw them vp vnto him l Ioh. 14.3 make their hearts to reioyce in him and in his saluation If their ioy wherewith they now reioyce euen in this valley of misery this place of mourning be vnspeakeable and glorious passing all vnderstanding as the word of truth teacheth and the Saints by comfortable feeling and experience doe well know and thankefully acknowledge what then I beseech you consider of it what shall it be in that place of triumph that Paradise of pleasures that glorious and celestiall kingdome where they shall keepe a continuall Sabbath and being clothed arrayed with the rich robes of holinesse righteousnesse glory and shining as Starres yea as the Sun in the brightnesse therof shall haue their hearts filled with reioycing and their mouthes with himnes ioyfull Haleluiahs euen heauenly ditties of praise thanksgiuing vnto him that sitteth on the throne O that we had harts to conceiue aright of these things And to all these adde yet moreouer the time which they shal liue in so blessed an estate in that glorious place If this blessednesse and glorie of theirs were mutable and changeable as all things here below are it were not so great and so much to be admired as it is for nothing is perfectly happy that is not permanent and euerlasting But it is otherwise it admits no change no alteration All things which any can enioy in this life m Eccle. 1. 1 Cor. 7.31 1 Ioh. 2.17 are transitory and fading riches pleasures strength health beauty honour or whatsoeuer else in this world is most made account of and seemeth to haue the greatest perfection in it n Psal 119.96 but that happinesse and felicitie of the Saints in light shall neuer fade It 's an inheritance immortall o 1 Pet. 1.4 2 Cor. 4.18 vndefiled and euer continuing in the heauens The measure of it shall bee in a manner infinite the continuance of it infinite altogether The time thereof shall be without time for time then shall be no more there shall be neyther daies moneths nor yeares as now there are There shall be no end of it no decaying of it no diminishing or abating of it But it shall continue as long as the heauens yea as long as God himself shall indure without any ceasing or intermission any change or alteration or the least shadow of change of the excellency of that estate vvherein they shal at the first be As the hell of the wicked so the heauen of the godly shall be perpetuall O blessed and happy estate where there shall be nothing but peace ioy glory happinesse and felicity and that not for a time but for euer euen as long as eternity it selfe lasteth O life to be desired farre aboue this corruptible this vaine and transitorie life which the most doe so much make of yea preferre it before the other loath to leaue this that they may attaine vnto that O the brutishnesse and sottishnesse of the men of this vvorld that are so strangely and so fondly affected as to neglect so great saluation so glorious a life for the enioying of the vaine and sinnefull pleasures and profits of this life which last but for a season How hath the Deuill bewitched them How doe their owne wicked and corrupt hearts blinde and deceiue them that they should euen preferre a dunghill of earth as it were before the glory of that heauenly pallace or that they should bee vnwilling to forgoe the earth and to forsake their pleasing or gainefull trade of wickednesse that they may enioy Heauen and the happinesse of Gods Saints and chosen ones Oh these things are hid from their eyes p 1 Cor. 2.9 Luke 19.42 they perceiue no more vvhat the glorious life of the Saints is then a bruit beast discernes of the life of a man or if they know them in some measure yet are regardlesse to seeke after them how great is their folly and madnesse who vvould not wonder at them yea vvho is not amazed to thinke of them Assuredly such as haue wisedome and vnderstanding to discerne of these thingâ— aright and faith to beleeue them as they ought vvill not be kept backe from them with a thousand worlds q 2 Cor. 4.18 if there were so many they were offered vnto them seeing all glory pleasures profits and commodities of this world are nothing comparable thereunto But whence is it that if the estate of the life to come be