the greatest felicity But this discovers their mistake for if it be so that when we shal attain the highest pitch of created felicity our happiness will receive its denomination from hence VIZ. That we shal be like Christ then certainly the more any are like Christ in this World the more of true happiness they now possess It is true conformity to Christ in this evil World procures Men hatred and persecution and that makes Men who Judge according to outward appearance vote them miserable but still their inward unseen Glory which proceeds from their consimilitude to Jesus Christ is a preponderating blessedness and as it is it self a Man's good estate so also it derives those solid joyes to the Soul of him that is so that render it full of unspeakable Glory in the midst of the greatest outward oppression because whiles they are thus hated and persecuted for their conformity unto Jesus Christ The Spirit of God and of Glory rests upon them 1 Pet. 4. 14. Begun happiness is founded on holiness here and perfected holiness shal be found to be true happiness in the Kingdom USE II. For Exhortation to the Children of God Shal we be like unto Christ at his appearance and is this consideration so full of Satisfaction Then 1. Be we exhorted to labour in preparing for that Day that so we may then be like him There is a work to be done by the People of God in this life in order to their glorious likness to Christ in that other And our Apostle tells us what endeavours the hopes of it will excite in those that are possessed of them in the verse following my Text He that hath this hope purifieth himself as he is pure It is q. d. they that expect to be like Christ then will use means to be like him now Holiness is the way to happiness Heb. 12. 14. Christ first sanctifieth his Church before he glorifieth it Eph. 5. 26 26. And we must labour in this Work to get Sin mortified Paul having put his Colossions in mind of that Glory which they shal have at Christ's appearance takes argument from thence to press this duty Col. 3. 4 5. They that look for such a change hereafter are under strong tyes to an heavenly conversation here Phil. 3. 20 21. Our Conversation is in Heaven from whence we look for Christ c. And a like advice the Apostle Peter gives to them he writes unto 2 Pet. 3. 14. Seing ye look for â—such things be diligent that you may be found in him in Peace without spot and blemish We should therefore lament that we are so much unlike him now and pray to God for his Spirit to dwel powerfully in us and to lead us effectually in his way to purge our hearts from all impurity and fill them with holiness 2. Labour we to draw consolation and establishment to our Souls from the forethoughts of this great benefit there are many troubles and discouragements which the Children of God â—â—â—t with all here in this life and their hearts are often born down therewithal but if we did but truly ponder and well digest this consideration of that glorious condition which we shal be put into at that great Day it would lift up the hands that hang down and strengthen the feeble knees it would make us patient in tribulation quiet under all the affronts and disgraces that are put upon us willing to wait and in the mean while not weary of well doing could we but know in its dimensions what it is to be like Christ what an admirable felicity it must needs be to he assimilated to him in that Day it would set us down with Paul's perswasion Rom. 8. 18. That the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the Glory that shall be revealed in us Yea the very ghuesses and conjectâ—res which we may make of it affords matter of solid joy and triumph to the Children of God Pray therefore earnestly to God for this Divine illumination pray Pauls Prayer Eph. 3. 16. to 20. Oh! How glorious will Christ appear when he comes to Judge the World when he shal come in the Glory of his Father when he shal be attended with an innumerable company of Angels and in great Majesty sit down upon a Throne of Judgement when Holiness shal be to him for a Robe and Righteous for a Garment Then to be like Christ holy as â—e is holy adorned with his Robes Resplendenâ— with his Glory sitting down upon Thrones with him and with him Judging the World when he shal declare us Heirs of his Kingdome Children of his Father and make us sharers with him in the purchased Possession and it shal be known that he took possession of all that Glory not for himself alone but in the name of all those who had believed in him then it shal be known that it was not a vain thing to serve him and to suffer with and for him then shalâ— our happiness be full perfect eternal when we shal by plentiful experience know that to be like him is to be everlastingly blessed in the full fruition of the most glorious God to all eternity For we shall see him aâ— he â—s These words are an argument which the Apostle brings by way of evidence to make good his former assertion or prove that we shal be like him under which is contained another great truth concerning the happiness of the Children of God in another World As for the force of the Argument very briefly It may at first blush seem to argue weakly at least obscurly to prove our likness to him from our vision of him Devils and wicked Men shal see him as Rev. 1. 7. but they will not thence be more 〈◊〉 him I answer it is true these shal see a great deal of his Glory they shal see him coming as their Judge but they shal not see him aâ— their Saviour as the Saints shal Again they shal see him with great horror and fly from his presence as Adam did in the Garden and as they shal do Rev. 6. 20 21. Whereas the Children of God shal see him with great content and satisfaction Some thinks that John argues from the cause supposing that this Vision will be a transforming Vision changing us into the Image or likness of Christ perfectly others suppose him to argue from the part to the whole the Doctrine of the Beatifical vision being a received Doctrine in the Church as being the perfect felicity of the understanding Hence He argues for our whole perfection for if in one part oâ— faculty we shal be perfected by consequence all our whole man shal be rendred perfect for it is an whole blessedness that we shal have and that consists in perfect conformity to Christ But that which seems best to clear the argument is to look upon him as arguing from the effect or consequent Paul tells us that without Holiness no Man shal see God Heb. 12
The Child's Portion Or the unseen GLORY Of the Children of God Asserted and proved Together with several other SERMONS Occasionally Preached and now published By Samuel Willard Teacher of a Church in Boston New-England Psal 42. 11. Why art thou cast down Oh my Soul and why art thou disquieted within me hope thou in God for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my Countenance and my God BOSTON in NEW-ENGLAND Printed by Samuel Green and are to be sold by Samuel Phillips at the West end of the Town-house 1684 Christian Reader THough it be a fault over common for men to pick a quarrel with the present times for being worse than those that went before reproved by the Wise Man Eccles 7. 10. When men have more reason to fall out with themselves for making the times so bad yet it is certain that the al wise Providence of an holy God brings many changes over the World and his People in it There are times when the Churches have rest are edified and multiplied and there are times when iniquity abounds and Persecution ariseth and Gods People are scattered What these times are into which we are now fallen is obvious to him that will not shut his eyes It is the happiness of the true fearers of God that he hath provided them consolations strong enough to hold up their heads above water when the waves rise highest and the raging billows make the greatest noise When the Earth and all in it will afford us no comfort then heaven can And as it is our wisdom to be laying up treasures beyond Death and the Grave out of the reach of time and change so it is our interest to be strengthening our faith and corroborating our hope by such things as all the malice of Men and Devils cannot pluck away from us The time is coming when every mans foundation shall be tryed he only that is built upon the Rock shall then stand To be able in an evil day to sit still with an undaunted courage and calm serenity upon our spirit is a great felicity The only way to do this is to be able to trust in the Lord and with all grounded confidence to rely upon his Power goodness and fidelity This is no common thing but the priviledge only of a few and those such whom God having set his Love upon them in Christ hath taken to be his possession and listed in the number of his Children To be of this number is to be happy indeed to know our selves so is a beam of light so full of refreshment that nothing but heaven and glory can afford any more satisfying Could we draw all the water out of this Well it would make us to think our selves in Heaven before we come there But the Well is deep and our line too short and bucket too shallow whence they are but sips and small draughts we here obtain Some of these you may possibly find in the ensuing discourse And had my skill answered my desires and the excellency of the subject they had been far larger and more refreshing Yet I trust God affording his blessing with them they may not be altogether fruitless And may they but perswade either strangers to labour after son-ship or Children to be more comforted and strengthned to all patience by the consideration of their wonderful relation to the great God I shall not have laboured in vain Think not that I have hâ—perbolized in any particulars no the one half is not told you nor can by the tongue of man here and because I was not able to pourtray I have but drawn a vail upon this glorious priviledge think it to be infinitely more excellent than all that is said of it and live accordingly Of the following Sermons I shall only say thus much They were through grace profitable to some in the preaching whose desire and hoâ—es of their being further profitable if Printed gave occasion to the Publication of them which that they may so be and that the Author may be serviceable in his generation to the glory of God and good of Souls your Prayers are earnestly requested to him from whom every good and perfect gift descends By your Servant in and for Christ S. W. I JOHN III. II. Beloved now are we the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is NOt to seek far for the coherence of these Words we may only take notice of thus much that the Apostle having in the latter part of the foregoing Chapter warned those he writes to of Antichrist declared that there were many even at that time in the World and given such a Character of them as might serve easily to make them known describing of them by their defection from the Doctrine of the Gospel and particularly their denying of Christ he from thence takes an occasion at ver 24. to Exhort them to Constancy in maintaining the Faith which they had received at their first embracing of the Christian Religion unto which Exhortation further to quicken and encourage them so to do he adds divers Arguments by way of motive one of which is taken from the consideration of their Adoption prefented and pressed in the three first verses of this Chapter in the urging of which Argument he 1. 〈◊〉 it to their consideration as an Argument and Demonstration of Gods inexpressible love to them ver 1. Behold what manner of love and such love requires great fidelity in those that partake in it 2. Obviates an Objection which might be framed against it viz. if we are such and so beloved how is it then that we are so contemned and trampled upon by the World as those that are of no value but a meer off-scouring he gives a satisfactory reason for this because of the ignorance of the Men of the World they know not God and therefore they do not acknowledge his Children if they knew him they could not but see his Image in them but because they do not therefore are they not competent Judges nor are we to be discouraged though they reject and persecute us ver 1. 3. Asserts their Son-ship notwithstanding this Text wherein he tacitly insinuates that if we would make a true judgement of our state we must not then call in sence to umpire it but conclude according to the Rules of Faith Hence 4. Shews that the Sons of God are at present under a disguise and look not like themselves but withal hints that there is a time coming when they shall Text. 5. Urgeth the hope of such a discovery or manifestation of the Sons of God as a sufficient Argument to press us to piety and purity ver 3. Every man that hath this hope in him c. q. d. this hope hath enough in it to settle us and keep us from shaking The words of the Text are a fixt Conclusion
Countenance those inward supports of heart that sweet communion which their Souls have with God in an Ordinance in hearing the Word at a Sacrament in their Closets on their knees powring out of their Prayers and tears into the bosom of their Father Those holy transports are riddles and matters of laughter and scorn to them and if they know not what is how should they understand that which is to come 3. The Children of God themselves whiles they are here do not fully know what they shal be it doth not yet appear to them It is true 1. The Word of God hath said a great deal concerning their future Glory There are many high and towring expressions to our apprehension used in the Scripture worthy descriptions of that great City and the Inhabitants of it and if we would study the Scripture more we might know more of it But yet when we arrive at the Kingdom and come once to see and view and experience it we shal say as the Queen Sheba to Solomon 1 King 10. 6 7. 2. The People of God have their sips and foretastes and first fruits of this Glory here They are made to tast of those Graps of which the Wine is made in Canaan They have not only their assurances but also sometimes their extasies They are taken into the Mount rapt up into the third Heaven their souls are lifted up aboue the world and all that is in it God is pleased at some times to carry them out so farr in their meditations and reveal so much of himself and his infinit love to their contemplation that they are loth to come down or to have any thing more to do with the sink and puddle of this world They know so much of that after state that when they are under these precious discoveries and the irradiations of the spirit of God upon their souls they cry out Who will give me the wings of a Dove that I might mount up and be gone And with Paul their hearts are carried forth with a longing desire to depart and be with him in full possession of all this Glory But 3. A full clear and manifest discovery of their happiness is not made to any of God's People here They that have seen most of heaven while upon this earth have seen it but â—â— Landskip They that have had the most ravishing tasts of the love of God have but imperfectly tasted it All our knowledge all our sight here is but in part 1 Cor. 13. 9. We know but in part That which is pâ—â—fect is yet to come vers 10. The are but dawnings at the most which we have here what those rayes will be which shal beam forth from the Sun of Righteousness in the mid-day splendour of Celestial Glory we now cannot tell but must be content to wait till we go thither where it is to be seen and enjoyed 2. For the ground of the Doctrine or reason why it doth not yet appear 1. God makes it not known to the ungodly 1. Lest they should be allured by it All which they hear and enjoy here must therefore be Aenigmatical or obscure to them lest they should be converted it is an awful word but Christ himself hath spoken it who knew his Fathers and his own mind and purpose Mar. 4. 11. 12. To them that are without these things are done in parables c. Lest at any time they should be Converted 2. That they may by Persecutions and oppositions try the Graces of his Children There is great use and fruit in this tryal it is more precious than that of Gold And God is pleased to use wicked men as instruments of the tryal And hence they shall not know who these be nor what their Glory is for if they did they would without doubt suspend if not in love yet in fear of them Christ himself must come in a disguise that so the determined Counsel of God might be fulfilled iâ— him 1. Cor. 2. 7 8. They would else never have Crucified him 2. The reason also why the People of God themselves have no comprehensive discovery of their own future estate 1. Because it is too big a sight for their weak eyes to gaze upon They must be prepared for their Glory as well as their Glory for them or else it would swallow them up Rom. 9. 23. Hence When Christ is upon the one work in Heaven the Spirit of Christ is on the other here Should a full description of that state be given us it must be in a Language which we understand not They are but dark similitudes dim and dull comparisons accommodated to our own weak capacity which the Scripture affords The words which Paul then heard when he was in the third Heaven were ineffable words and such as were not lawful to utter 2 Cor. 12. 4. Not unlawful because forbidden by any precept but because they did out-bid his ability If the Glory to be revealed should now be revealed to us in this our imperfect state it would over oppress and sink us 2. That they may with more patience abide the time allotted then here and serve there Generation in the doing of that work which God hath set out for them to do before they go to be possessed of this Glory We find that after St. Paul's rapture he had great wrestlings with his own spirit and much ado to keep up in himself a willingness to tarry here any longer Phil. 1. 21. I am in a strait between two Having a desire to depart And such have been the frames of God's dear Children after that they have had some extraordinary beamings of his love and been feasted by him with some special visits they have been long ere they could quiet themselves from longing and praying that the Chain might be cut and they might hoise Sail and be gone Might the Saints be permitted to know here as much as shall be known hereafter it would be harder perswading them to be willing to live than it is now to make them willing to dy USE I. For informations learn we from Hence 1. The reason why the Children of God are so little regarded here in the World it is because the World knows not who they are nor what they are born unto Their great Glory for the present is within outwardly they look like other men they eat drink labour converse in earthly imployments as others do the communion which they have with God in all of these is a secret thing They are Sick Poor Naked Distressed like other men those in ward supports which they have under all those exercises are remote from publick view They dy and are buried under the Clods and their bodyes putrifie and rot like other men and none see those joyes that their souls are entred into nor that guard of Angels which comes as a Convoy and carryes them into Abraham's bosom Naâ— they have their sins their spots their imperfections and weaknesses here as well as other men but
putting Truths together is from some connexion which there is and appears to us to be between them as when I see that there is a connexion betwen the nature of Man and Reason my judgment thence compounds and concludes that Man is a reasonable creature Now these connexions are not all alike some are tyed of a slip knot or are so connected as they may easily be separated such is the Relation between all contingent causes and effects or only probable and conjectural antecedents and consequents as when we say the diligent hand maketh rich here is some rational connexion between diligence and prosperity but yet there are so many casualties in the over-ruling Providence of God that may check aud over-bear this that sometimes it falls out that we labour in the fire for very nothing sow much and bring in little and when we say it will be a fair day for the evening is red though this be an ordinary symptom yet it is no infallible presage it is oftentimes so and sometimes otherwayes Now the judgement of these things is called Opinion because it is a conclusion that is drawn from reasons which are only probable and contingent But other connexions are tyed of a fast knot they flow from the very nature of the things are therefore necessarily predicated of the subject and it cannot be without them Such are all natural Causes and effects as when we say the Sun shines Man is a reasonable Creature c. And the judgement of these things is that which we call Science or Knowledge viz. When we discover and conclude â—â— necessary effects from necessary Causes necessary causes from necessary effects now such as this is is that Knowledge which a Child of God may have of his future Glory Hence 2. I come to make it evident in particular that our after happiness may be thus known and there will need but these two things to be cleered for the proof of it viz. 1. The happiness of beleevers depends upon necessary causes And 2. That their sanctified reason is capable of searching out and discovering the truth of these causes and so concluding infallibly 1. That the happiness of beleevers depends upon necessary causes my meaning is that there is such a connexion between the Causes of Salvation and Salvation it self that they cannot fail to bring it about viz. 1. The immutable will of God purposing and resolving of it with this our Saviour encourageth his Disciples Luk. 12. 32. Fear not little flock it is your Fathers pleasure to give you the Kingdome The foundation of this happiness was laid in Gods Decree this is the Book of Life in which their Names were written here began that everlasting love which is the cause and fountain of all the grace afterwards revealed this is the writing that receives no blots this is the Record that admits of no alterations this is the foundation of God which stands sure having this seal the Lord knows who are his Hence we have Paul bringing down of this foreknowledge infallibly unto Glory in that chain of his Rom. 8. 29. 30. 3. The Redemption of Christ purchasing and procuring of it for them eternal Glory is one part of that purchase for which Jesus Christ laid down that great price and it was sealed up to him in the Covenant of Redemption for those whom he was to redeem and this purchase is made sure and ratified and that not only in respect of the purchase it self for which he hath payed and of which payment he hath received a full acquittance in his resurrection and is actually put in possession being ascended up into Heaven and there invested with the tenure and possess of the Crown of Glory but also in respect of the persons for whom it is bought and on whom it is to be bestowed Hence Christ speaking of the Elect declare that it was for their sakes that he did that work Joh. 17. 9. And professeth that he had lost none of those whom his Father had given to him vers 12. Hence We read of purchased possession Eph. 1. 14. And an inheritance reserved for us in the Heavens 1 Pet. 1. 3. And of Christ willing that all of them should be with him Joh. 17. 24. 3. Unalterable promises made to them Believers are said to be heirs of the promise They have great promises 2 Cor. 7. 1. Eternal felicity comes within the compass of the promise which is made to them Psal 84. 11. The Lord shall give Grace and Glory Joh. 3. 36. He that believeth hath everlasting life and this promise is firm and stable it is not a mutable thing because it is made by an immutable God and it cannot fail because uttered â—â— the mouth of God that cannot lie And from hence the Apostle argueth the necessity of our felicity in Heb. 6. 17 18. 4. Infallible Conditions such as are necessary not only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or universally as Joh. 3. 36. Whosoever believeth c. But also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 reciprocally as Mar. 16. 16. He that believes shall be saved he that believes not shall be damned When therefore God worketh these conditions in the souls of any when he sanctifieth the means to become unfailing helps to Faith and bring the Soul to repent and believe in Christ that foundation is laid that shall aspire to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 building unmoveable this is to be built upon the Rock Mat. 7. 24 25. This is a seed which when â—own is immortal and abiding these gifts and callings are without repentance 5. Powerful and unfailing assistance They are said to be in God's and in Christ's hand and as it is certain that they will not throw them out so it is equally certain that no other can pluck them out There are those indeed who do attempt it but in vain Joh. 10. 27 28. God's Omnipotency is the Garrison or guard to which they are committed on purpose that they may enjoy Salvation 1 Pet. 1. 5. Ye are kept by the power of God through faith unto Salvation They are given to Christ and he hath commended them to the care and keeping of his spirit and he seals them up to the day of Redemption Eph 4. 30. 2. The Believers sanctified reason is capable of searching on t and discovering the truth of these causes and so to conclude infallibly The evidence of this assertion will then be plain when we have considered 1. That there are such effects of these causes wrought in the souls of all the Children of God as are peculiar and proper to them there is that done in and for every Child of God which is wrought in and for no other in the world Proper effects are undeceiving evidences of their causes The Apostle speaks of things that accompany Salvation Heb. 6. 9. There is a faith which is the faith of Gods Elect Tit. 1. 1. There is a vocation which is linked fast unto following glory Rom. 8. 29 30. There is a
Master nay will it not be the best time for us to appear with him he is the Lord of Glory and when he comes he brings his reward with him and withal remember it is but a short time yet a little while and he will come and he will not tarry and further satisfie your selves with this that your Brethren must appear with you even the whole number of the redeemed some whereof are yet unborn and you have reason to wait for them Finally ponder that great shews require great preparations Christ is now about the business he is not idle but making all ready for his coming and he that believeth maketh not hast 3. To love his appearing and to look for it It is true Christs appearing will be dreadful to the wicked who are his Enemies for he comes to judge the World in righteousness and give recompence unto every man according to his doings hence they may well cry to the rocks to fall on them and hills to cover them that they may not see his angry countenance nor feel the weight of his revenging hand but to the Saints it should be lovely It is indeed a solemn and serious thing for any to think I must stand before the dreadful Tribunal and be tried for my eternal estate before him who is a most righteous Judge who searcheth the heart and cannot be deceived where I must receive my final Sentence which will be inreversible and if I then be found to have put a cheat upon my own Soul I must perish for ever but to him that is a Child of God and hath received the spirit of Adoption there cannot be a more comforting thought than this Hence the Apostle propounds it to his Thessalonians as a great Topick from whence to comfort one another 1 Thess 4 ult That which would make a Felix tremble should make a Saint leap for joy to think ere long the last Trumpet will be sounded by the Arch-Angel Jesus Christ will come from Heaven attended with a royal Guard of Angels the dead small and great will arise the Thronâ—s will be set the Books opened this is the day which I have loved and longed for now shall I appear such as the love of God in Christ hath made me to be now shall mine Enemies see and be ashamed gnash their teeth and melt away now they shall know that I had a God and a Saviour and an hope that makes not ashamed this second coming of Christ shall be to my Salvation if he do not appear I shall never appear And hence when we hear him saying Behold I come quickly let not us be affrighted but ravished and utter that expression of Faith and Joy Amen even so come Lord Jesus We shall be like him It follows now that we consider the general nature of the happiness of the Sons of God or the discovery which we have of it in this life We shall be like him There is enough revealed about our future estate to relieve our Faith though not to satisfie our curiosity our Apostle would not have Believers to be discouraged because they have not a full discovery of what they shall be in another World but to rest content with this general discovery which is made and though they cannot measure it in all its dimensions yet to take up with this thought as having plentiful consolation in it The Words indeed are but few but they are full and though our glory be shadowed to us by another which is equally obscure and unknown to us as our own yet from this very darkness there reflects abundant Light of comfort and be it so that we know nothing at all distinctly of the Glory which Christ is now possessed of yet there is consolation enough to be pickt out of this very consideration that we shall be like him The Words set forth the after state of felicity which the Saints or Children of God shall attain unto by a similitude or pattern where we have 1. The pattern it self Him who this is is not particularly exprest there being as I formerly noted an Ellypsis in the Words some referr it to God mentioned in the beginning of the verse whose Sons we are said to be and it is proper for the Sons to be like the Father others and more appositely apply it to Christ for it is he that shall appear in glory and Paul applies it to him in the forementioned parallel place Col. 3. 4. and this is certain that the Glory to which the Man Christ is exalted is the proto type of that Glory to which the Saints are appointed Joh. 17. 22. The Glory which thou gavest me I have given them 2. The resemblance which the Children of God shall have to his Glory we shall be like him among such comparates between which there is a consentanety there is a double reference For some things agree in quantity others in quality between things agreeing in quantity there is a parity or equality one is neither bigger nor less than the other and this is not here to be understood out of doubt the Man Christ shall enjoy a degree of Glory above all his Saints this Head of the Church shall wear a Crown more weighty than any of his Members this Son of righteousness as he is called 〈◊〉 shine with more orient brightness thaâ— those fixed Stars this first born among many brethren shall have a double portion of Glory in that Glorious Inheritance but then between things agreeing in quality there is a similitude which is consistent with imparity things may be unequal and yet not unlike lesser things may agree with greater by way of similitude though they differ in proportion so the Poet Parvaque cum magnis componere saepe solebam For this consists in a near resemblance there is of qualities between one and another and this is it our Apostle here points at Hence Doct. It is a soul-satisfying thought to the Children of God in their present low and despised condition to consider that in the day of Christs glorious appearance they shall be like him This is the comfort which John applies to them now when the World hates them and they walk under a disguise and what their after estate shall be neither appears to themselves nor to the World yet he would have them take up with this and rest contented yea delighted in the meditation of it It is q. d. let not your thoughts trouble you be not over sollicitously inquisitive after the secrets of God and the particularities of your state and glory but take this for a repast and let it stay your stomachs till you come to sit down at the great Feast you shall be like him In the Explication of this Position we have to consider 1. Wherein this likeness unto Christ consists 2. How it appears that we shall then be like him 3. What ground of satisfaction ariseth from hence 1. Wherein this likeness consists Ans 1. There is an incommunicable Glory
which Christ as God possesseth who is God blessed for evermore He is one in essence with his Father He is full possessor of all the Divine Atributes and Perfections He is the Object of of Divine adoration and all the Angels of God do worship him In this Glory we ought not to expect to be like him it would be vain presumption and highest Arrogancy in any of the Children of Men to feed themselves with any such expectation 2. There is a Relative incommunicable Glory which the humane Nature of Christ by vertue of personal union with the Son of God is advanced unto in consideration of which Union the Man Christ is truly God or a Divine Person and in this we shall not be like him there is indeed a Mystical and Spiritual Union between Christ and Believers whereby they are one he being the Political Head of the Body the Church and ruling of it not by Authority only but by influence too his Spirit being sent forth into their hearts But this is of a far divers nature from that Union which is between the two natures in Christ The People of God are not to expect to be as nearly related unto the Son of God as his own particular humanity is 3. There is a communicable Glory which Christ in his humane nature as he is the head of the Church and their representative or surety is advanced unto wherein though he personally hath the preheminence as Col. 1. 18. That in all things he might have the preheminence Yet all his Children do share in a Glorious Consimilitude and though not in like measure yet in like manner they are sharers with him 〈◊〉 is not to be expected that I should give a full account of this what it is for if so then it woulâ— appear what we shall be which our Apostle dâ—nyes but through the Glass of the Scripture we may make a dark discovery of it and theâ— are two things in which this likness to Chriâ— doth consist 1. That state of perfection which the whole man shall be advanced unto 2. Thâ— additional Glory which shall be conferred oâ— them in that state 1. That state of perfection which the wholâ— Man shall be advanced unto We labour undeâ— manifold imperfections in this life such as make our present happiness full of infeliaity there can be no perfect glory without a perfect state such Christ enjoyeth in our nature in Heaven such also shall all the Children of God be made to possess in the Kingdom in summe they shalâ— be like him both in the state of Body and Soul 1. Their bodily estate shall be like his This Paul plainly asserts Phil. 3. 21. Who shall 〈◊〉 our vile body that it may be fashioned like to his glorious Body The Disciples had a glimpse of his bodily glory in the Transfiguration Mat. 17â— begin And though this be the least yet it is noâ— contemptible part of our likness to Christ that when the Body being raised or changed shalâ— leave behind it all those imperfections which it lay down under or was visited withal here When it shall be cloathed with Beauty in the room of deformity when it shall shake off all sickness and pain and enjoy perfect health and strength when this Mortal shall put on immortality and this corruptible incorruptibility when it shall be sick no more and dye no more when it shall need Food and Raiment no more when the Body shall be made perfectly holy and filled with Angelical Vigour and Activity for God When that shall come to pass 1 Cor. 15. 42 43. 2. Their Souls shall be made like his and receive all those â—â—dornings of every grace in a degree of perfection suitable to the state of Glory Paul gives us an intimation of such a thing 1 Cor. 13 10 12. When the understanding shall be enlarged to see the glorious truth in its Raâ—iancy and take in the light of it without dazling and be freed from all mistakes or darkness for ever when the Will shall be unfettered and aâ— fâ—ll liberty to act with the highest content and fullest freedom upon the chiefest good when the affections shall be carried forth with the greatest ardour after God and enjoying the object of their delight cannot but be satisfied in it so it is with Jesus Christ thus is his soul perfected in all its faculties 2. The additional glory which shal be conferred upon them in this state Herein also they shal be like him for they shal be fellow-commoners with him in this complemental Glory they shal not be divided from him but conjoyned in this felicity They shal enjoy one and the same Heaven that Kingdom which is prepared for him is also prepared for them as he hath a massie Crown of honour given him so also shal they have each of them Growns set upon their heads even an eternal weight of glory Rev. 4. 4. They had on their heads Crowns of Gold As his Father hath seated him upon a Royal Throne so also are their Thrones made ready for them and they shal sit upon them there Rev. 3. 21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me upon my Throne As he possesseth fulness of joyes in his Fathers presence Psal 16. ult so shal they in his Psal 36. 8. But I do but lade the Ocean with a spoon The one half of that Glory which Christ now enjoyeth is not told nor can be understood by us in the dark and cloudy Vale. 2. How it appears that we shal be like him Ans This truth is of Divine revelation and must fetch its evidence from Scripture-Testimony which as it asserts the truth of it which is reason enough for our Faith so it gives divers grounds for it viz. 1. His taking part with them in their infirmities that so they might be sharers with him in his Glory Heb. 2. 14 15. He humbled himself that he might exalt them he made his Soul an offering for sin that he might see his seed he gave himself for them to that very end that he might make them thus glorious Eph. 5. 26 27. And hence this glory is called a purchased possession Eph. 1. 14. 2. The good will of God the Father to prepare this Glory for them and appoint them to be the heirs of it Hence it is called the Kingdom prepared Mat. 25. 34. And with this our Saviour encourageth his Disciples Luk. 12. 32. Fear not little Flock it is my Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom Now they are chosen in Christ and hence they are to be partakers with him in his Glory Eph. 1. 4. i. e. Christ was to be the procurer of that good they were chosen to 3. The near relation which they have to Jesus Christ As he is a Son so are they Sons and he is not ashamed to call them his Brethren And from their sonship Paul argues their Coheirship Rom. 8. 17. If Sons then Heirs Coheirs with Christ They are the
unto God And that which will stand up for a full clearing of this truth against us witness the Records of the last Synod in which we shall find the full and free consent of the Elders and Messengers of these Churches acknowledging that the hand of God is out against this People awful in tokens of wrath and giving him the Glory by confessing that there are these and those sins not only fallen into through infirmity but so prevalent in the midst of us as to acquit not only a just but a merciful God too in all his severities against us And shall we not yet believe Or shall we say to Jeremiah the Lord sent thee not but Baruch stirreth thee up Shall we say we have such a Magistracy such a Ministry such Churches and therefore what need we to fear When did Micah say Zion shall be ploughed as a field Was it not in the dayes of good Hezekiah When did God say I will remove Judah out of my sight Or when did Zephaniah deliver his terrible prophesies but in the dayes of godly Josiah All I shall here add is thus much If God's faithful Messengers are to be believed when speaking from God himself if the Word of God be to be credited which they have delivered to us if the concurrence of so many divers of whom are now with God be of any weight if Providence may be thought to speak any thing and the Rod have a voice in it if to be self-Judged and Condemned be of any efficacy then there is an hand-writing of God given out against us and therefore let it be 2. For Exhortation Be we perswaded to make it our serious endeavour by an universal and through Repentance to seek a way to escape the after effects of God's displeasure Let us obey the voice of the Lord our God let us amend and God will repent I might urge many things strongly argumentative to press the great necessity of this Duty let it suffice to give some brief hints 1. Remember your Profession to the World How oft have you given it out that your design and main business here is to promote the service of Christ and maintain the interest of the Gospel Which is then only upheld when a People stick close to the Law and to the Testimony walking by the holy Rules of Scripture in conformity to the revealed will of God in his Word and can only be your Glory among the Nations and will be so if you thus do otherwise your very profession will be your shame 2. Remember your Covenants and solemn Engagements to be the Lords How you have called God to witness and bound your selves in an oath and a curse to serve God and him only How you have avouched him to be your Lord and Law-giver and renounced the guidance of your own wills and lusts And if you ly under breach of Covenant and can so content your selves and not return again to the Lord how can you escape from bringing your selves under the dreadful guilt of taking his name in vain To the vindication whereof his holiness stands firmly engaged 3. Forget not your own Confession How oft have ye made large and full declarations against your selves Such hath been the evident and notorious declination of the power of Godliness and manifest growth of iniquity that we have been constrained to confess it God hath extoâ—â—â—d it out of our moâ—ths And know this that sins confessed and not repented of will be an heavy indictment against a People professing themselves the servants of God when out of their mouths they shall be Judged and manâ— stripes shall be inflicted on such as knew the Lords will and did it not 4. Think how many Calls you have had to Repentance The mercies of God to our Fathers and continued to our selves by these God expostulates Jer. 2. 5. What iniquity did your Fathers find in me that ye are gone so far away And vers 31. Have I been a Wilderness to Israel a land of darkness The Judgements of God which have been upon the land these are Doctrinal Isa 26. 9. When thy Judgements are in the Earth the Inhabitants of the World shall learn Righteousness The Patience of God wherein he hath given you a space to repent this is not forgotten Rev. 2. 21. I gave her a space to Repent and she Repented not The continual cry of the Ministry by powerful convictions severe comminations gracious promises followed with earnest and unwearied entreaties God keeps a Register of these Jer. 25. 4 5. The Lord hath sent unto you all his Prophets rising up early and sending them They said turn again every one from his evil way c. 5. God hath thoughts of good for you if you will Repent He hath not forgotten the love of your Fathers who followed him into a Wilderness a Land that was not sown He hath a respect for the faithful in the land Though the Aâ— be up and ready to fall yet he sees a few clusters and will say spare it for there is a blessing in it And I cannot but be perswaded that God hath good things yet in reserve for New-England but he expects your reformation and that you acknowledge and turn from your sins And yet I am afraid there is more to do and some severe tryals to befal us in order to this For God will do for his People in wayes suitable to his own ends and such which shall recommend him to be a God glorious in Holiness 6. Know it there yet wants such a Repentance as God requires and that notwithstanding all that he hath said or done Though he hath convinced us counselled us warned threatned smitten renewed his Judgements with breach upon breach altered his course tryed us in one fire and after in another the old scent yet remains This may be the burden of the Song and make up the period of every plea yet have ye not returned to me saith the Lord. 7. Our persent condition and exigencies call for speedy Repentance It will be our wisdom and can alone be our safety Men are against us and that which is most awful to consider is God seems to be against us too Providences look to an eye of reason as if they were conspiring to bring a further day of trouble upon us On all the Glory whereon there was sometimes a defence there now appears to be a blast We are brought low in our outward affairs and low in spirirual things and some sudden and dolefâ—â— change looks as if it were at the door But if we may recover Gods gracious presence and re-engage his protection all shall be well Yet if not now done a few dayes may summe up and cancel our felicity and we be left to sigh out our Ichabod I shal not need to be prolix in the directive part of this use since divers that have gone before me have largely unfolded our particular estate and prescribed rules for our recovery Both informed us what