fulnesse to those are his here on earth but the communication and making out of all fulnesse it self is only above in glory in the highest heavens when they shal be brought to dwel with Christ to behold his glory and inherit that marvellous Light the brightnesse of which yet we are not able to behold Christians have had and still have as much of God here as such vessels could hold here Saints are narrow-hearted and dim-sighted and cannot entertaine so much nor see so clearly as they shall when they arrive at heaven where their hearts shall be enlarg'd and their sight made fit as to receive much so to behold much of the excellencies of Glory Souls Vse consider what I am now about to speak to you have you a being now like the Saints in glory yea like Christ in glory is the life of glory begun here is there any sparks of that heavenly fire kindled in you any drops of that fountain hath the light shin'd into you that shines in heaven have you that joying you now hear on earth that joyes Saints in blisse above hath a sight of God made you large to see more of him can you say with the Psalmist Psal 63.1 2. My soul thirsteth and my flesh longeth for thee to see thy glory so as I have seen it in the sanctuary hath glimpse of beauty taken you any thing of Christ delighted you 1. Pray try what is in your inward man do you find any light of love shining in are you warm'd with any of this heavenly heate 1 Joh. 4.12 I cannot presse this too much doth God dwell in you you are not like him if there be not indwellings of God himself I do not so much regard what you are without and in appearance I would have you somewhat within There is great glory in heaven there must be some glory in your souls here yea and it must be such glory as is in heaven glory shines in Saints more clearly above here it shines though but dimly and they that shine here a little as sparks shall shine exceeding brightly as the Sun in the kingdome of their Father Mat. 13.43 here if we are as we should be and such that shall increase in goodnes have an addition to our joy we have some inward taste and feeling of the blessed comforts of God Beloved that which I speake to you of concerns your souls take heed they be not empty take heed they be not void of all goodnes destitute of the love and sweet communion of God through Jesus Christ You know how it sped with the five foolish Virgins that had no oyle in their lamps let what befel them make you beware 'T is a wisemans part to refrain from that way which others have perished in unclean birds may have gaudy outsides the plain feather'd fowl may be wholsomest beware that no man deceive you Psal 51.6 Psa 51.10 Innova in interioribus meis spiritum rectum and also be cautious that you wrong not your selves know this that God desireth truth in the inward parts and a pure inside a clear heart was one thing David petition'd for this you should ask and this you must possesse if ever it be well with you That soul is as it should be when 't is the seat throne and dwelling of God 2. Are your souls rais'd ftom the dead is there a power put forth in you and that an exceeding great power whereby you are delivered from sin Satan and selfe and unable to walke as Spiritually alive according to the wil of God Souls in glory are free souls rais'd souls souls set on high souls exceedingly spiritualiz'd wholly spiritual active souls in glorifying and praising God 't is their oontinual employment they cease not they are alwayes busied in what tends to Gods praise Is there any likenes to this in you are you fetcht out of darknesse set at liberty made able for the work of God Freemen are first Apprentices Apprentices are in the way to freedom what are Saints in heaven but freemen such that have serv'd out their time on earth consider christians are you bound to God doth he teach you doe you now serve him are you wholly his do you not serve Satan world nor selfe but God it will be but a few yeares but you shall be advanced higher advanc'd into sublime and transcendent glory to sit with Saints and there with your fellow-brethren to sing Hallelujahs for evermore 3. Is there a prizing of the things of glory They that are like Christ esteem love prize the things of Christ and what Christ doth esteeme love prize they esteeme creature things in their places as they ought yet all these are but dung and drosse in comparison of the excellencies of grace and glory Soul-necessities are not satisfied with creature-things they free not from corruption they reveale not the love of God nor ease the soul of its trouble if troubl'd for want of the loving kindnes of the Lord. Saints in glory are delivered from all misery and enjoy fulnes of consolation they that are going glory-ward shall be eas'd shall have their ful of joy they eye the pleasures and blisse of heaven they have thoughts upon them they are much taken up with them in their meditations Saints in heaven are pleas'd with the visible glory they injoy Saints on earth are pleas'd in that through faith they believe there is a reward laid up for them that they shall possesse an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled 1 Pet. 1.4 and that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for them Souls you know what you prize what is delightful to you you can tell whether earthly or heavenly carnal or spiritual things surely if drawing towards heaven they are heavenly things delight you they that are in glory rejoyce in their glorious enjoyments they that are in grace going to glory rejoyce through faith in believing what is laid up for them and what they shall enjoy they exspect the accomplishing of promises and their accomplishing tends to gracious souls advancing and crowning in glory with an everlasting diadem Consider of this I pray take much care in trying whether you be in the right way to perfect peace you would not willingly be cousoned in any earthly things beware you be not cheated in this that concernes your soules and so lose your soules if you should I need not say you are undone you will to your sorrow finde it but I hope you will be careful in this I can but advise 't is God must make you wise I can but instruct 't is the Lord must make you to receive instruction Try all things try earthly things you will see them vanity try Spiritual things God grant you knowledge to diserne and wisdome to prize and hold fast what is good Vse 2 Is to speake comfort to souls What Revelations have you now you shall have more what discoveries of love now you shall have more large manifestations heareafter
and doth also open Saints hearts The one is opened for goodnes to goe forth the other for goodnes to come in and goodnes being receiv'd in wil not lie stil it wil set such that have it upon employments sutable to the wil of Christ as by receiving what is Christs 't is in some measure changd into the likenes of Christ by receiving Christs love the hearts of such receivers are chang'd into the nature of Christs heart and so become heavenly heavenly within and being heavenly within it wil be heavenly without The fruit like the seed Saints like Christ Excellent things are spoken of Saints in glory so of Saints on earth The behaviour of Saints in glory is very commendable They enjoy perfection and from that perfection act The amiablenesse and admirablenes of Gods presence drawes out all the abilities of Saints when in heaven to act answerable unto the Lawes nearenes and dearnesse of such a relation as is betweene God and them So here on earth such that enjoy God though they cannot do for God so immediately and fully yet it is their desire to close with God and to give out themselves to God and to carry themselves in-offensively in the world and as much as in them lies to do good to all Excellent things are spoken of the City of God of the holy Jerusalem of the Lambes wife of shee that is a dressing a making ready for to be joyn'd to Christ Shee is beautiful now but she shal appear more beautiful shee is faire and pleasant and now the delight of Christ his love his dove his undefiled shee shal be the same in heaven onely this more perfect Christs spouse his Sister his dove is but one shee that is his on earth shal be his in glory shee that is his faire one here shal be his glorious one above that now is his bosome friend shal be his Throne-companion Throni sui compos The desires I know of all you that are Godly that are some of Christs holy ones speake experience is that your sweet Saviour would now raise all your desires to him fasten all your thoughts upon him draw all the powers of your souls up on high to him free you from every weight that holdeth you down knit you to him with a knot of love that so your joy in the injoyment of him might be abundant your fellowship with Saints sweet your dayly walking heavenly giving occasions to all that are Godly to magnifie God on your behalf Look to it Souls you are in some measure glorious now if you are such that shal appear with Christ in glory hereafter That glory is sparkl'd in now which shal shine in clearly and apparently you have now some beams shortly the ful light of the clear and glorious Sun himself For the ever-blessed and glorious God wil let in such a light such a clear light such a great light and withal give such a great strength of light unto Saints that they shal be wholly light and in them shal be no darkness at all Beloved I now commend you to God that can make you children of Light and enable you as children of Light to walk in Light to the praise of his great name and to the refreshing of the bowels of Gods people to the rejoycing of all that delight in goodnesse Christs Saints are all rare pieces God grant all these pieces may be set in order fitly united together then wil glory appear exceeding glory transcendent glory glory in the Church glory on earth like that glory that is amongst the Saints that are Triumphant in heaven I shal say no more of that Doctrine I shal yet give out somewhat from the Text that may be further useful to your souls and it is this Doct. There are some precious souls in the world in this sinful world in this wicked vile ignorant and naughty world Joh. 17.24 1 Joh. 5.19 Joh. 12.31 14.20.16.11 2 Cor. 4.4 Isa 5.14 Mat 7.13 Jer. 3.14 Rom. 11.5 Luke 12.32 Rev. 3.4 Col. 2.22 1 Joh. 5.5 Joh. 1.13 in this world wherein Satan bears such sway who is the Prince of the world a cheif one in it so farre as it is a sinful world and inhabited with sinful men The Devil hath many nay the greatest part yet God hath some a remnant here and there one a little flock a few that are undefiled and that are lovely before him that have kept their garments cleane that are unblameable unreprovable before him they have overcome the world being borne not of bloud nor of the wil of the flesh nor of the wil of man but of God Every age though it hath brought forth never so many weeds though it hath abounded in trash yet hath brough forth some precious flowers some jewels have been found amongst the rubbish In the first degenerate age there was an Abel after that a Seth and to him was borne Enos at which time men began to cal upon the name of the Lord. Gen. 4.26 After that Enoch that walked with God one that was the Phenix of that age Gen. 5.24 one that was translated out of his own being into a being in God one that lost nothing by losing what was his own by noture and according to the flesh After this God left not himself without testimony Though the wickednesse of man was great in the earth and the whole earth was corrupt before God Gen. 6.9 yet then appeared Noah a just man and perfect in his generations Gen. 6.9 and one that walked with God on that gave up himselfe to God to be at his direction and at his service to do what was agreeable to the wil of the Lord. And as the world was replenished and grew on though there were many wicked men and much wickednesse in the world yet some God had that were good though very obsure and hardly to be perceiv'd in those darke times At length appear'd Abraham after him Jsaac and Jacob with other worthies and when Elijah complains of the worlds emptines in respect of good men and that he alone was left yet God tels him he had seven thousand in Israel that had not bowed the knee to Baall I confesse ' its a very few considering how many thousands were in Israel yet you see there were some though hid and conceal'd in those cloudy daies of Idolatry and superstition 1 King 19.18 God may let men follow their owne pernicious waies and there may be a great forsaking of goodnes yet some shal cleave to truth though it may be but a few Isa 6.13 a tenth There may be many weeds in a garden yet some good herb may be found abundance of trees in a feild yet some corne a world of earth yet some vains of precious oare a great deale of clay of durt and stones yet some pearles and precious jewels are now and then found God hath excellent material here and there he wil bring them together and of
proper to Christ onely Morales actiones quibus legi morali satiisfecit hae nostram vitam mores ad dilectionem Det proximi excitabunt Some are morall these last are onely imitable you may take all thus some actions there are of Christ which he did as God some as Mediator some as man The last are binding to us to follow every action of Christs is for our instruction some way or other and carefull ought we to be to make use of it as we should that so none of Christs doings do not passe by us un-observ'd and taken notice of but that we rightly ponder them Omnis Christi actio nostra est instructio sed diversimode c. that what is to be admired and wondred at we may admire and wonder what invites to praise let them have it and what is to be imitated let them be set before us and strive to imitate and though we cannot act to perfection yet let us act with affection and though we cannot do as we should yet let us desire to do it and though the bodies pace be slow yet may your souls be nimble Paul though he could not take hold on yet did he reach out to those things that were before And be sure to send love to Christ and let that tell him that all of soul and body is following after And that whatsoever your doings are yet your desires are right for they are to please him and glad would you be to be comprehended in that saying of the Apostle As he is so are we in this world Blame none for desiring this to be like Christ He that is like Christ is very excellent and the more this likenesse is perfected the nearer is the soul to glory 'T is an excellent discovery of a vertuous soul to see it continue good let the times places and people be never so bad and so doubtlesse it manifests a heavenly excellency within when a soul that lives in this wicked ungodly world appears in life and conversation heavenly shines out in a dark world though not with so clear a light as Christ yet is his light shining out like Christ A handsome imitation from some is as pleasing as great action from others Lord thou art not strict to mark what is done amisse look not on our actings which are imperfect but Lord consider what our desires are how we desire to conform to thee and help Lord with thy spirit As thou art a loving God let us be loving christians as thou art a glorious Husband let us be a glorious Spouse as thou art a soul-pittying-Saviour let us be soul-obedient Saints As thou art a fountaine a Sea let us be streams at least drops and though we are not of such worth as thou O Christ Quantum unusquisque est inâ—oculis Dei tantum est c. yet let us be true coine and as pounds and pence may have one stamp and the least though not of so great a value as the best yet of some value Mark us sweet Jesus for thine though the mark be never so small that so what the Pharisees messengers answered thee concerning the Image and superscription upon the Tribute-money saying it is Caesars so Lord let the Image and stamp upon our souls be Christs That so our life our love our actions may be such as Christs Christ and us may have one way one will one affection one mind our bent and purposes the same with Jesus Christ Now the work goes on now is the mirth now thriving when all agree in one when all the Souldiers do like the Captaine all the servants like the master all the followers like the leader all the members as the head directs and that there are no divisions commands answere with obedience examples sutable to the pattern learners like the teacher Saints like the Saviour As he is so are we c. Doct. Obs True Saints are such that are very like Jesus Christ There is some speciall singular thing in Saints that is not in men of the world there is a singular vertue in a Jewell that is not in another stone which makes it esteemed there is a peculiar choice excelling in Saints that makes them so extold there is somewhat in them that others have not seen nor known 1 Cor. 2.10 which is manifest to them by the spirit they are begotten of God and so come to be like Christ as children of one father are like one another A holy Christ the Son of God and holy Saints children of God Heb. 2.11 all of one for which cause Christ is not ashamed to call Saints brethren and from this brotherhood it is that Christ and christians are good friends that there is so much union peace and affinity that they can speak together confer together dwell together feed together lodge together and live together the God of Christ the God of Saints the Father of Christ the Father of Saints 't is the words of Christ the soul-delighting words of the Elder brother to the Younger sent by Mary as a message of comfort to the Disciples Ad perturbatos Discipulos accurre Io. 20.17 Go to my brethren and say unto them I ascend unto my Father and your Father and to my God and your God Here 's a cordial the Disciples were troubled at their Masters being crucified and 't is likely were very much grieved Christ forgets them not but sends them news of his Resurrection and of his Ascending into glory and that they should ascend likewise for his Father would not entertain him alone but them also The inheritance of glory belongs to Saints as well as Christ all Gods children shall partake in this kingdom Rom. 8.17 The spirit it self beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God Donorum patris caelestis sunt participes And if children then heirs heirs of God and joynt-heirs with Christ Christ had bled freely for them and his message is sweet to them willing his should know what glory is provided for them 1 Joh. 3.2 Phil. 3.21 Rev. 3 21 and therefore tels them they should be like him their vile bodies made like his glorious body and sit with him in his Throne those that are like him in grace shall be like him in glory they that are partakers with him in bearing the crosse shall be partakers with him in wearing the crown Christ is fashioning his daily for himself and when he hath brought his work to that perfection here that they come unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ and to perfect man Eph. 4.13 he will remove them to glory for the church is heavens nursery and as Christ sees fit he draws out those precious plants that are like himself and sets them with himself Small pieces of gold are look'd to and kept safe if like Christ you are well enough souls 't is no matter who you are unlike if
God speaks good to souls now and gives in somewhat of love but 't is here a little and there a little now and then a drop to keep their hearts open but in heaven God comunicates all at once here he gives out what he gives in degrees according to Saints capacity to receive but in heaven the whole shall be posses'd that God hath in store for them that love him they shall have perfect holines compleat happines and pure spirituality Animorum summa puritas stupenda corporum charita c. There natures shall be spotless and there actions blamelesse an orient splendour and matchlesse brightness of resplendent light shall cover the whole man as a garment Oh what an infinite unconceiveable and unparallel'd gladnes throughout the soul spirit whloe man wil this occasion Saints here desire much and have somewhat of heavens excellency but their desires are not fully satisfied Quicquid desiderare poterunt electi illic invenient quia coram a facie ad faciem intuentur eum qui est omnia and in heaven they shal have their ful insomuch that desires shal cease not longing after more for God shal communicate himselfe fully and at once to Saints there Saints have now some beauty some comlines they are in part sanctified but in heaven they shal be fully sanctified all glorious this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality and then conceptions of evil shall not be in souls there shal be no unsoundnes of judgment nor taints of error no impuritie nor imbecillity of affections in glory Saints love to Christ shal not be cold weak and feeble but it shall be hot strong perfect they shal be without any imperfection Nothing in them or what is done by them shal be blame-worthy Similes erimus ipsi Deo benedicto in seculum they shal be like the blessed God for ever Is not this a word of comfort now wil it not be much more a precious soul-rejoycing to enjoy this purity this samctity this holinesse of being made a excellent beautiful like Angels Angelis sibi ipsi nos similes reddit yea like God himself There shal be nothing amisse in the soul it shal be all glorious no blindnesse lamenesse deafnesse nor crookednesse nor infirmity shal be on the body the bodies of Saints in glory that be handsome faire comely beautiful yea like unto the glorious body of Christ Phil. 3.21 yea and which is more they shal in the whole body be like unto his glorious body Eadem corpora quae hic cum Christo crucifixa sunt una cum Christo in caelesti beatitudine glorificantur These very bodies of Saints that suffer now with and for Christ shal with Christ in heavenly blisse be glorified with him yea they shal have such glory as he hath This Souls I shal leave to you to admire I cannot sufficiently and to the ful in words discover it to you 'T is a wonder to thinke that they that are gracious and so like Christ here should be in heaven as handsome bodied as Christ is Gloria nulla lingua satis explicari potest and have as comely a person and feature as he himself has whom the Father loves dearly that their bodies shal be in all places like to Christs body Beloved may not this incourage us in trouble to venture life and limb for God rather then that God should lose his glory seeing that he can make up all again and supply all wants and wil make every one perfect at last and also not to be troubled as concerning Death with any discomfortable thoughts of worms eating and destroying the flesh with rottennesse seising upon the body and the like knowing that Christ at last wil restore all perfect 2. Saints you have now some wisdome and knowledge you shal have more abundant you shal have more wisdome Isa Dei sapientia seipsam eis ostendet c. you shal have clearer knowledge in the things of God and Christ and of heaven surely knowledge is an exellent thing especially Divine and Heavenly knowledge knowledge in the mystery of salvation What is it that some would not give for knowledge now in Arts and Tongues and in Scripture-truths yea to know God rightly In heaven Saints you shall have an exquisite and perfect knowledge of God ye shal see him not only mentally and contemplatively but also with the bodies eyes corporally so Job Job 19.25 26. I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth And though after my skin worms destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God Whome I shall see for my self and mine eyes shall behold and not another This Christians I conceive may make your longings to be eager after heaven and exceedingly rejoyce to thinke you shal see God to see God as he is in himself and as he Is in you And all this in a spiritual manner for all knowledge in heaven shal be spiritual I might enlarge my self more on this but I forbear according to what of God is given in to you such is your knowledge already and as God shal be reveal'd knowledge shal encrease and at last you shal in glory know as you are known 3. Saints shal in heaven have a ful fruition of Christ a ful sight of their sweet Saviour Chridum videre superabit omniagaudia Superabit omnia cordis nostoi desideria such a sight that shal give in unspeakable joy such enjoyment that shal bring more joy then heart can wish no tongue can express no heart can conceive what consolation they have that shal enjoy Christ and dwel with him for ever To see Christ to dwel and be with Christ brings to soules wounderful happines This makes souls cry out how long Lord Jesus is it ere thou wilt bring us to glory where we may have beauty presented to our sight sweetnes to our taste amongst men Pulchritudo erit visui mel gustui cithara auditui balsanum olfactui flos actui musick to our eare what is odoriferous to our smelling and delightful to be touch'd and handled the soul also fil'd with light and comfort every faculty having what is pleasant to it given out freely and fully O blessed condition O sweet life O happy being to be brought into the Court of the glorious God to the society of Saints Jesu Christe sponse animaemeae suavissime into the bosome of sweet and blessed Jesus the loving and ever-glorious husband to blessed souls Love is abundantly shown on earth by Christ to those that are Christs in their affaires to direct them in their troubles to help them in their dangers to deliver them in bestowing divers and excellent benefits both of grace and nature and of creature-things likewise in disappointing the dangerous devices of enemies in frustrating the subtile and crafty plottings of Satan in beating downe the power of