They shall everlastingly be drinking down and Bathing themselves in those Rivers of Love that have been running down from Everlasting and from the well-spring of Election have issued forth in the whole Dispensation of Christ From the Father they were given to Christ Joh. 17.6 To him they shall then be presented Heb. 2.13 Jude 24. and by Christ brought into the nearest Union and Communion with him that possible can be Joh. 17.21 22 26. The Scripture speaks much of the Fathers Love 2 Cor. 13.13 1 Joh. 16.27 Rom. 8.39 And that often antecedent to the sending of Christ and all benefits by him as the original and fountain thereof Joh. 3.16 1 Joh. 4.8 9 10. Ephes 3.3 6. Tit. 3.4 6. This will then be seen and enjoyed in the fullest manner and measure according to the capacity of glorified Saints God the Father will be letting forth and pouring out his love into the souls of the Saints shedding it abroad in greater measures than now Rom. 5.5 and they drinking down the sweetness thereof for evermore beholding and tasting what manner of love that is which here they can see and conceive but a little of 1 Joh. 3.1 2. and as Ephes 3.18 19. They also making returns of love unto him and sweetest ebullitions thereof loving God then actually with all the heart soul strength and mind as is commanded This loving communion with God the Father or communion with him in love shall the Saints enjoy in Heaven in the fullest manner for evermore 2. The Son of God who is incarnate the Lord Jesus Christ who is Man as well as God his face shall be seen and his company enjoyed by the Saints in Heaven in a peculiar and most immediate manner you shall see the man Christ with bodily eyes as Job 19.27 you shall ascend to him then and be with him enjoy his immediate company and communion see him face to face Job 19.25 26 27. Philip. 1.23 2 Cor. 5.8 1 Thes 4.17 1 Joh. 3.2 You shall hear him speak to you and discourse of the great things of God each word of whose lips will be more sweet than ten thousands of Gold and Silver you shall behold him pouring forth himself and his love yea the love of God to you and the discoveries and communications of his grace and goodness through the lips and expressions of a man you shall then have full communion with the man Christ Jesus that everlasting Mediator between God and Man Why the company of a good man a loving friend a gracious Saint here that breaths much of Christ how sweet is it What then is the company of Christ himself who is full of grace and truth and that with the fulness of an head to derive like Grace and so now like Glory to all his members For as he is the meritorious and dispensing cause so also the exemplary cause as of all Grace here so of Glory hereafter as Joh. 1.16 so you shall have Glory for Glory Glory in your measure like unto his Glory the Glory that he shines with in Heaven you must share in it and have you shall have the same Glory for kind and nature though for measure and degree not equal but he will still have the preheminence Joh. 17.22 Rom. 8.29 1 Joh. 3.2 you shall live in the same Heaven with him Joh. 14.3 partake of the same love of the Father Joh. 17.23 drink of the same pleasures live the same life of holiness and happiness reign with him in the same Kingdom Rom. 8.17 Rev. 3.21 Be thrown into the same Ocean of Joy though Vessels of different quantity will take in different measures and so difference in degrees between the Saints themselves much more between the Saints and Christ Yea probably the Saints in Heaven may have Communion with Christ in the Acts of Grace as here in this life they have Communion with him in the habits of Grace i. e. that the same Actings the same Contemplations Tasts Apprehensions Ebullitions of heart the same springing of Love Joy Delight and sweet Affection that the man Christ hath shall run through Heaven and be in their measure communicated to all the Saints there For Glory properly stands in and results from the lively Acting of Grace and therefore Communion in Glory may import Communion in the Acts of Grace c. But however to be sure they shall be like him 1 Joh. 3.2 And bear his Glorious Heavenly Image there 1 Cor. 15.48 49. Like him in Soul Pure Heavenly Holy inlarged in Love to God and to his Glory as he is and like him in body too Phil. 3.21 And enjoy his Blessed Converse and Company What the particular Imployment and manner of Converse of the man Christ with and among the Saints in Heaven will be we cannot now tell you you shall know it when you come there to be sure it will be most Holy excellent and Glorious and full of mutual joy and delight I may suggest this meditation Look what Christ did in Converse with his Disciples after his Resurrection when he was then entred into a Glorified estate he then opened to them the Scriptures so as their hearts burnt within them Luk. 24.27 32 44 45. And spake of things of the Kingdom of God Act. 13. Then indeed but in order to the carrying on of the Kingdom of Grace and in such a measure as suited that end But why may we not think that he will then in Heaven in such a manner and measure as suites the Kingdom of Glory expound the Scriptures lay open the depths of the Book of God and the Mysteries of Divinity those fully and clearly that were here known but in a little part and other points that were not known at all the wonders of Law and Gospel of the Word and Works of God the depths and knowledge of Wisdom But especially the depths of Love and Grace the things that tend to the praise of the Glory of Gods Grace the great end of all his dealings with his people Ephes 1.6 those will he open and lay forth in a glorious manner And oh the burnings and flames and sparkling Impressions of Seraphical Affections that all the Saints about him will then be filled with Never such a Preacher and never such Hearers for Attention and Affection no Sleeping no Dulness no Weariness as there will be In a word Ordinances then shall cease but the quintessence and extract of all Ordinances shall be then enjoyed that power and Glory of God that beauty of the Lord be seen in the Sanctuary of Heaven that here were but glimpses through Glasses Mat. 26.29 Glorious and sweet Communion do the Saints here enjoy with Christ at a Sacrament in that Ordinance of the Lords Supper But in Heaven in the Kingdom of his Father he will as I may say celebrate that Sacrament i. e. give them the quintessence comfort and Communion of it in another manner in new fresh and immediate Communications of his Grace and sweetness There
Affections shall also be 1. Inlarged or compleatly fitted framed disposed and sanctified to take in that Glory or that Glorious Communion with God that is to be had in Heaven The spirit will be perfect Hebr. 12.23 in this respect i. e. perâ—â—ctly sanctified filled full of holiness and so everlastingly fitted and inlarged for that holy work of Glorifying God that is the work of Heaven alwayes in tune for that never out of frame as you often are here The Image of God upon the Soul shall then be perfectly restored as that part of it which stands in knowledge Colos 3.10 so also that of holiness and righteousness Epes 4.24 which is seated chiefly in the will and affections your Souls shall be top full of Holiness You that now long and cry out for Grace and Holiness for an heart to love God to fear him to delight in him to be inlarged for him you shall then have your desire to the full never feel a weakness or impotency or straitness of heart God-ward more never find your hearts at your left hand but always dextrous in Holy works and inlarged for it then may each Saint say to another as 2 Cor. 6.11 and to God de praesenti as Psal 119.32 I will run c. For thou dost inlarge my heart And especially the affection and Grace of Love that shall be inlarged and flourish there Love to God and to his Saints the perfume of that will fill Heaven Heaven is the place of Love that is the head-grace there alwayes acting never failing 1 Cor. 13.8.13 Those affections that bring pain with them as tormenting fear and grief 1 Joâ— 4.14 and those Actings that imply Imperfection in them or a state of Imperfection accompanying them as prophesie and that inferiour imperfect way and manner of knowledge that we have here and those actings of faith and hope that are proper to this life in contra-distinction to the fight and presence of the good believed and hoped for though the Grace of faith and hope it self or dependance on God in Christ shall continue in Heaven those I say shall cease but Love is alwayes comfortable Philip. 2.1 and the full acting of Love implies perfection 1 Joh. 4.18 the more intensely and strongly Love acts and carries the Soul to God the more perfect we are the strongest acts of faith are under our greatest Imperfections wants and miseries when the good of the promise is wanting Heb. 11.1 And Love is most directly the spirit of Holiness and of actual sweet joyful Communion with God and therefore Love shall eminently continue and flourish in Heaven and be alwayes in fullest act and exercise 2. Filled and satisfied with good the heart of man is a large Vessel the desires have a vast reach even after infinite good This whole World cannot satisfie one heart but then it shall be filled that word full verified Isa 55.2 Brimful of Comfort and Contentment in the fruition of God who is goodness it self infinitely good enough to satisfie the endless reaches of the heart of man You shall then have as much as you would have when the will the desire is opened to the widest it shall be filled Psal 81.10 And whereas Love seeketh nearest Union and fullest Communion with the Beloved If thy Soul love God it would be drawn as near him as may be Cant. 1.4 Why Love shall be satisfied in this respect the Soul shall be as near God as it would be and have him as near as it would have ever loving him and ever loved of him delighting in him and delighted in by him lying in the arms and bosome of his Love Christ and all the faithful his Spouse will then give their Loves Cant. 7.12 each to other ever opening and exchanging hearts And so Joy will then be full Psal 16.11 All the liking affections whereby the will goes out unto embraces and enjoyes good shall then be fully satisfied as Psal 107 9. Jerem. 31.25 Psal 36.8 And for the Soul of man to be closing with and satiated actually satisfied in God the chief and infinite good this is Happiness this is the fruition that is beatifical 2. Consider the Glory of the Body viz. when that shall come to its Glorified estate as it shall do at and after its Resurrection It shall then be Glorified as well as the Soul being made like the Glorious Body of Christ Philip. 3.21 1 Cor. What that is was in some glimpse of it seen in Christs Transfiguration Mat. 17.2 that was a little glimpse and specimen of the future visible Glory of Christ and so of the Saints that shall be like him So Mat. 13.43 Consider but those passages to avoid curiosity here in 1 Cor. 15.42 43 44. It shall be the self same Body for substance but endowed with new and Glorious qualities viz. 1. Incorruption and Immortality it is sown i. e. as here buried in Corruption It is raised in Incorruption so v. 53 54. The Saints Bodies shall not be lyable to any Corruption hurt or decay by sickness pain old-age or death but clothed with Immortality All principle and power of dying being swallowed up 2. Cor. 15.4 To live for ever without liableness to death No fear of dying then when once in that other happy World The King of Terrours never sets foot there Luk. 20.36 Adam might possibly have lived and not dyed but these shall live and cannot die And as not exposed to death so not to any other hurt or aile inward decay or outward violence What abundance of Hurts and Ailes Maimes Accidents as also Inward Diseases now How many Tooles are at work to knock down this Clay-tabernacle but then it shall be so strongly built as to be Impregnable by the assaults of Corruption 2. Glory Splendor and Beauty v. 43. The Body is now a vile thing Philip. 3.21 when under earthly Adams Image especially in its decaying state under Sickness Sores Maimes Rheums Wrinkles c. It is a sorry poor ill-looking deformed pale noisome thing But then the Bodies of the Saints shall be Glorious Beautiful Goodly Amiable and Shining as the Sun whereof that of the shining of Moses his face and of Christ in his Transfiguration was but a little glimpse And far above that of Adam in innocency when neither shame nor deformity was yet known 3. Strength and Power v. 43. Now the Body is a weak fraile feeble thing often unable to perform its needful operations soon wearied tyred with action and at last sinking under its own frailty to the Grave But then Strong Vigorous Lively Healthy freed from all defects and infirmities above weariness and weakness And so from the Imperfection and weakness of Infancy or decrepit Age. All the Saints even such as die Children as Divines most probably conclude shall rise again in full strength and stature such as the flower and vigour of years did or would have given as such as Adam at his Creation was made in Vid. Aquin. Suppl Quaest 81. Bolton
Eternal or Everlâ—sting It is Eternal Glory in the Text so 2 Cor 5.1 Heb. â— 15 Mat. 24.46 Psal 16.11 Eternal i. e. It shall be and continue without interruption and without End 1. Without Interruption It shall at no time be discontinued broken off interrupted intermitted but a permanent Glory alwayes fresh and green without fading or declining 1 Pet. 1.4 not suffering any winter or fall of Lease but in a perpetual Spring Here our Communion with God and enjoyment is marvellously interrupted and broken By that time you are well in you are put out again By that time your Harp is well in Tune and begins to sound well you are fain to lay it aside Wordly occasions Bodily necessities take you off and interrupt your talk with God and with his Word and with your own Hearts By that time the heart be well warmed at an Ordinance on a Sabbath and you begin to see its good being here and to tast and take in the sweetness of Communion with God the Ordinance the Sabbath is at an end you can be but a while together in Godly Conference for a turn and away you must part and break off necessarily But when in Heaven no Interruption no breaking off a full spring-tyde without any Ebb. Yea there is there no Interruption of the Act of Grace and comfort of it and feeling thereof not only the state and the habit abides the same so it does here when actual Communion and the sweet lively feeling Heavenly Actings and Ebullitions of Grace are Intermitted yet the habit and spirit thereof abides still But the Glorious Heavenly â—weet pleasant Acts of Grace are perpetual Psal 16.11 Pleasure is from the pleasant actual fruition of good and so Heavenly pleasures from the actual enjoyment of Gâ—d and of his Beatifical presence and gracious actings upon him and those Pleasures there are for evermore What is here tasted in an Ordinance Psal 36.8 and 65.4 is there perpetual and that in fulness so Mat. 18.10 the Beatifical Vision or Communion or Fruition those are but the same thing in divers words is never interrupted Heaven is a day without night a Summer without a Winter a Flood without an Ebb a Morning without Clouds a blissful Communion with God without Interruption Variety of exercise there may be in Heaven and variety of truths and Acts and Contemplations the Saints may be busied about for they cannot take in all at once but all serving to continue and carry on their fruition of God and the Bliss and Glory thereof 2. Without End The Happiness and Glory of the Saints in Heaven shall never never have an end but continue to all eternity as long as Heaven is Heaven as long as God is God This implyes that 1. It shall never be lost by or taken away from any Saint in Heaven nor shall he ever fall from it or be removed from it bereaved of it once in Heaven and ever there once put on that Crown of Glory it shall never fall from thy Head Adam was in a good condition in Paradise once but he lost it fell from it and so he was driven out of Paradise being in that honour he continued not as Ps 49. and hence we may say as Lam. 5.16 But no danger of that there All that are carried to Heaven are there set in an immutable estate by Christ Jesus Some have been for a falling away on Earth But none ever so much as dreamed of a falling away in Heaven Neither Devil nor sin yet came thither to rob them of that Glory Mat. 6.20 Hence this Heavenly Glory will be properly your own never to pass away from you Luk. 16.12 Nor 2. Shall it ever expire or come to an end either by the Cessation of the Saints Being or of their Glory No change or alteration shall ever put an end to it But it shall continue forever and ever World without end This is the Crown of that Crown of Glory that it is Eternal Everlasting never to be lost never come to an end This damps and imbitters all Earthly Joyes and Comforts that they are but Temporary you must leave them or they you they are but a fashion that passeth away But this unspeakably sweetness Heavens Joyes that they shall continue for ever it shall alwayes be thus No danger or possibility of losing or ending this Happiness This Ever is the stinging torment of the damned in Hell and it is the the ravishing Joy of the Glorified in Heaven The length of time that we have or hope to have in any thing adds unspeakably to the sweetness and Comfort of it Luk. 12.19 The Worldling feigns to himself a kind of Eternity in his Possessions and Enjoyments else he could not look at himself so happy as he does Psal 39.11 That was Davids Contentment 2 Sam. 7.18 19. Oh then how Joyful is that Joy how Heavenly that Heaven how Glorious is that Glory that hath this ingredient to be in truth not in fancy or dream Eternal Not for many years only but for ever for more thousands and millions of years than their be Grass-piles on the Earth or Sands on the Sea-shore To make some use of this last particular the Eternity of Heavenly Glory Vse 1. Hence see how infinitely Heaven's Glory weighs down out-bids and outmatches all this present World both the good things and the evil things thereof 1. All the good of the Earth of this World is but Temporal all this world can give us no Eternal good things The Earth hath riches but no Eternal Riches Pleasures but no Eternal Pleasures Heb. 11.25 26 Honour and Greatness but no Eternal Honour Psal 49.12 It is a poor Glory that this world hath not worth the name of Glory it is but a paint a fashion that passeth away 1 Cor. 7.31 though called Glory by sensual Worldlings Genes 31.1 These momentary fading things what are they to Eternal Glory Oh foolish and unwise are they that fell Heaven for Earth Eternal Glory for present contentments That will rather leave Treasures in Heaven than leave and forsake those things Mark 10.21 22. the greatest Possessions here are not great no great matter a trifle a nothing a shadow compar'd with Treasure in Heaven Luk. 16.10 11 12. 2. The evil things the Sufferings Troubles Tribulations of the World that lye in the way to Heaven and that the World does or can bring upon the faithful they are small matters compar'd with the Glory that they are passing to Rom. 8.18 for these Sufferings are but for a little while but that Glory that follows is Eternal 1 Pet. 5.10 so 2 Cor. 4.17 who would stick at a few moments trouble and travel to go unto Eternal Rest and Glory If God call you to travel for Heaven through a few paces of troublesome and dirty way through a few dayes of trouble and tryal Revel 2.10 Is it not a shame to boggle at this or to think it an hard bargain or to be diverted and
Lord will delight to manifest himself and his Love his comforting Grace to the Soul Joh. 14.21 23. Act. 9.31 It is often seen that the Lord withholds and denies assurance and lets the Soul be followed with fears and doubts and troubles on purpose to discover imbitter and break the power of some prevailing lust some sweet sin If you can tamper with your lusts and make provision for the flesh and be at truce with your sins and entertain the delights of it Now instead of Comforting the Lord will break your bones if he loves you he will let you have no peace till you out with this guile and repent in earnes t and throw away this sweet sin Psal 32. Oh mind and mark out your most prevailing most inticing beloved sins and if that be the provocation the partition-wall between God and you throw it away Isa 30.22 23. 3. Labour to keep Grace in action and exercise Be much in acting all Grace both in the hearty and serious performance of holy duties and in daily renewing of repentance for dayly sins and of Faith by going to the Blood of Christ for pardon and for more of his Spirit and also in the exercise of other particular Graces love brotherly kindness charity patience meekness self-denial zeal c. as there is occasion for them 2 Pet. 1.5 8 10 11. Exercise of Crace is the best evidence of Grace Let a man breath eat walk and work he needs no other demonstrations that he is a living man so would you shew and see and discern that you have the life of Grace the life of Christ in you and so are in a state of Salvation up and be doing and acting performing the actions of a Christian life be breathing after Christ in Prayer feed on him in the Promises and Ordinances feed upon the word of God Can you feed can you eat at every meal in the season of duty as Luk. 24.41 42 43. thats an evidence of a living risen Christian can you make a meal of a Sabbath and your Souls are refreshed thereby c. and walk before God get up and walk in his wayes work the work of the Lord that is committed to you in Christs strength and name this will demonstrate the life of Grace 1 Cor. 15.10 It is labouring working Grace that is not vain or Counterfeit or dead Grace Jam. 2.17 18. And to this end put forth and exercise every Grace in its season Psal 1.3 The Lord giveth us special seasons and occasions on purpose to draw forth the exercise of such and such a Grace we might have marvelous improvement of them for benefit and comfort if the fault were not our own as 1 Joh. 3.17 there is a season to exercise love kindness compassion when he sees and hears that his brother is in need want or misery now bowels should act and stir being made tender by the Grace of Christ If love stir not act not now sure the habit of that Grace dos not dwell in him Another wrongs and provoks you now is a a season to act meekness and patience you are troubled and you swell and fret and are vexed But you forget that the Lord is now come to try you whether you have any patience in you whether you have learned of Christ to be meek and low in heart 1 Pet. 2.20 21 23. Here 's a season for the Gospel-fruit to see whether that Grace will bud and bring forth whether you can forbear and forgive c. as Colos 3.13 It may be you are stirr'd up by another to an act of Charity and kindness an object and occasion of it presented to you The Lord hath now sent season to draw forth such fruit as you know if there be life in the root of the tree when the season comes the Spring time is the Sun shines c. Now the sap will rise and it will bud and blossome If you see neither bud nor leaf but a dry sear-top in the season you say it 's dead Oh if thy Grace be alive the season will draw it forth You think you have other Graces yea but this Grace must act now in such a season of it 2 Cor. 8.7 8. Phil. 4.10 17. So duties of Religion towards God zeal for his Glory against sin duties of Holiness or Righteousness be ready and active therein in the several seasons thereof this is an excellnt Rule both for the Increase and Comfort of Grace 2 Pet. 1.5 11. He means add the exercise and practice of them Labour to have each of these Graces according to their several objects and occasions and seasons drawn forth into act and exercise and appearing in the fruits of it For the Beeings and habits of all Grace are implanted at once and at first And when all sorts of Graces are found in a Christian and are lively to put forth themselves in the several proper wayes for where is one in truth there is all in the root and that should appear in the fruit in the season thereof is a choice help to make our Calling sure and to have an open entrance See Baxters Saints Rest part 3. pag. 166. 4. Be much in Meditation serious spiritual Meditation on the word and promises of God the condition of thy own Soul thy own wretchedness emptiness vileness in thy self the riches of Grace in Christ the things of Heaven both in more occasional transient opportunities and in more solemn seasons set apart for that purpose Meditation applyes general truths to our selves in particular soakes things into the heart which else did but float in the head and fancy gives both a clear understanding and also a relish taft a savour of the truth brings the Soul acquainted with the things of God that now they are no longer strangers as Hos 8.12 It digests the food that men take in in other Ordinances yea it makes all the works and providences of God to be meat and fooâ— useful beneficial to the Soul Psal 104.34 And hence it does many wayes both actuate and exercise Grace and help to discover Grace And indeed a spirit oâ— gracious meditation when a mans thoughts and affections for both are acted in meditation do frequently and ordinarily practically feed and dwell upon the word and things â—â— God it is a clear evidence of a godly man Psal 1.1 2. yea of a living fruitful Christian v. 3. As contrariwise that is the Character of the wicked Psal 10.4 The godly man is either in a frame for holy meditation or sick while he wants it or so far as he wants it mourning under striving wrestling against the vanity and carnalness of his own thoughts and after more spiritualness He falls very short here and the unstediness and unsavouriness unprofitableness of the thoughts is much of that body of death which he groans under But oh his bitter mourning and he is getting ground herein and the more ground he gets the more comfortable And those seasons wherein the heart is at
shall not be now need of any outward Elements Bread or Wine but the Inward part the Spiritual Communion they shall have it new and fresh in a more lively and better fuller manner then here whence they shall be as men full of new Wine filled with the Springs of Heavenly Affection and Consolation Wine is oft used to express Joy Gladness Comfort Psal 104.15 The Communion between Christ and the Saints in the Coelestial Life will compleat perfect and far transcend that that is but in a weak and mean degree begun in Ordinances here Consider also that the Union and Communion between Christ and the faithful being set forth by that of the Conjugal relation in Scripture our present state is but an Espousal the Consummation of the Marriage is at the day of Judgment thence follows the full enjoyment each of other in Heaven when Christ hath carried his Spouse home to his Fathers house Ineffable Mutual Delight Communion Communication of Secrets and Hearts each to other Joy and Contentment will thence ensue Then will those words be most fully verified Isa 62.4 5. and 54.4 5 8. Zeph. 3.17 Then will the Book of Canticles that Book of Loves between Christ and his Church be understood and fully practised But thus in Heaven you shall have Immediate and full Communion with the Lord Jesus You hear of him now but you shall see him then and be ever with him there was flocking to see him when on earth in his Humiliation Luk. 19.3 4. And the Spiritually minded then saw Glory in him Joh. 14. But what will it be then to see him in Heaven in his Glorified estate And not only to see him as a stranger as a Glorious person But to see and enjoy him as thy Friend as thy Brother Saviour Husband Cant. 5.16 One who sometimes powered out his Heart-blood for thee and will now power out his Heart-love to thee for evermore 3. The Saints shall have full Communion with the Holy Ghost they shall have the Everlasting fulness and presence of the Spirit and so have a fulness of Gifts and Graces of Holiness and Comfort for evermore The Saints have somewhat of the Communion of the Holy Ghost now 2 Cor. 13.14 But they shall have it in perfection then We have but the first fruits of the Spirit but an earnest penny now Rom. 8.23 2 Cor. 1.22 and 5.5 Therefore there is an Harvest the whole sum a fulness of the Spirit that shall be imparted then And as the Holy Spirit is a Spirit of Grace and Comfort now by whose Presence and Assistance we are upheld in both so will he be then only in such a way manner and measure as suits a state of Perfection then he will rest upon you as a Spirit of Glory so hath he done in a great degree on some Martyrs here 1 Pet. 4.14 but there in Perfection on all the Saints Hence the Saints in Heaven having the fulness of the Spirit shall be replenished with all those Excellencies and endowments that are the Effects and fruits of the presence and special operation of the Spirit filled with all the fulness of God As 1. With singular Divine Guifts of knowledge wisdom inlargement of understanding as 1 King 4.29 and utterance For there will be use of utterance in Heaven in Glorious Conference and Converse of the Saints Here are Gifts given for the Kingdom of Grace by the Spirit 1 Cor. 12.4 8 11. But there are Guifts suiting the Kingdom of Glory 2. With all Graces of Holiness or Sanctification those now brought to perfection and kept up in act and exercise Sanctification of the Spirit 2 Thes 2.13 will then be perfect of which further afterward concerning the Glory of the Soul and there will be the constant un-interrupted Presence and Assistance of the Spirit to actuate every Grace to keep it up in its full exercise The heart ever inlarged for God ever fixed and tuned to sing his Praise as Psal 57.7 8. Thy Glory Heart and Tongue shall be ever awake thy Harp ever in Tune then the Spirit of Grace everlastingly filling and quickning thy Heart and holding thee up in Heavenly Spiritual activity and inlargement 3. With abundant Comfort and Consolation The Holy Ghost will then fully do that work of a Comforter and dwell in all the Saints as such Joh. 14.16 in his Choicest and most Glorious Comforting Operations That in Rom. 5.5 will then be fully done Then perfect Assurance and sense of the Love of God without all mixture of doubt or fear or darkness full Assurance shall be wanting to never a Saint in Heaven the meanest shall see the Love of God more clearly than the strongest did here That great question will then be out of question forever The light of Gods Countenance shall be then lifted up and shine upon your souls as a Sun that never sets nor is overcast with clouds The knowledge and sense of that one thing that the Infinite God loves thee with an everlasting love which is more worth than ten thousand thousand worlds shall live in thy heart and be the Life and Joy of thy Soul and fill thee with peace that passeth all understanding The joy of the Holy Ghost that is a manifest and eminent part of our Communion with the Holy Ghost shall then be at its full height which now we have but some tasts and drops of Rom. 14.17 That that Christ hath been so long aiming and driving at will then be attained Joh. 15.11 and 16.24 Their Joy is the Element the Saints in Heaven live in they breath in no other Aire but that the Ocean they swim in It is that they enter and go into Mat. 25.21 23. Joy at once expresses Heaven and Heavenly Glory It is a Mass or Heap of Joy a Region of Joy an Aire and Element of Joy the Joy of the Lord God the Joy of the Holy Ghost into which they are brought and where they breath and live and swim in the fulness thereof for ever Psal 16.11 2. A second thing considerable in the positive Happiness of the Saints in Heaven is their inherent personal subjective the former particular pointeth chiefly to their objâ—ctive Glory though they go together and therâ—fore both there and here somewhat of both Glory or perfection both of Soul and Body This partly makes them capable of that foresaid full enjoyment of God and partly results from it For our present frail weak and distempered faculties are not capable of that Glory and Glorious Communion 1 Cor. 15.50 and 2.9 they must therefore be raised up to an higher state of Perfâ—ction in order thereunto And the enjoyment of that Communion with God continually reflects unspeakable Glory and Happiness inherent Excellencies upon the whole man But hence the person of each Saint is Glorified filled with Glorious Excellency and Perfection both of Soul and Body All that be there are Glorified Persons Rom. 8.17 18 30. Colâ—ss 3.4 Glorious or Glorified they are both in their
being made a Spiritual Body i. e. perfectly subject and conformable to the Spirit and Noble operations of the Soul It will be an help not an hinderance and so an advantage and incouragement to the Soul and to the whole man in taking in those pleasures that are above As the Souls or the Saints state of subsisting will be more perfect and compleat when re-united so will its operation be The Saint will then with bodily eyes behold the man Christ this is more then he did before with infinite contentation that Job put an Emphasis upon that with those eyes he should see God Job 19.25 26 27. with Bodily Ears hear and Tongue utter forth the Praises of God With and through Bodily senses act upon and take in the Glory of Heavenly objects Christ and the Saints c. this is a great Addition to what was before 4. There shall then be a manifestation of the Glory of the Saints unto the whole World This is an eminent and remarkable accession of Glory that shall be to the Saints at the Resurrection and last Judgment And when the Scriptures extoll the Glory that shall be then it hath special respect unto this The Glory that the Saints have on Earth and also that which they have now in Heaven in their Souls it is a secret and hidden thing from the World they go up and down the World now under a mean outside and look like other men and they do to visible appearance as others do and their Bodies are carried to the Graves as others and turned to the dust And whither their Souls go is not known their Happiness is an unseen thing by any other eye but that of Faith But then it shall be revealed and made manifest to the wonderful Glory of God and to their singular comfort and advancement Rom. 8.18 Now the Saints have only concealed Glory hidden under a cloud of sufferings under the Image of the Earthly Adam which go to the Grave with them but then revealed not only to them in a word and promise but in and upon them in real and visible accomplishment 1 Joh. 3.1 2. Colos 3.3 4. Neither Christ nor Christians do now appear to a blind World as they be but then they shall then their Glory shall be made manifest unto all So 2 Thes 1.10 Vid. Dutch Annot. Consider a little here 1. To whom 2. Of what this manifestation shall then be 1. The Glory of the Saints shall at the last day be manifest to all the World to Men Angels Devils in the most publick open manner as Christs proceedings with them his owning acknowledging acquitting of them shall be publick so as all men shall see and know that these men are Happy men Beloved of God the Brethren of Christ Vessels of Glory and Partakers of the Kingdom In special 1. They shall then be manifested one to another We hope well now of the good state of the dying Saints Friends Relations but then we shall be fully certain when we shall meet them in the Congregation of the Righteous and at the right hand of Christ at the great day and see them finding Mercy of the Lord at that day as 2 Tim. 1.18 when the Parents shall meet the Children and the Friend his Friends Brethren and gracious Acquaintance there among the sheep at Christs Right hand This happily may be known by the Souls departed before in Heaven But most fully and openly then which is the time when every one hath his publick and open Judgment to be seen of all though he had his personal private and particular Judgment before But besides they shall not only know each others state in General but in Particular hear of and behold the Graces and Gracious Actings of the Faithful their Brethren in Christ and all the Gracious dealings of God with them the whole progress of his Love from first to last laid open then in that Revelation-day the day of Judgement 1 Cor. 4.5 this will endear them each to other 2. To all the wicked and Reprobates both Men and Devils To those that have despised opposed Reproached Scorned Persecuted Insulted over them here As it was said of Christ when Judged Abused and Despitefully used Mat. 26.64 So it may be said of Christians hereafter shall the wicked yea those same persons that here abused them see them arrayed in Robes of Glory and sitting on Thrones as their Judges sitting on the Throne with Christ Revel 3.21 For as Christ shall appear so shall the Saints also appear with him in Glory Colos 3.4 The Saints shall Judge wicked Men and Devils and surely they shall see and know and behold them sit as their Judges 1 Cor. 6 2 3. so Luk. 13.18 They that here counted them mad-men Fanatical Frantick Conceited Humoursom Foolish Creatures shall then see that they made the wisest choice c. They did not so much despise them now as they shall admire them then 2 Thes 1.10 2. Of what there will be a manifestation or what in special will then be manifested of and concerning the Saints and their Glory to all the World viz. 1. Their Graces and good Works the service they have done for God both in doing and suffering Eccles 12.14 The good works of the Godly as well as the evil Works of the wicked shall then be laid open 1 Cor. 4.5 i. e. Every good man for what is good so 1 Pet. 1.7 A tryed Faith that hath held out through many tryalls shall then be held up before the World and Commended Praised Honoured by the Lord Jesus which will not be so much the Commendation of themselves as of his own Grace and work in them For all is of him their good works the acts and the fruits of their Graces even such as themselves can hardly tell how to own He will own them and speak of them before all the World Mat. 25.35 40. though they be poor things in themselves and as from them yet as they are the fruit of his Spirit and Grace in them the stamp of his own Image the effects of sincere love to him The poor but childish actings of his children here the things he hath made Gracious Promises to and so he will make much of them and put an honour upon them before the World Mat. 10.32 Luk. 12.8 Revel 3.5 The Lord Jesus will confess acknowledge and own every one of them before all the World and will confess all they have done for him He will say these are they that have continued with me in my Temptations Luk. 22.28 that have preferred a good Conscience before all Riches and Honours that renounced the World to follow me fully that forsook all for me and loved not their Lives to the Death These are my Brethren Sisters Friends Mother that have done the will of my Father Mat. 12.49 50. He will not be ashamed of us then if we be not ashamed of him now 2. Their Crown of Happiness and Glory which the Lord hath laid
missed of happiness they should not and that it was another sort of people that were accursed and not they Joh. 7.49 Luk. 18.11 12. multitudes have dropt to Hell that lived and died in great expectations of Heaven being deceived some through Haeretical previty some through practical hypocricy of heart and life yea many that have been great professors it may be Preachers of the Truth Mat. 7.21 22 23. Luk. 13.24 25 26. Prov. 14.12 Rom. 2.17 21. Rev. 3.17 Luk. 18.11 12. Paul acts with all diligence in the way of Salvation as being quickned with fear 1 Cor. 9.27 which though he was assured of his Salvation through grace was a just fear in a condition alway viz. in case he should be negligent sensual slight and slothful in running for the prize he might then fall short and be rejected at last as a spurious hypocrite his being a Preacher would not save him The guile and deceitfulness of our hearts the narrowness of the way the manifold Temptations of Satan and the World do make it difficult not to be deceived in that great point Oh what need have we with fear and diligence to labour after a grounded sound assurance of a state of life of utmost care and pains to make our Calling and Election and so our Glorification sure And there is much need to press such matters as these to quicken to this work for the heart is very backward to it and apt to be slight and slothful in it and that is a main reason why so many live without assurance because they neglect and put of the matter and will not be perswaded to set themselves in good earnest about it to take effectual pains to make all sure It is the Lazy Christian that usually lives without assurance Quest What course may we take for the obtaining of this assurance of Eternal Life and Glory Answ For Direction here We have many occasions though not too many to be speaking somewhat of this nature Let me at present propound something 1. By way of means to obtain this 2. By way of tryal or helps to discern and discover the truth and certainty of our title to Heaven 1. For a way of means to obtain this 1. Pray much and earnestly for assurance I speak properly to those that are regenerate or have hopeful beginnings of Grace in them though the things we speak may be of use also unto others to mind them what they are to pursue after Where there wants Faith pray for it but where there is Faith or somewhat of it pray for more of it for growth and exercise and that in special unto full assurance It is Christs own direction to his Disciples Joh. 16.24 If we have not full Joy it is because we have empty slight and thin prayers they that are much in asking shall be much in receiving both Sanctifying and Comforting Grace And oh sweet consideratlon that it is the mind and will of Christ that we should seek and pray for full Joy and Peace in believing so Joh. 15.11 He speaks to us for this and he would have us speak to God for it He would not have you alwayes drooping and complaining nor live a poor scant scrambling beggarly life He would have you have full Joy and abound be rich what are you beggarly and have scâ—râ—e afâ—w rags of broken hopes to cover you Rom. 15.13 Pray for this this is according to his will you shall be welcome to ask it of him 1 Joh. 5.14 15 and that is the way prayer according to his will with faith that he hears such prayers to come to know as v. 13. The Lord would have us not only sip but take full draughts of the water of Life Joh. 7.37 and that by or in a way of asking the same Job 4.10 Prayer takes up what is left us in the promise The Lord hath left you large portions of all Grace Sanctifying and Comforting yea Eternal Glory to be enjoyed fully hereafter and in the assurance hope and Comfort of it here Go and take it up by humble fervent Prayer for it 's the Legacy Christ hath left you Turn all his promises into prayer and desire him to do as he hath said 2 Sam. 7.25 27 28 29. You are thus far sure at least that he hath spoken of such things that he hath to give and that you are bidden pray and seek for them and that he will do them for them that heartily seek them Oh with what sweet hope and incouragement may you pray for these things And prayer is not only a means for the time to come but it oft brings in present incomes of the good prayed for The Bucket of prayer dipt into the well of Salvation or of the waters of life comes up full and that many times unto feeling as well as unto Faith for unto Faith true prayer alwayes does so How often does the Lord sweetly comfort and establish the Soul while the praying for Comfort and stablishment Ps 4.6 7. How oft does David in his Psalms close with Praise when he began with Prayer We have examples in Scripture of extraordinory appearances to Gods Servants while they were praying Dan. 9.20.23 Act. 11.5 and 22.17 18. and much more frequent are more ordinary Communications of Grace and Consolation in Prayer but it must be hearty fervernt importunate Prayer empty lifeless Forms and Customary overly performances do much harden the heart and quench the spirit and do provoke the Lord to withdraw instead of coming near the Soul But 2 Chron. 15.15 Luk. 11.8 9. Hos 12.3 4. 2. Labour after the mortifying and subduing of your special and beloved sin your own iniquity For while that prevails that darkens the sincerity and Efficacy of Grace in the Soul breaks the Peace thereof grieves the Holy Spirit who thence withdraws his Comforting work But when that is subdued and there is a good measure of victory over it and a plain penitent departing from it not only by exchange of one bosome sin into another nor by its bring out of date in regard of the natural disposition of the Body c. but when really mortified made better to the heart the Soul broken from and for it watchful against it improving Christ for Redemption from it that is a plain evidence of the sincerity of Grace Psal 18.21 23. If that master sin be mortified all sin is and where there is true mortification there is true union to Christ by Effectual Calling and a state of Life Eternal Hence the cutting off of the right hand i. e. of the bosom-sin is accompanied with entrance into life that is a thing accompanies Salvation Heb. 6.9 Mark 9.43 47. Hence when the Apostle would raise them up to a Heavenly frame such as might shew them to be indeed risen with Christ He calls on them to mortifie their special Corruptions Colos 3.1 2 3 5. And now when sin is subdued and the Soul is taught to walk with God in his wayes the