time by some of the wonders of the world as by the foresaid Diana's Temple Mansolus Tomb or some other Prodigies of Industry and Ostentation which have had many years thousands of men all that time and millions of mony laid out to raise them in but this house is not of mans making But 2. In the Affirmative It 's a Building of God A structure raised by him who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working him that made Sun and Moon and created Angels and glorious spirits Oh what a sublime and glorious place must this needs be Solomon was a wise man and therefore the Temple he made was a wonderful thing but a greater than Solomon is here and therefore the work must needs be much more great and stupendious Oh how splendid then is this Habitation of Souls Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable and past finding out is this building of God which he has prepared as an habitation for the souls of his Saints 3. Let us consider it as to its durableness for that is the next thing in our words to wit that it is eternal A building of God not made with hands eternal The body is far from being eternal as I have shew'd you and Houses in this world Gutta cavat lapidem c. though they be made of flint yet wear away with time but this house in the superiour world is endless-endless And 't is here as not in all other things the longer the better the length is the happiness Eternity in this dwelling of souls is an infinite endless progress and duration of most glorious happiness but we had best let this alone till we come there for it will be difficult to speak pertinently of it till then Oh who would value that which hath an end unless it be as it leads to that which hath no end all things must needs be as dung and dross that are of a perishing nature What a matchless wonder and durable miracle is eternity that swallows up all our Chronology and Arithmetick It was our misery as to the worldly Paradise that there was a way out of it but none in again but it 's our happiness in glory that there is a way in but none out again 4. And Lastly Let 's consider the Country where this glorious dwelling lies and that is in the Heavens A building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens Some Countries have vast trade others most fruitful soil Some have most healthfull and pleasing air and others most famous Arts But what are all these to Heaven but a company of pleasing appearances represented in a dream Oh 't is Heaven that is all alone and all things else are nothing without it Who would not desire an house where all desirables that can be thought oâ— are freely and fully to be enjoyed Why this house only stands in Heaven Here is no man sick no man poor no man reproached no man hath any ailment at all This is the excelling Country indeed Who would not have a dwelling here Well here all true Saints must be Inhabitants Now Is it not fully apparent That the souls of true Saints have a more glorious and magnificent habitation in the other world seeing I have shew'd you what they both are And does not this which is in heaven infinitely out-shine that which is here on earth Thus I have illustrated the truth of the Doctrine by a little glossing upon the words of the Text. My next thing is 2. To Apply this Doctrine and to bring it into life and use in four Exhortations 1. If it be thus that the souls of true Saints have a more glorious and magnificent Habitation in the other world then Let the souls of true Saints be wained to the present habitations in which they dwell in this lower World Who would be fond of an old thatched crazy Cottage of an House made of such perishing materials that wash away with every storm such an one as if it had not dayly new props to shoar it up would presently drop down into the dirt and when all is done that can be done down it will fall presently It 's much like a suit of cloathes that wear gradually away every day and must in a little time be put off and laid aside or else will piece by piece fall off the mans back that wears them to this the Apostle alludes when he tells of putting off this Tabernacle and that shortly 2 Pet. 1.14 And so doth the Psalmist Psal 102.26 when he saith All of them wax old like a garment and as a vesture they shall be changed And Paul tells you of the world in general 1 Cor. 7.31 That the fashion of it passeth away Oh what a cooling character is that of Saint James concerning this clay-house in which the soul dwells at present when he saith What is it and answers his own question saying It s even a vapour that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away Mans body is often compared to a flower that flourisheth in the morning Job 14.1 2. Psal 103.14 15.16 1 Pet. 1.24 and is very brave and illustrious but before night is cut down and withered away unto a very obscure or cloudy appearance Who would not now be weaned to the Souls present lower house And the rather because if we be Saints there is one that is glorious and magnificent behind in an higher and more happy Region 2 Cor. 5.8 Who would not be weaned to the thing they must most certainly and suddenly leave and such a thing too as within a very little while will so rot and stink that those who were once most enamoured upon it will be as importunate as once Abraham was to bury their dead out of their sight Ah poor Bodies Who would humour and pamper such pitiful vile carkasses to the wronging of their interest in that more glorious building of God in Heaven Thus be weaned to the souls present Habitation and that in such a manner as the gracious Paul once was when he kept under the body and brought it into subjection lest 1 Cor. 9 2â— notwithstanding his holy Profession and services he himself should be a cast away How brave was that of Seneca How manlike And how divine Major sum ad majora natus quam ut sim mancipium corporis mei 2. If it be thus that there is such a more glorious and magnificent habitation for souls in the other world and that our souls must within a little while be gone out of these poor clay-huts in which they now dwell Then let us do all we can to get a title to that more glorious and magnificent habitation It is such an House as all men that will may purchase and yet every man that will may have a full title to it Now the Doctrine fairly intimates how this House not made with hands eternal in the
the Sepulchre door Two Maries stand I find no women more So that from Cradle to the Passion From Passion to the Resurrection From Resurrection to the Ascention Observe you may a Mary still was one The Army of such Ladies so Divine This Lady said I 'le follow they all Ar-mine Lady Elect In whom there did combine So many Maries might'st say All Ar mine Thou Mother Sister Spouse wast of the Lord In that in Heart and Life thou kept his word With th' other Mary chose the better Part With Mary Magd'len hadst a most tender Heart On Christ a Mary spent all that she could Though others grudg'd more if she had she would To th' Head above couldst not o' th' Feet below Thou didst not spare much cost for to bestow Thy name a precious Ointment and the Armies Of Saints and Angels are the Lady Armines Now God and Christ ar thine and what 's Divine In Heav'ns-enjoyment Blest soul now all ar thine J. Sheffield 2 Cor. 5.1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens Funeral Sermons derive their Original from Primitive times and are of a pious design to affect the Heart by the ear with a sense of Death and Judgement Eccles 7.1 and so raise the soul above the world above sense and flesh which things I shall attempt from the double Text before me viz. This I have read and that which is the occasion of it The Honourable Lady whose interment we attend In this Text we have three general Parts 1. A Supposition If our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolved 1. This supposition contains it A description of the present worldly tenement in which the soul dwells which is a poor mean thing in these words our earthly house of this tabernacle What meanness these words import you shall see presently 2. An intimation of the downfall of this Tenement this clay-house will inevitably e're long tumble down into the dust as we see by these words were dissolved Now this supposal would be very grievous if not followed with that which is able to render it much more eligible and pleasing viz. 2. A Proposition We have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens Here also we have two things 1. The description of the souls glorious house in the other world and that is very magnificent viz. a building of God a house not made with hands How transcendent this is you shall see by and by when I come to open the termes of it 2. The duration of this dwelling it 's to be eternal in the heavens 3. You have The certainty of these things laid down in these words we know 'T is not a pleasing juggle nor a cunning devised Fable but a thing that we know to be true From these words I shall only give you two Observations or Conclusions though I could easily give you several others 1. It s certain that the souls of men have their various habitations 2. That the souls of true Saints have a more glorious and magnificent habitation in the other world First Conclusion is It s certain that the souls of men have their various habitations One sort of them is in time to wit the dying bodies of men in the Text called earthly houses in the Book of Job called Houses of clay Job 4.19 whose foundations are in the dust These are the Winter Houses where men undergo all the storms and bitter blasts of the present world These stand on the lower ground in the vale among mire and dirt all you that hear me grant this or else you neither know where you are nor what you are Another sort of them is in eternity i. e. either in Heaven or in Hell That the souls of all men when they leave the body make a remove to one of these two places hath been the strong and harmonious belief of the most men that ever lived in the world and is often and plainly affirmed in the indisputable Oracles of God These Habitations of souls which have left their houses of clay are I say either in Heaven or in Hell If in Hell Oh how woful and lamentable they are If in Heaven Oh how happy and blessed beyond all describing and comparison The sole instance of Dives and Lazarus doth competently illustrate these things Luk. 16.25 The certainty of these things appears from the Apostles saying we know that is we know that these things are true we have a full understanding and satisfaction that there is a great reality in what we say This term of knowing often goes for infallibility and certainty in Scripture dialect So that it appears plainly that the souls of men have their various habitations Well then be sure you loose not your better Habitations for your souls in the happy world by over pampering those they dwell in at present As some loose their bodies for their estates so others loose their Heaven for their bodies Rom. 13. clos Mat. 16.26 and like the brutish Cardinal prefer their part in Paris to that in Paradise Again If the soul have variety of habitations then be sure you lay out the greatest pains and cost on that which is the most worthy and will continue longest Eccles 12.5 and that is the house in the other world You are a going presently to remove to your long home where you must abide for a long season a very long-long time Oh then be sure you be best provided for it Alas what will become of them that must dwell with everlasting sorrows that must remove from a bed of down to one of thorns and vipers stings from a sweet air to stinking smells From sumptuous fare to feed on agonies of Conscience and flames of divine wrath from great attendance to be made eternal slaves to ugly devils Oh what mad and infatuated souls that forget those houses from whence they must never remove and yet fondly humour those that must presently be left behind Now it s most certain when men have said what the please to the contrary â—uk 16.19 24 25. 12.18 19. for their lives confute them to their faces that they prize their bodies above their eternity in heaven this silly clay house above that building of God which is without end in glory Second Conclusion is That the souls of true Saints have a more glorious and magnisicent habitation in the other world This I 'le first Illustrate then Apply 1. For Illustration I 'le endeavour to make this truth shine by that rare light which I 'le let in upon you from the words of my Text and here I 'le gloss upon the several termes keeping close to the Apostles Metaphorical manner of speech that the matter may appear as really it is more lofty and high and so be made more winning and taking to your souls that they may more importunately desire
heavens may be got viz. By becoming true Saints We know the Saints great Charter runs for both worlds 1 Cor. 3.21 22 23. All things are yours whether things present or to come The first Chapter and second Verse will tell you that this was spoken to Saints So will the first verse of the second Epistle tell you that the words of my Text are spoken by or of the same happy sort of men 1 Tim. 4.8 Godliness hath the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come This glorious Habitation is promised and prepared for Saints by Christ himself John 14.2 3. In my Fathers house are many mansions I go to prepare a place for you and I will come again and receive you unto my self that where I am there ye may be also Well may the serious soul say Is it possible to get a title here Then I 'le do as the wise Merchant did viz. Sell all that ever I have to get this glorious Habitation made up of matchless Gems of endless value and worth an House cut forth of one great Diamond all round beset and walled with Gold and more excelling things is but an obscure Metaphor of what it is The way to get a Title here you see is to become Saints and how to be such the Gospel gives you many great Characters As it tells us That such an one has laid aside the corrupt nature and life and is got into Ephe. 4.22 â—â— Rom 8.1 and goes on in that nature and life which is divine If meer innocent mortal nature because mortal most not cannot dwell in Heaven as is affirmed in sacred Writ then not corrupted nature that which is morally stained and defiled 1 Cor. 15.48 49 50 53. Psal 5.4 5. Revel 21.27 The Saint is best known by his progressive durable manner of living not by his notional Principles or pretences unto Christ Acts 12.13 14.22 2.23 24. He is one that hath a full purpose of heart about these better things he does not fluctuate but is fixed upon them tide life or death He hath a right and a full mind for God Others must know us by our lives but we may best of all know our selves by our minds by observing which way our wills and affections go for men may practise holy things for company or some other such perishing principles but they cannot will and affect upon these So that the man is what his mind is But I must not be particular if you would dwell in this glorious building when turned out of door from the house of clay then you must become glorious persons but read at your leisure Psalm 15. Well Psal 5. or 24. get a title to this magnificent house in the other world you see the way of doing it and you must be gone hence presently and when you are gone there is but two great houses that all men go unto to dwell in for ever The one is an horrible habitation of Devils and damned spirits full of all manner of unalterable wo and misery and to this you are born heirs and have a fast title Oh do all that ever you can to cut off this Entail And to get Title to that most pleasing ravishing Habitation that is above unto which you have no right by nature but may obtain a full right by entring upon and continuing in the gracious state and life Do not then perish when the way of safety and happiness is so plainly set before you 3. If it be thus that there is such a glorious habitation for the souls of Saints to dwell in when in the other world Then let this incourage Saints while they continue in this world against all the ailments and miseries that attend the body What makes the matter though stormes beat against the crazy walls of the souls present house or though it be about to fall into the dust for you if true Saints have a magnificent house in the other world will make amends for all It 's certain the Apostle brings in my Text upon such an account as this if you compare it with the foregoing Chapter ver 1 8 9 11 16 17 18. And then my Text comes in as an high encouragement As against tiresome and fretting industry and labours Heaven is a rest Heb. 4 9. Rev. 14.13 and there is a cessation from labour all men that get thither shall have an happy maintenance without any toil or sweat at all Against sicknesses and pains this stinging tormenting gout stone and the like shall not last always there is a dwelling behind where these shall not approach an house such an one was never heard of besides as keeps out all ailments and is ever full of health and happiness no groan no sigh is heard in this place not one tear appearing in the eye there is nothing can dwell in it but must smile for ever and ever Revel 21.4 God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes that get thither there shall be no more sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more pain c. Against blemishes and decaies of body because Heaven frees the soul from those ailements its subject to in this afflictive world there will be no blindness nor lameness nor defective nor blemished member or part all things there shall be eternally sound and perfect the first entrance into that place doth render all things juvenile fresh and active The Transfiguration of Christ when his face did shine as the Sun and his raiment was white as the light was some type of what Heaven makes all those that come there Against Scoffs and reproaches and ill usage for serving God there will be no Ishmael to flout at the Son of the promise no Doeg to complain to higher Powers of the innocent servants of God no Saul to persecute them from place to place and to hurry them into Prisons and death if we but once get into heaven then we are quite beyond the reach of what evil men and Devils can do And lastly Against Death it self Oh how dreadful would this be if there was not a most happy life that follows it But death is but the dark passage into a most pleasing happiness or it is the taking down the old crazy shed where the soul dwells at present that the unwillingness may be taken away and it may be removed into that most magnificent house in glory God's put to take down the stakes of the present Tabernacle to make us willing and who would not become willing and encourage themselves to leave the afflicted body and go and see what that most glorious habitation is that is above But 4. And lastly If there be such a most excelling Habitation for the soul then desire to be in it This is what Paul breaths after ver 2 4. following my Text We groan earnestly to be in our house in the heavens saith he Was ever weary or sick child unwilling to put off his clothes