Selected quad for the lemma: heaven_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
heaven_n	church_n	earth_n	triumphant_a	4,427	5	11.4398	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A39768	The true settlement of a Christians faith,bafter shaking assaults, by its own evidence; and by the internal sealing work of the spirit; pointed at, in some special inquiries thereon in a letter to a friend. With some serious reflections on the present times we are in, and those great vicissitudes of providence, wihch have been in the publick state of Britain in this last age, in a II. letter. By a minister of the Ghospel [sic].	Fleming, Robert, 1630-1694.	1692 (1692)	Wing F1277A; ESTC R215628	111,123	216

seased with a deeper sense then others of the high and wonderful consequence of such a Faith as to themselves and what is their personal interest herein on which their souls venture for eternity lyes so as it is not strange that they can not possibly enjoy the comfort of such a Faith under any doubtful suspence this way or have their souls at rest with that manner of assent wherewith most satisfie themselves in this day 3. Yea it is these alone who have another Idea of Religion and the wonders of the Christian Faith settled on their spirit then the residue of men who thus see what great things are before them and shortly to come to pass and how such a Faith is not easily attained but that a continued weight and exercise herein on their spirits become unavoidable And tho Sir to one of such a spirit as I know you are off there needs little be said of this kind yet when I look on the face of this Generation even of the more serious part of men herein it would appear that most were rather in a sleep and dream then awake else were it conceivable how they could find it easie to bear and stand under the weight of such discoveries without almost fainting under the greatness hereof if they be indeed assured of such things as these 1. That within a little time their eyes are to be for ever shut on this earth and in one moment opened on that entry which is into another World and on that hid and marvelous passage which lyes betwixt the earth and the higher Paradise above which is in the thrid Heavens and will then know what it is to see with clear and preceptible evidence ther conduct and convoyance by the blessed Angels and the manner of their ascent through these Aetherial Regions in every step of the same their begun acquaintance and society with these glorious spirits which shall be without fear and consternation as when they were in the body and at last that unconceivable reception by the blessed Trinity now is it possible that men here on the earth can with assurance entertain their souls with such great things as before them and near and yet in an ordinare way converse with the same 2. Is it a light or small thing to live in the Faith of such a Triumph as is reserved to each of the Saints in the issue of their warefare when the God of Peace shall tread Satan under their feet and shall enter them into the overcomers joy with that publick testimonie well done good and faithful servant c. before the whole Church of the redeemed there and then to be called to a peculiar assignment of their room and station in that blessed state answerable to their services and attainments of grace here when they shall see the end of the Lord in his whole conduct and methods of providence about them within time which once seemed incomprehensible to their thoughts 3. Yea what is it to be in the serious exercise of such a Faith that in a short time there shall be a final translation of the whole Church militant from this earth to these higher Regions of glory where no more distance of place and but one Church and Society for ever where our blessed Redeemer shall then rejoice in his whole puchase whom he had bought at so dear a price and presented without spot or blemish unto the Father and where the whole elect from Abell the first of humane race that entred Heaven and the first member of the Church triumphant there to the l●st who was called by the Ghospel shall meet once and for ever together 4. And are there such now on the earth who shall ere long see themselves in the same state and classe with the elect Angels who could not in this state of mortality bear the sight or apparition of one of these glorious spirits yea shall enjoy them in the same intimacy of fellowship as these that were redeemed from amongst men and tho with humble sobriety I would offer any thoughts on so high a mystery yet seems it sa●ely warranted to judge that as each of these blessed spirits is a distinct person from other endued with a most excellent life and understanding tho in some different degree of exaltation as to their office and services so are they ane undoubted part of the Church over which Christ is the supreme Head wherein at that last and great Jubilee even in something of a glorious corporeal frame there may be a likness and conformity to him in whom the fulnesse of the God head dwells bodily and for a more near onenesse and Communion with the Saints made perfect who shall then not only be like but equal to the Angels which otherwise could not be well understood since it is sure their bodies though then spiritual and glorious will be the same in substance that they were here and will not be only spirits 5. And what a wonder of our Faith should it be that ere long this also shall be the object of mens sense the conflagration of this whole earth that earth on which most of the generations of men had settled their Heaven to see it all burnt up before them and herein the final issue of their hopes and projects upon the same whilst nothing to such will then further remain but to enter themselves into everlasting flames 6. Is it a small thing to enjoy such a Faith here on the earth as that reunion which they shall then have with so endeared a part of themselves their body and what a meeting that must be after so dark a parting and separation these very bodies which had been partners with them both in their work and services and in all their sufferings within time which they can now embrace never to part with to partake of the same eternal enjoiments and which will be then no lett to their ascent to meet the Lord in the air 7. Can it possibly be a subject of ordinare thoughts or assent that men now on the earth shall shortly see the glory and state of the last Judgment and of their blessed Head on that Throne of His Majesty yea thus see at once the whole generations of men and these who sometime were the greatest Monarchs here presented then to be judged and to see such a solemn particular and distinct judgment past on each according to their deeds and work within time and in that blessed order wherein the whole Saints and each personally of these having a distinct part herein shall be first acquitt approven and accepted in the face of this great Assembly with the publick testimony of the Judge according to the measure of their service and tryalls for his sake whilst they were in the World and next in the condemnatory part of that Judgment to see the whole fallen Angels who first sinned have the first final sentence past on them as it was thus intimate after the fall

things of God which is alone sacred to him what concerns the publick rights and freedome of the spiritual Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ as a visible politick body with the highest respect to his Royal Authority who is the alone Head and Lawgiver thereto It is known that he hath given ane express Charter for the same to his Church under the New Testament according to which the due limits and bounds of that spiritual Jurisdiction which he hath settled there and the full extent hereof sould be both keep'd clear and closely adhered to as ane Interest of the Lord Jesus which is as the apple of his eye he hath join'd also these two great Interests of the Civil and Ecclesiastick Power in so entire a harmony that tho they are to be ever keep'd distinct yet are not to be divided from other but to move jointly in such a blessed and desirable Union as may most serve the great ends of the Kingdome of Christ and the publick good of humane Society and now when this great promise of Christs entring in a more conspicious manner on the Glory of his Reign is come to the birth and begun to bring forth which is that period where to it may be said hath been reserved the perfections of ihe Churches visible state here on the earth how highly desirable should it be to be found assistant thereto in such a day but oh is it possible that these who have such raised hopes of an eternal Crown and Kingdome in Heaven can have so low desires or designs how to be serviceable to the Kingdome of Christ here in the earth yea when none can want an interest and room in this service where it hath once a weight and value on their heart but yet it may be a matter of hope this day that these who by so singular an appearance of God hath now the Soveraign Power and Authority in these Nations are no less eminently fitted to appear for him herein then they are stated under the highest engagements for such ane end 3. It is surely one of the things of God and an interest which is purely sacred to him wherein the spreading of his Kingdome in the World is most nearly concerned which lyes in a serious and faithful Ministry to the Church and is of that concern as it may be justly called Indicium stantis cadentis Ecclesiae for this is one of the highest Ordinances of Christ given to the Church and that way which he hath himself consecrated for the inbringing and perfeiting of the Elect by which so great effects are wrought in the World where ever there is a divine mission for the same to any part thereof the Church is in a building up there ane Ordinance by which most visible efficacy supernatural influences are conveyed in a moral way under the blessing of that iustitution but on the other hand nothing is more threatning to a Nation as to the falling down of some dismal night of judgement then the corruption and debaesing of that which in it's own nature is so excellent where things that are more extrinsick and of a humane concern are so much looked after but that which is Gods part in the great intent of this erection is of so low regard that if ane Inquiry were made through a great part of Britain they should find the dark places of the earth there stil amidst so bright a day of the Ghospel as is now shining what a multitude is thus perishing thorow want of knowledge whilst it seems so ●itle desired or designed to have such a Ministry whose highest study should be upon the great Intent of Christianity to bring men to Christ not to themselves and to allure and perswade their coming under his blest dominion and yoake to press internal renovation of the heart and a necessity hereof with that seriousnes as might take hold on their conscience and let them see there can be nothing more highly irrational then to sist in ane exterior profession and form of Religion and not prove once upon their own tryall the truth hereof in its power and efficacy and whither it hath not a vital part which lyes in ane inward life of Communion with God for as this alone is such a Ministry that should be the blessing of a Nation and Kingdom so in respect of this to be of such a distinguishing Profession tho in its self most agreable to the truth should be of no regard where this is wanting as a test for so sacred ane Office It is I hope unquestionable that the trust of the souls of men is greater then any temporal concerns of a Kingdom or State and how this Ordinance is that which hath the most peculiar influence to prepare the way of the Lord in this day for that blessed and near approaching time of his more conspicous Reign on the earth in the Glory thereof I abstract here from any thing controversal as things are stated in the present day only as to what I hope there may be ane unite agreement in by all who have a deep sence on their spirits of the blood and perishing of immortal souls this way and a serious respect to that Catholick Interest of the Kingdom of Christ amongst men I know it was never a harder part then in this age to stemm such a tide as seems yet on the growing hand of prejudice against the way of truth when so many are in the dark tearing one another and counting it desirable to have where at they may offend and stumble whilst that study is not more followed to prevent so far as is possible mens taking of offence even where it is not given according that of the Apostle who is offended and I burn not the excess of disputing in this age hath been a peece of our judgement and the managing thereof so little to that end of edification but the defect may be no less evident on the other hand for the suitable improvements of Christian prudence as a duty and service to God so absolutely necessar for the regulating of duties according to the circumstances of the Churches case and what the present day can bear without coolness or indifference in any concern of truth which is that part of our Religion that hath been too little improven We are indeed blessed with an unchangeable rule of Sacred Truth which hath no dependence on humane Counsels or Power to change or alter the same or on the mutable revolutions of time and can never vary from its self yet is the tenderness and wisdom of divine Condescendence in the application thereof to be so far regarded as on of the most weighty parts of Religion lyes therein how present duties may be with a judicious discretion directed to that great end of edification since that which may be necessare in one case as it is cloathed with other circumstances may be hurtful and destructive This is one of the most difficult

gain under such conflicts and assaults in their spiritual course as go above the possibility of nature to withstand 3. And what a wonder may one Christian be who does converse with God here on the earth both to himself and others who hath such near enjoyments of the divine presence hath such astonishing hopes hath ever the Elect Angels to be both their guard and observers and tho the Saints above return no more to converse with us yet is it not questionable but that they have the same prospect of the outgoings of providence towards the Saints yet militant as to their services trialls and victories which the Angels have to whom they are now made equal and in the same state of perfection and that they know the return of their prayers in behalfe of such who are on the earth for whom they had wrestled with God whilst they were upon it yea that the joy which is in Heaven and in the presence of the Angels on the conversion of sinners respects the whole Church triumphant and I humbly judge even in that sence may the in●ent of that Scripture be understood Hebr. 12 1. as to such a cloud of Witnesses c. 3. Let me referr you to one great instance also wherein our Redeemer hath in ane eminent way made himself visible before the World since his Ascension which is in the greatness of that seall of Martyrdom where you may see with joy and admiration that as he did alott the highest discoveries of his love unto lost man to the day of the Ghospel so did he reserve unto these times the highest Testimony and triall of the Love of Mankind to him This is a great Subject tho it be easily past without a suitable weight and impression of the same how high an interest this hath in the Christian Faith wherein 1. the truth of such a wonderful seall in the matter of fact is not possible to question 2. And that it 's sure there was no personated shew in these unexpressible sufferings of these Saints for Christ nor did the World in such a persecuting work through most of the times of the New Testament conflict with a sh●dow herein and if a reall Miracle be such as exceed the sphere and possibility of nature it hath thus the most full and undeniable evidence nor vvere it possible that the most excellent of the earth should upon choise act such a part of imbracing death under the greatest torments when their life and the enjoyments of time was set before them if they had not been acted by a Divine Spirit and knew these unexpressible comforts and joy which was then given in for their support and matter of present sense and fealing to be no illusion of mind herein 3. It is on this Head you can see and compare what a difference was betwixt the Legal Sacrifices under the Old Testament which were figurative and typical and these freewil offerings and oblations of love by Martyrdom under the Ghospel which were offered up as a publick confirmatory Seall to the Divinity of Christ and that the desire of all Nations was now come how the one did in a mystery and under a vaile confirm the Churches Faith of a Redeemer to come the other with the highest evidence of power did attest his being come and seall this Testimony with their Blood the one from a temporary and positive Institution the other not only under a constraint of light but an imposition of love by the Spirit of Christ and of Glory resting on them was thus offered up and as to the quality of these Sacrifices how great a difference was herein the one only of Beasts wherein the Lord would admit no humane Sacrifice to be typical but now after the great propitiation was offered up these Sacrifices of Love was not only of men but of the most excellent of humane race who in purity and holiness were the greatest ornament of the earth in their day the number whereof since the Ascension of Christ is of that extent as can be only known by him who counts the number of the Stars so innumerable have they been yea as to the expence and allowance of so high a service men can not exerce reason and not see it did not only answer but exceed the measure of their sufferings and how these Flames of Love in which they were offered was more prevalent then these of the Fire 4. And is it not matter of sweet Reflection herein that as the incomprehensible Love of God unto man is the admiration of the elect Angels so this illustrious testimony of humane Love unto God is not only made conspicous to them but is both the foile and torment of the Powers of Darkness to see such a triumph of the Power of Grace amongst men here on the earth made visible wherein my soull desires to rejoice that as our blest Head hath assigned such a measure of his sufferings as a testimony to the truth to be filled up by his People under the times of the New Testament and to take a higher tryall of the love of mankind herein to him then he would take even of the love of the blessed Angels so hath this Testimony with the clearest and undeniable evidence been made known But there is a 4. special Instance of the out goings of our Redeemer in a visible discovery of himself to the World since his Ascension which is in the successive course of the Ghospel amongst the Nations and these remarkable Periods of the rising and setting of this blessed light on different places of the earth on which a few things I would speak for your further clearing herein 1. That it is undeniable the Gentiles have their appointed times which must be fulfilled Luke 21 v. 24. wherein the fulness thereof must be brought in Rom. 11 25. which Scriptures bear expresly the same intent but it 's now many ages since these times of the Gentiles hath been fulfilled both in Asia and Africa where the Ghospel in its course at the Sun hath had its first upbreaking hen in the East and its progress to the West and Northern Parts of the Earth 2. That it is clear these times of the Gentiles and the fulness thereof is to be only understood in a distinct and separate State from the Jews so that as the Jewish Church once had their proper times allotted them in a separate state from the whole residue of the World so have the Gentiles had their times under the New Testament peculiar to them only and the Spirit of God hath there expresly shewed that this great Revolution in the incalling of the Jews to the Christian Faith is not to be expected until these times be once accomplish'd when there shall be then no more distinguishing names of Jew and Gentile and no proper interest owned by them in a divided way as formerly but that the Lord shall be one and his name one in that blessed frame of his universal

Party and it s a threatning case when the security and interest of a Nation stands more by a permissive Providence and singular longsuffering of God then by promise The discovery of hid Plots and Contrivances against the Government hath been of late in a special manner remarkable but oh there is one Plot which is of ane other nature to be above all fear'd that 's caried on not in the dark but in the publick light to betray these Nations to the Common Adversary it is such a Plot as was betwixt Balak and Balaäm to divide Israël from God that their strength might depart from them when once there is a sad departure from him and it 's sure these who ever are interessed herein hath the most active concurrence to weaken and bring low the Politick Body of Britain to hasten on a dismal night and advance the interest and strength of visible Adversaries But if there be no suitable appearance in this day to counteract so dismal a Plot and the growing strength of such a Conspiracy herein there may be then too just cause for these of the most serious spirit to long to have their part acted and be gone off the stage ere they see the dreadful Effects hereof and what ever advantage be of external means it might be too easy then to judge of future things where an inordinate respect to men and a low regard to keep in with God is one of the publick signs of the time we are in I know it 's no easy thing to improve the Providences of times past that are at any distance from us or to bring them home by a just application to the present day and to compare what we now see of the Way and Workings of God with what hath already past in these late Years but if this were more improven and understood there might be another view and discerning of the times we are in and what of the night now it is we have seen in some singular way the rising and falling of humane interests so contrare to humane reason and expectations as might tend fully to clear from what hand they came and to what Issue they were directed we have seen such Revolutions which the Churches of Britain hath gone thorough and hath past over the same as seem yet little understood and it must be a perverse and false Judgment if it be supposed that we have no more to do herewith but a naked remembrance of such things in the matter of Fact and what was mens way and part therein But that I may come more near on this Subject there are some things that need to be further understood thereon 1. That it 's sure when such a Gape this day is lying open betwixt us and divine Wrath there can be no standing herein without a serious interceeding Work with God by immediate addresses when its unexpressible what a mighty efficacy this hath on the World and the great changes thereof and how far he hath subjected the Interest of Nations to the Prayers of the Saints It is a hopeful sign when Rulers and Magistrates do call and excite a Nation to publick fasting and prayer but in the ordinare way it 's followed this day upon so extraordinare an application to the Majesty of God it may be just matter of fear if such essential requisites be not concurrent therewith 1. That the same Authority and Power be interposed for a serious and impartial Inquiry as to National Sins which are most prevalent in the time where the current of the multitude runs and hath the loudest cry to Heaven since otherwise a solemn address of this kind might bear a sad evidence of Atheism and Impiety to suit National Deliverances and Protection and that the Holy God would be with us and propitious to us for the publick State of the Nation whilst we are not with him yea that he would not forsake us whilst our forsaking him is so visible which is in effect to plead that the most settled unalterable establishments of his truth be made void and rescinded for our sake yea can another return be expected in such a case then what is Ezech. 14 4. 2. That something then upon so extraordinare an address to Heaven might be designed by publick Authority in a promissary way to be made practicable as sould tend to a more visible resolute withstanding the growing strength of such National evils and may thus bear a publick testimony and appearance against them from such who stand under so high a trust unto God for this end 2. Where this great service is taken to heart for standing in the gape this day before God there needs also some clear discerning of the end and design of Providence in these astonishing su●cessive changes which hath of late gone over this Generation it 's true there may be many ends at once reached in any signal piece of the Work of G●d about his Church yet is there surely still some higher great end which he hath therein that should be most deeply enquired into and tho I can attain little this way in respect of others yet may with humble confidence say that under a serious pressure of spirit I have sought to understand the same and how to trace the Lines of Providence in the strange Revolutions of this age to the Center of that great Design of the Lord therein to which all these oppositions which hath been made to the same hath so remarkably brought on their own fall and breaking in that way but this I must further in sist on tho there needs specially a turning our eyes first back to times past for discerning the Work of God in our day and to see in what a circuit divine Judgment did go from on part of the Reformed Churches to another with the very first date and entry upon this remarkable age and when that Sword which was bathed in Heaven and had it's commission to Germany and Bohem in that sore and long intestine War there had once done it's work then did it in a successive course enter on the Churches of Britain and Ireland and a c●p of trembling from the Lord put into there hand and then did begin that great Scene of Providence which hath been since acted there wherein as in all the most remarkable Steps and Periods hereof hath the voice of the Lord been expresly pointing at this great end and design in the same for bringing his counsel more clearly to light if we had eyes to perceive and hearts to understand what is his work and declared intent herein which is that the Kingdoms of this World may become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ who shall reign for ever and ever Revelat. 11 15 and that his Interest in these Nations as a part of that inheritance which was in a peculiar way given him of the Father Psalm 2 8. be more fully asserted in the Glory of his Regal Power against all such