that But at present take some plain Scripture Characters of a true Faith 1. Does thy Faith grow in an humble lowly self-emptying spirit Mat. 5.3 i. e. humbled in the sense of thine own spiritual poverty and wretchedness so as to have no way but to go a begging to Christ for all Those whom the Lord will raise so high as Heaven he first layes them very low in themselves If ever he make you so rich as to give you to Heaven he will first make you very poor very empty lest vile helpless worâ—â—iless strengthless nothings in your selves lying at the foot of free Grace in Christ quite taken off from your selves to fix upon a nâ—w root and foundation in Christ Jesus Isa 57.15 God dwells with such and therefore they shall dwell with God forever pride shuts out of Heaven nothing more Psal 138.6 there shall never come near him they are the humble whom God will save Job 22.29 2. Is there the nature and true spirit of Faith viz. according to the expression in the Text to go no further an hearty answer of obedience to the Call of the Gospel Hath the Call of Christ in the Gospel pierced the ears of thy Soul yea doth it pierce them continually and captivate thy Soul into obedience It is a saying of Doctor Sibbs that is an excellent way of knowing ones Faith as when I know I believe because in hearing Gods gracious promises opened and offered unto me the spirit of God carrieth my Soul to cleave to them as my portion Does the spirit so breath in the Call of the Gospel as to cause thee to come to run to him Isa 55.5 Doest thou now hear and hearken to Christ when he he sayes come in the â—ord of Grace come unto me then thou shalt one day hear him say come in a word of Glory Mat. 25.34 The Comer to Christ never ceaseth coming 1 Pet. 2.4 till he come to him in Glory But if the Lord have bowed thine ear and drawn thine heart to hear and obey the voice of Christ this is sweet and clear evidence for Heaven Joh. 20.27 28. 3. Consider the Concomitants of thy Faith Is it accompanied 1. With Repentance or breaking off from sin from all sin in heart and affection and any known sin in life ann Conversation so true faith is Mark 1.5 Act. 20.21 The path of sin is the path-way to Hell Rom. 6.21.21 Prov. 7.27 And to live and go on therein to follow the trade of any way of sin is inconsistant with true faith 1 Joh. 3.6 But the way of turning from sin to the service of God in Christ is the path way of Life and Heaven having a sure connexion therewith though not as a meritorious cause yet as an inseperable Antecedent Rom. 6.22 2. With willing taking of Christ's yoak upon you subjection to his will in every thing Mat. 11.29 as your head and husband Ephes 5.23 24. that you can deny your selves and your own wills in submission to his will to him as Lord as well as Saviour and in special to his disposing will to bear the Cross at his appointment Mat. 16.24 patience is a conâ—omitant and a sweet evidence oâ— true Faith Heb. 6.12 Revel 13.10 When difâ—â—culties temptations on right hâ—nd or left sufferings tribulations perils do not drive you off frâ—â— the Love of Christ of his truth or wayes or from the way to Heaven the way of the rule this shews you to be good ground and principled for Heaven indeed 2 Thes 1.4 5 7. 2 Tim. 2.12 3. With Love to Christ Jesus Joh. 16.27 so to believe in Christ as to love him dearly and unfeignedly is an evidence of true believing And if you love him you love his truth his Word Mark 8.38 his Wayes his Ordinances his People as such hence that is an evidence for Heaven 1 Joh. 3.14 and 5.1 and when the people of God are under affliction and suffering as they were in the Apostles time and have no worldly advantage to allure you to love them or cleave to them but the contrary It may be you must run great hazards if you imbarque with them then it proves a searching Tryal Of many Professors there are but few that prove of Moses mind when it comes to Heb. 11.25 And when temptations of Worldly allurements or Worldly threatnings trouble cannot buy you off from the Love of Christ Cant. 8.7 4. With living upon Christ and by him Gal. 2.20 That you cling to him as your life have your spiritual soul-subsistance in him and repair to him for Grace to live to God at all times he is your spiritual livelihood from whom you derive spirit strength and Grace Heb. 12.1 2 2 Cor. 3.4 5. and 12.9 Joh. 15.4 5. That is a clear demonstration of true spiritual which is Eternal Life when a man lives not from nor for himself but from Christ Joh. 6.57 and for or to him 2 Cor. 5.15 5. Is it accompanied with forsaking all for him Luk. 14.33 And that may be a third evidence for Heaven Evid 3. If by the Grace of Christ we are taken off from the World and are strangers sojourners and pilgrims in it Then it is a a plain Case as Heb. 11.13 14 16. Every man hath and takes up his portion either in Heaven or Earth if not in Earth then in Heaven if here a pilgrim then his home is in Heaven Nothing less than a Divine and Heavenly good and a relish thereof by an inlightned Soul can kindly take it off from and lift it above all Earthly good For I speak not of a weariness of the World though frowardness and discontent but of a weanedness from it The heart of every unregenerate man is fixed glewed to the Word under a dominion of it 2 Tim 4.10 Ungodly men are men of this World and have their portion in it Psal 17.14 Now to have such acquaintance with Christ as does wean the heart from the World lift it up above it enable the Soul to contemn it all in Comparison of Christ Phil. 3.8 and give victory over it 1 Joh. 5.4 This is a plain evidence of one that is called out of the World to be a man of another World or an Heir of Heaven Evid 4. If we begin our Heaven here on Earth For Heaven is begun here in some measure though indeed but in a very poor little measure compard with the perfection that shall be in Heaven by them that shall get to Heaven hereafter as viz. 1. In loving and maintaining Communion with God according to the measure of this life Do you now seek and enjoy the Communion with God in Ordinances do you behold him in the beauties of holiness through these glasses that is a pledge and beginning and so an evidence of that full Communion you shall have in Heaven and of your seeing him there face to face and on the Sabbath in special Are your Sabbath dayes of bosom Communion with God That is a sweet evidence that you shall keep an Everlasting Sabbath in Heaven and
the love of God and of his people and those two go together 1 Joh. 4.20 and 5.1 Mat. 25.40 45. surely you are not principled for Heaven nor can have any good evidence of your going thither To be for God and for his people should be our All on Earth our whole desire and designe 2 Cor. 5.13 as that shall be our All in Heaven to enjoy Communion with God in the sweet Communion and Feâ—lowship of his Saints that is Heaven and that is the desire and aime of every Gracious Saint on Earth Of our Communion with Angels in Heaven I shall not speak particularly What it is and the manner of it will be known when you come there But as by Christ we are brought into a Fellowship and Coâ—munion with the Holy Elect Angels Hâ—b 12.22 who should else have been forever in Fellowship with Dâ—vils Mat. 25.41 so that Commuâ—â—on will thâ—â— be pâ—â—fâ—ctâ—d and knowâ— fully as it is hâ—râ— initiâ—l imperfâ—ct and but little known As the Saints when Glorified shall in their qualiâ—iâ—s and manner of â—â—â—ing be more like unto the Aâ—gelâ— Mâ—â— 22.30 So will â—hâ—â— then he câ—pâ—ble of moâ—â— Communion with tâ—â—m thâ—n now If there be joy among thâ— Angâ—lâ— wâ—en a sinnâ—r enters into the Kingdom of â—râ—câ— by Repentance Luk. 15.10 what joy wâ—ll then be when all the Saints shall come in the Kingdom of Glory The Angels Mâ—nister to the Saints by the way â—o Heaven Hebr. 1.14 and conduct them thither when thâ—y die Luk. 16.22 with what mutual joy will thâ—y all then be entertain'd there It will thâ—n be known what good Officâ—s the Holy Angels have done for the Saints here both for particular persons and Churches and places in their Ministring â—o and foâ— thâ—m how they have oâ—posed counterminâ—d thâ—â—r 〈◊〉 both Dâ—vils and wicked men what not able services those Courtiers and Curâ—iers of Heaven have been sent from Heaven upon by the Lord Jesus Christ on the behalf of his people into Courts of Princes and other great motions of the wheels of Divine Providence Dan. 10.13.20 Ezek. 1.5 How thâ—y have Guarded Defended Succoured in many dangers being faithfull to their Charge and Trust Psal 91.11 12. and 34.7 They now do us good turns and we know it not But surely all shall be known then as well as tâ—â—se pâ—rfect instances that are set down in Scripture But all to the Glory of God and Christ by whom thâ—y wâ—re imployed And to the further Joy and Comfort of the Faithful in the sense of Love of God who hâ—th so inclined and imployed the Glorious Angâ—ls to do for them And then will Saints and Angels in one Triumphant Society admirably joyn in Praising and Glorifying God for all his wonderful Works and in special for the Mâ—stâ—riâ—s of Christ and Marvels of his Redâ—mption which the Angels are eminently delightâ—d with 1 Pet. 1.12 Ephes 3.10 as â—uk 2.13.14 Oh that ever worms of Dust sinful man should be lift up to the place and state of Angels yea in some respects higher in regard of their nearer Relation to Christ their Head who as 1 Pet. 3.22 fellow Citizens and fellow Courtiers with them in the Heavenly place which was properly their own Habitation Jud. 6. Mat. 22.30 Luk. 2 15. to partake with them in the Beatifical Vision Mat. 18.10 and to bear a part with them in the praises of God Vse A word of Incouragement and Establishment to the people of God and that in the midst of troubles here in this World They need heartning on while here below under Temptations and Tribulations why a sight and thought of Heaven and of the Rest and Recompence there is enough to do it Hebr. 11.25 26. Even when the Interest of Piety and of the truly Pious is laid low in the World and despised among men and they that are for Heaven in earnest are counted a company of Foolish Humoursom Mad Fanatical people why if that be to be foolish to be for Heaven in good earnest and sixed in the way thither i. e. in the way of the Rule not to be turned out of the way by the smiles or frowns of all the World if that be folly be more foolish still as 2 Sam. 6.22 Heaven is the best choice when all is done and it is the truest wisdome to chuse that and not to stick at all the Tribulations that ley in the way The Psalmist begun to think he had made an ill bargain when he was chastened all the day long and the wicked prospered on earth c. But having God for his Portion Psal 17 24.73 And keeping with God in the way of Faith and Obedience that is the way to Heaven fear not all this World nor all the Tribulations thereof Luk. 12.32 Consider 1. All that Satan or the World can do cannot reach to Heaven where your Portion and Treasure lyes Mat. 6.20 They work but upon the earth the troubles about you here are but earthly troubles But your business is in Heaven your hope is laid up in Heaven Colos 1.5 your trade is for Heaven if Christians indeed and that cannot be obstructed by any imbargoes on Earth 2. If God will bring you to Heaven then he will not let you miscarry or be lost in the mid-way If he have called you to Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus then all the Sufferings in the mean while shall not interrupt it Rom. 8.30 nothing can break that Chain v. 31 35 39. nothing in all this World can or shall cut you off from Heaven and Glory or from the Everlasting Love and Fellowship of God to be enjoyed there If that be indeed the choice of your Souls that you refuse all this World and choice Heaven chuse the Fruition of God in Christ for your Portion if you make Moses's chooce Heb. 11.24 26. and Paul's choice 2 Cor. 4.18 and that choice the Lord propounds to every one Mark 10.21 why then Heaven you shall have and God ingages it and hath appointed you to it Heb. 11.16 why then he will not lose you bâ— the way in the Croud of Worldly Temptaâ—â—onâ— or troubles but will keep you and carry you through by his own power 1. Pet. 1.5 â—3 Instead of hindring all things and espeâ—ially the oppositions and troubles of the Truth shall but help you on toward Heaven and further your Glory there 2 Cor. 4.17 Sanctâ—fied Tribulations and Suffering for Christs sake or in obedience to his will they help to greaten your Crown and Reward in Heaven Mat. 5.11 12. they help you with an Evidence for Heaven Rom. 8.17 2 Tim. 2.11 12. 2 Thess 1.4 5. And they help to quicken and drive you on in the way to Heaven to make faster speed thither being Sanctified unto the exercise of Grace and to awake Faith Prayer Weanedness from the World esteem of Heaven more Converse there c. Heb. 11.9 10 13 14 16. Oh what can hurt the people of God whose faces are toward Heaven looking seeking pressing after
that you are preparing for that Sabatism that remains for the people of God Heb. 4.9 If strangers to God and prophane hearted on the Sabbath you are not for Heaven 2. In studying and loving and labouring after holiness or in begun Sanctification The perfection of Holiness is the Glory of Heaven but what shall there be perfected is here begun Do you love Holiness and delight in the wayes of it Rom. 7.22 weary of sin v. 24. following after holiness Heb. 12.24 then you shall go to Gods holy dwelling place into Heaven and there be perfectly for ever 3. In Heavenly-mindedness Having the heart there and finding the things thereof thoughts affections Conversations above That wherever it is is a sure mark of an heir of Heaven there is sincerity yea some eminency of Grace where that indeed is Phil. 3.15 17 20 21. as Mat. 6.21 Exhort 2. To Believers especially when comfortably assured of Heaven To improve Heaven and the hope of it while on Earth Make improvement of this happy portion of Eternal Glory which God hath prepar'd and reserved for you in Heaven and now given you in the promise Though we be not yet come to the fruition of it yet that Revelation and hope and certain promise of it that is given to the faithtful now in this life is of great use and may be improved by them unto good purpose sundry wayes As viz. 1. To raise and ennoble their Spirits make them of a truly noble and excellent temper and free them from that baseness that sin hath brought upon the Spirits of men To be born to great things or otherwise in way of promotion thereto as to a great Estate high Honours and a Kingdom especially It does naturally raise and greaten the spirit for great designs delights employments than others are This point should make the Godly of a Princely spirit seeing they are heirs of a Kingdom they should be indeed Israel every one as a Prince of God of a Princely spirit both 1. In regard of Imployment It ill becomes a Prince to be scraping Kennells or dwelling among Scullions in a Kitchen or driving a petty pedling Trade to get a penny c. So the heirs of Heaven should holily disdain to do the Devils drudgery to be Slaves to the World or to a base Lust to cringe and crouch to a Temptation for a little outward advantage to go a beging to the Creatures for a little Comfort or Refreshment as having nothing else to live upon such should be ashamed to be seen in the imployment of sin in the service of Satan or so to follow the World as to be under it or slaves to it 1 Cor. 6.12 Tit. 2.3 They should reign over the World and have dominion over it not be slaves to it 2. In regard of Affection and Delight or what you give your minds unto David when King yea when set apart for that Kingdom did not mind the Ewes great with young as he did when a Shepheard The Country Peasant minds his Cattel and Farm c. But the Prince hath greater and higher marters to mind the Affairs of a Kingdom The heirs of Heaven should not mind Earthly things or to set their hearts upon things below so as to be taken up with them and look no higher than them you may use them as Servants Philip. 1.19 20. Colâ—s 3.1 2. nor give themselves to the base pleasures of the flesh For such to delight in the pleasures of sin fleshly lusts is as if Princes should go among the Swine to eat Swill and Husks or they that have been brought up in Scarlet embrace Dunghills They that have God and Heaven to delight in for them to delight in a lust in the pleasures of the flesh is a shameful baseness and unworthiness Rom. 13.11 14. The nearer we are to Heaven the further we should be from minding the things of the flesh 1 Pet. 2.11 Yea not only vile things as are the things of sin but small things little things such as all the things of this World are too low and mean for the great Heirs of Salvation to set their minds and hearts upon He that is an Heir to thousands or to a Kingdom will he covet a pin or a point or a poor thatched Cottage or stand upon such small matters c. He that is an Heir of Heaven should be of a greater spirit than to thirst after Gold and Silver Honours and Riches in this World these are too low things for him who hath infinitely greater matters to satisfie himself with All that he needs is like a Prince absent in the Country but so much as will carry him home to the Court to his Fathers house there he shall have enough Should such a one care for Luggage for worthless Lumber or for a Load of thick clay 3. In regard of Magnanimity and Courage Great and Noble Spirits do excel in Valour and Courage fit for high Actions and Designes not daunted with danger nor discouraged with difficulties that lye in the way of Great Atchievments and in special Valiant in War So should the high-born heirs of Heaven be more generous and noble-minded than to be daunted with the difficulties and tribulations that lye in the way to the Kingdom Act. 14.22 Not so pusillanimous as to faint in the day of Adversity Prov 24.10 as to give in when the Sons of Anak and the walled Towns are talked of now the Courage of Caleb and Joshua becomes them that are bound for Heaven for that Glory of all Lands and not the faint-heartedness of the rest And to be Valiant in the Wars of the Lord undaunted in the Spiritual warfare to hold on and hold out to the last gasp in conflict with temptations corruptions oppositions and assaults of Earth and Hell become those that are fighting for Heaven and for Eternal Glory there for that Crown that is incorruptible 1 Cor. 9.25 26 27. 2 Tim. 4.7 8. 1 Tim 6.12 Paul is of too great a spirit to be moved with all the sufferings that the whole World can bring upon him Act. 20.23 24. Hee 'l not stir an inch out of his way the way of the Rule for them all those are light things with him 2 Cor. 4.17 18. while his eye and heart is upon Heaven Contemptus à me est romanus favor furor said Luther He can contemn both the favour and fury of all the World Yea this is a holy greatness of spirit becoming those that are in choice of a Kingdom even the Kingdom of Eternal Glory Thus Heaven should raise and ennoble our Spirits Conversing with great objects makes great Spirits We see it dayly that according as the things and objects are great or mean that men converse withall so they are high or low spiriâ—ed Genes 49.9 10 14 15. Judah is for a Kingdom and therefore he hath a Lion-like magnanimity of spirit Isachar is among
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
of Heaven page 129. Bucan Lot Com. page 422. 4. Spiritualness v. 44. Not that the Body shall be then turned into a Spirit or lose the nature of a true Body But 1. The Body shall then live as Spirits and Angels do without Meat Drink Sleep and such like External Elementary Bodily supports as we need in this Animal-life being then sustained by the All-preserving All-quickning Spirit of God without the help of such means Mat. 22.30 2. The Body shall be perfectly conformable obedient and subservient to the operations of the Spirit or Soul as also to the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God The ready instrument of the Soul aptly imployed in spiritual work As when the Spirit or Soul serves the Carnal So when the flesh the Body readily serves the Spirit it may well be termed Spiritual Now in this Life the Soul is taken up in serving the Body the greatest part of our time Labour Strength Study is spent in the providing Meat and Clothing and Comforts for the Body and feeding that Eccles 6.7 But then the Body not needing those things shall be wholly serviceable to the Soul The Body shall be no more such a Troublesome Cumbersome thing as now it is needing so much tendance and adoe about it and oft interrupting Spiritual work thereby But then it shall be a more Spiritual and Heavenly peace alwayes free and ready for Soul work for Spiritual Heavenly imployment Your Contemplations Studies Sweet Affections and Communion with God never broken off and interrupted by Eating and Drinking by Dressing and Undressing c. as here they are 3. Activity Agility Lightness Nimbleness and speed in motion may also be implyed in this Spiritualness of the Body Not dull slow heavy-moulded as now but in Agility and Activity more like to Spirits Hence easily made to ascend to meet the Lord in the Aire 1 Thes 4.17 and afterward to go up with him to the third Heaven And able no doubt in a very little time though not properly in an instant to move through those vast spaces and distances of those Heavenly Mansions and from one quarter of the Coelestial World to another 3. The Glorious Company of Saints and Angels is another Additional part of Heavens Glory The fruition of God is the main Essence of it But this is an Accessional Adjunct or Concomitant that is full of Comfort Yea it is a necessary Concomitant for God will be enjoyed by his people in a Communion forever not in a single seperate way but in Conjunction and Society Mat. 8.11 and that Communion will be an help to their enjoyment of God a way and means of their Communion with God When we speak of our Immediate Communion with God in Heaven we are not to understand it absolutely that there shall be no mediums between us and the transcendant Majesty of God for there will be the Humane nature of Christ and the Communion of Saints who in a Coelâ—stial way and manner will be helpful and useful one to another to convey much of God to one another But Immediate compared with what we have here and so as these inferiour instituted means and helps and Glasses that we have here shall he laid aside But the Communion of Saints will then be in its Perfection and fullest Excellency in the Church triumphant And Love Holiness and Communicativeness which is the life of Communion then will flourish 1 Cor. 13.8 You must there enjoy Christ your Head not alone but in fellowship with all his Mystical Body Hence I said in the Description All together they shall have fruition of God All together in the Highest Heaven for evermore Heb. 11.22 23. We now come and are joyned to that body by Mystical Relation but then by way of actual Communion Consider here 1. There will be only true and Blessed Saints together in Heaven no mixture of unsound ones or secret enemies there the Communion will be absolutely pure such as is not to be expected nor no rule allowes us to expect or insist upon in the Church on earth for here there will be a mixture of Corne and Chaffe Wheat and Tears Sheep and Goats good and bad Fish while the World stands But then a perfect separation of Goates from the Sheep and the Latter alone go into the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 25.34 46. 2. There will after the last day be all the Saints together all the Vessels of Glory gathered together the whole Congregation of the Righteous Psal 1.5 the whole general Assembly of the first born All the faithful seed of Abraham which are as the Stars in Heaven and as the Sand on the Sea-shore all that ever were are or shall be of the Elect and saved blessed number and this adds much to the Glory of it We know numerous and great Assemblies here on earth are very solemn and affecting The very faces of many Saints together are quickning each to other Psal 42.4 for a multitude to go and be together in the house of God is no small thing But what an Assembly will then be what an Heart-ravishing Congregation when all the Millions of Glorified Saints shall meet together all their faces shining with the Image of God to praise and Glorifie God and joyning in the same Hallelujah Revel 19.1 2 3. 3. There shall be a knowledge one of another the Saints in Heaven shâ—ll know one another Society without acquaintance is not comfortable this shall not be wanting in that place of Bliss Yea you shall know not only those that were of your acquaintance here but all the faithful even strangers whom you never knew before you shall be able to say as Mr. Bolton speaks this is Abraham Jacob David Paul this was Luther Calvin Bradford c. As may be gathered from the Apostles knowing Moses and Elias whom they had never seen before in that glimpse of Heaven at Christs Transfiguration And from Adams knowing Eve and whence she was at first sight without any humane information of which Argument Luther Discoursed the Evening before his death and thence concludâ—d the thing in hand viz. That we shall know one another in the life to come Melch. Adam in vita Lutheri pag. 154. and all Comfortable knowledge will be then vouchsafed but this is one part of it Yea if it should ask time to come acquainted with every one to be sure there will be time enough there remembering also the quickness and accuteness of understanding memory c. But a Superiour and more immediate way of this knowledge there may well be supposed 4. There will be most sweet Holy and comfortable Converse of the Saints together Though we cannot tell you the particular manner and order of it now it will excel in order as well as otherwise Yet to be sure it will be Precious and Glorious and full of sweetness and Comfort And there will be full time season and opportunity for it at large Moses and Elias were talking together with Christ in
that little representation of Heaven Mat. 17.3 There will not want orderly Conference and Discourse and speaking one to another among that Heavenly company There you may hear of all the wonderful things that God hath done for his Church in this World yea and for each particular person The story 's of the Experiences of the Saints many of which are now lost and forgotten the Lords admirable variegate Dispensations the embroidered work of Providence when the whole piece shall be made up and finished the curious needle-work thereof the Coat of many Colours that God hath made for his Church and for all his Beloved ones in the varieties of his dealings with them It will then be spreâ—d abroad declared viewed related discoursed of at large Luther in his Comment on Genes 5. Fol. 76. Considering how shortly Moses passeth over the story of those Honourable Fathers before the Flood why that saith he is reserved for another World the last day there will be talk for Heaven then you shall see those Sages shining in Majesty and Glory and then you shall hear of them and from them what they did and what God did by or for or with them or others in their times the particular stories thereof You shall then hear what Seth did Enosh did what Cainan did Jared Enoch Methuselah did and suffered too the stories of which times shall live and be revived in Heaven to the Glory of God and joyful delight of the Saints having also before that been represented at the great day of Judgement the like you may see of other persons and times For God will not lose any of his works nor the Glory of them Psal 104.31 both of Creation and Providence But consider how sweet is the Communion Company and Converse of Gracious Saints here on earth How do your hearts burn in Godly Conference as Luk. 24.32 when you can get in though much adoe to get into it here for worldly matters and unsavory hearts But those that are Savory and Spiritual and Breath much of Christ and Grace in their Speeches what Life and Sweetness do you find therein it may be you smell of their Company a good while after your hearts are somewhat the more Savory for it But what then will the Converse and Company of the Saints in Heaven be when there shall be no sin no defect either in Spâ—akâ—r or Hâ—arers no impertinencies in their speeches â—o unsavoriness every one full of God full of wisdom and holiness c. You will truly say it is good being here when you have not Mâ—ses and Elias only but Christ withall the thousands of his Saints about you as Mat. 17.4 It is a phrase often used of dying Saints in Scripture that they were gathered to their people Genes 25.8 and 35.29 and 49.33 Numb 20.24 Deutr. 32.50 there in the other world in Heaven is the great Congregation gathering together or Assembling of the peoplâ— of God there they meet and come togethâ—r and shall be together forever We think Death takes and rends and carries men away from their people from their Friends Relations Brethren But the Saints by Death are more properly gathered to ther people so the Scripture speaks respecting not this inconsiderable but the other world As the removal of the Travailer from the Inne sâ—parates him indeed from the people i. e. strangers at the Inne but gathers him to his own people at home So Death carries the Saints from a Forreign Coâ—â—â—ry to their home and from strangers in comparison to their own people to â—â—ose that are wholly and only without mixture their own people Heb. 12.23 You must die and go to Hâ—aven if you will câ—me to the great meeting and Congregation of the people of God there is the Center the Country the City where you shall find them all there they shall all meet and live together forever And hence by the way mind one help to know whether you be like to go to Heaven or no men for Heaven viz. Are you for the Company and Communion and inseperable fellowship of the pâ—ople of God the Saints and faithful in Christ is your delight in them Psal 16.3 your love to them 1 Joh. 3.14 18. would you have your lot among them And if there be any person or people that have more of Gods Image upon them Grace and Presence in and with them than others those you are most endeared to Do your hearts cleave to the people of God and to their Holy Communion and Fellowship and Interest desiring to be one of them to stand and fall to rejoyce and mourn to live and die with them Verily you must be gathered to the people of God now if you will be gathered to them then for all that Communion both with God and his people that is perfected in Heaven is begun on Earth you must be their Companions now Psal 119.63 If you will have their company then You must be of them and for them and take your lot among them now and desire to walk in Holy Fellowship with them in all the Ordinances of God if you will be so then Yea though they be under suffering and affliction and contempt in the World you must not let that pull you away or make you stand off from them Heb. 11.25 26. As with Christ so with his people for they go together you must suffer with them if you will reign with thâ—m you must take your lot among them now whether of peace or trouble if you will have a lot among them in Heavenly Glory In the story of the Arrian Persecutions there is a passage of one who was but a Youth a Boy who when a Company of Holy Martyrs were to be put into a Ship and burned together he hastened after to be among them to whom a Seducer said Why hastest thou my prety Child unto Death let them go they are Mad take my Counsâ—l and thou shalt not only have life but great advancement in the Kings Court. To whom the Lad answered you shall not get me from the Fellowship of thâ—se Holy men who bred me up with whom I lived in the fear of God and with whom I desire to die and with whom I trust I shall obtain the Glory to come And so being all put into the Ship they were burned together Oh be with the people of God and cleave to them one arth yea willing at Gods call in any regular way to suffer with them in a suffering condition Think not nay desire not to stand when the people of God fall if you would be with them in Heaven If you Espouse or prefer another Interest the Interest of Estate that you love your Estates better than you love the people of God or their welfare or of ease or of quiet or worldly Greatness before the Interest of the people of God and you will stand at a distance from them for the sake of such things If something else be more predominant in you then
Spiritual Pleasures Psal 16.11 Heaven is called Gods Heavenly Habitation Deut. 26.15 2 Chron. 30.27 Isai 57.15 Hence the inmost part of the Tabernacle and Temple which was a Type of this Heaven was called the Holy of Holies or the most Holy place Heb. 9.8 12 24. It being by the Lords everlasting appointment and choice set apart to be the place of his most Special Gracious Glorious and Holy presence where only Holy work shall be done Prasing Blessing Glorifying God only Holy persons shall come and only the Holy God be seen and enjoyed It is chosen to be the dwelling place of perfect Holiness so perfect as is exclusive of the least sin And hence the very being in this place in Heaven and the sight of it will be a continual means as it was with the Tabernacle and Temple of old whilst instituted Holiness was upon it to raise and keep up the heart in holy affections to God And there will be every thing that may further nothing to hinder Holiness neither sin nor devil ever entred Heaven or shall enter there It is absolutely undefiled 1 Pet. 1.4 And hence none of that Confusion Disorder or Discomfort that results from sin and temptation and makes this Earth a miserable place Heaven is an Holy and so an Happy place 3. It is a place subject to no Change of a Constant incorruptible nature 1 Pet. 1.4 Inconstancy is the name of this lower World being made up of inconstant incorruptible natures The Materials Principles and Composition of it so framed and ordered as to be a stage of mutation of continual Generation and Corruption of perpetual Alteration mixt bodies resolveable into their jarring principles the Elements and the Elements thâ—mseâ—ves capable of being blended disordered and dissolved and thrown into an heap of Confusion their Forms striving and conflictâ—ng on the common stage of the first matter and moving dis-resting each other the more Passive Element is a prey to the more Active And hence this whole lower World is capable of final dissolution and dâ—solation and being turned into a dismal Chaos-like condition a fit place for Hell the last day But the third Heaven never changed since it came out of nothing what it was at once and at first that it alwayes is and will be It 's principles never stood asunder nor can be sundered it is not resolvable into any pre-existant or seperable principles hence uncapable of dissolution or corruption or of any essential Change As it came immediatly out of nothing and was at once perfected by the power of God so unless he should by the same power annihilate it which he will never do It must continue and continue in that perfection forever Hence it is a kin to the nature of Immortal Substances and Spirits and a fit and suitable Habitation for them An everlasting unchangable Habitation for Immortal and Everlasting Inhabitants 2 Cor. 5.1 Hebr. 13.14 Luk. 16.9 Hence also a fit place to lay up and enjoy an everlasting Portion in Mat. 9.19 20. there are causes of Corruption and Destruction natural or violent Intrinsecal or Extrinsâ—cal to every thing on Earth But it is not so in Heaven there is no moth and rust no internal natural Causes of decay no Moth to fret the Garments of Glory no rottenness or Worm that bâ—falls or breeds in the Timber of that Heavenly House nor yet any Thief Devil or wicked man no violent external Cause that can dig through as the word is the Walls of that house the third Heaven or the Pavement or Floor thereof It is of Impregnable Strength and Solidity there are no Chinks Clefts Gaps or Crevises in the Walls of it for solidity or firmness transparency and may stand together Job 37.18 it is impenetrable by the force of Created Nature God keeps the door of Heaven in his own hands he only opens it for Angel or Saint to come out or in no Created force can break or dig through it He alone can rend or cleave the Hâ—avens Isa 64.1 Mark 1.10 This lower World was made but to be a Stage for men to act their parts on for a few Ages and then taken down Hence it stands but on Crazy shows it may and will e're long fall on heaps It is like a Teâ—t or Tabernacle that stands on stakes thrust into the ground But the third Heaven stands on strong unmoved foundations Heb. 11.10 Being made and fitted built by God to be the everlasting settled Rest and dwelling of the Blessed Psal 73.18 Isa 22.23 Oh let this point take off our minds from and raise them above the Earth and shame us for our Earthly-mindedness The Saints are men for a better Country even an Heavenly for a better place Heb. 11.16 a place of rest immutable rest and peace instead of a place of change and motion A place of Holiness instead of a place of sin A place of Glory and Beauty and Caelestial Excellency instead of these dregs of nature that we have here on Earth You are now but in the out-houses the Barn the Hovel where the Swine and Beasts come as well as the Children But then in your Fathers house the Palace it self the best Room God hath in all the Creation Heb. 11.16 Better yea and bigger too Will you be crouded into a Nook a Corner of the earth for your Portion which will one day prove no better than a Nook of Hell when you might have a lot in those Spacious Mansions above What a point a Punctillio is the Earth if you had it all The Saints have greater portions a lot above greater than it all which should make them of great Spirits able to despise this little inconsiderable lower World Oh foolish and low-spirited Sons of men that are scuffling and contending for and about this point of the Earth the Earth beneath like to meer Ants and Pismires crawling on this dust and neglect the great and high things of Heaven as far beyond these things as the Heavens are higher than the Earth that make so much adoe about a little place to stand in under the shed and Hovel of this lower World that will e're long fall about their Ears and are mindless of the vast concernments of Everlasting Habitations If there were no Heaven no better things there we might mind the Earth only and set up our stand there But if there be a Fathers house an Inheritance undefiled c. then men are not come to themselves they are under Spiritual madness that content themselves with Earth and the Husks thereof and seek not a Lot and Portion in Heaven and in the good things thereof Indeed it is not the place alone but the Company the Fellowship of God and all the Saints that makes Heaven so happy a place there the place and its Divine Commodities are inseperable Thus of the matter and substance of the Glory of the Saints in the life to come Now follows 2. The Duration or Continuance of it viz. That it is
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
are departed this Life Luk. 16.22 Mat. 8.11 The Souls or Spirits of Isaac and Jacob are gathered to their people Genes 35.29 and 49.33 4. It is carried up by the Angels into the third Heaven there to be with Christ untill his second coming Luk. 16.22 with Mat. 8 11. Luk. 23.43 i. e. in his Soul for his Body was detained here on the Earth and thrown into the Grave By Paradise is meant the third Heaven 2 Cor. 12.2 with ver 4. so 2 Cor. 5.1 2. When the Soul goes out of the Tabernacle of this frail Body it enters into the Heavenly house that is Eternal It is not Harbour-less when turned out of all house and Harbour in this lower World The Soul of a Saint being departed out of the Body is with Christ Philip. 1.23 and Christ is in Heaven and there continues till his second coming 1 Pet. 3.22 Act. 3.12 Hence the Soul of a Saint of the Saint departed hath the knowledge and actual active fruition of its own Blessedness is comforted and rejoyced therein and actually drinking in those Pleasuâ—es and Joyes that are in the presence of God Luk. 16.25 Psal 16.11 with 2 Cor. 5.8 compared with which its state on Earth was but a state of absence from him v. 6. and hath an assurance of an Happy re-union with the Body and of all that fulness of Glory that the whole person shall enjoy at the Resurrection for which it waits and longs Rom. 8.23 till it be accomplished it is waited for Psal 16.9 Rev. 6.9 10 11. According to most Interpreters vid. Parens Dutch Diodate in Loc. Calvin opusc pag. 460. Bucan Loc. Com. pag. 447. in that Text is held forth that the Souls of the Saints departed being at present clothed with Robes of Glory do long for their consummate felicity in the full Redemption of the Church c. which shall be at the last Judgement A truth in it self whether the proper intendment of that place or no vid. Brightman in Lâ—c. 2 Tim. 4.8 All the Saints as on Earth so in Heaven do love and long for not with any disquâ—eting Impatience but with an Holy Expectation the appearing of Christ when they shall also appear with him in Glory But as there is an expectation of the future Glory of the Body the whole Person so there is a present enjoyment of Glory and Blessedness by the Soul while the Body is a vile and loathsome Carkass buried under the Clods fed on by the Worms and turned to dust the Soul is Shining and Triumphing in Glory Swimming in fulness of Joy in the presence of Christ and among the Spirits of the Just Hearing and Seeing after its intellectual way those things in Paradise that cannot now be uttered What some of the Saints and Prophets in Scripture have tasted of in raptures and Extasies and Paul in 2 Cor. 12.1 4. for a little see Mr. Norton's Orthodox Evang. pag. 339.341 wherein the Soul abstracted from use of bodily helps and Organs had a more immediate visional Contemplation of Objects presented that and more then that doth the Soul departed enjoy even a perpetual Vision of God and fruition of the Joyes of Heaven without the Body from Death to the Resurrection That conceit that some have had of the Souls sleeping or being in an unsensible unactive condition without the exercise of understanding memory or affections till the Resurrection is fond and foolish and contrary to the plain Testimonies of Scripture before cited which hold forth an actual enjoyment of Glory and Glorious Communion with God immediatly after Death as Well as to the nature of the Soul And was long since largely confuted by Calvin in his Psychopanychia Opuse pag. 449.476 one of the first things he wrote 1. How kind is God to his people that he will not put them off so long as the Resurrection before they enter into this Glory though the Body cannot according to appointed order come at it before yet the Soul shall have possession presently When Death must send the Body to the Grave Heb. 9.27 then he will take the Soul into Heaven and have its company there 2. This may sweeten Death to the Faithful and make them cheerfully yield up their Spirits into the hand of God who stands ready to receive them There is a present object of Glory before them a Joy immediatly to be enjoyed set before them which may make them cheerfully pass into it through the dark entry of Death Though there be a Land and Grave of darkness for the Body which yet is sweetned by the Burial of Christ yet an Inheritance of the Saints â—n light which the Soul shall presently pass into this is that that over-ballances Death and absence from the Body leaving the World even the presence of the Lord being with Christ which is best of all This should make us willing to leave the Body 2 Cor. 5.8 leave the old Crazy Rotten-house of the Body to go into the new building and into the bosome of Christ into Heaven 2 Cor. 5.1 4. And this is presently to be enjoyed you shall presently be with Christ when you leave this Body things remote affect not so much but this is near and just before you as Christ comforted them with that this day Luk. 23.43 The day of your dying is the day of your living in Paradise in Glory The day of your falling into the Earth as to the Body is the day of your ascending and being taken up to Heaven Luk. 9.51 Going to the Grave and going to Heaven they go together to the Faithtful inseparably together and there is more Comfort in the latter than discomfort in the former No sooner dissolved but you are in the Angels Arms to be carried into Christs Bosom even before you can be upon Friends Shoulders to be carried to the Grave The same step whereby you leave the World you go to the Father as Joh. 16.28 You no sooner depart hence but you are with Christ Philip. 1.23 are gathered to him and that Blessed company and people that are with him Genes 35.29 Oh how should this lift up all the Saints above the feat of that that can but kill the Body but pull out the Pins of this old house and dissolve that that is the furthest that all created power can go Luk. 2.4 Mat. 10.28 But Death and all the Instruments of Death are so far from killing the Soul that it lets that but out of Prison and sends it unto Life Eternal 2. Now consider what further Glory shall be added to the Saints for the full compleating and Consummation of their Glory and Happiness at and after the Resurrection upon the re-union of the Soul and Body It is a more incompleat or as some call it an Inchoate enjoyment of Heavenly Glory that the Saints have in their separate estate of their Souls But at the Resurrection of the Body and re-union thereof to the Soul they shall have the compleat fulness and Consummation
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
greatness thereof There be sundry obvious Comparisons from the less to the greater and some other Argumentative Considerations I shall put both together which may familiarly shew and Realize to us the greatness and excellency of this Glory Comp. 1. Consider what great things God gives out of his Common bounty even to wicked men in this World What then will he give out of his special and everlasting love to his own Children and Friends in Heaven Worldly and wicked men which are his Slaves yea enemies and appointed to destruction yet in the present time of patience and bounty the Lord cuts out to many of them great things such things as the World accounts very great and as are great in themselves though compared with Heavenly things are very little Riches Wealth Thousands and Ten Thousands of Gold and Silver Sumptuous Buildings Houses full of all Good Things Lands and Livings c. Yea sometimes Crowns and Kingdoms Scepters and Dominions of vast extent the Splendor whereof even of that Glory that sometimes worldly men are arrayed with even dazles the eyes of beholders Sometimes men of the World do glitter and glister with Glory an earthly Glory and Splendor such as strikes an awe and admiration into beholders Psal 49 16. Dan. 2.31 37 38. and 5.18 19. why if such be the Glory of the earth given to the earthly and wicked men What will be the true Glory of Heaven that God will bestow upon the Vessels of Glory there Luther sometimes called the Turkish Empire that vast Empire containing so many swelling Titles and large Dominions a Bone or Crum which God threw to that great Dog the Turk Such vast Empires and Kingdoms God hath sometimes given unto the worst and basest of men Dan. 4.17 How vitious and vile have the Turkish Sultans and many other Heathnish Princes been so Antiochus the illustrious a vile person Dan. 11.21 Why if God have such Crums to throw to the Dogs of the house what is the whole Loaf that he reserves for his Children If this great King of Heaven do keep his Prisoners so well during the few dayes of their Respit and Reprieve from Execution as look upon the brave accommodations and great Possâ—â—sions c. of the men of the World they are but as the fair Room of a Prison where eminent Malefactors are kept and well tended till they be brought forth to Execution Joh. 21.7 12 30. What will he do for his Children and Heirs who shall be with him in his own Palace for ever Psal 17.14 15. Some men of the World which have their Portion in this Life have a great Portion here even their Belly full as much as heart can wish as much of sensitive worldly good as they can possibly take in all manner of abundance of earthly delicates and this out of God his Treasure because it is hid and laid up in the several store-houses of this lower World Earth Air and Sea and brought forth by the workings of his Providence and bestowed upon them So that these things are given out of Gods Treasury by his common bounty to the men of the World And if you speak of what Earth can afford they are great things that are most given to them But David hath a greater perfection than all this Ps 171.5 But thus look upon the consolation that many wicked men have here Luk 16.25 and 6.24 which must needs be a poor thing Luk. 16.10 11. a nothing compared with the portion of the chosen Saints of God in Heaven when God shall set himself to pour out Love and Mercy into those Vessels thereof and yet often it is much it is strange to see what God hath given to some vile men this way as that they are ready to be cryed up for the only happy men This is a ready and useful meditation when we read in story of the Magnificence Riches and Greatness of Worldly men or see and observe any instances thereof to think oh then what is the Glory and Happiness that God hath prepared not of the same kind for worldly sensitive delights scrued up to the height but an Happiness of an higher a Spiritual and Caelestial nature for them that love him and for the subjects of his everlasting love in another World if there be so much given unto Enemies in this Comp. 2. Consider what the Saints enjoy in this World I mean not of outward things so much for they often have but little that way they shall not usually have very much of Earth lest they forget Heaven but of Spiritual and Heavenly Comforts and good things their fore-tasts of future Glory they are often exceeding sweet and precious a thousand times better than all the Earthly outward enjoyments of worldly men Yet all they have here is but a taste but an earnest an handfull of first fruits Epes 1.14 Rom. 8.23 What then is and will be the full draught the whole bargain the whole Harvest in Heaven Their best condition here is but a condition of absence from the Lord compared with that presence they shall have hereafter 2 Cor. 5.6 8. If God send to them such tokens and tasts of his Love in their absence What will he pour out upon them when they shall be present with him Consider it in two or three Particulars 1. The Communion the Saints have with God in his Ordinances here Oh how sweet is it Psal 84.10 What then is a day in Heaven yea Eternity there The World knows not nor can they well express the sweet incomes they have the heart-raising yea ravishing Communion the Quicknings Gracious Breathings the Comforts they meet with in Prayer sometimes in Hearing the Word a Christian said Mr. Dod is half in Heaven sometimes in Singing of a Psalm in Meditation Psal 63.5 6. in Gracious Spiritual Conference Luk. 24.32 In the Sacrament of the Supper where they are refreshed as with new Wine Why if dark glimpses through these glasses of the Ordinances be so sweet and Glorious 2. Cor. 3.18 what then will the sight face to face be 1 Cor. 13.12 The Ordinances of God and Communion with him therein is unspeakably better than the best of Earthly and Worldly Enjoyments Galeacious his Speech Psal 119.72 But all that Communion the Saints have here is but a little compared with that shall be in Heaven there is full Communion there they are present now in Comparison absent from the Lord 2 Cor. 5.6 2. The special Joyes and Comforts of the Holy Ghost that the Lords Faithful Gracious ones do at times tast and partake of in this life Their ordinary constant Communion is precious but they have also some extraordinary Consolations and sheddings abroad of the Love of God sometimes when under great Sufferings and Tryals as the Martyrs whose Consolations have been wonderful and singular as their Sufferings were sometimes after long sickness and weakness and in preparation for sore Conflicts sometimes on Sick and Dying Beds Oh the Peace that passeth
understanding the Joy unspeakable and Glorious 1 Pet. 1.8 the ravishing Consolations in the sense of the Love of God which the faithful have at times been feasted with such as in Comparison whereof all the Comforts of the whole World all the Riches Honours Pleasures upon Earth are but a dry Chip such as the surpassing sweetness and Glory whereof cannot be expressed And yet this but a little taste of Heaven as a drop to the Ocean of the same kind indeed with the Glory that is there but as an earnest Penny of a great and Rich Bargain A drop of the Joy of the Holy Ghost excells all the Rivers of Worldly outward sensual Comforts and Joyes which the men of the World swim in Psal 4.6 7. but infinite drops of Worldly Joy together it will not make Heaven but of Spiritual Joy it will but this is but a drop there is an Ocean of such Joy in Heaven which the Saints shall Swim and Bath themselves in to all Eternity 3. The Visible Glory and Peace of the Church that may be enjoyed in this World before the coming of Christ Great things are spoken in Scripture of the Glorious times that are yet to come wherein Jews and Gentiles shall walk together in the Lord and the Church shall enjoy freedom from open enemies and Persecutions Isa 60.18 plenty and purity of Ordinances Ezek. 37.26 Isa 66.21 23. plentiful Effusion of the Spirit and of the Graces thereof Ezek. 39.29 Prevalency and Eminency of Truth Holiness and Peace Joel 3.17 Zephan 3.9 Godly and Gracious Civil Rulers who shall make their business to promote Truth and Holiness the honour of Christ and the welfare of his people Isa 49.23 Rev. 11.15 The special presence of God in all the wayes and means thereof among them Isa 60.19 20. Revel 21.23 And hence Honour and esteem in the sight of all men Isa 62.7 and 25.8 Revel 21.24 Why this condition of the Church will be a little Heaven upon Earth hence conceived to be described by sundry terms taken from the Kingdom of Glory in Heaven Rev. 21. and 22. and there will be much Glory in it Isa 60.1 2 7. But yet it will be far short of Heaven indeed no state of the Church on Earth shall equal the state of the Church in Heaven There will still in the best time on Earth be sin and Imperfection and Temptation and Flesh and Allurements of the World to conflict withall and many particular afflictions too from the hand of God We in this remote Corner of the World have for a long time as may be well conceived enjoyed not a little tast and specimen of this peaceable and flourishing Condition of the Church but yet we find it is not Heaven we find Corruption enough in our own hearts and in one another to keep us in a continual conflict c. In the best estate of the Church on Earth there will be still cause to sigh and groan for the coming of Christ in the day of full Redemption Rev. 22.20 The greatest Glory that ever the Church shall enjoy on Earth before the Coming of Christ to Judgment will in comparison of Heaven be inglorious for that will alwayes be a truth in this world 1 Joh. 3.3 2. But if so much Glory and such great things be to be enjoyed on Earth what then will Heaven be The thought or expectation of Glorious and Happy times on Earth instead of Carnal drawing down our minds it should raise and lift them up thither For all is but an Hansell a Taste a beginning and Inchoation of what will there be Consummate All the pledges and tasts which God does or ever will give his people on Earth they are but to quicken them to press after the prize a full draught and rest that is reserved for them Comp. 3. Consider the great sufferings troubles sorrows and afflictions that the faithful some of them especially have endured in this life those are a little matter as nothing to the future Glory in Heaven there is no Comparison between them which shews that Glory to be exceeding great Rom. 8.18 Paul's Sufferings were very great few have ever gone through more then he did had you seen much more had you felft them you would have thought them exceeding heavy 2 Cor. 11.23 27. and 6.4 5. 1 Cor. 4 9 11 12 13. 2 Tim. 3.11 yet there was no Comparison between the evil and trouble of all these and the Comfort of that Glory this did infinitely over-ballance them they hold no weight against it as the word imports 2 Cor. 4.17 Nâ—t that the affliction in these was light but because the other end of the ballance was exceeding heavy As you know though there be a considerable weight in one Scale yet if you put a far greater in the other as several hundreds against ten or twenty pound weight why the far greater fetches up the other as if it were a light thing a Feather a very nothing Why thus put into one Scale all the Afflictions that ever you felt or have seen others feel about you all Sicknesses Pains Diseases Wearisome nights and dayes thereby such Griefs as those in Job 6.2 3. All the Sufferings of the Martyrs Racks Strappadoes Burnings and exquisite new-devised Torments all the Deaths Stripes Pains Bonds Wants Reproches Afflictions that Paul went through from first to last heap them on altogether in one Scale yet Eternal Glory in Heaven being put into the other Scale it is a weight exceedingly exceeding all this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this speak the exceeding greatness of this Glory that so far so exceeding Hyperbolically weighs down all the Heaviest Afflictions that they are but as a Feather as nothing to it And yet some one of these Afflictions will weigh down all the good and Comfort of this World Let a man have a dangerous Sickness a sore Tormenting pain upon him it imbitters all yea he would willingly part with all he hath though great Riches c. to be freed from it Job 2.4 Mark 5.26 But put them altogether and they will be over-ballanced and weighed down by the Glory of Heaven even as a few Sands by a Mountain Comp. 4. Consider the Excellency and Glory of this lower World and the Cost Riches and stately workmanship that God hath expended and laid out thereupon and upon the entertainment he gives to all his Creatures there in What then is the Glory of the third Heaven and of those upper and Coelestial Mansions Gods own dwelling place And what is the Entertainment that he will give there to the Inhabitants thereof This lower World is but as a stage that is set up for a while to be taken down again It is but as the hovels and out-houses where all sorts of Creatures are kept but Heaven is the Palace the dwelling house of the Great King and appointed to be the everlasting habitation of the Blessed Joh. 14.2 1 King 8.39 43. If you should come to any Great or Wealthy
inevitably lose and miss of viz. Alâ— this Heavenly and Eternal Glory that we have been speaking of For we see it is the portion only of the Faithful of the Effectually Called as Text and Doctrine tells us Therefore they that abide in Impenitency and Unbelief that turn a deaf ear to the Call of the Gospel all their dayes neglect or reject the offers and motions thereof or are but half but almost perswaded never Effectually overcome to imbrace Christ Jesus and to be his in earnest They will lose and be deprived of it lay altogether that hath been said or might be concerning the excellency and greatness of this Glory you will lose and be â—eparated from all this this must be none of the portion of any such but they must be driven away from the presence of God and fellowship of this Glory The pain of loss one part of the damneds misery follows from the point in hand To lose this Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus what a fearful loss is that indeed we cannot now tell you what you will lose It is more then Tongue can utter and Heart conceive 1 Cor. 2.9 The damned in Hell will have a quicker and fuller apprehension of it to their own Terrour than here We can reach For they shall see and know in a great measure what it is though never so as to taste of it Oh the anguish that will thence follow Luk. 14.28 Consider a little here 1. Who they are that shall lose or miss of this Glory that shall never see it as to partake of it And let two or three plain Scriptures speak to this 1. Workers of Iniquity i. e. continuing such to the end of their day of Grace they must be thrown out and the door of Heaven Everlastingly shut against them sent away from the presence of God Luk. 13.27 28. They that live impenitently in any sin that follow the Trade of any way of Evil that live and allow themselves in any in sin yea though but secretly And though they take upon them a Profession of the name of Christ Mat. 7.21 22 23. 1 Cor. 6.9 10. Gal. 5.19 21. Ephes 5.5 6. Yea they that live in the omission of known duties especially the duties of Love cordial Love to the people of God Mat. 25.41 45. and so other duties also Zeph. 1.6 and 3.2 Heb. 2.3 Psal 79.6 2. Unbelievers that never truly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ by whom alone we may be saved Joh. 3 36. 2 Thes 1.8 9 10. We are called by the Gospel and by Effectual Calling as in Text brought to partake of this Glory They therefore that turn a deaf ear to the call of the Gospel all their dayes never heartily listen to it and imbrace it never give up themselves to Christ or receive him by faith they will come short of this Glory Though you have never so many natural or moral excellencies though you carry it Commendable and are useful in your places c. Yet if never took off from your own Righteousness and from Carnal rest in the World in Creature Comforts and from love to sin to take hold of and be united to a Saviour to rest upon him and him alone for Salvation and become his forever If never divorced from all things else and Espoused Married to Christ by Faith you perish without remedy and shall never see the face of God in Glory Mark 16.16 We are commanded to tell you of that and you will find it true 3. The unregenerate all unbelievers are so but there is a distinct notion in this which may be useful Joh. 3.3 5 6. They whose hearts are not turned from sin to God and changed from nature to Grace from flesh to Spirit The unconverted and unsanctified it may take in both that are and continue such they that are not born again never have a new Heart and Spirit nor made new Creatures They shall never be saved never attain to or partake of this Eternal Glory Be you civilly Honest or morally Virtuous or pharisaically Righteous and devout or externally well-reputed as Nocodemus was yet if not regenerate never born again never saved None but the new born are Heirs of Heaven 1 Pet 1.3 4. As descended from the first Adam we are only to an Inheritance in Hell We must be new-begotten and new-born to an Inheritance in Heaven In this sense flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God our old Hearts and old Natures are not fit for Heaven they must be new moulded new made before they come there 4. The unholy will miss of Heavens Glory Heb. 12.14 Heaven is an Holy habitation without Holiness no coming there You may get to Heaven without Riches without Worldly Honour or possibly without great parts and Literal attainments Surgunt indocti Caelum rapiunt c. As he Apud Leigh's Body Divinity pag. 230 without Earthly Contentments but without Holiness no man shall see the face of God in Glory Thâ—re must be a sanctified heart and a sanctified life yea and that here in measure though there will be imperfection while here if ever you be Glorified hereafter You must here begin that Holiness that shall be perfected in Heaven There are that hate Holiness scorne and scoffe at it why you will have little heart to mock when you shall see the Holy ones the Saints of God carried into Heaven and you thrust out Others have no delight at all in Holiness in Holy Duties Holy Ordinances Holy Company it is a buâ—den a weariness a trouble to them Why you are not principl'd for Heaven Heaven would not be a Paradice but a Prison to you a torment in that Condition Others are utter strangers to an Holy Conversation rather walking in the Company and wayes of loose lewd and wicked men than in the wayes of the Holy Contrary to 1 Pet. 1.14 18. nothing of Heaven or Holiness is to be seen upon them no Impression or Charecter thereof Why truly if you do not beg in Heaven in this World you must not look to find it in that to come 5. They that are Enemies to the Lords Holy and faithful people that do hate maligne or seek the hurt or overthrow of those that love Holiness or of their Holy Enjoyments 2 Thes 1.5 9. Trouble and Rest shall then shift hands The Godly that now suffer Trouble shall then â—nter into Rest but their Troublers shall have trouble yea everlasting Trouble instead of Rest They that have had no heart to do good Offices for the Lords People the Members of Christ will then hear from Christ a depart you Cursed Mat. 25.41 45. much more they that act against them The Godly by Gracious suffering of Tribulations get to Heaven Act. 14.22 But the wicked by being active in bringing Tribulations on them plunge themselves deep into Hell Oh foolish World they can never effect the destruction of the Godly but they effect their own destruction by endeavouring it Psal 9.13 17. What
plainer evidence of a state of Perdition than to be an Enemy yea if but a secret enemy and hater of those who it may be your Consciences tell you are in a state of Salvation and are such as are like to get to Heaven For I speak not of pretended but real Saints or real as far as appears at least to be an enemy to those is the directest way you can take to everlasting Confusion Psal 129.5 and 34 21. As you love your Souls take heed of being found in the least opposition to the Interest of Christ or of his people 2. Consider how or in what way these impenitent unbelieving sinners do come to lose or miss of this Eternal Glory viz. in General By neglecting or not embracing the Call of the Gospel in this day of Grace and turning aside to vain things He calls us saith the Text to his Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus Hence look as by Effectual Calling i. e. by obeying and answering hearkning to and imbracing the Call of the Gospel the faithful obtain it and are brought into it so on the contrary others that live under the Gospel miss on 't by not hearkning to this Call by turning a deaf ear thereunto refusing and neglecting when called to come to Christ Jesus Prov. 1 24 27. They that hear not Christ when he sayes come Luk. 14.17 in the Kingdom of Grace shall nâ—ver hear him say come in reference to the Kingdom of Glory as Mat. 25.34 And they that hear not this latter Call come it will be because they would not hearken to the former The Lord Jesus now calls to every one of you come unto me and possess Grace and Glory in and with me If you attend to this Call by the obedience of Faith you shall hear him then say to you Come you Blessed c. Isa 55.3 But alas men lose and put away that Eternal Glory by neglecting resisting and refusing this Call of Grace Here therefore take these two or three Considerations 1. Every time you neglect or refuse the Call and offer of the Gospel you put away this Glory as Act. 13.46 The Lord Calls you on his part to Eternal Glory or to come and receive both Grace and Glory in and with Christ Jesus Rom. 6.23 Heaven is offered you when Christ is offered Hence you slight and refuse and turn your backs upon all the Glory of Heaven when you neglect the Call of the Gospel or dis-accept of Christ offered therein The Salvation of God Eternal Salvation is offered to you Act. 28.28 and you will not hear on 't you despise all the wonderfull Happiness of Heaven that we have been speaking of Oh fearful wickedness monstrous madness and miserable miss of Heaven So when you will not pray nor meditate nor hear nor wait at Christ's gates It is as much as to say that you are not for Eternal Glory which is to be sought and obtained in such wayes and how Justly how unexcusably do such perish The Lord is calling you to Eternal Glory but you turn away from it 2. Consider what it is for the sake whereof you lose or turn away from this Glory and neglect the way to it Why a vile lust a vain World these are chosen and Heaven refused these have your affections when Christ and all his Glory can have none of them And so for the sake of those for this present World a heap of vanities a fashion that passeth away you lose all the good of that to come The voice of the World calling us to Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus cannot be heard for the voice of the World calling us to present Objects and things here And so for Earth men lose Heaven Mark 10.21 22. What a mad and foolish bargain and choice is this And yet thus it is there is never a sinner that misses Heaven but he chuses Earth before it 3. You lose and miss of this Glory when it was brought near to you in the Call and offer of the Gospel when according to the order of means you might have had it When you were called to Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus viz. by the outward Call of the Gospel a real Call though not to you Effectual the reflection upon this will be one day bitter and tormenting From under a Call to Heaven to drop to Hell from under a word and call and offer of Salvation to Perdition what a dreadful thing will that be i. e. in the Eternal dispensation of it you that live in the visible Church you had an Interest in the Kingdom of Heaven it was in your hands as it were left with you and you had the offer of it the dispensation of it Job 4.22 now to lose it to let it go to be dâ—prived of it For the Children of the Kingdom to be cast out that will bring with a witness wailing and weeping and gnashing of teâ—th Mat 8 12. After you have been lifted up to Heaven it will be a fearful thing to fall down to Hell Mat. 11.23 24. 3. Consider the greatness of this loss and the bitterness thereof 1. From the exceeding greatness of the good that is lost viz. Eternal Glory all the Happinss of Heaven the sweet fellowship of the Father Son and Holy-Ghost wherein is fulness of Joy c. Psal 16.11 and all the Concomitants thereof that Heaven affords Oh it is beyond our Expression or Conception All that we have before spoken of about this future happiness presents matter of meditation here aggravating this loss Go over the particulars and say I wretched sinner continuing in that Estate or if I live in sin and unbelief must lose and be thrust out from all this be seperated from the sweet pâ—esence of God from the Love of the Father the Grace of the Son and the Consolation of the Holy Ghost Be stript of Glory both in Soul and Body utterly deprived of the Image of God each spark whereof is more worth than a World Be thrust out of the Company of Saints and Angels among damned Wights and Devils Be shut out of Heaven that place of Bliss and Glory and this perpetually everlastingly for ever and for ever more Others must go in and enjoy all this But I I for my brâ—iâ—ish sinning away my day of Grace if I should go on as I have thus long done be thrust out what wailing would that produce Luk. 13.28 2. Compare herewith Worldly losses the loss of good things in this World and remember what a griefe and torment that sometimes is If you had or were but in a fair probability and expectation to have and then should lose but a great sum of Money lose your house by Fire a Commodious Dwelling a fair Estate or all that ever you have though but a little by this or that occasion much more a Kingdom a Crown what a bitter thing would that be If you do but lose a dear Friend by death a sweet Relation a yoak-Fellow a pleasant Child how
does grief come flowing in how are you steept in sorrows It lyes down and wakes with you and wrings wormwood into your Cup yea it â—imbitters all other Comforts though you have many others yet about you How do you see persons sometimes take on and wring their hands when they have lost this or that dear Comfort here What will it then be to lose Heaven to lose the Riches Pleasures the Crown the Kingdom of Eternal Glory Not one Comfort but all not one Saint but all at once yea not Creatures but the Creator himself God blessed for evermore Oh who can express or conceive the anguish the wailing c. That must needs accompany and follow this 3. Remember also the bitter sense that such as have been sensible have had here of the loss of Gods prâ—sence and light of his Countenance or of Communion with him Davids tears are his meat for that cause Psal 42.3 4. but for the want of wonted Communion of Ordinances Job 13.24 26. Psal 88 14 15. Yea Christ himself Mat. 27.46 To be forsaken of God when felt as it is is an insupportable misery burden though but for a little season should this be thy portion and that for ever the horrour whereof who can express 4. The irrecoverableness of this loss as it will then be When you shall have slept out and sinned out your day of Grace and be found at the day of Death and Judgment in an unregenerate and unpardoned Estate Then you will find your loss and deprivation of Heaven to be irrecoverable no possible remedy or recovery no place for repentance or remission nor capacity thereof But the sentence final absolute irrecoverable Mat. 25.41 Heb. 6.2 Oh think of these things and lay them to heart with fear and trembling while yet there may be a recoâ—â—â—y anâ— you may possibly come out of that eâ—uâ— estate and obtain this Glory by Christ â—esus while yet the door is open before it be shut forever Luk. 13. 24 25 28. Oh tremble to rest a moment out of a state of Grace for the end of that will be to be shut out of Glory Oh let not present Earthly Comforts content or quiet you while you are like to lose or have little hope to obtain Eternal Glory Mourn after Christ now that you may not mourn then without hope Vse 4. Consider hence what a sin and shame it is to be slight or slothful to stick at small matters in the way to Heaven in seeking and travelling toward this future Glory or attending to what the Gospel calls us unto for there is no work no duty the Gospel calls us to but it tends to Eternal Glory it is part of the Race or way thither that is the tendency of the whole Call and Rule of the Gospel to guide us through Grace to Glory Text. Now we see how great and wonderful a thing how transcendant a good this future this Eternal Glory is and should we be slight and sluggish in pursuit after this The Gâ—eaâ—ness and Excâ—llâ—ncy of that that lyes at the end of the Race of a Christian course may blame and shame all negligence and backwardness in the way 1. It condemns slightness or negligence and slothfulness in Religion in a Christian Course in the matters of our Salvation which thing is our great Bane and Woe the Perdition of multitudes and the sad Temptation and hindrance of the Saints themselves why this is here sharply rebuked and we may have hence a notable help against it For what is Eternal Glory a thing to be slightly sought after negligently or sluggishly attended to Does negligence and slightness become or suit so great a business Heb. 2.32 Can you pray slightly or coldly c. when you are praying for Eternal Glory Can you hear carelesly keep Sabbaths loosely meditate perfunctorily confer coldly spend seasons of Grace idlely when as you are in all these about the business of Eternal Life and Salvation Oh it is a great thing to be saved Eternally It is no small matter to obtain Eternal Glory a Room among Saints and Angeâ—s in Heaven c. And though God gives it freely as to matter of merit on our part yet he will have the greatness and worth of it acknowledged and esteemed by our seriousness diligence and earnest in seeking it He gives it freely but not easily i. e. not without our pains and diligence in seeking after it and waiting for it not without our striving as in Agony Luk. 13.24 wrestling Ephes 6.12 in high-places rather in or about Heavenly things so Gouge in Loc. pag. 43. Gurnal Part 1. pag. 307. fighting 1 Tim. 6.12 in all diligence Heb. 6.11 12. A Prince may give a thing freely and yet command his Servant to wait diligently on him to take the season to present himself with Reverence Humility c. This is necessary to a meet and orderly receiving it So here we merit nothing by all our diligence Eternal Life is a gift Rom. 6.23 but there is a diligence required to the receiving the Cordial Humble Dependant Suitable receiving of it Isa 55.1 2. the diligence of the Begger is required not of the Buyer or Earning Labourer properly It is a most preposterous and absurd thing that we should be trifling slight and negligent when about so great a business as Eternal Salvation that consists not with a due esteem and true receiving of it It will never be got in that way All diligence is here called for 2 Pet. 1.10 Heb. 6.11 12. and good reason for it is a great business 1 Cor. 9.15 Philip. 2.12 2. It serves to blame and shame our sticking at small matters in the way to Heaven as viz. 1. At the pains of the Spiritual warfare or of a Christian course We must as I but now said take pains in Fighting wrestling waiting striving c. if we will get to Heaven But this men stick at it 's death to be put upon it They would be glad to go to Heaven but are loath to take so much pains to break through Difficulties Corruptions and Temptations to follow God Oh shameful folly and sloth will not Heaven quit cost This is as if we should refuse to step over the way to receive a vast Estate to rise out of a warm Bed put feet over the threshould travel a little in a dark night step forth in a Cold Morning in a Rainy day or some such little small difficulty or trouble to get a Kingdom or to save ones life c. far less than so is the utmost pains of a Christian course or Warfare compar'd with Heaven They despised the pleasant Land when they would not fight for it nor venture upon Walled Towns and Sons of Anak c. nor run any hazard for it Psal 106.24 25. with Numb 13.28 29 31 33 and 13.3 4 10. What was not Canaan worth that so good a Land as even themselves acknowledged it was Numb 13.27 So it is a fearful despising and
Fellowship of the Spirit to all Eternity Why then Christ is for you this is that the God of all Grace Calls us to by Christ Jesus and this is most worthy of all acceptation The Land we tell you of that Coelestial Land of promise is an exceeding good Land some Clusters and Tasts of the Grapes whereof we have shewed you If you be wise go up at once and possess it and let nothing hinder or detain you as Numb 13.30 and 14.7 8. 3. Consider what a wonderful heart-breaking thing it is that the Lord should speak such a word of Salvation to you or give you such a Call to Eternal Glory Verily next to that Call that the Saints shall have at the last day to the immediate fruition of this Glory Mat. 25.34 is this Call that you now have to the possession of it in and with Christ in the Kingdom of Grace The Lord now sayes to thee come come to Christ Jesus Imbrace and possess him as offered in the Gospel and in with him Eternal Glory not seperating the estate from the person think not to have Christs Glory without having Christ himself nor the end from the way to it Heaven from the way wherein you are to walk thither But take altogether Christ and through him Grace and Glory to be obtained in a way of walking after Christ in the Kingdom of Grace and welcome it as the free gift of God Rom. 6.23 Psal 84.11 12. This the Lord Calls you to come and take possession of he bids you now enter Heaven and take your lot there in the promise and beginning of it And what a wonderful thing is this Remember 1. Whom he speaks and Calls unto a vile Sinner and wretched Malefactor that deserves to be turned into Hell and might have expected to hear a doom and Sentence of Wrath only to hear only news of Woe and Wrath and Fire and Blood to hear such a word as that in Mat. 25.41 And will the Lord unto thee say come come to a Saviour and be forever Blessed in and with him 2 Tim. 7.18 19. The Lord speaks to you of a great while to come even of Eternal Glory in the World to come the offer of it unto you all and the promise of it if you do believe 2. Who is it that Calls viz. God in Christ Jesus the God of all Grace Phil. 3.14 He sends from Heaven to Call you up to Heaven I tell you the Bowels of the Lord Jesus now in Glory are now yearning over some of you yea all of you as he is dispensing this word of Salvation to you 2 Chron. 36.15 We are but poor Instruments Messengers whom he imployes and sends It is from the design of Christ to seek and save poor Creatures to bring them to Heaven therefore he sets this great Salvation before you and Calls on you not to neglect it therefore he lifts up his voice that you might hear it as all his sheep shall and follow him that he might give you Eternal Life Joh. 10.27 28. That the King of Kings the Lord of Lords should call up a worm to the Fellowship of his own Glory Luk. 1.43 much more the Lord himself 3. Of what he speaks viz. Eternal Glory i. e. Grace and Glory the beginning of it here the Consummation of it hereafter the former in order to the latter and to the whole of both at once He offers and calls to it at once The best and greatest thing that God hath to give God himsâ—lf hath no greater gift than that Rom. 6.23 and this he thrusts into thy hands the thing that you have most need of absolute need of for there is but one thing necessary and that is to get Heaven to be saved forever the thing that is able to make you Happy a Beatifical good Everlasting Communion with God which is our Blessedness whole Happiness at once this he layes before you 4. When he thus speaks and Calls to thee when Earth is full of trouble about you and there is no rest upon it then he Calls you up to Heaven and to rest there When this lower World is stormy and unquiet then he leads you to the upper region to the Chambers of Glory where Peace dwells as Isa 26.20 when the Sea rages and is tempestuous about you now he discovers an Harbour to put into the fair Haven of Eternal Glory the Bosom of the Blessed God where your Souls may dwell at ease Psal 25.13 In every other dwelling there is some Inconvenience trouble difficulty pinching want or ail that you do not sit at ease some hard knot in every Worldly Pillow that you do not lie at ease But there your Souls shall dwell at ease lodge in goodness as the word is Goodness universal goodness shall be your lodging place Yea when sin had even thrown you down to Hell seperated you from God provoked his wrath yet now the Lord speaks of Heaven to you Yea now he thus speaks and Calls after all your neglects and mispence of time he is yet calling yet offering Christ and Life and Heaven to you this day this hour Behold now an accepted time a day of Salvation a day of Receiving Possessing and obtaining Eternal Salvation in Christ Jesus The offers of Salvation might have long since ceased and ended to you-ward but behold yet they are continued and thou hast this one Call more not only yesterday you might but to day you may hear the voice of Christ Jesus Oh harden not your hearts from so doing It may be thou sayest as Isa 55.5 6. 5. In what way a portion in this Eternal Glory is to be had and obtained in what way the Lord offers it and calls thee to possess it viz. in a way of believing on the Lord Jesus Christ i. e. as I may so express it in a way of leaving and taking Leaving that that is worthy to be left and taking accepting chusing that that is worthy most worthy to be taken Leaving and letting go all evil misery and vanity sin and world as attended and enjoyed in a way of sin Luk. 14.33 And taking all good Christ and all his benefits Grace and Glory all saving good in and with a Saviour This great Estate of Grace and Glory together with so sweet desirable and Glorious a person a match as the Son of God is What a wonderful offer and motion is this and how worthy of all acceptation Hence 4. Consider that they that now in the day of Grace chuse this Eternal Glory in earnest may yea shall have it If you chuse Heaven indeed you shall go thither if willing to have everlasting Felloship with God for your portion you shall have it Why if this be true what more plain than that the offer of of this Glory is free and real what more inexcusable or wilful than the sin and perdition of those that perish What remains but that you be perswaded to chuse and imbrace Heaven and Life
Eternal though one would think you should need little perswading Now this is most true and evident Deut. 30.19 if you chuse life you shall live Joh. 3.19 Therefore if they had loved light rather then darkness i. e. chosen light i. e. Christ and all his Grace they should not have been condemned but saved see Prov. 1.29 Isa 56.4 5. Psal 119.30 173. Isa 66.3 4. Every man hath his choice Do you chuse Lust Sin Vanity World you shall have it Do you chuse separation from God to live at a distance and in estrangement from him that will inevitably be your everlasting portion if you continue in that choice But if the Lord give you an heart to chuse Heaven i. e. not meerly as a place of outward ease but of Holy Communion with God and fruition of him rather than Earth If you indeed chuse God and his Fellowship rather than the World Christ and Grace rather than sin then you shall have that Why is there any Body that does not chuse Heaven that would not be saved Yea a great many viz. they that chuse sin Prov. 8.36 and 1.22 That chuse this present World for their Portions 2 Tim. 4.10 That will none of God Psal 81.11 For it is the enjoyment of God that makes Heaven why if you will none of Heaven if you refuse Eternal Glory or the way to it if you care not for Blessedness no wonder if you miss of it and just will be your perdition But oh who come to be so sottish and brutish as to chuse evil before good Earth before Heaven and Death before Life chuse Life and that you may have forever 5. Whither will you turn you if you disobey this Call and neglect this offer of Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus Where will you take up your portion Where will you find any thing Comparable to this or ought that can make you happy if you refuse this Isa 10.3 You will go to the Creature to a vain World to the pleasures profits and preferments of it you will dig in the Earth for a Portion But alas there is no Eternal Glory to be found there is no good here that can make up happiness much less a durable happiness There is no Treasure on Earth but there is a destroyer lies by it Mat. 6.19 There is nothing safe in this World you can lay up nothing where destruction may not find it There is but one safe place to lay up a portion in and that is Heaven You do but lay up for the fire what you lay up on Earth for that will be the last end of all things here 2 Pet. 3.10 When that day of the universal burning of the World comes what a sensible demonstration will it be of the vanity of laying up our portion on Earth and so are all particular burnings of Houses or Towns or Cities in the lesser dayes of Gods Judgements now How many wayes does the Lord proclaim unto men that here is no suitable or durable portion for them to be had on Earth You must to Heaven if you will have any true or lasting Happiness any Eternal Glory There no Moth nor Rust no Fire nor Water no Pirate or Robber comes Make this World your Inne and not your Home and then when it is fired you may leave it without loss the Traveller suffers little or no loss when the Inne where he lodged all night is set on Fire and go home to an Everlasting Habitation Oh men may call the things of this World a Glory as Genes 31.1 but there is nothing here worthy that name or if it be it is not Eternal Glory to be sure it is but a fading fashion that passeth away Look upon the various changes losses destructions wherein the best and goodliest portions in this World do fade and fail and pass away you may write on them Sic transit gloria mundi Why then if you neglect and refuse Heaven and turn to the things below you do but imbrace shadows for substance shells and shews and vain things that cannot profit you and what a madness and folly is that 6 Consider the peril of refusing or disobeying this Call and offer of Salvation or what the issue would be should you neglect it viz. everlasting heaviness misery and damnation If you will not have Heaven you shall have Hell for you must have one of them yea a deeper and hotter Hell because you had the offer of Heaven and refused it The Lord hath brought the matter to this pinch there is but this choice before you either Heaven or Hell either Eternal Glory or Eternal Misery If you refuse the former you shall not escape the latter If you will none of Christ and Grace you shall have sin and be given up to it If you will not have the Fellowship of God you shall have the Company of the Devil and his Angels If you will not hear the voice of the call and promise of the Gospel you shall one day hear that dreadful word Mat. 25.41 Why if this be the choice is it not plain and easie to determine which is to be chosen Shall not thy Soul with fear and trembling groan to God to deliver thee from such a madness and misery as to neglect Heaven and chuse Hell to hate Christ and love death And such a madness it is to disâ—regard the Call of the Gospel the voice of wisdom and to go after the foolish woman whose Guests are in the depths of Hell 7. Remember that we must hear Christs call now in the word and Kingdom of his Grace if ever we would hear his Blessed and Glorious call at the last day unto the immediate actual fruition of Fellowship with him in the Kingdom of his Glory If we would then hear him say come as Mat. 25 34. we must hear and obey that word from him now Come now if you would come then Come now to Christ Jesus and enter into Fellowship with him as God calls you 1 Cor. 1.9 in a way of Faith and Grace if you would then come into his Kingdom and be for ever with him in a way of Glory Are you willing to hear Christ at the last and great day when he shall break out of the Clouds set him down on the Throne of his Glory and call all Nations before him then to say to you Come you Blessed inherit the Kingdom Then you must hear him now who cryes to you in the Gospel Come come unto me that you may have Life and Glory for evermore Luk. 14.17 The same portion for substance that the Saints are called to then you are invited and called to now viz. Fellowship with Christ and participation of all his benefits Peace Grace and Glory there from an Inchoation you pass to the Consummate fruition of them here from a total want to an entire possession of them so at the first believing which is in that regard a greater matter than the other will that word be acceptable and
14.2 Heb. 6.20 Ephes 2.6 And relie on his mighty power and grace his strong hand which nothing can pluck you out of Joh. 10.28 to prepare you for it to keep and carry and conduct you through the wilderness of this World unto the Heavenly Canaan Isa 63.9 14. to guide you by his Spirit and preserve you to his Heavenly Kingdom and at last in the work of his second coming Heb. 9.28 finally to accomplish and finish the matter of your â—â—lvaâ—â—â—n and Glory Iâ—s 73.24 Joh. 6.54 5. Improve this Eternal Glory which is offered and gâ—ven in and with Christ as an hâ—lp to sweeten and facilitate and make the heart come â—ff in that which is the hardest thing in the work of closing with Christ viz. parting with the Wâ—rld forsaking and sitting loose from the World and all that you have here Renouncing sin absolutely and Earthly contentments in Comparison of Christ Here it is that men stick Mark 10.22 2 Tim. 4.10 Joh. 5 44. Philip. 3.19 The Impression of Worldly Lusts and Affections are they that choak the word and call of thâ— Gâ—spel Luk. 8.14 Mark 4.19 Bâ—t here is a notable help against this when Christ comes with Heaven and the Glory thereof in his hands it withers away the Glory of this World What shall take us off the Eâ—rth or â—nâ—ble us to contemn that if Hâ—â—ven will not This may make us forsake the pleasuâ—es of this World as a drie chip compar'd with those above Heb. 11. 25 29. and the profits and wealth of it Mat. 6.19 20. Psal 17.14 15. And what is the Honour and Glory of it compared with this Glory of Heaven Heb. 12.2 3. Answ Some Objections that readily fall in here Obj. 1. This may some say is too great a thing that ever the Lord should offer to be received or give upon receiving Eternal Glory so vast a thing as everlasting Life and Blessedness to such a vile thing as I am How is it possible Answ It is the God of all Grace from whom this Offer and Call and Gift is If it were from men or finite goodness it could not possibly be But the great God is able to do it Rom. 6.23 He is rich enough in Grace to give such a gift to do such a work of Grace as this Ephes 2.7 Hence as 2 Sam. 7.19 21 22. And it is by Christ Jesus By the infinite merit of Christ and by his mighty saving power Phil. 3.26 If there were not such mighty causes at work as the Grace of God the righteousnâ—ss and strength of Christ It were incredible that so great a thing as Eternal Glory should ever be offered or given to or bestowed upon such as we are But Mat. 19.16 Obj. 2. But I have blind eyes and a dead Carnal heart I cannot see nor believe on Christ nor take hold of him nor get possession of this great Gift I want an hand and an Heart to take it Answ God in Christ is the God of all Grace in that notion also viz. the Giver and Worker of all Grace and so of the Grace of Faith That also is the Gift of God Ephes 2.8 why therefore in the sense of unbelief and inability to believe especially to believe in Truth we shall make no right work on 't Lord unless thou work all our works in and for us Isa 26.12 Groan and cry to the Lord as Mat. 9.24 Trust not thy own heart to believe or to hammer out a Faith of its own but put it over into his hands Look to him to be Author and Moulder of thy faith Heb. 12.2 Colos 2.12 The King of Glory is come to thy door beg him to open the door and come in Look to him to give all at once whole Eternal Life and so this beginning of it this entrance into it viz. Faith Come to him leaning on him and on the power of his drawing Grace when you cannot come by the strength of your own legs put your buckle under you Cant. 1.4 Psal 143.10 By the land of uprightness may be meant Heaven not one right step thither without the help and leading of Gods Spirit Obj. 3. But my sins shut me out and shut Heaven against me and thrust me rather into Hell How can such an unclean thing ever hope to see the face of God in Heaven Answ Behold the Lamb of God c. Behold the Attonement of Christ doing away sin and his righteousness purchasing life for us By Christ Jesus it is that you are called and may come to this Eternal Glory not by any thing in your selves Our sins indeed had shut Heaven but the blood of Christ opens it Heb 10.19 20. Though we be unclean in our selves we are presented there now as holy before God in the righteousness of Christ and Christ will make us inherently holy before he carry us thither Nothing indeed but our sins is the great hindrance from Heaven But therefore Christ is sent and set apart on purpose to take away sin both by Justifying and Sanctifying Grace 1 Joh. 3.5 And therefore by Christ we may obtain Eternal Glory Obj. 4. But though I look to Christ and come to him for all Spiritual and Eternal Blessings for all the fulness of God I feel my self a poor vile miserable empty Creature having but little either of holiness or Comfort Where is this Glory that Saints have by Christ Jesus Answ Believe the promise that is made to every Comer to or Believer in Christ Take Eternal Life and Glory in the promise possess it in the promise and in the Covenant and so as in Christs hands 1 Joh. 5.11 though thou hast it not yet in thine own hands in fruition and accomplishment Remember that Eternal Glory is first given to thy faith before it be given to thy feeling nay when thou feelst the quite contrary as Canaan was to Abraham when he had yâ—t no foot of it nay when possâ—ssâ—d by enemies 2 Cor. 5.7 1 Pet. 1 8 9. Hâ—b 11.1 The actual fruitition of this Glory must not be till after you have suffâ—red a while Tâ—xt not only under outward â—â—ll â—ctions but also a conflict of spiritual Corruption Some beginnings there are of it here but they are but little and they shâ—w themselves rather in â—â—â—â—â—ing after it than feeling of it Rom. 8.23 24. Not Eâ—rth but Heaven is the place â—â— the consâ—aâ—â— câ—mfortable sensible preseâ—câ— oâ— God 2 Câ—r 5 8. Believe for Heaven fight for it now and you shall enjoy it one day 1 Pet. 1.6 8 9. SERMON VIII TO Believers to the Faithful whom God hath called effectually called unto this Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus The Godly that are Heirs of Heaven or profess themselves to be of that number 1. To get assurance of their portion in this Eternal Glory 2. To make improvement of it even of so rich and great and happy a portion as this is 1. Labour after a settled and well grounded assurance that this is your portion that
in to quicken us to make sure of Heaven May we not get this meat out of the eater this good out of all the evils and troubles that are in the World Is it now a time to walk at peradventures with God to live at uncertainties to hang between Heaven and Earth to be to seek of a resting place when trouble fills the whole Earth When the Lords anger is burning up and down the World and his fury poured out like fire every where and the Rocks thrown down by him Had we not need make sure of his love and be able to say the Lord is good and my strong hold c. Nah. 1.14 15 16. When Hypocrites cannot stand as they cannot before God appearing in his dreadful and devouring wrath hâ—d we not need make sure of sincerity of Gâ—ace Isa 33.14 15 16. You may bear up your head for a time and go up and down carelesâ— but sooner or later one way or other there will come such a devouring fire such an appearence of wrath such dreadful Judgments as no false heart now slight chaffy professor shall be able to stand before Mat. 3.12 He had need have Gold tryed in the fâ—ee Grace that is of Golden solidity and purity Dross and chaffe will not biâ—e the fire that unkindled in the day of Gods Judgments when he takes his Fan into his hand to sever purge out and burn up the Chaffe the hypocrites and sinners in Sion that is mixed with the wheat and found on the floor of the visible Church When Jerusalem's sins are ripe for Judgment and God hath waited his time upon obstinate sinners and despisers of the Gospel as he did on the Jews in and after Christ's time then a threshing and winnowing fanning and to the chaffe a burning time comes Then indeed the Lord will lose never a grain of sound wheat it had need be sound and solid wheat that can bear the tossings of the Fan and the blasts of the wind and not be heaved and driven quite away But chaffy hypocrites and sinners will not be able to stand or abide such a time Amos 9.9 or I will fanne the house of Israel as Corn is fanned tossed in a fanne 10. Oh we had need be sure to be good and sound wheat at such a time be setled strengthned stablished in Grace well built and founded as Peter prayes for them here in Text. To a time of great afflictions Sufferings and Troubles 1 Pet. 5 9 10. in a time when Judgment was begun at the house of God 1 Pet. 4.17 and of fiery tryals v. 12. Oh at such a time it is a suitable and a precious thing to have a lively Inheritance as he begins the Epistle 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5 6. When the Earth looks uncomfortably when the face of things in this lower world hath terrour trouble and blackness in it and was it ever blacker than at this day It is then seasonable to be looking up stedfastly into Heaven and to get a clear sight of the Glory there and of our Interest in it Act. 7.54 55 56. Oh we might make a gaine of all the troubles of the times did we turn them this way to lift up our eyes to Heaven and to awaken our Souls to make sure of a portion there 4. It is a shrewd sign of one that is not like to get to Heaven to be careless of making sure of it For whence is this carelesseness but from taking up with and resting in other portions things of this World and see Jam. 4.4 1 Joh. 2.15 they that take up their portion in the Earth are not like to see Heaven to be sure in that way they never shall from slighting despising and dis-esteeming Heaven for what a man highly prizes and makes his portion his chief good he will be solicitous and studious to make sure of To be careless herein is as much as to say that we make no great matter whether we have or lose it get or miss it It shews one to be a negligent seeker of Heaven and Eternal life for if he were in good earnest he would pursue the matter till he made sure work on 't till the matter were brought to some issue he would seek till he find But it is only the diligent seeker that shall obtain and no other Heb. 11.6 Prov. 8.17 and 13.4 Qui frigide rogat docet nâ—gare The Lord will not pin Heaven upon our sleeves He will make us seek after it in good earnest if ever we have it Rom. 2.7 Luk. 13.24 there may be fits and pangs of carelesseness but God will recover and awaken if he intend mercy They that seek and run to purpose cannot endure to be at uncertainties 1 Cor. 8.26 27 28. uncertainly vid. Dutch Anotat Paul cannot end enduâ—e to run at such a rate that he may be as like to lose as win v. 24. 5. It is sure we were once in the way to Hell we had need to look to it to make sure that we are got into the way to Heaven We lie by nature children of wrath were set down into the World in Hell-path and it may be did for a long time palpably and evidently go on therein even in the broad way that leads to destruction and had we not need be sure and clear that we are got out of that way and state into the way and state of Eternal Life He whose life was never in danger will not be so solicitous But take a Malefactor that was condemned to die if there be any hopes overtures of pardon how careful will he be to have it sure and under all the confirmation that may be We are by nature under a real title to Hell guilty of sin whose wagâ—s is death and by the Curse and Sentence condemned to die and under the power and dominion of sin that was â—â—â—rying us to Hell and would inevitably do it if left to our selves Had we not need look that we have got a real title to Heaven that theâ—e be a reallity in our claime to that An empty broken hope a shaddow an â—hâ—â—oâ—â—â—ncy is not enough to set against a â—â—â—liâ—ys The Câ—rsâ— is real and sin real and our being heirs of Hell real Oh is our pardon real our fellowship with Christ real our title to Heaven real our Regeneration real and certain Joh. 3.3.5 6. It is certain we were flesh are we become spirit new Creatures made spiritual and holy we were born naturally to an Inheritance in Hell are we indeed born again supernaturally to see the kingdom of Heaven 6. Consider that great danger of being deceived here it 's a matter of highest moment to be deceived about everlasting life is a dreadful thing and yet we are wondrous prone and apt to be deceived Mat. 7.13 14. Christ tells the Pharisees that they could not not escape the damnation of Hell Mat. 23.33 and yet they themselves thought that they could not but be heirs of Heaven and that whoever
yet fear them not with any discouraging dismaying fear for they are but a small matter compared with the Glory that follows Rom. 8.18 2 Cor. 4.17 And also you shall be sure to get well through them if you be sure to get to Heaven as every true Believer is then you are sure to get well and safe through all the troubles that ly on this side Heaven If a man in his Journey come to a place of mire or water if he apprehend danger of drowning or of not getting safe through that drâ—ads him but if no danger of that if sure to get well through why the present trouble or hardship of wetting his foot putting thâ—m in the cold water c. he makes nothing of that Why all that are true Believers God hath assured you of this that you shall never come to any bad place to any trouble or tryal in all the way to Heaven but you shall get well through and safe to Heaven at last Isa 43.2 Why then the present trouble of a little hardship and pain to the flesh should be no great trouble to you 1 Pet. 1.4 5 6. But when troubles are in the Earth as they are even to astonishment to this day then should you go up and find Comfort in Heaven If you have Heaven to set against Earth and all Earthly evils you have enough While we tarry below or look only downward or round about us we may sink as Peter on the water But look upward away to Heaven look up stedfastly into Heaven with Stephen and there all is calm and comfortable and speaks more peace and Comfort to the faithful than all the World can speak trouble 3. Against all the difficulties straits and conflicts that lye in the way to Heaven The way indeed is strait and hard to flesh and blood Mat. 7.14 it is full of troubles from the World of temptations from Satan oppositions from the flesh tryalls from God requiring a continual warfare conflict and exercise in all these respects and much pains and care both to get into and keep in the right way It is so way-laid with enemies that you must be fain to fight at every step 1 Tim. 4.6 12. Be it so yet there is that in the end that does infinitely over-ballance all the troubles in the way It is but going through a miry-lane to a wealthy Palace or breaking through a rainy-day to go at the time appointed to take possession of a great Estate who sticks at that We have sometimes mentioned that passage of Chrysostom vid. apud Burroughs on the Excellency of the Soul page 358. great difficulties are rendred small when the matter is exceeding great for which they are gone through Who thinks it much to ride and run through frost and snow mire and water night and day when a Kingdom nay but a private Estate an Inheritance a good sum of Money lyes at stake Men will go through great pains and difficulties and make nothing of it for those things which the World accounts great But they are all trifles to Heaven 1 Cor. 9.25 Remember the greatness of Heaven's Glory that will lessen and lighten 2 Cor. 4.17 yea sweeten all your labour and travail to it Look upon the end when you are pressed with the difficulties of the way so Moses did Heb. 11.26 and Paul did 2 Cor. 4.18 Eternal Glory is worth Travelling for worth Praying for waiting watching for worth sweating suffering striving fighting for and it will quit cost and make amends to the full Israel had good reason to venture through hazards and difficulties and to go on clearly through them all when as Canaan was such an exceeding good Land Numb 14.7 8 9. Psal 106.24 so here But seeing you are called to Eternal Glory travail on cheerily thitherward though it be through hardships and difficulties stick not at them there is that in the end and that promise of certain assistance in the way that is enough to carry you through Heaven will make amends for all 4. Against those spiritual evils and wants that you are here labouring under which of all other are the sorest exercise and saddest discouragement to a gracious heart Heaven will cure them all the very fore-thoughts whereof is full of Comfort 1. Sin and remainders of Corruption that is the great and bitter complaint and vexation of the Saints Rom. 7.24 that they never be free in no duty at no time but still evil is present with them and oft in the prevailings of Corruptions and hurrying impressions of sin make work for bitter repentance And after all means mercies afflictions Prayers yet the indwelling Corruption returnes and appears again c. Why e're long you shall be rid of this troublesome inmate Heaven shall set you free for ever No body of death there none of the old man shall accompany you thither The time is coming oh happy time the very thoughts of it may make you leap for Joy when you shall never have vain thought more never be troubled with corruption more never feel any unsavoury heart more never vexed with temptations more but among the spirits made perfect serving and enjoying God with sin without weariness without interruption and end Heaven was never defiled with sin the Devil did not sin there but in this lower World and was shut out of Heaven for his sin nor ever shall be In that holy place you shall be perfectly holy for ever Hence 2. Heaven will cure the imperfection of Grace which we groan under here having none but the first fruits of the spirit Rom. 8.23 We groan under spiritual imperfections wants weaknesses Grace though begun is is but low and little and weak Hence we are pressed with spiritual wants both of Holiness and Comfort falling short in every thing our attainments poor and defective We are mourning and striving after perfection but reach it not But in Glory Grace will be perfected that is a state of perfection Heb. 12.23 Every Saint will then become to a perfect man Eph. 4.13 no longer a babe and childish rather Carnal than Spiritual as man 1 Cor. 3.1 and 13.9 10 11 12. Oh glorious and happy day when the Image of Christ shall be compleated in us and we shall be fully like him 1 Joh. 3.2 you shall then have that fulness of Grace and spirit which you are now praying and mourning Then will all your Prayers be answered all promises fulfilled to the height and as Josh 23.14 The day is coming when every Grace shall be full grown when there shall be perfect love perfect holiness perfect knowledge perfect unity perfect conformity to the will of God A dram of Grace is more worth than all the World but what will Grace in perfection be when you shall be filled with all the fulness of God as full of God as you can hold or can desire to be Never any more complaints of want or weakness to be sure then there shall be such a time and that
you shall come to it what a joyful thought is this 5. It affords comfort against that absence from the Lord and want of enjoyment of his presence which here we are mourning under 2 Cor. 5.6 7 8. the greatest presence of God that we here enjoy at any time is but absence in comparison How often do we find the Lord withdrawing and absenting himself hiding his face leaving us at a loss and when after mourning and seekings he does draw near and let out himself in any Ordinance or promise yet it is but little in comparison and soon interrupted and clouded again and it will be so Expect not a full and satisfactory and constant uninterrupted enjoyment of God a morning without clouds here That is reserved for Heaven we shall be complaining of defects in our Communion with God while in this World But Heaven will answer and satisfie all our desires and expectations in this respect It will bring us into the presence of God and set us before his face for ever Psal 41.12 we shall then be never absent but alwayes present with the Lord I Thes 4.17 If God had not reserved this for another state and place we might wonder that we can reach no more of it nor that after all our Prayers and mournings we get so little of it and find so many withdrawings and sin and World are suffered to put in and make so many interruptions Oh it is to make us look and long for another World make that use of all the defects and interruptions we find in our Communion with God Prize Heaven and be waiting for that day of full Redemption and think not to enjoy our Heaven here But be willing to go hence that we may go to God be willng rather to be absent from the Body that we may be present with the Lord that we may be with Christ which is best of all Phil. 1.23 willing not only to trade into that Countrey and with much adoe fetch some tasts of the Commodities thereof hither but to remove thither and there possess the fulness thereof even of Beatifical Communion with God Father Son and Holy Ghost for evermore In the mean time let the fore-thoughts and belief of it now while we walk by Faith and not by sight be a comfort and rejoycing in hope that we shall one day have what now we want what now we pray and seek for but cannot fully reach Believing rejoyce with Joy unspeakable Believing that there will come a time when you shall lye in his bosom and see his face drink in the rivers of his pleasures without imperfection without interruption and without end SERMON X. 3. IMprove Heaven and the hopes promises and forethoughts of it to quicken you to prepare for it and for the great Glory there Even those that are in Christ and have Grace begun in them and have hopes to get to Heaven at last yet they may be unready and unfit for Heaven unprepared to go away thither when ever the Lord pleaseth But we ought to be prepared and the consideration of it should stir us up to labour to be fitted for it Colos 1.12 Mat. 24.44 and 25.10 Rom. 9.23 Quest How may we come to be prepared for Heaven or what is this readiness and how obtain'd Answ A main thing in it is to get a portion in Christ Get into a state of Justification and Salvation and good evidence thereof Give all diligence to make your Calling and sure But this we have spoken of before we are now speaking to those that are in Christ yea especially to those that have some Comfortable assurance of it that have a well-grounded hope of Heaven you have got much when you have that and are in a great measure ready but yet that is not all they that are in Christ and have some good hold of him by Faith have further need to be prepar'd for Eternal Glory As viz. 1. By growing in Grace Labour to grow in Grace and thereby to be ripe for Heaven Though the Corâ— be come up yea grown up and eared yet it is not fit to be gathered into the Garnertill it be ripe If the seed of the word have taken place in thy heart and sprouted and come up and be above ground that thy self and others may hopefully discern it that is a comfortable thing But alas thou art too green and raw thou needest a great deal more time and Sun and growth to fit you for Heaven your stalk is not grown yet nor your eare filled nor hardened you need more solidity and hability and consistance of Grace you are not fit for the Sickle nor the Flaile yet to pass through death nor to be laid up in the Chambers of Glory You had need improve every dayes Sun and every drop of Dew and Rain all means and Ordinances and the influence of the Spirit therein to help on your growth that so at the last you may be as a shock of Corn coming in its season And you must be willing to stand abroad till then though it be in the wind and Sun and weather of this troublesome World till full ripe and then you shall be Inn'd and carried into the Heavenly Garner Heaven is the perfection of Grace thy Grace must grow a great deal before it come to that It is far far short of it it had need be growing dayly thou art but a dwarf a babe yet it would be a fearful thing for thee not to grow as it is to see a little child not grow you must come to a perfect man to a full stature if you be Christ's and for Eternal Life indeed and how can that be if you do not grow If you be a living you must and will be a growing Christian If you be one that shall live in Heaven forever i. e. in the perfection and adult state of Grace you must grow while you are in your childhood here on Earth Ephâ—s 4.13.14 15. Think often of the necessity the absolute necessity of growth Think I must have more Grace than I have I must get further on in the way of Grace if ever I get to Heaven For there is perfection which how far am I short of and and I must press and get on nearer and nearer towards that perfection while I am in the way to it if ever I get thither Take a man that is in a Journey and hath gone a good way why the steps that are remaining are as necessary as those that are past if he mean to get to his Journey 's end If he sit down and stop in the and wâ—y he will no more get thither than if he had nevâ—r set out It is as necessary that you prâ—ss â—â— forward and make a progress in the way to â—eaven if you mean â—o gâ—t home thither as it was that you came thus far Oh therefore be of Paul's mind so the sincere will bâ— Phil. 3.12 13 14 15. Yea if we do not go on forward
toward Hâ—aven we shall be in danger to fall back to Hell Neglâ—ct of growth is the High way to Apostâ—â—y Heb. 6.1.4 q. d. unlâ—ss we go toward perfection we shall go backwards and be in danger of utter Apostacy Hence the sincere and truly gracious the Effâ—ctually Called cannot shâ—ll not content themselves with a little or the measure they have attained or stop in the mid-way but go on They that are indeed appointed for Heaven i. e. for full and perfect Communion with God in Christ shall keep travelling on till they come there Oh therefore labour after growth Be as hungry after milk to grow by labour as much for to take in the good of every Ordinance for growth as ever you were at first Conversion to get Life and the beeing of Grace when felt by a total want Yea the tast of Gods Grace should make us more intense than we could be before we tasted 'T is a dangerous thing when persons because they have got something and go for Saints and have some hope of Heaven then sit still and grow full and careless and all their prayers and seekings grow flat and slight and they feel no need of Ordinances but despise them And so spiritual fulness and security and pride and sloth seize upon them and when they stand at a stay may quickly grow worse and decline and are in the high-way to utter Apostacy But if God love you he will fire you out of this frame Oh you keep open doors of a formall lifeless Profession but what growth is there what progress or intense and earnest strivings prayers mournings labours after growth Think it not a small matter to be in a stupified withered condition rather of the losing than winning hand There may be a winter upon Grace for a time but if your spring-time return not it will be plain that you are dead treeâ— Oh be growing and if you be acting you will be growing exercise and growth of Grace go together be active stirring and lively in every duty in every good work in the season of it that is both an evidence and a preparation for Heaven 2. Be loosen'd from this World for while staked down and fixed here while you shoot forth your roots into the Earth and grow here as in your place of settlement and rest you are unfit and unready to remove to Heaven yea or to be travelling toward it It is he that is a stranger and pilgrim in the Earth and that dwells in tents here ready on a short warning to pluck up stakes and be gone that is a faithful seeker of that better Countrey and Traveller toward it Heb. 11.9 10 13 14 19. You cannot have two homes nor two rests nor two portions If you take up your home and rest in this World you are not prepared nor principled for Heaven nor fit to go thither as your home Etern I dwelling Be loosning and drawing off your hearts from the World expect not either a perpetual nor yet a long abode here let not that be your inward thought whiâ—e your outward and common word is that we must all die and be gone over a while Psal 49.11 Be sensible of the vanity and emptiness here Do not so much as desire your portion in this World but make choice of another portion Psal 17.14 15. Be often thinking of and expecting and waiting for your removal from hence into another World Job 14.14 Heb. 13.14 when under the sanctified sense of our non-continuance in this City we are in a fit posture of seâ—king one to come 3. Get inlarged lively and dear affections to Christ so as to love and long to be with him Heaven is the place of fullest and nearest Communion with God in Christ and therefore of strongest sweetest and most ardent affections to him the more strong and lively our affections are the â—â—tter we are for Heaven and the fitter to leave all to go thither And indeed the nearer we come to God and to our home with him in Heaven the stronger our affections will be to him As Holy Bradford said a little before his end As 't is with men in sailing saith he when they come near to the shore or Haven where they would be so the nearer I am to God the nearer I would be And saith he I have given over all care and study and only do I covet to be talking with him whom I have alwayes studied to be withall Fox vol 3. pag. 305. Heaven is the place of love the letting out and acting of love between Christ and his Saints and the same is begun here The more affectionate love we have to Jesus Christ the fitter we are for Heaven Hence those that are fit for Heaven are described by that Character that they love his appearing 2 Tim. 4.8 They love his company and because but a little of it here therefore they would go home to have it fully they love and long for the presence of Christ and to enjoy it in the fulness thereof Phil. 1.23 2 Cor. 5.8 Let Christ alone have your hearts your whole hearts let them not be divided and scattered to other things And if you have lost your affâ—ctions your first love recover them out of the hands of the Creatures that stoâ—e them away from Christ and be content with him and his love alone now you are comforâ—ably fit for Heaven and for living tâ—â—re alone with him seperated from all the World Oh when we have large and overflowing affections to the World can pour out bucâ—â—ts full there but scarse a drop for Christ hearts straitned and shut up toward him thâ—t we can live and rest in Creatures wiâ—â—out God or without Communion with him â—rom day to day but God and all his love and promises cannot content us if Creature Comforts fail or we be parted from them Alas we are far unfit for Heaven this is not a spirit for Heaven these earthly low carnal hearts are unfit for Heaven Get them raised to more Holy and Heavenly affections and more bosom delight in Christ then you are fit to go into his bosom and to live at rest there for ever 4. Be finishing of your work and to that end continually doing your present work with all yoâ—r mâ—ght that is a part of our preparation While our work is not done we are not ready but Joh. 17.4 5. when we have finished our work on Earth then we are ready for Glory in Heaven Now we cannot finish the whole work of our whole lives end But God hath appointed each dayes work and hours work the present duty of each season by doing that finisht the work of the day in its day the work of every duty in the season thereof now you are ready whenever the Lord shall please to come and call you that he shall find you not idle not behind-hand but doing the work appointed you in his name and for his Glory then blessed are you Luk. 12.40 42 43 44.
hearts are in the World and upon their Lusts Ezek. 33.31 So the lively Christian goes up to Hâ—aven in his heart though his body be here on Earth But hence despise and dis-affect â—lâ— Earthly in Comparison of Hâ—avenly things that we are said to mind most which we have most affection and spirit for which we lost most If we have any true taste of Heavenly things we cannot but prefer them before all Earthly things whatsoever 2 Cor. 4.18 3. Drive a trade for Heaven Be trading to the Country now By Faith and Prayer coâ—â—rsiâ—â— with God in Christ and receiving dâ—â—â—â—â—g from all Hâ—avenly Grace and Good You have Conversation in Heaven when you trade thither you act as Citizens of Heaven as the word in Philip 3.20 when you have free trade there free Commerce and Intercourse at all times Christ teaches us to be dayly trading Heaven when he teaches us to pray dayly unto God as our Father which is in Heaven to God in Christ as an Heavenly Father an Heavenly Majesty and a fountain of Hâ—avenly good things that hath Heavenly has Spirit Grace Fellowship with himself to give to them that ask him to them that trade with him by Prayer for such things Luk. 11.13 Let the Commodities of Heaven be above all precious to you Buy them at any rate be willing to be at any cost pains labour and hazard for them willing to part with any thing you have in hand in this World for them willing to adventure much as they that trade to Rich Countryes they venture much thither to adventure Estate and Strength and Life and all you have in this World so you may take it up in Heaven and have it repayed you there as every spiritual adventure most surely shall Mark 10.22 30. Mat. 5.11 12. Heb. 11.25 26. and be sensible of Every stoppage between Heaven and your Souls of any interruption of Intercourse between Christ and you when Prayer speeds not when Christ comes not in with his Influences when they hear no good news from Heaven God hides his face and suspends and withdraws his Communications of Grace and Comfort The Saints that are Traders to Heaven are very sensible of such things But this is a part of having our Conversation in Heaven acting as tree men there to have constant trade and Commerce there And this the word in Phil. 3.20 may in a special manner lead unto And Hâ—nce 4. Judge of our condition and of the weal or woe the comfort or discomfort thereof by Heavenly concernments and Considerations As we have more or less of Heavenly benefits and Heavenly incomes so Judge we our Condition to be better or worse That is an act and fruit of Heavenly mindedness so to do It is a meditation of that Holy Martyr Bradford on that Clause the Lords Prayer Our Father which art in Heaven that the Lord would teach us to Judge of his Fatherly love by Heavenly Benefits and not by Earthly and Corporal As it minds us as he also saith that Heaven is our home for it is our Fathers house whither all his Children must at last be gathered so in the mean time to Judge of his Fatherly love rather by Heavenly benefits and blessings than by Earthly and outward for oftentimes the wicked prosper more in the World and have more Worldly benâ—fits than the Children of God so that by this direction in our dayly Prayers the Lord would pull up our minds from Earth and Earthly to Heaven and Heavenly things Bradfords Meditations pag. 21.22 If we shâ—â—lâ— look upon Earthlâ— outward visible and present things how often might the pâ—â—â—â— of God the truly pious be judged to be of all men mâ—st miserable 1 Cor. 15.19 But look upon Heâ—venly and Spiritual Riches and Comforts and upon the fulness thereof that is laid up for them in Heaven and given them in the promise and then you may see them unspeakably happy Jam. 2.5 2 Cor. 4.16 18. If you are the Children of God you are men for Heaven and your Interest lyes there Hence look upon things to go well or ill with you as that Interest is furthered or not This would be of marvelous use were it attended Esteem of your Condition and of Gods dealings with you by your forwardness for Heaven If it be Affliction Tribulation yea manifold sorrows and Exercises if they set you nearer Heaven nearer God and more in his besom those are happy afflictions and you may rejoyce therein Rom. 5.3.4.5 Jam. 1.2.12 2 Cor 4.17 I outward prosperity attend you and the World smile but you are thereby drawn down from Heaven to the Earth further from God and your hearts lost in the World truly you have little cause to rejoyce in that prosperity but to mourn over your selves Heb. 9.1 That is to us the best wind that lyes â—air for Heaven from what quarter soever it comes Those are our best dayes wherein we have most Heavenly Communion with God and are most fitted for Heaven 5. Improve Heaven or Eternal Glory in the World to come and the promise and hopes of it unto diligence faithfulness and fruitfulness in Gods work the work that God sets you to do here upon the Earth so 1 Cor. 15.58 Improve your Talents i. e. all opportunities and abilities gifts graces and means to do good to do service to God for the promoting of the Glory of God and the good of men your selves and others The Consideration of our Masters Joy and of the Glorious reward that will be therein given to all that so do not of debt but of Grace should put us upon it Mat. 25.15 20 21 23. be â—iligent faithful and fruitful in the work of the Lord. Be it 1. Doing work duty and service to God to be done by us whether the work of our General Calling serving God in the whole course of Christianity the whole work of the warefare of Faith and obedience they thoughts of Heaven should quicken us unto that though it be hard work to flesh and blood as hard as fighting 1 Tim. 6.12 2 Tim. 4.7 8. as running in a race 1 Cor 9.24 25. as wrestling Ephes 6.12 or for Heavenly things or the work of our particular Calling place and station wherein God hath set us in Family Church or Common-wealth be Diligent Industrious Faithful and Constant also not byassed by Temptations on the right hand or the left not made unserviceable by discouragement or discontent that is a woful thing when a man suffers the temptations he meets with on every hand here in the World so to disquiet distemper or discourage him as to make him unserviceable and take him off from doing good work not cast into a sleep by sloth and sluggishness be faithful serving God in thy particular course and way so Act. 20.23 24. 2 Tim. 4.78 Or 2. Bearing and suffering work if the Lord call to that as less or more he ever does We must suffer as well as do in this World else we
shall do but a little and but a while Why Heaven should make us cheerfully to suffer for God to go through suffering work whether losses or positive sorrows that the Lord tryes us with here Heb. 11.26 Mat. 5.11 13. Heb. 12.1 2. The Saints have been wont to improve Heaven unto strength and constancy into suffering work 2 Cor. 4.26 17. Rom. 8.18 Heb. 10.34 But to quicken us to our work of what kind soever from the point in hand Consider 1. It is a great shame for those to be idle or negligent and heartless in their work that have such a way to work in as the way to Heaven is and such a reward as lyes at the end of it We serve a good Master who serve the God of all Grace who calls us to his Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus sure we should do any thing for him How hard soever thy work be and how long soever kept tugging at it Heaven will make amends for all There is no proportion between our poor work and that reward And therefore it is not a reward of Justice but of Rich and Princely Grace rewarding that with thousands that is scarce worth a penny You will serve men and work hard it may be at your dayes labour and it is equal you should so do for your penny and shall we stick at serving the Blessed God who sets before us such a recompense of reward as Eternal Glory is Were ever any losers by him either doing or suffering for him No Mark 10.29 33. 2. At the day of Christs appearing none will be more sharply rebuked and ashamed than the Idle slothful Servant Mat. 25.26 27 30. He might say what hurt did I do I did no body any hurt with my talent I did not do mischief with my wit and time and strength Yea but what good did you do what good work did you imploy your self in for the Glory of God and the good of men Sins of omission whereby men can let alone their work this and that should be done but let alone let lye these will be sadly aggravated at that day 3. You have but a little time to do work on Earth compared with the time of your rest in Heaven Our resting time is hereafter Rev. 14.13 but our working time now there will be work in Heaven indeed but work done without toile or sweat or pain as it was with Adam in Innocency as bodily labour the sweet and pleasant work of Glorifying God Now we can do no good work but in the sweat of our browes with much conflict pain and difficulty But though it be so this our painful labour is but for a while for an Hirelings day Job 7.1 2 though you be kept sweating at it you may bide it in the dust and Sun and heat for the short day of this life when after that follows rest Eternal rest and that will be sweet as the rest of the Labouring-man is Psal 104.23 Methinks we should keep close at our work and hold out in it till the evening of this life It is no long summers-day it is but a short a moment any time compar'd with what follows and then you shall go to bed in rest and peace Isa 57.2 It is but a little time you have to work on Earth and you have much work to do for your own Souls for the Name of God for the good of others and therefore you had need be diligent that you may finish in time and not have your work to do when your time is out that you may with Comfort in measure say as Joh. 17.4 4. We shall lose the reward of our work if we do not follow our work to purpose 2 Joh. 8. working by halves is the way to lose all our work i. e. working idly negligently slothfully or working unconstantly and unfaithfully unstedfastly going in and giving over not holding out but falling off from the truth or the wayes and service of God which the Apostle in that place 2 Joh. 8. speaks of and gives warning against this brings a Curse instead of a Blessing or reward Jerem. 48.10 Malach. 1.14 Heb. 10.38 6. Improve Heaven unto fitness for and Comfort in Death Death unto the Saints is their passage from Earth to Heaven from this place of sin and tears into that state of Joy and Bliss and Glory we have been speaking of in their Souls presently Luk. 23.43 and in certain hope of their Bodies Resurrection to the same Glory Hence a real sight and lively hope and taste of Heaven is able to sweeten death how bitter soever unto Nature This chief of Joyes is able to master the King of Terrours and to cause the Believer to Triumph over it 1 Cor. 15.54 57. 2 Cor. 5.1.4 Death is a departing out of if we speak of this life this poor sorry sinfull weary life such a one we say departed this life But it is an entrance into life if we speak of the life to come in Heaven that sweet glorious sinless happiless so it is to a Saint A going out of a smoaky Cottage but an entrance into a Kingdom the Kingdom of our Lord 2 Pet. 1.11 Isa 57.2 It is a going from hence But it is a going to Christ Philip. 1.23 a going from your people and friends here but it is a going and being gathered to their people and Blessed Congregation that is above Genes 49.33 Hence the fore-thoughts and hopes of Heaven should 1. Make the Saints willing to die of readiness and fitness for it in other respects we speak somewhat under the third head not willing to break away from their work before they have done it out of frowardness weariness and discontent or before Gods time be come But willing to go home and to leave all the World and pass through the dark entry of Death that they may go to God go home to Christ in Heaven when ever his time shall be come As a dying Saint said I have but one dark entry to pass through and then I am at my Fathers house Be it that death is a dark entry yet it leads to thy Fathers house Stick not at passing to it through such an entry 2 Cor. 5 8. Be not willing and desirous alwayes to tarry here among sins and temptations and where you are Comparatively absent from the Lord But be willing to be absent from the Body to be Gloriously present with the Lord. Though the Body be a near friend Christ is nearer And your parting with that for a time is in order to an happy meeting Phil. 1.23 while Gods work service and Glory and the good of his people detains him here he is willing to tarry but otherwise desirous to be gone when he looks forward to that that will be the Issue and Consequent of his departure or dissolution viz. The full enjoyment of Christs Company which is better than all the World 2. It should give them Comfort in Death to be looking up stedfastly into Heaven unto
turned out of the straight way to Heaven by such things as 2 Pet. 1.11 The Scriptures have told us before-hand of Sufferings and Tryals and therefore it should be no strange thing to meet with them But it hath also told us and set before us the Glory that shall follow this should swallow up the other and make us endure them easily Hebr. 12.2 and 11.26 2. Hence it is that that is worth looking and seeking after bending all our desires and endeavours to obtain viz. the Happiness and Glory of Heaven for it is Eternal and 2 Cor. 4.18 Eternal things should be the things we look at and after as our scope as the word is our aime mark and designe To lay out our selves about Temporal things and make them our maine business is a great folly Prov. 23.5 Psal 39.6 Men are busie about this and that about many things but there is but one great business Luk. 10.41 42. to provide for Eternity to get and make sure of that good part that shall last for ever and never be taken away from us And 3. With what study earnestness care and seriousness with what intention of mind what Ardency of affâ—ction should we look after Heaven For Eternal Glory and Salvation is a great matter a great object we had not need be slight or negligent about such a thing about a business of Eternal Concernment It is said of Zerxes that Elegant Painter when asked why he spent so much time and labour about what he did when others turned off their work apace that he answered Ego propter Etermitatem pingo I paint for Eternity that that should stand and continue in after times We in a more proper and full sense may say we act for Eternity and therefore we had need be more intense and exact when as we pray for Eternity ask Eternal life of God hear for Eternity follow God for Eternity come to Christ Jesus for Eternal and Everlasting Life How Serious Hearty Affectionate Fervent Intense should those Prayers Duties Comings be Why that is that we are seeking after if in earnest to lay hold on Eternal Life 1 Tim. 6.12 19. Oh with what fear and trembling care and diligence should we pursue that business Come not slightly to Christ in a negligent careless manner or with a piece of thy Heart when thou comest for Eternal Life c. The Salvation Christ holds forth and calls to attend unto and come and follow him for is Great Salvation for it is Eternal Salvation Oh be not negligent about that Hebr. 2.3 and 5.9 how humbly obedient unto him Oh with what an humble Heartiness Affection Seriousness Thankfulness whole heart should a poor sinner come and look to Christ imbrace and cling to him hang on him for deliverance from Eternal Death and for the gift of Eternal Life how precious is that Grace Rom. 5.21 for Rom. 6.23 SERMON IV. 3. IT follows to consider of the degrees of this future Glory as it is enjoyed 1. In Soul after Death 2. Both in Soul and Body at and after the Resurrection and last Judgement In the former state the Saints have a more incompleat though sweet and excellent in the latter a more compleat full and perfect enjoyment of this Glory I shall not speak of the different degrees of Glory in Heaven comparing one Saint with another Though that seems to be a truth that as we see there are dissâ—ring degrees of Grace and Holiness here and God distributes more eminent Gifts and Graces to one than to another not withstanding that the Imputation of Righteousness in Justification be equal to all so there will be in Glory hereafter When God shall Crown his own Graces in his Saints Every one shall not have such a Crown as Paul to whom the Fruits of his Ministry will then add to his Crown and rejoycing 1 Thes 2.19 nor be set next to Christ as some shall be Mat. 20.23 there will not want order in the Heavenly Mansions nor variety mixed with Identity wherein the Lord delights viz. Calvin Instit lib. 3. cap. 25. Sect. 10. and in Mat. 13.43 and 20.1 16. Bucan Loc. com pag. 446. Leigh's Body Divinity pag. 872. But only somewhat of the Glory of the Saints in those two â—â—ates the state of the Soul in its separation from the Body after their re-union which all the Saints that die do pass through Here 1. Consider the Glory and Happiness enjoyed by the Soul in its separate state after death from thence to the Resurrection 2. The Accession or increase or more compleat fulness of Glory that followes upon the re-union of the Soul and Body at and after the Resurrecion 1. The Souls of the Faithful do after death immediatly pass into Glory even that Glory that we have before spoken of The substance whereof they do enjoy in as perfect a degree or in as full a measure as the Soul in its separate state is capable of though there is a further degree and fulness of Glory reserved for the whole man upon re-union of the Soul and Body of which afterward the Soul of a Saint is presently Glorified after death though the Body be not It presently enters into peace Isa 57.2 Rest and Consolation Luk. 16.22 25 Into Blessedness and Glory Revel 14.13 from henceforth from this time from the time of their death and so on forward they are in blessedness and rest no fear of passing through paines of Purgatory for a time as Papists had taught before the Light of the Gospel broke forth The Souls of the Saints departed do enjoy that Heavenly Glory that we have spoken of For 1. They are at Death immediatly made perfect in Grace and Holiness Heb. 12.23 perfectly freed from all sin and endued with all heavenly perfection of mind and will of which what it is we spoke before Death puts an end to the death of sin in the Saint he rests from the Labour and Burden thereof and he is clothed with perfect Holiness fit for that place of Heaven and Heavenly presence of God which he is passing into 2. They enjoy the Beatifical vision and Glorious presence and Fellowship of God and Christ Philip. 1.23 No sooner departed and the union of the Soul and Body dissolved by death but he in his Soul is with Christ 2 Cor. 5 6 8. as soon as absent from the body and that is the Soul departed that is absent from the Body and while absent in its seperate estate If Paul be absent from the Body it is in his Soul which is there and oft in Scripture called man he is present with the Lord. When Stephen falls asleep by death the Lord Jesus receiveth his Spirit or Soul Act. 7.59 so Psal 49.15 Eccles 12.7 3. The Soul departed enjoyes in some way and some degree the Company and Communion of other Souls and Spirits of the Blessed Heb. 12.23 The Soul of Lazarus is with Abraham and so with all the Saints the Children of Abraham that
presently No no God may make you seek and wait many a day but you shall reap in due time if you faint not Gal. 6.9 Diligently therefore and Constantly attend and improve all the Ordinances and Opportunities that God gives In special let me speak a word or two for your better help in them being more private and personal viz. First Meditation a most necessary and effectual thing which few practice Get a little time to meditate dayly laying aside other things and in other occasions too think as much of Spiritual things as you can We do not see nor feel because we do not think of things think of God and of Christ of Sin of Heaven of Hell of Judgment of Eternity how few shall be saved how necessary it is to take the present time What we come into the World for of quickning passages in Scripture of Gods dealings with you of your former life and present Condition c. But you will say my heart is so vain and stupid I cannot think of things I Answer First let this deeply humble you and the vileness of your heart that here discovers it self will be worth the while Secondly beseâ—ch God to help you Thirdly By use of time you will find it more easie Fourthly take advantage upon all the evil frames that at present you feel to apply and set on some soaking expression in Scripture As in case of hardness blindness vanity see Rom. 9.18 2 Cor. 4.4 Prov. 10.20 Yea hence see and say that God is true and his word is true for the Scripture tells me of this heart I feel and the rest of it will be verified upon me as well as this Fifthly take the advantage of special seasons for Meditation when your heart is in a feeling frame as after Prayer after Sermon if you cannot before and lay up what you get One truth felt in Mâ—ditation is worth a World and it will make way for more Sixthly do something that is equivalent and helping to it at least when you cannot so directly meditate as reading of a good Book writing of your former and present life that is a thing of endless use gathering up Gods mercies and your sins in writing sometimes c. Secondly Prayer this is the blessed means of getting a poor soul to Heaven And what an happiness is it that we may pray to God besides Family-prayer get some time for secret Prayer dayly less or more Be telling God your heart alone I know your occasions and labours the Lord break my heart for you would not afford you that liberty that I wretch have But do what you can love the duty and God will pitty you wherein you are justly and by his providence not your own negligence hindred and this is certain he that hath an heart shall never want time or place to pray Endeavour to order your matters so as you may have time for it And if you could weekly have a piece of an Afternoon as Saturdy in the Afternoon an hour or two or as God guids set a part for secret and close converse with God by Meditation and Prayer thinking writing reading examining mourning before God and do this constantly you would never repent it The business of Salvation is mainly carried on in secret between God and a mans own soul And by all means provide that you may have your Sabbaths as free as possible all the day and the Evening before and after for spiritual work Ply God in such seasons as these be and be very thankful if you get but any little ground of your corruptions and miseries Go about your lawfull occasions not as a liberty to the flesh as to think that now my task of praying is over now I may please my self and refresh my heart in the World c. but as the service of God and as unto him because he bids you be thus imployed As when he bids me pray I will pray with all my might so I will work too when he bids me work and not do it to please my self alas if I consider it what pleasure or Comfort is there in this evil World but to please him I will busie and employ my self in this World because he bids me but my place and my rest shall be only in God or no where As Seamen go to Sea but build their houses at land so I 'le go into the World but lay up my heart and comfort and my whole support in God! I will live in the World but not upon it I will live only upon God and have my Portion in him And do not think that this sorrow and sence of sin and mourning after God stands in a Monkish dooping sullenness and sadness though 't is certain that by the sadness of the Countenance the heart is made better and one should not give himself to unnecessary mirth which is very poysonfull nor purposely choak his spirituall sorrows with temporal delights But when you have seriously spent your time with God and have left your heart with him and he calls you to your occasions go about them with alacrity and chearfullness so as you may dispatch them comfortably and carry amiably and delightfully to those about you And let your sorrows and sense of your Souls miseries lie deep and undermost so as you may recall them in their season when you come to pray or be alone with God again labour to have a constant habituall feeling of your self and get as many good thoughts and affections as you can at all times so as it may be livelily actual especially in your seasons of attending upon God and in them drive on the business of your Soul as if there were no World and as if there were nothinng else to be minded but that And if you find your heart gon when the season of seeking God comes then know that you have in some measure backslidden and forsaken God and never leave till you have recovered it Recall and review often the chief sins of your life that you can remember confess and aggravate them before God in a speciall manner but have your times of confessing and bewailling all the sins that ever you can remember and think of what sins or course it was that caused God to leave you to this wofull impenitency of heart and bewail them bitterly One thing more I must add Do not think it much to have some speciall seasons of seeking God besides those I have named If you had a friend with whom you might now and then spend a little time in conferring together in opening your hearts and presenting your unutterable groanings before God it would be of excellent use Such an one would greatly strengthen bestead and further you in your way to Heaven Spend now and then as occasions will permit an hour or so with such a friend more then ordinary sometimes a piece of a day sometimes a whole day of extraordinary fast in striving and wrestling with God for everlasting mercy And
be much in quickning conscience giving and taking mutuall encouragements and directions in the matters of Hâ—aven Oh! the life of God that fallâ— into the hearts of the Godly in and by gracious Heavenly conference Be open-hearted one to another and stand one for another agâ—inst the Devil and all his Angels Make it thus your business is these and such like wayes to provide for Eternity while it is caâ—led today looking to Jesus the Author and finisher of your Faith But you will say it may bee and I speak but what I have found in my own heart Dear I deal plainly with you as I know you would have me do and therefore let me suppose it should be said This is a tedious hard task and my heart likes not to be so yoaked and toiled in such things I can take no pleasure therein and if I should force my self to it for a while yet it would soon weary me I have no heart to these things it may be somthing might be done in this way or another might do something but I have no heart to it Answ 1. Wonder not at this not think the worse of that course because your heart lusteth against it but think the better of it For the better any thing is and the more instrumentall for our Salvation the more it is opposed by our vile hearts which are enemies to God and consequently to our own chief good 2. Confess to God this naughtiness of your heart beseech him to help you against this Devil to change your nature and let this occasion you to see and loath the wickedness of your nature and be inraged against it The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth unto envy but he giveth more grace Jam. 4.5 6. 3 ly Consider what is the reason why this way seems so irksome and tedious and you have no heart to it Is it not because of inward blindness and security because you see not things as they be nor the weight and worth of them It is an irksome thing to a man to rise out of his bed in the night when he lies warm and knows no danger nor urgent occasion to rise but if he awake and see his house on fire about his ears he will make no demur about the matter but be glad he may rise Verily one reall glimpse of the wrath of God burning about us or of Eternity that is a coming one reall glimpse of Gods anger lying upon our Souls which is infinitely above the most awful apprehension of man or Angel Oh! this would make us skip at a time to pray in at an hour to cry out to God for mercy in especially if we might do it with any hope of being heard and saved as now we may So that the reason why I have no heart to this course is not because there is want of reason to perswade me but because I am blind and I feel my blindness I know that I do not see things as they be and therefore I have good reason to be deaf to the Counsel of mine own blind ignorant heart and to strive by all means to see better and in the mean time to believe what I do not see 4 ly Offer violence therefore to the Kingdom of Heaven and be resolved in this point let my heart say what it will let Hell and World be against me My God I must have my God I will have I must get sight of sin and faith in Christ Jesus I must make my Salvation sure or else I am undone for ever and therefore pray I will and follow God I will in despite of the Devil Unto him will I look and in such a Case as this on him will I wait who giveth the same spirit of zeal of indignation against sin and self as sometimes was in holy Samuel when he hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal Lord thou hast commanded me to seek thy face and thy face will I seek I wlll not confer with flesh and blood I will not consult with Carnal reason but what God bids me do that will I do and do it with all my might 5 ly Know that if you Conscionably attend upon God he will by degrees make it sweet and easie to you He will strengthen your heart and hands in your way and work Isâ— 40.31 You will find it a sweet and bâ—essed thing to stand Confessing your sins before God and emptying your heart in his sight opening all your Complaints and Soul-Concernments to him You will find it an happiness that you may pray to the God of Heaven and have any Communion with him Our wicked hearts make religious duties irksome else they are in themselves the sweetest things in the World Oh! if ever we come to know God aright we shall account it our happiness that we may do any thing in way of service to him and Communion with him 6 ly Salvation is worth all our labour be it what it will be Is it a trifle to be saved Eternally Do we think to get Heaven by a good wish or to go thither in a Feather-bed No God will make us strive and sweat and wrestle for it and be sure it will quit the Cost It will never repent us oâ— any Prâ—yer wâ— have made or tear wâ— havâ— wept when we come there Oh! follow not the guise oâ— this secure World that in these dâ—yâ—â— is câ—st into a dead slâ—ep Many proâ—ess but â—â—w knew what it is to work out their own Salvâ—tion with fear and trembling It is another mâ—â—â—â—r to be a Chrisâ—â—â—n indâ—ed then â—â—st make of it And of thâ—se that are sinceâ—e and â—ively you see but thâ—ir dark-sâ—â— yâ—u know not what they are in secret Follow not exâ—mple but follow the word of God Thus I have given â—ou the sum of my thoughts according to my measure and manner I beseâ—ch you make some use of this poor Letter and râ—ad it at such times as may most suit you You may have many doubts and difficulties that I do not here touch but sâ—ek God and he will guide you As for your outward Condition follow on in these things and your trouble for sin and soul-misery will swallow up all other troubles and future Consolations will sweeten all And whatsâ—evâ—r may happen to you here yet hereafter it shall be well with you and in your wearisome pilgrimage it may be for a Consolation to you that you shall rejoyce in time to come Now the tender mercies of God be with you Dear and the Lord lead you by the hand to his Eternal rest through all sins and sorrows to his own Glory and your everlasting Comfort So I remain From Harrard Colledge in Cambridge May 19 1649. Your unfainedly loving Friend to serve you J.M. FINIS Vide Bolton of Heaven page 141 142. Vid. Bucan Loc. com page 444. Clark 's Martyrolog page 99. Greenhill on Ezek. 1.5 pag. 88. Caussin Poly. Hist Symb. pa. 627. Bucan 10â— Com. pag. 447. Parens in Revel 6 Calv. Opu pag. 469.467 Vid. Aquin Suppl Qu. 93. Art 1. Mr. Nort. Orthod Evang pag. 352 453. Aquinas ubi suprà Prov. 1.33 Exhort 2. Soul Conflict pag. 37. Same word in Mat. 11.28 and 25.34