For it all comes from that fountain of Gods Grace Ephes 2.8 though purchased by Christ yet to us Christ himself and all is the Gift of Grace Eternal Glory and all that belongs to it is from the God of all Grace Text. If God do in Heaven reward any little service we do him here it is a reward of Grace and not of Debt Reason 2. From Christ It is by the means of Christ Jesus that we are brought to this Eternal Glory Text. So Thes 5.9 As the Grace of God is the fountain original and wel-spring of it Luk. 12.32 so Christ Jesus the Mediator is the great way and means whereby it is accomplished for us and conveyed communicated to us Christ brings us to Eternal Glory 1. By his purchase of it by his Death or passive Obedience he purchased our deliverance from Eternal Death and Wrath And Righteousness or active obedience he purchased and procured for us everlasting Life and Happiness Hence Rom. 5 21. It is through and by means of the Righteousness of Christ his obedience whereby being imputed to us we are made righteous in Justification v. 19 18. that Grace powerfully accomplisheth our Eternal Life For Grace will so contrive and carry on the matter as that Justice may be answered and attended that it may be a Just and Righteous thing with God to give us life and so it is by means of the Righteousness of Christ Had it not been for which the sentence of death must everlastingly have reigned over us Sinners 2. By his possession of it for us as our Head and Agent Heb. 6.20 Joh. 14.2 By the Ascension of Christ way is made for us into Heaven The first Adam could have brought us but into an Earthly Paradice but the second Adam being Lord from Heaven 1 Cor. 15.47 48. and ascending thither after he had wrought the work of our Redemption on Earth Heb. 1.3 Hence the Head draws up the Body after it and to it Joâ— 17.14 Hence Believers also shall ascend thither and have an Inheritance there in the third Heaven and in all the Glory of it 3. By preparing and ripning us for it by the work of his Spirit that whole work of Grace that is begun and carried on in this World to fit us for Glory conducting us through this World as he did Israel of old through the Wilderness to bring them to Canaan Isa 63.9 14. so 2 Cor. 5.5 Ephes 4.30 Rom. 9.23 4. By coming again to receive us to Joh. 14.3 the great end of his second coming is the actual full and final accomplishment of the Salvation of his people or putting them into full possession and fruition of it so to remain forever which is the end and upshot of all his work Heb. 9.28 2 Tim. 4.8 He will come again into this lower World even here to put Glory upon his people in the sight of all Colos 3.4 Rom. 8.18 19. and then to carry them up to Heaven where he now is Joh. 14.3 and 17.24 Reason 3. From the work of Vocation the tendency and scope whereof is to bring us to this Eternal Glory Text. In Vocation the Lord calleth us out of a state of nature of sin and death into a state of â—ternal Salvation and layes that foundation of Grace the superstructure whereof issues in Heavenly Glory The Lord in the word of the Gospel calleth us to possess and receive Eternal Life or Glory in and with Christ 2 Thes 2.14 and makes it over to them that obey that call or that effectually believe 1 Joh. 5.11 And he calls us to look at Eternal Glory in pâ—rfect Communion with God as the end of our Race or Journey and to travel towards it toward that mark of Heavenly Glory which is the prize that we are called to run for Philip. 3.14 1 Cor. 9.24 25. The Lord calleth us out of this World to be men of another World to take up our Lot and Portion in Heaven and to seek and wait for it being as strangers here as Abraham was called to leave his Country and Kindred to wait upon a promise of the Heavenly Canaan a figure of the Earthly Heb. 11.8 9 10 13 16. It is a Christians Calling the business he is called to attend upon to get to Heaven to seek for Glory Honour and Immortality to come The Grace begun in Vocation hath an inseperable connexion which tendeth to and issueth in groweth up to the perfection of Eternal Glory Glory is but the Harvest of that seed that is sown in Effectual Calling It is the perfect man which is an Infant in Vocation If the seed be sown the Child born as it is in Vocation or Conversion Regeneration then the harvest must needs follow Calling is the first patent link of the Chain for Predestination is latent in the Counsel of God the first openwork of Grace upon an Elect person and Glorification is the last but the connexion between them is inseperable Rom. 8.30 And also Vocation is the strait gate that leads to Life Eternal through which all must pass that get to Glory and by which they are prepared for it Rom. 9.23 24. Hence none but such and all such all the Effectually Called shall infallibly be brought to Eternal Glory If God have begun the work of Grace in Calling he will finish it in Heavenly Glory Phil. 1.6 Reas 4. From the Sufferings and Troubles of the Saints here 1 Pet. 5.10 The Saints having suffered with Christ here they must reign with him hereafter Rom. 8.17 2 Tim. 2.12 Having been troubled in this World they must go to rest in that to come 1 Thes 5.7 The best services and sufferings of the Saints do not deserve or merit any such thing as Heavens Glory But the Lord is pleased according to his free promise and abundant Grace Richly to reward such poor things above their worth The Lord rewards his poor Subjects not in any way of exact Justice as poor men that will give the Labourer but his hire But like Generous and Bounteous Princes that will give a Pound for that that scarce deserves a Penny Yea far more largely then so our Services and Sufferings bear no proportion with Heaven But God will Bounteously give it and call it the Recompense of Reward Heb. 11.26 i. e. a Reward of Grace not of Debt or Merit But such is the Lords promise and Grace that he hath laid up a rich Reward for his suffering Saints and they shall not lose it nor miss it They that have their Suffering Labouring Fighting time here they shall have their Rejoycing Resting Triumphing time hereafter 2 Cor. 4.17 The Lord will not be behind hand with any of his people nor yet deal scantly with them for a moments suffering and service on Earth they shall have Eternal Glory in Heaven Vse 3. Of awakning and Terrour to all Impenitent and Unbelieving sinners from the consideration of their loss or of what they continuing in that estate must and will
joyful then why should not this be so now And if you do hear his voice and come to him at his call you shall hear that blessed word then Joh. 10.27 28. as è contrà Job 21.14 with Mat. 25.41 2. Now add we some Directions to guide and help us in Believing on Christ unto life Everlasting or in coming to Christ to obtain by him Eternal Glory or Salvation 1. Know that you may and ought to come to Christ for Salvation for Eternal Life For what he gives we may take but Rom. 6.23 what he designes in giving himself to us which here is to bring us to Eternal Glory 1 Pet. 5.10 1 Thes 5.9 2 Thes 2.13 14. we may aim at in receiving him and coming to him Christ calls us to him and we may and ought to come to him for all his Benefits And we see this of Glorification and the Consummation thereof in special is part thereof see also Joh. 5.40 1 Tim. 1.16 Act. 16.31 1 Pet. 1.9 We may come to him for our own Salvation i. e. not as seperate from or in oppsition to Gods Glory which cannot be if we understand Salvation aright And that 's a second 2. Be sure you have a right conception of this Glory or Salvation or happiness of Heaven i. e. Look not at it as consisting in external sensual ease and pleasures or freedom from outward evils though an holy and sanctified outward rest and freedom from outward afflictions is a part of the good that is in Heaven but not the main that is but an adjunct But look at the Communion with God Fruition of God and perfect Conformity to his Image as the main thing in it Psal 73.25 2 Cor. 5.8 Psal 17.15 Let Your Hearts and desires be eminently set upon freedom from that great evil of sin which is a choice part of the Happiness of Heaven Heb. 12.23 and fruitton of that highest good the presence of God the fellowship of the Father Son and Holy Ghost in perfect Holiness let this be the mark and top of thy desires Neither desire the end without the way Heaven without the way to it Be willing and desirous by the Grace of Christ to begin thy Heaven here Communion with God here Holy work and holy enjoyments in all the wayes thereof here Psal 27 4 For Heaven is but the perfection of what is here bâ—gun They that begin not Heaven in this World will never find one in that to câ—me And therefore be instant with Christ not only for Grace and Comfort hereafter or at the point of Death c. but for present Grace some beginnings of it at least not limiting to measures nor expecting the sensible fulness of it till after you have waited and sought and been swimming in tears in this World and therefore not quarelling nor being discouraged because of the weakness of Grace at present so much as may keep you following after God for more For present change of Heart and Nature for Grace to enable you in measure to Glorifie God on Earth that so you may be Glorified with him in Heaven 3. Behold Christ Jesus set forth and offered in the Gospel as the Ladder to Heaven or as the only and Glorious way from out of the depth of your sin and misery unto the height of that Eternal Glory If there be an high place or loft before you you cannot gâ—t to it but if a Ladder be set up you can ascend by that As well can our heavy Earthy Bodies fly up to Heaven as our Souls ever get thither of and by themselves alas we have neither wings nor legs of our own to climb Heaven with But Chrâ—st is a Ladder tâ—iâ—her the Antitype of Jacob's Ladder by him we may ascend thither By Christ Jesus as in the Text we may obtain Glory yea he is not a dead passive Ladder only but a living way He hath living Arms and a mighty power to carry uâ— up thither to lift us up through Grace to Glory Joh. 3 13. Ephes 2.5 6. Christ dying rising ascending for us is fit and able to raise us up from death to life in Heaven Christ is a Ladder whose foot reaches low enough by his Incarnatâ—on and Humiliation even as low as our low and mean Condition yea as the dungeon of our Curse and death Gal. 3.13 and hence near and fit for us to step upon to take hold of and whose top reaches high enough even as high as the height of Heavenly Glory Genes 28.12 by his Glorious Deity and Exaltation by the infinite value of his obedience purchasing that Glory for us and by his Ascension possessing it for us and by his mighty power carrying and conducting us to it If you take hold of him and cast your selves on him by Faith he will not only as I said be as a Ladder to sustain you in going up but in the Arms of his active power and Grace he will carry you up to Eternal Glory carry you on his shoulders thither as Luk. 15.5 Joh. 10.18 1 Pet. 1.5 Hence 4. Esteem the Lord Jesus Christ as most precious and Glorious as a suitable and all-sufficient Saviour or Author of Eternal Salvation and gladly imbrace an everlasting match with him with relyance on him to carry you through Grace to this Eternal Glory 1. Seeing and beholding him as the way to Heaven and to the Enjoyment of the love favour and presence of God Joh. 14.4 6. as the Glorious Author purchaser and dispenser of Eternal Salvation Prize him highly prize him and esteem him that is one ingredient of true believing 1 Pet. 2.7 and this point is a marvelous help to it For shall not he be precious and Glorious in our eyes by whom we may obtain such Eternal Glory He that opens Heaven to us even to sinners and shall not all this World be vile and dung in our eyes in comparison of him Psal 73. in follows ver 25. 2. Prizing him take him embrace him in a Conjugal way for thy Lord and Saviour Prophet Priest and King consent to have him for thy Head and Husband for ever and to be his his Spouse Subject Servant Dependant evermore Think not to have the Estate this great Riches of Grace and Glory Eternal Glory without marrying the person the Benefits without Christ himself Having the Son himself you have and shall have Eternal Life 1 Joh. 5.11 12. It is given in and with him Rom. 6.23 And therefore you must take Christ himself if you would have or get a sure Interest in this Glory 3. Taking him rest and relie on him for Salvation or for obtaining this Eternal Glory Relie on his righteousness and obedience to procure and purchase it Heb. 9.12 and to give you a lawful Judicial Title to it Rom. 5.21 that now having in him pleased God and fulfilled the Law you shall live for ever on his Ascension and continual intercession to prepare and maintain a place and room for you in that Glory Joh.
A DISCOURSE OF THE GLORY To which God hath called BELIEVERS By JESUS CHRIST Delivered in some Sermons out of the 1 Pet. 5 Chap. 10 Ver. Together with an annexed Letter Both by that Eminent and Worthy Minister of the Gospel Mr. JONATHAN MITCHIL late Pastor to the Church at CAMBRIDGE in NEW-ENGLAND Rom. 8.30 Whom he called them he also Justified and whom he Justified them he also Glorified 1 John 3. ver 3. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself as he is pure LONDON Printed for Nathaniel Ponder at the Peacock in the Poultry Anno Dom. 1677. TO THE READER THe ensuing Treatise being transmitted to me by a friend from New-England with a desire of its Publication I did in order thereunto seriously peruse it and finding as far as I am able to judge an excellent discourse spiritually and powerfully managed and improved and thereby most likely to redound to the edification of every Reader all Divine Truth having an influence and efficacy into Conversion and Sanctificaton when God shall command a blessing by it upon the Soul but above all more peculiarly suited to the support and consolation of the Saints in this their wayfaring and afflictive pilgrimage I have been thereby induced to recommend it to such into whose hands it shall come being fully persuaded that its own worth will speak for it self with such a conviction upon the minds of all whose senses are exercised in and about things of another world and who have any experience of Christ in them the hope of Glory as that they will neither think their time or pains mispended in its Perusal The subject matter of these Sermons for so they were as being delivered to a popular Auditory in the course of the Authors Ministry doth relate to that Glory to come unto which God hath called his chosen after their sufferings here during their absence from the Lord. To add any thing about it beyond what the Reader will find in the Book it self as it is above my ability so if it were not I should account it beneath that modesty which I desire to observe in all things All I shall therefore say is this that whatever is usually spoken of this Glory either as it is objective or formal the Reader will find much discoursed about both to his satisfaction if he come unto the perusal of it with a pious humble heart and withal desiring to be edified by Spiritual Soul-searching Doctrine But if any shall expect those curious speculations which may be met with in the discourses of the School-men upon this subject some of which are perhaps temerarious to be sure at best un-intelligible to vulgar capacities they will be disappointted For our Authors design being rather to profit others then to beget an opinion of his own abilities though they were very great he hath avoided all such matter and manner of handling of it other then what he had learned from the Scriptures and chose to insist mainly on that which may be helpful to form up the Soul to a meetness for that Inheritance amongst the Saints in light than meerly to object to mind the high Idaea's of that future state when perhaps the heart may be wholly a stranger to the very first fruits of that Communion with God in Jesus Christ by Faith and Holiness out of which as from its root doth spring the hope of this Glory to come Yet also is there enough said considering it was deliver'd in an Auditory of plain humble growing Christians to mix pleasure with advantage As that which besides sound Doctrine and incorruptness in speech hath also the ornament of variety of truths handed out in a copiousness of expression and confirmed illustrated and urged from most pertinent Texts of Scripture and strongly fastned as nails and goads by a workman that needed not be ashamed in his service to the Church under the great Master of the Assemblies To be sure the called ones to the hope of this Glory will find that full account given of what is their own Inheritance in that future state as may be very conducing to sweeten to them the sorrows temptations and afflictions of the present and to mantain themselves under a fixed expectation of Gods promise of Eternal Life made to them in Christ before the World began without which we can neither live holily nor die comfortably Death is only sweetned to us as we can look upon it our priviledge is an out-let from sin and misery and an in-let to Glory both in Holiness and Happiness And then indeed do We begin to live when by believing We have everlasting life John 3. ult And when the tasts of it now and the hopes of its consummation hereafter are improved in our Christian course as a means motive to take heed to walk worthy of it by mortifying our sins and purifying our selves even as he is pure 1 John 3.3 and to strengthen our selves thereby to a patient enduring the troubles of this present time especially those sufferings which are for Righteousness sake which in the Apostles Arithmetick are reckoned not Worthy to be compared with the Glory that shall be revealed And withall to engage us to be stedfast and immovable always abounding in yea faithfully finishing of the Work God hath given us to do as knowing that our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. Which ends and purposes as the Glory to come in the Contemplation of it is of Wonderful Vse to effect and perfect them So the management of this by the Author as it is singularly adapted to an acquaintance with the Nature Properties Adjuncts Enjoyments and Consolations of that state So also it is powerfully improved to the moving the heart and affections to endeavouring a making it sure to our selves partly by ministring close matter of search that We be not deceived in our hopes partly by instruction how to live up to them so as to give all diligence to be found of Christ without spot and blameless So that together with a full information of the Truth it self there is carried in with it what may make it if the holy one teach us to profit most effectuall to receive it in the love and power of it which is and ought to be the great design of delivering over to others any thing of moment especially divine truths And further I cannot but hope that God may sanctifie it to some sinners who have as yet no interest in Grace and so no right to Glory whilst they continue such if they shall to the reading of them subjoin prayer to God that he would by his spirit ingraft them into their minds to the saving of the Soul For while on the one side they view how great the future portion of Gods now poor despised ones is and will be it will naturally lead them to compare the present difficulties of Religion and the ways of holiness in this World with the exceeding great glory that shall be
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
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
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
of their Glory This compleatness of Glory and so the Accession or addition to what they had before at and after the Resurrection we may take up in several particulars 1. They shall then have full Conquest and victory over Death and full deliverance from the Curse The last enemy that shall be destroyed is Death and that is not fully destroyed and swallowed up till the Resurrection 1 Cor. 15.26 54 56 57. Though the Soul dye not yet Death hangs and abides upon the Body and so upon the person and continues to make up a separation between those two Soul and Body which had it not been for sin should never have been parted untill it be raised and shake off its dust and the re-union effected hence the Curse is not fully finally and totally abolish'd to the Saints till the Resurrection For Death is a fruit of the Curse While the Body is turned into and abides in its dust there is somewhat of its Ancient Curse remaining Genes 3.19 It hath some hold of them while the Grave holds the Body But when that is rased and hath shaken off its dust and Corruption and this Corruptible put on Immortality now here is compleat deliverance from the Curse and every Rag and Remnant of it For Christ at his Resurrection had a compleat Victory over the Curse it can hold him under no loâ—ger so hath the Saint Here is now a Redemption of the Body and so of the whole man from the Curse and from all Enemies even the last of them which is Death Rom. 8.23 There is the Redemption of the Soul before i. e. simply in it self considered though Relatively as it stands in relation to the Body and naturally desires Re-union with it so it may be said not to be fully Redeemed that is the person is not fully Redeemed while any part of it lyes under the Curse But now is the Redemption of the Body from Death and Vileness and so now the whole man the person is compleatly Redeemed delivered set free from the whole Curse Hence it is called the day of Redemption Ephes 4.30 Hence when Christ tells us of a full Life that he will give us he tells us of the Resurrection Joh. 6.40 54. He hath not finisht his quickning work his work of giving life till then 2. The Body shall then be Glorified there will be the accession of the Glory of the Body which was not before That part of each Saint till now till the Resurrection was not Glorified but lay in the dust and among the Worms in vileness and debasement But now the Body shall not only be raised up and live and so be freed from death as before but also be carried and adorned with Glory Honour Beauty and Excellency unspeakable be made a Glorious Body Phil. 3.21 An impassible Beautiful Agile Strong Spiritual Body 1 Cor. 15.42 43 44. Of this Glory of the Body what it is we spoke something before touching the Personal perfection of a Glorified Saint I only mention it now as part of the Additional and Compleat Glory that acrew's to the Saints at and after the Resurrection which was not before And this will increase the Joy of the Soul the Glory of the Body will be an addition to the Joy of the Soul and so the Happiness and Glory of the Soul considered extensively i. e. in its relation to and participation with the Body rejoycing in its Joy c. will be greater after the Resurrection than it was before though considered intensively and intrinsically viz. as to the Essential Happiness of the Soul that consists in its vision and fruition of God so it is the same before and after the Resurrection The Adjunctive additional Glory or Joy of the Soul will be increased through the Essence of the Happiness of the same 3. Hence the person the whole person consisting of Soul and Body of each Saint shall then be Glorified or after an Happy Joyfull meeting of those two old friends Soul and Body there will be an enjoyment of compleat Happiness in and by the whole mar It was but a peice of a Saint that was Glorified before but a part though indeed the principal part the Soul but now the whole the entire person for neither the Soul alone nor the Body alone is the person but the entire whole made up of both that is now Glorified And look as the condition of a part is attributed or belongs to an integral whole as if a Leg or an Arm be hurt or wounded we say the man is hurt or wounded so the person may be truly said to be inglorious not Glorified while an Essential part the Body is so Though the Soul be Glorified and so the man in regard of that part yet properly the person is not till both Soul and Body be so Joh. 7.39 not Glorified because his Manhood was not So Mat. 22.31 32. Abraham properly i. e. the person of Abraham does not enjoy God and the good of the Covenant Eternal Life unless his Body be raised Indeed the Soul of Abraham might but not Abraham properly for Abraham is a person consisting of Soul and Body It is properly but the Soul of such a man that is Glorified before the Resurrection But now the man the person is the whole entire man consisting in Soul and Body And Hence 1. There will be an Happy and Joyful meeting or re-union of the Soul and Body this re-union will be mutually Joyful and the Joy of the whole For the Soul of man was naturally made to subsist in a Body hence it is incompleat and imperfect without it it hath not its perfect and compleat manner of subsisting in its separate estate hence it desireth and longeth after re-union with the Body and by re-union it receives though not any Essential yet an Integral perfection And as the parting of these two old friends was sorrowful and contrary to nature or to natural inclination though swallowed up and over-ballanced by that greater good the presence of Christ Phil. 1 23. yet in it self sorrowful and unpleasant unto nature so their meeting again will be wonderful joyful they meeting in a condition of Joy and Bliss When the Soul is in Glory it now wants but one thing to make its Joy compleat viz. To have the Body with it in the same Glory This is now attained and now it is come to its full rest 2. There is now henceforth from the Resurrection and so on to all Eternity an actual plenary enjoyment of Glory and Happiness by the whole man in both the parts of Soul and Body That Glory that was before but in a part is now diffused into the whole And the Soul acts more perfectly in a Glorified Body because more naturally then it did in its seperate estate Indeed now on Earth the Body is a clog to the Soul and hence the seperate Soul hath a fuller and freer enjoyment of Happiness than it can have here But the Glorified Body
Heirs of a Kingdom is transporting glistering Happiness what a strange thing would such news be to you Why if a Believer thou art so Heirs of a Kingdom better then all the Kingdoms upon Earth an Heavenly Kingdom 2 Tim. 4.18 The Kingdom of God Act. 14 22. how poor and mean soever thy outward condition be Jam. 2.5 Vse 1. It serves for the Incouragement and Comfort of the people of God in reference to all the Afflictions and Tribulations that they meet with in this World We spake somewhat of this in the close of a former Exercise a word further of it now This is the Improvement the Apostle makes of this point both here in the close 1 Pet. 5.9 10. and in the beginning of the Epistle 1 Pet. 1.4.5 6. this the Scripture is oft directing us unto out of the midst of the mire and water of Afflictions and Troubles out of the dark valley of the shaddow of death to lift up our head and peep into another World look over into that wealthy place that lyes at the Journey 's end through many Tribulations c. Act 14.22 The thought and remembrance of the Kingdom that lyes at the end is the great Comfort against all the Tribulations that are in the way When Death is walking up and down and taking away here and there though it be Afflâ—ction and matter of bitter sorrow to the Living Yet to those that hopefully die in the Lord it is an happy change for they go into Eternal Glory Joh. 14.28 They go to possess to bâ—gin and enter upon the possession of this great Glory we have been speaking of We do but speak and hear on 't but they possess it they have an end of their warfare and are entred into peace and rest forever though this hinders not but that it should be laid to heart by the Living when Righteous and Pious ones Elder or younger are taken away Isa 57.1 2. when we our selves are upon the edge of the Grave and Death a drawing near when the windows of the Senses begin to be shut toward this World the sight and hearing we should open them toward another World and let the Glory of that shine into our minds and hearts Labour to make our portion therein sure by a sound a lively an often renewed and a working Faith on Christ Jesus and be much in the Contemplation of it take in the Comfort of it by sucking and chawing and taking in the promises and the fore-thoughts of it Startle not at Death nor hang back from it when as it is a passage to this Life and Glory when the Dissolving the old Tabernacle is but a drawing toward the house Eternal in the Heavens 2 Cor. 5.1 8. we should not be unwilling unto that So â—n other Afflictions when poor and low in the World under wants and straits if in Christ you have Riches enough in Heaven Jam. 2.5 Treasure there that none can take from you Mat. 6.20 Ephes 6.18 When under reproach unjustly you have names written in Heaven Luk. 10.20 Honour and Glory there Rom. 2.7 When fears dangers and appearances of sad Changes and troubles are before you here you have an unchangeable portion and rest in Heaven and that it is safe and secure neither Hell nor World can take that away from you Heb. 6.19 When Sufferings threaten here there is a Glory to follow that will make amends for all 1 Pet. 1.11 Mark 10.29 30. Oh lift up your eyes to Heaven and there see and possess that Glory that infinitely weighs down all the evil and discomfort that is here below Rom. 8.18 And Consider 1. Afflictions Sufferings here are but for a while a little while But that Glory is Eternal Text 2 Cor. 4.17 2. This Glory shall over a while put an everlasting end to all Suffering and Sorrow After you have suffered a while then suffering comes to a final end never to return or trouble more and everlasting Glory follows Revel 21.4 This Glory shall put a period an end to Suffering and then continue without end Job 1â— 16 17 18. 3. The Happiness and Comfort of this Glory that lyes at the Journeys end will abundantly make amends for all the trouble of the way yea the remembrance of fore-passed Troubles and Tryals that you have passed through and born with Subjection to the will of God will then be sweet Haec olim meminisse Juvabit Labour and toil here will make rest the sweeter Eccles 5.12 fore-passed and escaped dangers and difficulties and conflicts its pleasant to look back upon All these the Lord hath supported in and carryed through and I am here saved by the Lord and set down in peace What a Song of Praise to God and Comfort to himself does David sing when delivered out of the hands of all his Enemies Psal 18. and 116.3 6 7.4 You may make an advantage of all Afflictions to drive you to Heaven and to this Glory to wean you from the World and make you look and long and sigh for rest in Heaven to take you off from resting and building on the Earth where there is no rest and fire you to Heaven 2 Cor. 4.16.17 18. Vse 2. Hence that there is a greater and better a more Excellent portion to be sought after and obtained than all this World and all the Riches Honours Pleasures and Treasures of it There is Eternal Glory in the World to come that we are called up to mind and seek that is to be obtained by Christ Jesus and that is ten thousand thousand times a greater and a better matter a more desirable more excellent more noble thing than all the Glory and good of this World Should Satan shew you as he did to Christ Mat. 4.8 all the Kingdoms of the World and the Glories of them and put all the varnish and glittering splendor upon them that could be and offer to give you all this could he make good his word if you will be his walk in the wayes of sin and sensuality and give up your selves to be men of this World and to take up your portion here you may boldly refuse the bargain and say he offers you to your loss Christ far outbids him and makes you an offer that is infinitely better while he sets Heaven before you and the Glory of it and sayes renounce Sin and the World and come and possess Eternal Life and Glory in and with a Saviour This is as much better than the other â—s the Heavens are higher than the Earth Were it so that you haâ— Crowns and Kingdoms in choice yet there were reason that you should lay them aside in Compaâ—ison of this neglect them rather then neglect this despise slight contemn them to imbrace pursue possess this Crown and Glory that is above How much more reason to prefer it before those little sâ—raps of the World that are within â—our reach and compass those shreads of pleasure or wealth or honour or outward Contentments that you are
promise presently make over to you both Grace here and Glory hereafter Everlasting Life and Blessedness Isa 55.3 Heb. 5.9 Oh hearken to this word of the Lord this voice of the High-calling of God in Christ Jesus you that have hitherto been stooping down to the dust minding nothing but Earth and Vanity yea running down hill in the way of sin toward the lowest Hell Incline your Ear and hearken to a motion and offer of Eternal Glory in Heaven open your eyes and see the Lord Jesus standing withall Grace and Glory in his hands and inviting to him to let out of your hands i. e. out of your hearts the trifles of the World and take Eternal Glory in and with a Saviour Behold Heaven is opened to you the door stands open before you if once at last you will be perswaded to enter in And you that have believed already sit not by as if this Exhortation did not concern you but oh believe again imbrace Christ again come to him afresh with fresh and new sweetness with more clearness and establishment in believing so you should do at every time he calls you and sets his Glory before you Joh. 2.11 and so at this time this day Renew your Conjugal Imbraces of Christ Jesus and so your lively hope of this Glory Christ delights to be often asking for our hearts and setting himself before us as the attractive object of them and we should delight to be often giving our hearts to him and clasping about him as the only Glorious Lovely hope and rest and portion of our Souls Now for the pursuing of this Exhortation or pressing the Call of the Gospel by this Argument of Eternal Glory to be had and which we are Called to by Christ Jesus Let us a little improve the point and Text before us 1. By way of motive or quickning and perswasive considerations to draw our hearts to Christ Jesus 2. By way of direction and help to guide us in our believing on him 3. By way of Answer to some Objections that tend to beat us from Believing For the first though it is God only can draw and perswade yet he does it by his word and therefore we must apply our selves to speak and hear to listen to such quickning drawing Considerations as the word of the Gospel does suggest and in that way the spirit breaths 1. If the Lord Call thee to Eternal Glory or to come and receive Everlasting Blessedness through Christ then what does he Call thee from or out of Why from a state of Eternal wo and misery which is that that we are naturally in and that belongs to us as sinners and as in our selves considered 1 Pet. 2.9 Colos 1.13 Joh. 5 24. The word of Christ therefore calls thee from Death to Life Oh consider what damnation is about thee yea upon thee considered in thy self and in thy Natural Estate whereby thou lyest under all sin and under all Wrath Temporal Spiritual and Eternal Rom. 6.23 That work thou hast done and that wages Death Eternal Death belongs and is due to thee thou art sinking under the burden of the Curse lying under it as without Christ Gal. 3.10 and it is all upon thee Joh. 3.36 ready every moment to drop into Hell lyable to everlasting seperation from God to hear that doom Mat. 25.41 Seperation from God thou hast the beginning on 't already in the result of the guilt and power of sin in that dead dark and Godless heart of thine and thy estrangement from God thereby and this strongly tends to perfect separation from God and that is Hell as è contra c. Why this should make this word of Salvation this offer of Eternal Life and Call to come to Christ for it wonderful sweet and acceptable Bread in Famine Deliverance in Emminent dangers Life to him that is going down to the pit how precious is it Job 33.22 24. It is to one that is going down to the pit that the Lord speaks this Calling word should not that go to thy heart As thou art going down to Hell the Lord calls thee up to Heaven When that doom is pronounced in Mat. 25.41 and those multitudes going away to Hell suppose thy self among them and that one should then come with a message from God to call thâ—e back again and to invite thee to go up with Christ in Heavenly Glory what a ravishing thing would that be Why then there will be no place for recovery or hope But now such a like thing is really done to thee thou art going down to the Pit among the Uncircumcised posting on in the way to the lowest Hell under the Curse c. And yet behold now the Lord Calls to thee to turn about and accept of a Saviour and of Eternal Life and Salvation in him Thou poor perishing Sinner if thou hast any mind to Salvation it 's offered thee freely in Christ Act. 16.31 Is not this worthy of all acceptation 2. Remember what Glory it is that you are called up unto or that is to be had by Christ Jesus Here reflect upon all the promises all that hath been spoken of the Excellency of Heavenly Glory which is indeed above what Tongue can speak or Heart conceive Blessedness perfect and Everlasting Blessedness freedom from all evil from the worst of Evils sin all sin that deadly and bitter evil that kills thee all the day long the vision and fruition of God that Ocean of goodness compared with which the whole World is but a drop Should the Lord offer you heaps of Gold and Silver and bid you take them freely what flocking would there be and what hearkning would there be to such a proposition should he tell you of Crowns and Kingdoms and make Proposals about them Should a match be offered to thee that should bring with it Riches and Honours and Treasures in abundance how would thy heart spring and leap within thee at the thoughts of it and you would not need much perswading We offer you this I mean the good and Comfort that is in these things and more ten thousand times more as Mic. 2.11 If poor Ministers had Gold and Silver to tell you of they should be hearkned to Why but we have that that is better as much better as the Heaven is higher than the Earth and this we lay before you in the name of our God The Earth and the Glory of it is too low a business to send his Son Jesus to purchase for you and to bless you with or the Gospel to tell you of But Heaven Heaven if you have any mind to that Eternal Glory that is to be had by Christ Jesus and that the High-Calling of God in Christ calls you to Come will you leave the Earth and go up to Heaven will you throw the World at your feet as dung and dust and go up thither into the bosom of God to have the Love of the Father the Grace of the Son the
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
his Sheep-coats and Cow-houses and Rural Tents as also Reuben Jugd 5.16 And therefore they are more ignoble Ass-like servile spirited The great things of the World are but seemingly great and therefore it is but a false and shady and spurious greatness of spirit that the great men of the World have But the true Christian how poor soever in this World converses with the things that are indeed great God Christ and Heaven and Eternal Glory Jam. 2.5 and therefore true and genuine greatness of spirit holy magnanimity and bravery is and should be found with him It is a shame foâ— him if the poorest meanest Believer have not more true greatness of spirit humble indeed and nothing in himself but high and mighty in Christ strong in the Lord and in the power of his might then the greatest Nimrods of the World They wrestle not for corruptible Crowns not for a fashion that passâ—th away and that will leave them spiritless and succourless when real distress comes But he hath that that will stand by him and endure through all worldly changes and is a sufficient support against the same even as Heaven is higher then the Earth so should the spirits of true Christians be above that of the World Hence we find among the Martyrs poor mean men women sometimes have had a spirit above their Persecutors when clothed with all Worldly greatness as Act. 6.10 Mat. 10.18 20. and in their greatest sufferings they have been more then Conquerours Rom. 8.35 36 37. Sin hath debased the spirit of man and made it so vile and low that every temptation every Worldly allurement or affrightment overcomes it and tramples upon it But Grace raises the spirit of a Believer who is risen with Christ especially when it grows up to a sight of Glory and lively hope thereof when Faith and Holiness are lively and active it makes a man to be of an excellent spirit above the spirit of the World Dan. 6.3 So far as this Excellent spirit is wanting in Christians so far they are carnal and Earthly and little acquainted with Heaven Oh get thine heart filled with Heaven that will lift it above the Earth and above that Earthliness and baseness and weakness that sin and estrangement from God doth clog it with 2. Improve Heaven and your hope thereof unto Consolation or spiritual Joy and Comfort This use the Lord expects and requires you should make of that hope of Glory hereafter which he gives unto you here Luk. 10.20 Mat. 5.12 Rom. 5.2 1 Thes 4.18 Heaven when actually enjoyed is the fulness of Joy and Comfort Mat. 25.21 Psal 16.11 Luk. 16.25 And while it is but promised and hoped for it is a matter of great Joy and Comfort If any of the faithful live without this Joy they do either discouragedly and sinfully put away or carelesly neglect the portion that God gives them Oh we have too much Earthly but too little Heavenly Joy an Earthly Carnal heart is the reason of that whereby we live below the Condition that God calls to Comfort and Joy is the life of every life whether natural rational or spiritual If a man have no Joy of this life it is a death rather than life No life so full of Comfort as the life of a Christian is or may be Spiritual life hath Glory in the end of it to put Comfort into all the way Oh what happy and Comfortable lives might we live if the fault were not our own when as we have the whole Covenant of Grace and therein a whole Heaven made over to us to rejoyce in God and Christ and his spirit to be our everlasting portion and not only an Interest in him at present but full fruition of him in Heaven made sure to us What though there be tribulations bitterness in the way there is sweetness enough in the end to swallow up all the bitterness thereof and to make it a light thing as 2 Cor. 4.17 and therefore notwithstanding that we may rejoyce more particularly therefore let the fore-thoughts of Heaven be matter of Comfort and Consolation 1. Against the loss of any of the good things of this World one or more some yea or all Heb. 10.34 Though you lose this or that on Earth if you have Heaven you have that that is better and virtually you have it still A better good contemns an inferior good in it For Major continet minus He that hath White-bread enough need not care though he lose a Brown-Loaf He that hath God and Heaven to rejoyce in can lose but little though he should lose all the the Earth He hath the best good and the main still and more enduring a permanent a never-failing good a good that cannot be lost Whatever you lose here you have a portion in Heaven that you cannot lose no spoiler can spoil you of that Mat. 6.20 He cannot lose much whose portion is in Heaven for that cannot be lost and all the rest all the World is but a little an inconsiderable thing Luk. 16.10 11 12. The much the main the true riches and that that is your own your proper portion that is assigned to you by God to have and to hold forever that is whole and safe still They that have great Estates they may bear it to lose a little and not feel it much yea that that would be to another man the loss of his whole Estate he may bear it to lose a little yea should it be all Earthly Comforts that to an ungodly man is his whole Estate it is all that ever he hath he may well wring his hands and waile and take on as one undone But the Godly that hath all the Glory of Heaven all the good of the Covenant of Grace for his own it is but a flea-biting to him but a little nay indeed none of his proper Estate and Portion but Additionalls but thread and Paper cast in over and above Moses can lose and leave all the Glory Wealth and pleasure of the Court of Pharaoh and make no matter of it while he looks to this recompence of reward Heb. 11.24 25 26. 2. Against the fears and dangers of Evils that may befall us in this World and all manner of afflictions therein fears and threatning dangers of what may come is oft no small part of our tryal and affliction But Luk. 12.32 in times of greatest fears this is a quieting thought that there can come nothing that shall keep you from Heaven if you be the Lords Whatever good be taken away it cannot take away Heaven from you whatever evil comes it cannot hinder you from Heaven It cannot separate you from everlasting Communion with nay it shall further you rather thereunto And if so then you may triumph over all things and evil instruments in the World that do or can annoy you Rom. 8.35.37 38 39. If you do or most actually go through some Tribulations and sorrows such as are pinching and painful to the flesh
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
Jesus Christ there to whom you are now going is a good dying posture as it was Stephens Act. 7. And it is a sufficient support against the discomfort of Death Look to the Glory and Life you shall be received up unto that will swallow up the Death you shall be received through Luk. 9.51 Heb. 12.2 When you lay down your heads in the dust you at once lay down all sins and sorrows who would not part with the Body for a time to part with sin forever Death will do that for you that all Ordinances all afflictions all means could not do it will presently carry you near very near fully near to Christ into full and everlasting fellowship with him Thus manifold Consolations here Eternally serves to establish and strengthen against all Sufferings and Death it self 1 Pet. 1.10 A Letter written by the Author to his Friend in New-England Dear and Intirely Beloved Friend IT is an afflicting Providence from God and just cause of shame to me for I cannot clear my self from a great deal of just blame that I have not done nor can now do any thing for you in regard of those writings you desired of me I have and am continually pressed with variety of urgent occasions and much time in the way I am in is dayly taken up from my personal studies besides many incident avocations And alas I can do little and make but slow progress in the long race of Learning I have to run And it is my miserable guise either by wickedness or weakness to fall short of that good I should either get or do and if it be so in this case towards you it is no wonder though it should be my deep sorrow But yet considering some passages in your last and former Letters concerning your Spiritual Condition and knowing by experience in my self the reality of such Complaints I would not be so graceless as to neglect you wholly therein And though I can say or do very little yet a word or two might be of some use nor do I know what guilt might lye upon me if I should be silent or slight in this Case And therefore Dear if my barren heart would suffer me I would present you with a few words as if you and I were alone in a Corner in the presence of God! The Condition you express is the Common but fearful Epidemical Calamity of those times and places where the Gospel is Preached and among such as outwardly carry fair Convinced but not humbled some apprehensions of misery and affections now and then but not deep effectual mournings something burdened with sin and misery and wrath of God but yet able to bear it and contented to live without being delivered from it Knowing every thing and feeling nothing or rather knowing every thing and yet indeed knowing nothing in seeing not c. For my own part it is that which hath been the baneful misery of my soul even that very thing which thou say and mean ever since I knew any thing and the Lord knows how little I am delivered from it and how much of my work in this point upon which the very hinges of our Salvation turn is yet to do to this day Oh my if my heart were not Adamant I should weep with and for you And truly when I am most near God I have no greater request then this for my self and you that God would use any means to make us see things really as they are and pound our hearts all to pieces and make indeed sin most bitter and Christ most sweet that we might be both humbled and Comforted to purpose An imperfect work of the Law and then an imperfect work of the Gospel is the bane and ruine of us in these dayes Some fears and affections and then some hopes of mercy without finding full rest and satisfaction in Christ only men rest in and here perish But hence is the ground of that you speak of An heart that doth not cannot feel sin and consequently no other thing that Gods word speaks of and the wrath of God for it to purpose Cannot be sensible of sin or misery in an effectual manner Now a word or two of Counsel to you in this Case First consider the end and thing you are to strive after Secondly the way and manner how Your business is never to rest till you come to feel sin as an insupportable burden and then to find rest and everlasting satisfaction in Christ imbracing him as your own To go on humbling to be humbled and to see such intollerable evil in sin and be so burdened with the wrath of God lying upon you for it as it may make sin everlastingly odious to you and force you to fly for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before you and to have strong Consolation there This is a great thing not easily and quickly gotten but fit not down at quiet till you come to this This is the way to make all sure But you will say I know not whether I ever had any true humiliation whether there is any thing in me that will stand by me when an hour of Temptation comes Therefore now resolve I will padle and dally with God and my own soul no longer I will never give God rest till he shew me things really and till I have attained that sense of sin and Faith in Christ Jesus which is real and effectual This is the work of our lives Joh. 6 29. Let me never rest till it be put out of all doubt that God in Christ is mine own and hath made an everlasting Covenant with me This I will have or I will be in bitterness before the Lord while I have any Being and for the residue of my dayes I will dwell with them that lye down in sorrow I will have my society with such forsaken souls who being desolate and deserted are free among the dead If the blessed God shall excommunicate this wretched soul from his gracious presence which yet is but an Act of his most Holy and just severity Oh! let me find this favour in his sight that I may also excommunicate my self from the pleasures and enjoyment of this present World And resolve this if God will not let me see the good of his chosen and I have nothing to say why he should I will mourn I will mourn let me live and dye in the house of mourning If God will not Comfort me nothing else shall if I may not have peace and rest in God I 'le have none at all if God will take no pleasure in me I 'le take no pleasure in my self Let my tears be my meat continually let me go mourning up and down the World while I have a day to live If God cast me off let this be my condition Nay come to this pass I cannot live unless God be reconciled to me My spirit fails if the Lord redeem not presently There is no beeing no biding for me