with looking after the Mat. 24. 12. things which are comming on the world yet iniquity doth abound and the whole Earth seemeth to be filled with Gen. 6. 11. violence and wickednes and most men live as if there were neither God nor Devil Heaven nor Hell It is true these things are continually sounding in our ears and is it not as true and wo and alas that it is so they do for the most part as soon passe through the ears of the hearer as from the mouth of the speakerâ— Whence Vox audita perit Amos 6. 3. else is it that wicked men approach to the seat of iniquity but that they put far from them the evill day Whence is it that they cry peace peace and sing a requiem to their Souls with the fool in the gospel but 1 Thess 5. 3. 2. that they forget that sudden destruction is at hand and Luk. 12. 19 20 this night their soules may bee taken from themâ— whence is it that good mens hearts shake so at the present Heb. â—2 27. â—8 shaking of things in the world but that they have forgotten the Kingdome that cannot be shakenâ— whence is it that the good and bad both slumber and watch not but that they have forgotten that the comming of the Lord is nigh and he will come as a Mat. 25. 1 2 3 c. Thief in the night And whence is it thaâ— there is such an overflowing of sin in the world but from hence that men think not enough of these things For the prevention and cure therefore of these epidemicall evils I have gathered and bound up together these heavenly truths as medicine made of many ingredients and give it you in writing And oh that now we could perswade you to turn aside from youâ—â—ageâ— Litera Scripta manet pursuit of earthly things and come and see what it is and try what it wiâ—l do And for this may we prevail with you to look into them and keep them as a signe upon your hands as fronâ—â—eâ—s between your eyes that you will write them on the posts of your houses and your gates or rather on the tables of your hearts that they being ever in your sight may be never out of Deut. 6. 6 7 8. your minde Remember and forget not that very shortly the grieâ—ly Serjeant Deaâ—h will aâ— rest you and clap you up in the Prison of the grave where you shal by and by heare the dreadfull voâ—ce of the last Tâ—umpâ— crying a wake ye dead and come to judgment look sometimes in at Hâ—ll gates and think of the wrath to come and at other times take a view of the Heavenly Canaan and walk a turn or two in the Paradice of God If the thought of one of these how much more shall the thought of them all make us apply our hearts to wisdome Thâ—se thoughts wâ—ll 〈◊〉 lesse much settle the hearts of Saint in this shaking time 1 Cor 15. 31. Psal 1. 1. 5. Mat. â— 15. Col. 1. 12. Deut 32. 39. make them active for God careful to 〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉 so that they may be alwayes ready to dye able to stand in the Judgment sure to escape the damnation of Hell and to be made meet for the inheritance of the Saints in heaven And oh that men were thus wise to understand this to consider their latter end Thy Christian friend W. S. Of the foure last and great things Death Judgement Heaven and Hell and the things that concern the same Of Death DOCTRINE All men must die or There is an unavoidable necessity of dying laid upon all men Hebr. 9. 27. It is appointed to men once to die Psal â—9 48. What man is he that liveth and shall not see death not a man Eccles 6. 6. Doe not all go to one place Job 30. 23. I know thou wiâ—â— bring me to death and to the house appointed for all living FOr the opening of this point we must say something to these three things First what this death whereof we speak is Secondly What necessity there is that all men must die this death Thirdly Wherefore this necessity is imposed upon mankinde and wherefore it is so For the first By death here we mean not the privation of our communion with God or the separation of soul and body from Gods favour in this world which is caused by sin and is called an alienation from the life of God or the second death or spirituall death Luke 1. 79. Ephes 2. 1 2 4. 18. or the separation of the whole man from Gods heavenly presence and glory to be punished with everlasting fire in Hell called eternall death or the perdition of soul and body in Hell or the second death And this is proper onely to wicked men and cannot touch the godly Rom. 6. 23. Revel 20. 6. 4. Rom. 8. 6. 2 Thess 1. 9. Matth. 10. 28. Rev. 2. 11. But by death in this place we intend the privation of the life of the body or the separation of the soul from the body for sin or the change of this mortall for an immortall life And this is called a bodily or worldly death or the first death And this death is common to all men good and bad Heb. 9. 27. 1 Cor. 15. 32. Gen. 5. 24. 35. This death is either naturall i. when a man liveth out his full daies and then dieth or violent i. when a mans death is hastened by some violent accident that a man doth kill himself or is killed by another Also it is said to be common and ordinary when it is by an ordinary or usual means or extraordinary when it is by some strange or unusuall mâ—ans Numb 16. 29. 〈◊〉 The necessity we here speak of is not absolute but limitâ—ed to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For he may if he please dispense with his own Law and the penalty thereof and exempt some men from this common lot of mankind as once 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who is said to be translated that he did not 〈◊〉 death Hebr. 11. 5. Gen. 5. 24. so afterwards Eliâ—h 2 Kings 2. 11. and as again he will do with those which shall be a live at Christs comming to judgement 1 Thess 4. 17. 1 Cor. 15. 51. Wâ— shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed But in an ordinary way God hath appointed to all men once to die and to this law of the King of Kings must all men young and old rich and poor without difference of necessity submit For the third thing 1. That it is so and must be so that all men must die these reasons may be given for it 1 God in his eternall counsell hath decreed it Heb. 9. 27. It is appointed to men once to die And his counsell standeth fast for ever and the thoughts of his heart unto all generations Psal 33. 11. Esay 46. 10. We read in â—say 28. 15. of some that had made a Covenant with death That it should not come â—igh
theâ— But God tels them v. 18. That he would disaâ—â—ull their Covenant for the Lord bringeth the counsell of the heathen to â—ought and maketh the devises of the people of none â—ffect 2. Mans sin hath deserved it Gen. 2. 17. In the day thou â—â—test thereof thou shalt surely die Rom. 5 12. As by one man sin â—ntred into the world and death by sin so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned Rom 6. 23. 1 Cor. 15. 22. As in Adâ—m all die i. sin and death came upon all men 3. Man in his nature is mortall and corruptable as the Trees as therefore these however some of them as Oaks and the like live longer then others yet do all of them in time by age wither and die and none of them live for ever because they are of a dying nature so it is with men though some of them live longer then others yet experience shews uâ— that they all dye at one time or other Eccles 6. 6. 7. Though â—e live a thousand year◠〈◊〉 Do not all go to one place 4. Unlesse the body die it cannot be capable of that state to which it is ordained For the wicked man must have such a body as is fitted everlastingly to burn without consumption and the godly man must have such a body as is capable of the everlasting enjoyment of the glory of heaven which the present body cannot doe As therefore the seed which is â—own is not quickened unlesse it die so unlesse these bodies of the Saints die they cannot have those new bodies prepared for them which are bodies with new qualities 1 Cor. 15. 37 39 40 c. It is â—own in corruption it is raised in incorruption it is sowâ— in dishonour raised in glory sown in weaknesse raised in power sown a naturall raised a spirituall bodie The bodies of the Saints shall be then sound and of a nature that cannot corrupt glorious and comâ—ly without any deformity powerfull that is able to continue without the humane helps of meat drink and cloths without which they cannot new be kept they must put off their old ragged cloths of mortality if ever they mean to put on the princely â—obes of immortality and life 2. And thus God will have it and his providence hath disposed of it for the manifestation of his own glory the glory of his Justice in the punishment of mans sin the glory of his Truth in making good his word and the glory of his power in the resurrection of the bodies of men Io. 9. 3. 11. 39 40. It is needfull that we answer one objection ere we go further If death be Object the wages of sin and Christ hath given satisfaction for the sins of his people how comes it to passe that they die To this we answer 1. This objection may be made against all the afflictions Answer of Gods people 2. Christ never promised by his Word nor intended by his Death to free his people from afflictions and so from death but fâ—om the evill and hurt thereof onely and so he doth free his people from death insomuch as it is not now a curse but a blessing a token of Gods love and means of mans good Christ as he took not away sin it self but the guilt thereof so he took not away death it self but the sting thereof Revel 14. 13. Rom. 8. 28. Hebr. 12. verse 8. 10. Revel 3. verse 19. 1 Corinth 15 〈◊〉 56. If any man shall ask now when he must die We must answer him that we know not when for as there is nothing in iuest Qâ—â— Answer the world more certain then death so there is nothing more uncertain then the time when men shall die this God hath kept in his owne hands This only is certain that at the longest it will not be long for mans age is but short Psal 9. 5. As a hand breadth and as nothing before God Iob 14. 1 2. Man that is borne of a woman is of â—ew dayes c. He commeth forth like a flower and is cut downe He fleeth also as a shaddow and continueth not Psal 102. 11. 03. 15. 144. 4. Psal 89 47. Remember how short my time is Iob 7. 6 7. 20. 16. 22. Iam. 4 14. Esay 48 6. All flesh is grasse Psal 90 10. Isa man liâ—â— to 〈◊〉 or by reason of strength to 80. yet is it soone cut of and we 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And how much of this in thy life is spent already But perhaps thou mayest not live out halfe thy dayes for men like sheep die of all ages Psalm 55. 23 and this doth commonly fall out that the longer men think to live the lesse while they have to live 1 Thes 5. 3. Luke 12. â— 20. This pâ—ynt being cleared let us now see what use may be made of it Vse 1 And first it may serve us for exhortation to divers things and this two wayes First as having reference to our owne death Secondly as having reference to the death of others As having reference to our owne death it doth serve to exhort and perswade us to these things First to beleeve it let us beleeve it that we must die and that of all this world of men women and children now alive there will not after a few yeares one be left Scarcely will a man beleeve that seeth a great apple-tree thick of clusters that ever these will fall one by one and yet being ripe how soone will they be all dropt downe and gone So it is of men one generation passeth and another commeth Eccles. 1. 4. Secondly to think of it let us meditate and consider of this that we must die For however it may be thought a vaine and needlesse perswasion to perswade men to beleeve and think they shall die and every man will be ready to say he doth beleeve this and it is never out of his thought and who doth not so Yet it is more then manifest by most mens lives that they doe not so For doth that man that taketh nothing about him to defend him against â—oule weather beleeve he shall meet with it in his journey Doth he that makes no provision for a new beleeve he shall shortly be put out of his old house Doth he beleeve he must shortly put of his old that makes no provision for new cloathes Doth the Thâ—â—fe or Murderer beleeve there is a Prison and Gallâ—wes for Theeâ—es and Murderers whilst he doth kill or steale Or doth that Servant while he wasteth or spoileth his Masters goods or abuseth his follow Servants thinke of his Masters comming to call him to an account Nor doth he that neglecteth all the care of provision for another life thinke of it that he must shortly goe out of this life Can it be that the profane Scorner cruell Oppressor licentious Epicure or sâ—â—â—re Libertine should be perswaded that he must shortly die and after death come to judgement Hath he not rather with them in Esay 28. 15. made
hath respect to two times First to all the time of amans life Secondly to the time a little before his death First all the time of a mans life Generally a man is to labour to be a new Creature by faith and repentance and to live a good life endeavouring to be better and better still and 〈◊〉 to be sure to do a good dayâ— work whilst he doth live for he that lives well cannot do amiâ—s and he that lives the life shall be sure to die the death of the righteous 2 Pet. 16. 7. 11 c. 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. 2 Pet. 3. 14. Gal. 6. 6. More especially we must labour for First peace with God in Christ and peace in our own Consciences Rom. 5. 1. 2 Pet 3. 14. Secondly the saving knowledge of God in Christ Ioâ— 17. 3. 3. A life regulated by Gods spirit and word Rom. 8. 14. Phil. 4. 7. There are degrees of life eternall and it is begun here the resurrection out of sin to holynesse of life is the beginning of eternall life Rev. 20. 6. Col. 1. 13. Gal. 2. 20. More particularly let us doe these things First let us get unto Christ by faith and thereby make our peace with God and get an assurance of a better life when this is at an end Rev. 14. 13. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord i. in the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 15. 22. As in Adam all die so in Christ shall all be made alive i. As by Adam sin and death came over all so by Christ grace and life came to all beleevers 2 Pet. 3. 14. â—uke 2. 28 29. Now let thy â—ervant depart in peace for mine eyes have seene thy Salvation i. I doe willingly and chearfully leave this present life Heb. 11. 13. Ioh. 8. 24. He is the â—â—tter to leave his old when he knowes where to have a new and a beâ—â—r dwelling 2 Cor. 5. 1. 2. c. Secondly let us pray continually that God will fit us for death say with Moses Psal 9. 12. Lord teach me to number my dayes so as to apply my heart to wisedome Thirdly let us labour to mortifie our sinnes daily for here in lyeth the strength of death 1 Cor. 15. 56. For this purpose let us confesse it be humbled for it cry to God for pâ—rdon of and power against it and effectually apply by faith the death of Christ against it so shall we be sure that God will redeeme our souls from the power of the grave and receive us Psal 19. 15. Fourthly let us enure our selves to die by little and little that is not only live every houre as if we were dying but by our afflictions as lesser deaths prepare for our great death 1 Cor. 15. 3â— I die daily i. I am not only in danger of death daily but I doe thereby enure and prepare myself to die daily By undergoing a lesser we shall be prepared to undergoe a greater burden so men that are to run a large race prepare themselves for it by the running of a shorter race For this cause did Bilney the Martyr oft times before his burning put his little finger in the candle thereby the better to be prepared to suffer the burning of his whole body 2 Cor. 11. 23. 2 Cor. 1. 9 10. Fifthly let us alwayes watch and wayt for Christs comming to us in particular by our death that is shaking of security as we would shake of sleep let us take great heed that we not overcome by sin or Satan and looking always for death be in a dying posture and live every houre as if it were our last houre Iob. 14. 14. All the dayes of my appointed time I will wait till my change come Luk. 2. 25. Motives 1. It will be very profitable for us so to watch 2. It will be very dangerous for us to neglect it See Mat. 24. 42. to the end of that chapter and Mat. 25. 1. to verse 14. Sixthly let us be able to looke beyond death into heaven and the glory thereof Heb. 11. 25. 2 Cor. 5. 1. He will not care much to be turned out of the house he dwels in when he knows where to have a better house at hand to goe into Seventhly let us keep our hearts from being glued by overmuch love to the world or any thing in it for by how much the more we love by so much the more we shall grieve when we leave it 2 Sam. 18. 33. Eightly let us get as much of the tast of heaven here as we can that the sweetnesse thereof may make us more to desire the full fruition of it The preparation to be made a little before and at the time of a mans death lyeth in these things First to God-wâ—â—d Secondly to man-ward To God-ward â— If sicknesse goe before death we are the◠〈◊〉 to looke upon it as Gods hand and that for our sin Lam. 3. 39. Ioh. 5. 14. 1 Cor. 11. 20 21. and 30. 2. We are to labour to renew our saith and repentance and so to get a renewed assurance of Gods favour by an earnest seeking of him by prayer so David Psa 32. Psal 38. Psal 39. 2. To man-ward our selves and others when we be sick we are to call in help from the prayers and counsel of good people who are able to help us herein Mark 2. 4. Iam. 5. 14. Heb. 3. 1. 2. We are to use the best outward meanes we can for the recovery of our health 2 King 20. 7. Luk 1â— 3 4. Matt. 9. 12. 3. We are to set our house in order i. to make our will if it be not made before and give direction what we will have done after our death 2 Sam. 23. Gen. 25. 5 6. 4. We are as much as we may to endeavour to be reconciled to our Neighbours with whom we are at difference Matt. 5. 25. Rom. 12. 8. 5. We are to get and make use of all the comfortable meditations we can think of against the fear of death 6. If we be Magistrates or Ministers we are to do what we can to further the well ordering of the Common-wealth and Church after our death Deut. 32. 2. 1 Kings 2. 1. 2 Pet. 1. 5. In death it self or being about to die we are to give up our souls to God i. to his care and keeping being his by redemption Psal 31. 5. Luk. 23. 46. Acts 7. 59. And this we are to do 1. Beleevingly as Stephen Acts 7. â—6 59. died in the embracements of the Lord Jesus Christ and calling upon his name Iob. 13. 15 1 Sam. â—0 6. Heb. 11. 21. 22. 13. These 〈◊〉 in faith 2. Charitably so Stephen Acts. 7. 20. Lord â—ay not this sinne to their charge and Christ Luk. 23. 34. 〈◊〉 forgive them 3. Patiently 2 King 20. 2. Iam. 5. 7 8. 4. Obediently and submissively so Christ Matt. 26. 39. not as I will but as thou wilt Phil. 〈◊〉 defecta 〈◊〉 c. 2 8. Rom.
very base and miserable condition 3. That there are degrees of this happines and misery And then last of all for the use of all this we shall shew how we may attain to the one and escape the other And for a foundation of all our structure we will first of all lay down this doctrinall proposition or point DOCTRINE That there is a Heaven and a Hell that this Heaven is a state of wonderfull happinesse And this Hell is a state of wonderfull miserie And there are degrees of this happinesse and misery These parts we shall take and handle asunder That there is a Heaven THat there is a heaven may appear by these things 1. Otherwise the condition of the best men will be worst for in this life they receive most evil things Luke 16. 25. If in this life onely we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable 1 Cor. 15. 19. 2. How otherwise can God be just or appear to be just And shall not the judge of all the earth doe right If God proportion the worst â—staâ—â— to the best men he must at least seem to be unjust which cannot be 2 Thâ—â—salonians 1. 5 6 7. It is a righteous tâ—â—â—g with God 〈◊〉 to giâ—e you rest who are troubled It is a manifeâ—â— taken of the righteous judgements of God This time and state is therefore called The time of the reâ—â—lation of the righteous judgements of God Rom. 2. 5. 3. Otherwise theâ—e is no reward for the righteous for all the good works they have done And the reward of their works shall be given them Iâ—say 3. 10. 4. Otherwise the greatest part of the Scripture must be false and the promises of heaven to the righteous must be of no force for the Scripture saith there is a Heaven and God hath promised it to the righteous and it is purchased and prepared for them Matth. 2 5. 31 5 12 19 8 1â— 21. Coâ—oss 1. 5. Heb. 10. 34 5. It is begun here and men have a little taste of it in this life which is an evidence to them of the full fâ—uâ—tion thereof in the life to come Rom. 5. 2 8 23. Mark 9. 45 6. If there be a God there is a Kingdom of God But the first is true 7. There is a resurrection of good and bad and therefore a place for good and bad That there is a Hell THat there is a Hell may appear by these things 1. Otherwise the condition of the worst men will be best for in this life they for the most part receive good things Luke 16. 25. They are not afflicted as other men i The righteous for there are no other men but the righteous and the wicked Psal 78. 5. 2. Otherwise Gods justice is not seen in giving to every man according to his deeds as in that Rom. 2. 5 6. It is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you 2 Thess 1. 6 7. When the Lord Iesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire to take vengeance c. 3. Otherwise the sinner shall escape unpunâ—hed for his sin for many of them are not plagued at all for their sins here And yet the reward of his hands shall be given him Esay 3. 11. And every one muâ—â— receive according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad 2 Cor. 5. 10. 4. Otherwise the word of God that doth assure us there is a Hell and all the threatnings of God against sinners that they shall be cast into bell c. are false Esay â—0 33. Topheâ— is prepared of old c. Psal 9. 13. The wicked shall be turned into Hell and all the nations that forget God Matt 5. 22 10 28 18 9. 5. It is begun here and they have a taste of it in this present life for what else is it that doth cause that horrour of conscience in some men but the fear of lying for ever under Gods wrath in this place Iudas Matt. 27. 7. Acts 1. 25. Spirâ—t c. Belshassar Dan. 5. Herod Nero and others What Heaven is IN the opening of this point we shall shew first in generall what is either properly or figuratively and by way of resemblance and of it And 2 in some particulers wherein it doth consist Heaven is the blessed state and condition made and appointed by God for the eternall happinesse of the godly and elect after this life is ended with God and his blessed Angels above where the most lively visible and Comfortable discovery of Gods gracious presence is a little taste whereof we have here a greater when Soul and Body are seperated by death And the full fruition whereof we have when the Body shall be raised and Soul and Body united together As touching this place and condition we must first know that the excellency glory and sweetnesse thereof no mortall heart or created understanding can possibly conceive and comprehend to the life For S. Paul tells us 1 Cor. 2. 9. That neither eye hath seen nor eare heard nâ—â—ther heart of man conceived the incomprehensible height and glorious misteries of that heavenly wisdom and inutterable divine sweetnesse revealed in the Gospell How transcendently then unutterable and unconcewable is the fulfilling perfection the reall actuall and full fruition of all those evangellicall revelations accomplished to the height in the highest heavens through all eternitie But this is ceâ—tain that this state and place is a state and place of inconceivable happinesse and pleasure For if the Disciples of Christ in the Transfiguration were so taken and â—avished with a little glimpse of this glory that they desired they might for ever enjoy it Matt. 17. 2 3 4. What then will the full view thereof be and if the tast of it onely be a â—â—y that passetâ— all understanding Phil. 4. 7. a joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1. 8. Then the whole cup and full draught thereof must needs be an exceeding and eternal weight of glory 2 Cor. 4. 17. There is a fulnesse of joy in it Psal 17. 15. The soul shall have so much that it shall desire no more it shall have so much that it can receive no more as a vessel that is full to the top It is a rich inheritance Ephes 1. 18. No man can know it in the extent but he that injoyeth it and all that can be said of it can but as he that drew out the whole body of Hercules by his foot frame unto us a conjecture of the matter that will comeâ—arâ—â— short of the thing it self The Scripture doth set it forth unto us by the most excellent and precious things that are in the world It is called a kingdom and crown which is the top and Crown of all earthly happinesse In this there is a confluence of all 〈◊〉 pleasures glory and what mans heart can with for outward welfare and felicity they that pâ—ssess this are said to be Kings and to
things yet farther in some particulars As the misery of Hell so the happinesse of Heaven doth 〈◊〉 of two parts 1. in â—â—exemption and 〈◊〉 of all â—â—â—ll 2. In a fruition of all good The righteous in heaven shall be freed from all manner of evill from evill spirituall for they shall not they cannot sin that which makes the holy man here to cry out O wretched man that I am c. Rom. 7. 24. they shall be freed off the Conscience shall not be unquieted any more corporall for there shall be no more offence to the body by hunger thirst cold wearines heat â—â—ame sicknes death nothing shall annoy either soule or body it shall neither feel nor fear disturbance Otherice blessed condition that is so exceeding happy and whose happines is so infallibly secured Revel 21. 4. Esay 5. 8. It is said of this estate And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more pain c. And again Revel 7. 14 c. These are they which came out of great tribulation and they shall hunger no more nor thirst any more neither shall the Sun light on them nor any heat For the Lambe which is in the middest of the Throne shall feed them and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes And again Esay 57. 1 2. it is said The righteous are taken away from the evill to come He shall enter into peace they shall rest in their beds And in Matth. 11. 29. Come unto me all yee that are 〈◊〉 laden c. you shall finde rest to your Soules of this time and state it is that Christ speaks Mat. 22. 30. They neither marry nor are given in marriage but are as the Angels of God in Heaven Hebr. 4. 9. There remaineth a rest for the People of God the which was signified by the rest the Jews had in the â—â—nd 〈◊〉 Canaan Psal 95. 11. This is that also the whol creation waâ—teth for Rom. 8. 22 23. For we know that the whole Creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together till now And not onely they but our selves also which have the first fruits of the spirit 〈◊〉 we ourselves grâ—â—n within our selves waiting for the Adoption to wit for the Redemption of our body Nay then shall do 〈◊〉 self be swallowed up in victory 1 Cor. 15. 54. So that the triumphant â—oulin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 our Lord Iesus 〈◊〉 So that here we see 〈◊〉 immunity and freedom from 〈◊〉 for Death and the 〈◊〉 shall be abolished and that last enemy shall be destroyed Coll. 3. 3. The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the Law Christ hath taken away the sin satisfied the Law and obtained eternall freedom for his own They are never to return into bondage oâ— to feel evill any more They are no more to come into this place for they are to dwell on high where no evill can reach them The Devil shall be shut up in chains of darknes in the prison of Hell Rom. 16. 20. no wicked persoâ— or thing shall be in Heaven for there dwelled righteousneâ—â— there shall be therefore perfect freedom without any possibility of returning to bondage The second part of the happines of heaven is in the fruition of all good corporall and spirituall and albeit this doth consist of many particulars yet all these seem to be intended and contained in those three words in Rom. 2. 10. Glory Honour and Peace in opposition to the â—â—ame Contempt and Trouble by which the misery of Hell is described The glory oâ— the Saints in Heaven 〈◊〉 wherein a part of then happines shall consist shall be in these things 1. in their bodies which being glorified shall be most beautifull and excellent either as it springs out of the blessed beauty and excellency of the soule or as it is indâ—wed with an heavenly excellency originally implanted by God in it self For the Spirit of God and glory shall thou rest aboundantly upon them 1 Pet 4. 14. The body beâ—â—â—s the freedom that it shall have from all the evils thereof as lamenes mis-shapenesse sicknes hunger nakednes wearines cold and the like it shall be gloriously endâ—wed with many positive and wonderfull excellencies as 1. Immortality for it can never possibly die 1 Corinth 15. verse 54. but it shall live as long as God doth live so that herein their condition is a thousand times more happy thâ—n it was in the state of innocency in Paradise 2. Incorruptiblenes for every glorified body shall be for evâ—r utterly impossible with any corruptive quality action or alteration and cannot be subject to any inward decay or dissolution 1 Cor. 15. 42. 54. 3. Power when to the Souls native strength there shall be an addition of glorifying vigour and Gods mighty spirits more plentifull habitation and it shall also put on a body which brings with it besides his own inherent power an exact ablenes and readines fitted to the Souls highest abilities how incredible mighty may we conceive a Saint in Heaven to be 1 Cor. 15 43. 4. Spiritualnes 1 Cor. 15. 44. The glorified body shall be more of the nature of the Spirit i. more active not needing food c. and more subject to the Spirit and be more fully possessed with the Spirit 5. Beauty and a shining amiablenes 1 Cor. 15. 43. The glorified body shall have an exquisite feature and stature a welfavoured and comly proportion and mutuall correspondency of all the parts thereof a sweet and amiable colour and a bright shining splendor of celestiall glory and a chearfull lively lightsome aspect and all this preserved in perpetuall freshnes with new supply of heavenly activenesse by a more glorious Soul yea the very nakednesse now the shame thereof shall be then the glory of it Phil. 3. 21. Who shall change our vile bodies that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious bodie A glimpse of which we have in Christs Transfiguration Matth. 17. 2 13 43 2 4 2. A second part of this glory shall be in the soul wherein 1. The understanding shall be abundantly and comfortably enlightened and enlarged to the uttermost that the creature can reach unto in all naturall things that may delight and especially in heavenly things as in Gods word the glorious misteries of the holy Trinity The union of Christs natures the union of his elect unto him Gods eternall councell in election and reprobation and the like 2. The will shall be conformable to Gods will 3. The memory shall still keep what it knowes 4. The affections shall be according to the perfect pattern And all this shall be in perfection 1 Cor. 13. 10 12. For when that which is perfect is come that which is in part shall be done away And it must nâ—eds be where there is so much grace there should 〈◊〉 to much Glorie
13. 2 Cor. 5. â—9 1 Pâ—â— â—â—0 Esay â—8 14. Rom. 10. 14. They That call upon the Lord shall be saved 3. The steps of this way it self are in generall the conformity of a mans ways in righteousnes and holines to the will of God doing good and avoiding evill or a walking in holines and righteousnes before him Not every one that saith Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdome of Heavens but he that doth the will of my Father in Heaven Matth. 7. 2â— They thâ—â—efore for whom this place iâ— prepared and that shall be Inhabitants of this heavenly Jerusalem are said to be the righteous just Saints c. Eâ—ay â—7 1. Righteous men are taken away from the evill to come Mat. 25 46. The righteous shall go into everlasting life Mat. 1. 43. Then shall the just shine as the 〈◊〉 the kingdome of their Father and heaven it self Col. 2. 1â— It is called the inheritance of the Saints of them that are sanctified Acts 20. 32. Hebr. 12 14. Revel 21 27. For it is but reason that they that would have the wages of eternall life of God hereafter should do his work here Hebr. 12. v. 28 If yet you dâ—siâ—e to see this branched out further in 〈◊〉 we may observe it to be noted out unto us to â—ivers gracious works of Gods Spirit in us and by us as 1. In Sanctification that is the peculiar work of Gods Spirit creating in the elect converted souls that new quality of holinesse whereby they can in some measure truly hate their own sins with firm purpose to leave them and love Gods Law with resolution to do it in some good measure For al those those alone that are sanctified here shall be saved hereafter And this sanctification is one part of the will of God that must be done of all that will be saved 1 Thess 4. 3. This is the will of God even your Sanctification Rom. 8. 3. Whom he will glorifie he will sanctifie And this we know doth comprehend two things Mortification of sin and a quickening virtue to goodnes And the first or rather the Spirit in the first worketh by these degrees 1. it doth make a man labour to finde out his sin especially rooâ—-sin 2. It makes him loath it and be weary of it and desirous to be rid of it 3. It maketh him to fetch power from the death of Christ in the use of all the means of grace to kill it 4. It maketh him to apply this power as a corasive to proud flesh to eat out his sin The second worketh thus 1. It maketh a man labour to find out that righteousnes which God retquireth 2. To strive for a willingnes of heart â—o perform it 3. And that he may so do to fetch power from Christ in the use of all the means of Grace 4. A love to all good persons and things And by these pure motions as streams the fountain is known to be pure Io. 4 14. 5. A pure and a holy life sheweth the heart as the fruit doth the Tree to be good 2. In Regeneration That work of Gods wonderfull power begetting the Elect again to himself by the Word and Spirit thereby making them the children of God through 〈◊〉 in Christ who were the children of wâ—â—th by 〈◊〉 which is one of the first steps in the way to salvation And all those and those onely that are regenerate here of God by his Spirit and Word by a spirituall birth and by that means made new creatures shall come to this happy place Iohn 3 3. Christs own words Verily verily I say unto thee except a 〈◊〉 be born againe he cannot see the kingdome of God Joh. 1. 13. 1 Pet 1. 23. 1 Pet. 1. 3. who hath begotten us again to a lively hope c. To an iâ—herâ—tance c. For flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdome of God 1 Cor. 15. 50. Jo. 1. 14. And this work where it is wrought doth shew it self thus 1. by the change their hearts are changed their stony heart is turned into a heart of flesh c. and their lives are altered they are other men as Paul and Manassah they have new thoughts words and works Gal. 1. 22. 2. They desire after and delight in the means of Grace 1 Pet. 2. v. 2. 3. They know how to work and do work in the work of God 3. In Repentance a fruit of sanctification which is where a man is sorely displeased with himself for his sins because they are offensive to God and against his Law and a true hatred of all sin a setled constant desire and endeavour to order his life by Gods Word For those only that turn from all sin to God in heart and desire and labour to shew the same by eschewing all manner of evill and doing all manner of good shall be saved It is called repentance unto life Acts 11. 18. Ezech. 18 21 Mat. 18. 3. Christs own words Verily I say to you except you be converted and become as little children yee shall not enter into the kingdome of God Acts 3. 19. Amend your lives therefore and turn that your sins may be blotted out when the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And this repentance if it be true hath these things in it 1. a hearty grief chiefly because we have offended a gracious God that hath been so good to us Psal 51. 4. 2. An unfâ—â—ned hatâ—ed and detestation of all sin especially of that we have loved most Psal 119. 104. 3. A groaning under the burthen of it Luke 15. 17. he to whom sin is a burthen shall come to this rest Mat. 11. 28. Acts 3. 9 4. A constant resolution against all sin especially our own sin Psal 119 57. 5. An earnest striving all our life time against all that we know to be evill 6. A practise in some measure in now obedience Luke 1. 6. sin begins to be left corruption begins to work out 7. A daily examination of our selves judging and humbling of our selves for our sins Psal 32. Rom. 7. 8. A quick apprehension of Gods word against it self Acts 2. 37. 2 Kings 22. 19. 9. A love of the word of God and Ministers thereof as that by which we have had our healing as a man will doe the Physitian and Physick that cured his body 4. In an effectuall or inward calling the speciall and free work of Gods spirit singling and drawing the elect from the reprobates making them that they were not before Saints c. for they and they onely who are inwardly called by Gods Spirit as well as outwardly called by Gods Word out of the state of nature ot the state of grace to faith and repentance shall be saved And all such as are delivered into the â—ingdome of his deare Son Col. 1. 13. This calling is a sure signe that one is ordained to everlasting life Rom. 8. 30. Whom the Lord hath called them he hath also glorified For these
are the Vessels of mercy prepared to glory and on whom God will declare the riches of his glory even them whom he hath called Rom. 9. 22 23 24. The evidence of this is 1. when the soul doth answer to God in every thing he doth require Psal 27. 8. 2. when a man is made a new creature by the powerfull work of regeneration 5. In our Faith that gift of God whereby the regenerate heart receiveth Christ and all his bâ—nefits to it self as they are offered by the word or that tift whereby the believer is perswaded that the word of God is true and doth belong all unto it self And those onely that have a true justifying Faith here in their hearts shall be saved hereafter and none others and those shal be saved for God hath promised salvation to them Jo. 3. 36. He that believeth shall be saved 1 Pet. 1. 9. receiving the enâ—â—o your Faith even the salvation of your Souls for this bringeth us unto and into Christ who is the way to salvation and hath the Keys of Heaven doors that openeth and no man shutteth io â—4 6 Rev. 14. 13. Acts 16. 30 31. And this Faith may be found by these signes 1. It is bred by the word Rom. 10. 17. Law and Gospel 2. It gives a power against the powerfuâ—l work of Satan Ephes 6. v. 16. 3. It makes a man earnestly desire reconciliation with God and assurance of his favour Psal 106 4. 31. 16. 4. It makes a man carefull to please God though he displease himself in it Heb. 11. 5. Gen. 22. 10. 5. It makes us to long for Christ for a more abundant tast and participation of his heavenly grace and gifts Cant. 1. 11. 6. It raiseth in us a heavenly and spirituall joy 1 Pet. 1. 8. 7. It purgeth the heart of sin Acts 15. 9. 8. It moveth in us a love to God and all his People 1 Pet. 1. 8. Gal. 5. 5. Iames 2. 6. In our Iustification in the forgivenes of our sins by the sufferings of Christ and the imputation of righteousnes by his obedience through faith for whosoever is justified shall be saved and so è converse Rom. 8. 30. Whom he justified them hee also glorified This doth consist in the pardon of sin which may be known to be ours if we have repented of it 1 John 1. 9. and of the imputation of Christs righteousenes which may be known by such a peace of Conscience as 1. doth follow or accompany trouble of Conscience 2. As doth make one carefull to preserve a good Conscience Rom. 5. 1. Heb. 13. 8. 2 Corinth 1. vers 12. 7. In our adoption which is the taking of a man the childe of wrath by nature to be a childe of God by grace For they that are to inherit heaven hereafter are the children of God here and so è converso Rom. 8. 15 16 17. If we be children then are 〈◊〉 heirs of God and joynt heirs with Christ which we may know by these things 1. If we do partake of the divine nature by Regneration Io. 1. v. 13. 2 Pet. 1. 4. 2. If we have such spirituall affections towards God as children have naturall affections towards Parents 3. If we have the Spirit of Adoption that giâ—t of the spirit assuring us of our Adoption Rom. 8. 15. 4. If we doe willingly submit unto and desire wholly to be governed by the spirit of God Rom. 8. 14. 5. If we do in some sort resemble God 8. In a true love that holy affection of the heart causing us to delight in God for his gâ—odnesse sake and in our neighbours for Gods sake Iam. 1. 12. The Lord hath promised the Crown of life ot them that love him And this we may know by these thing 1. That we desire a more neer union to him 2. we are well pleased in him 3. We much esteem him 4. we are careful to please him 5. we hate that he hatheth 6. Wee are zealous for him 7. we love his ordinances and servants by which we have intercourse withhim 9. In a true love to Gods people whereby a man is moved to wish them well and labour their good 1 Io. 3. 14. Hereby we know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren which may be known by these things 1. That we love them all those that have no respect to us as well as the rest 2. That we love them for their goodnes sake Psalm 16. 3. 1 Cor 12. 26. 3. That we have a fellow feeling with them in their misery 4. That we are willing and ready to do them all the good we can do help and succour them in their misery Matt. 5. 34 35. I was sick and yee visited me c. they that shall rest Esay 57. 1 2. are mercifull men 10. In the true filial frear of God Psal 145. 19. that holy affection of the heart awing us and making us loath to displease God by sin in respect of his great goodnes and mercy and for a love we bear to righteousenes The Lord hath promised to 〈◊〉 the desire of them that fear him And that he will hâ—ar their cry and save them And this fear those men have that 1 doe love God 2. that are truly humbled Gen. 33. 3. 3. that are afraid of sin Exod. 4. 3. Psal 16. 8. 4. that hate sin Prâ—v 8. 13. 5. that depart from evill Prov. 3. 7. Luke 1. 74. 75. 11. In true saving knowledge in the clear and distinct understanding of heavenly truth contained in the word by the spirit Io. 1â— 2. This is life eternall to know thee the true God c. and then it is true 1. when it is distinct 2. universall of all truths in a good measure 3. it is humbling 4. it is experimentall 5. it is joyned with practise 12. In new obedience when a man is ready to do Gods will in all things though never so much against heart Rom. 6. 17. Psal 119 6. And this must be 1. of the whole man inward and outward 2. it must be to the whole word 3. it must be always in all places times and companies 13. In a true joy a sweet motion of delight in the soul raised by the sense of Gods favour in Christ whereof the sould by good grounds is assured A glimpse of heaven upon earth 1 Pet. 8. 9. Saint Peter speaks of such as rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory That they shall receive the end of their Faith even the salvation of their souls which is known by these things 1. it goeth with faith 2. it followeth godly sorrow 3 it is in heavenly and spirituall things 4. it is the fruit of the spirit 〈◊〉 it is a lasting joy 6. it is a victorious joy 7. and it is a solid joy 14. In patience under the Crosse when a man is able to bear the crosse quietly with a ready submission to Gods will who will have it so for his
own ends Jam. 1. 12. Bâ—essed is the man that endureth tentation for when he is â—ried he shall receive the crown of life 2. Thess 1. 8. And this patience we shall know to be â—â—ue by these things I when a man doth finde fault with the least inclination to impatiency 2 When he doth not go about to limit God 3 When a man doth more fear the evil of sin then he doth the evill of punishment 4. When a man is the better for the crosse Rom. 5. 8. Psalm 119 67. Dan 12. 10. 5. When he doth wholly resign up himself to God in it Heb. 12. 9. David 〈◊〉 Elâ—e 15 In the earnest of the SPirit in their heâ—rts whereby they are sealed upto the day of redemption and assured of heaven 1 Cor. 1 22. Ephes 1. 14. 4. 30. Rom. 8. 16. 17. Which beareth witnesse with our spirits that we are Gods children and knâ—wâ— by the fruits thereof as love joy peace long-suffering and the rest Galla. 〈◊〉 22. 16. In their Spirituall povertie or humbleheartednesse in the sight and sense of their own spirituall wants when a man is tamed by affliction so that he hath a lively feeling of his spirituall poveritie and want and is humbled and made low thereby Matth. 5. 3. Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God 17 In their holy mourning for their own and others sins and the miseries of Gods people Matth. 5. 4. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted They that mourn for spirituall things in a spirituall manner and upon spirituall motives Luke 6. 11. Blessed are they that weep c. 18 In humility when a man looking on his worseâ— part hath a mean esteem of himself and a higher esteem of others and doth walk humbly before his God in a patient bearing of evil and doing of good Prov. 18. 12. Before glory goeth lowlinesse Phillip 2. 7. 8 9. Matth. 5. 23. 4. Matth. 18. 12. 3 4 5. Whosoever shall humble himself as a little childe the same is greatest in the kingdom of heven 19. In their mercy and pity to them that are in misery When we pity and help and succour them in their miserie Blessed are the mercifull for they shall obtain mercy Matth. 5. 7. Esay 57. 1. Mercifull men are taken away c. Matt. 25. 34. I was hungry and ye fed me c. Sell that ye have and give alms make you bags which wax noâ— old a treasure that can never fail in heaven c. Luke 12. 33. Where no theefe commeth nor moth corrupteth 20. In a lively hope to an assured expectation of all goodthings promised Rom. 8. 14. We are saved by hope This is an anchor to the soul sure and stedfast Heb. 〈◊〉 19. And then true when 1 it ariseth out of faith Heb. 11. 1. 2 It followeth 〈◊〉 effedtuall calâ—ing Ephes 1. 18. 3 It makes a man use all good means to have the thing hoped for 4 It makes a man sit himself for the thing hopes for he that hath this shall not be ashamed of it Rom. 5. 5. 1 Iohn 3. 3. 21 In a broken hearts and contrite Spirit when it is bâ—uâ—sed as it were to powder through deep grief from the apprehension of Gods wrath against him for 〈◊〉 Psal 34. 18 Psal 50. He 〈◊〉 such 〈◊〉 Psal 147. 3. Ezek. 6. 26. Rom. 7. 8 〈◊〉 Pâ—ritie and 〈◊〉 of heart that have hearts partly freed from the 〈◊〉 and endeavouring 〈◊〉 to be more 〈◊〉 from the guâ—lt and punishmeâ—â— of 〈◊〉 and from the power of sin by 〈◊〉 Matth. 5. 〈◊〉 Blessed are the pureâ—â— heart for they shall see God Rev. 7. 14. These are theâ— which 〈◊〉 mâ—â—e them white c. ver 9. Clothed with white Roles in 〈◊〉 of puritie 1 Tim. 1. 5. 23. In their 〈◊〉 their mutuall concord and agreement with their brethren Matth. 5 9. Blessed are the peace makers Gal. 5. 24. Fruit of the Spirit is peace 24. In their sinceritie and uprightnesse when the heart is right towards God and man studying to doe all things to please God and not for any by 〈◊〉 Esay 57. 2. Vpright men are taken away 25. In doing good in every state and condition of life Rom. 2. 6. 7 Goâ— will reward every one according to his work That is to them who through patience in 〈◊〉 seek glory c. Eternall life ver 10. To every man that doth good shall be Glory Honour and Peace 26 Especially by fruitfulnesse in well doing Matth. 7. 19. When we forget what is past and prosse forward to more not trusting to what who have done Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit and he that honoureth him shall be honoured Phil. 3. 13. Iob. 15. 8. 1 Sam. 2. 30. Matth. 25. 37. 38. Christ shall say to them I was an hungrie and ye fed me c. And they shall say unto him Lord when saw we thee an hungry and fed thee c. 27 In picking close to God herein in improving all our talents and opportunities for this end and mightily opposing all that doth oppose us herein 2 Tim. 4. 7. 8. I have fought a good sight and have finished my course I have kept the faith From henceforth is â—aid up for me the crown of righteousnesse c. 1 Pet. 5. 4. Matth. 25. 21. 28 In labouring by their example and Counsell to convert others to righteousnesse Dan. 12. 2. And they that turn many to righteousnesse shall shine as the â—arres for ever and ever 29 In cherishing and furthering euerie good thing 30 In persâ—vering in good Mark 13. 13. He that continueth to the end shall be saved Rev. 2. 10. Be faithfull to the death and I will give thee a crown of life 31 In loving and â—onging for the appearing of the Lord Iesus Christ 2 Tim. 4. 8. Luke 21. 8. Rev. 22. 17. 20. Rom. 8. 10. 23. 32 In embracing and reverencing the truth 2 Thess 〈◊〉 10. If now upon all this we shall begin to think that this way is impossible to be gone we must answer and tell you in Christs words the way tâ— heaven is a narrow and a straight way Matth. 7. 13. 1 Pet. 4. 18 For 1 It is a persecuted way 2 Tim 3. 11. 12. 2 It is a way through many troubles Acts 14. 22 Iames 〈◊〉 12. 2 Cor. 4 17. Typed by the travell of the Israelites through the wildernesse 3 It will admit of no turning Acts 13. 10. 4 It crosseth all a mans corruptions 1 Cor. 1. 23. Rom. 5. 5 There are many enemies against them that walk in this way But all this is but to make us to doe as Christ doth exhort Strive to enter in c. Luke 13. 24. Use all meanes and be at any charge to attain it Esay 55. 1 Prov. 23. 23. Matth. 13. 44. And that we may not go without it Let us 1. beginne betâ—â—es to deal upon this purchase 2 Labour earnestly neglect no time nor means 3.
Be industrious as men that cleave a knottie piece of wood 4. Let us be sure to bid enough for heaven 5 Let us go through and let us resolve to go through with the bargain what ever it cost us for wisemen have given their life for it and it is the best bargain in the world 3. The 3. duty whereunto in this use we are to be exhorted is That we labour to get an assurance of heaven before we die 2 Pet. 1. 10. For 1 We know not how soon we shall die and then we must part from the present things we have here It is good then to be assured of better before we leave these things 2 This assurance brings a world of joy with it Rom 14 17 3. It will be one speciall means to keep of many of Satans tentations Ephes 6. 16 4 Hereby we shall be able to come with boldnesse to the throne of grace Heb. 4. 14. 16. And to move us thereunto let us consider theseunto let us consider these things 1 It is possible to attain it for some of the Saints have attained it Exod. 15. 2. Ioh 19. 23. Ioh 20. 21. â—7 28. Ephes 1. 14. 2 We have means to attain it and time also to make use of that means Iob 14. 14. 19. Ioh. 12. 36. 3 God requires it 2 Pet. 1. 10. 4. Many excellent benefits flow from hence to us and amongst the rest we shall have a taste of this happinesse here we shall have a heaven upon earth If now you shall ask how you may come by this assurance we must make the answer in 3 branches 1 This assurance cannot be had presently for commonly it is not gotten without much labour a-doe and that for a long time and after a long waiting 2 The best means that can be found of our assurance herein will be the work of the spirit of God so much as we can finde of the work of the Spirit in our Sanctification Regeneration Repentance Faith Love Joy c. So much assurance we may have upon solid grounds of our salvation and the more we finde of the one the more we have of the other 2 Pet. 1. 5. 6 7 10 11. Psalm 15. 1. 2. c. Rom. 8. 28. 30. 3 The means of increase of grace which are 1 The constant use of all the means of grace the word Psalm 1. 3. Acts 20. 32. The Sacraments 1 Cor. 11. 26. Prayer Matth. 7. 7. And by this means we shall get into Christ by and from whom all our vertue to grow and increase doth come as the branches from the tree Ioh. 15. 15. 1 Pet. 2. 5. In the third place for application of this point of heavens happinesse there are some uses to be directed to them onely that upon a serious examinatin of themselves finde themselves to be justly entitâ—led to this blessednesse and those are 4. first of all they are from hence to be taught thankfulnesse to God who hath bestowed this gift upon them prepared them for it and doth preserve it foâ— them and them for it to be delivered from such an evil as hell is no small favour but withall to be brought to such a good as heaven is a favour above all comparison If a man of whom we may deserve something should bestow a good farm upon us in fee simple we should think our selves bound to owe him much thanks for this What thanks then think we do we owe to God from whom we can merit nothing who hath freely given us a Kingdom nay more then all the Kingdoms of the world at once For the gift of God is eternall life through Iesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 6. 23. For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of our selves it is the gift of God Ephe. 2. 8. Giving thanks unto the Father who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light Coloss 1. 12. Well may we assume the Apostles words 1 Pet. 3. 4. Blessed be God even the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us to a lively hope by the resurrection of Iesus Christ to an inheritance c. 2 They are from hence to be learned to rejoyce in the hope and expectation of this happinesse who is there that is born to a crown and doth not rejoyce to think of it The godly have as much cause to rejoyce for the happinesse to come upon them as the wicked to weep and howle for the misery to come upon them Iames 1. 1. 2. Rom. 5. 2. We rejoyce under the hope of glory Luke 10. 20. Rejoycâ— that your names are written in Heaven Luk 21. 28. 1 Pet. 1. 13. 3 They are from hence to learn patience and comfort under the crosse have we many and grievous afflictions here it will not be long but we shal be freed of them all and we shall be made amends for all are we poor here we shall have a kingdome then are we in trouble here we shall have rest then are we under shame and contempt here we shall have honour then 2 Cor. 4. 17. Our light afflictions here which are but for a moment cause unto us a far more excellenâ— â—nd eternell weight of glory Rom. 8. 18. I 〈◊〉 of this present time are not worthy 〈◊〉 the glory which shall be shewed unto us The comming of the Lord draweth nigh 1 〈◊〉 5. 6 7. And this will be a time of refreshing Act 3. 19 And then there shall be no more curse and all tears shall be wiped away from our eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow c. Rev. 22. 3. Let us wait till then Jam. 5 7 Be patient my brethren to the comming of the Lord behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruits of the Earth and hath long patience for it till he receive the former and the latter raine Mat. 12. So let us wait Iude 21. 4 They are from hence to learn moderation in their desires after and use of these earthly things since they are shortly to have so much they may be content with a little in the meantime nor should they much esteem those things they have since shortly they must leave them for far better things It is not for him that is born to a kingdome to set his heart upon an old rotten Cottage 1 Cor. 7. 31. In the fourth place for application since heaven is such a place and condition Let us all be then perswaded not only to get it for our selves but to doe our best to help others to it also bonian que communius comelius the better the thing is the more we should desire the communication of it to others and the more gooâ— we shall do thereby there is room enough in heaven for us all and it will not lessen but encrease our happines to have others to pertake of the same happines with us they that turn many to righteousnes shall shine c.
20. They are to be burnt 30 In gluttony and worldlinesse Phil. 3. 19. The end of such men is destruction of body and soul in hell Matth. 19. 28. 31 In Apostasie and progresse from evill to worse 1 Tim. 5. 12. 2. Tim. 3. 13. 22 In not enduring to think of the comming of the Lord Jesus to judgment They shall call on the mountains to cover them c. 33 In Hereticall opinions Rom. 3. 8. 2 Thess 2. 10. 12. God shall send them strong delusions to beleeve lies that they may be damned c. 2 Pet. 2. 1. If a man would now desire to know which way he is passing whether he be going to heaven or to hell Let him examine himself by these rules and try himself by the particulars aforesaid And thereby he shall soon see which way he takes and to what 〈◊〉 will come If he be going the broad and easie way of sin which mans carnall reason directeth and mans corrupt will and affections embraceth he is going the way to destruction if he walk after the prince that ruleth in the air after the course of this present world then he is still in practice as we are by nature The childe of wrath There are three sorts of men 1 Such as are affected with desperate horrours and fears as Iudas these will not escape hell Matth. 27. 5. 2 such as are sottish and senslesse that fear nor or care for any thing these are not the likely men to escape it 3 The vain presumptuous man that 〈◊〉 and hath no ground for his hope 4. Such as have a lively hope upon good and solid grounds these may expect deliverance from â—â—ll and the obtaining of heaven 2 Tim 4. 8. We shall shut up this part in the words of Mâ—ses Deut. 32. 29. Oh that they were wise then they would understand this they would consider their latter end 3 The 3. thing we are to be exhorted to is to gâ—t if possible we may an assâ—ance that we shall escape this miserable condition that God hath not appoâ—uted us unto wrath but to obtain salvation by our Lord Iesus Christ And the best means to assure us of that is to be assured that we are not in the way If you can assure me that you goe nor the broad way of sin that leadeth to destruction I can assure you you shall never come to the place of destruction And if we can be assured we are appointed to salvation we may be sure we are not appointed to wrath And therefore herein for further satisfaction in this point we must refer and send you to the evidences of our assurance of salvation In the fourth place for application if it be so that hell be such a miserable place state and condition Let it be theâ— for the terrour and dread of al those men which upon the view of their own heaâ—ts and lives in the glasse before proposed to them finde themselves to be in the broad way to this misery to call upon them to fear to turn their laughter into mourning their joy into sorrow and to weep and howl for the miserie that shall come upon them doe you laugh now Oh wo to you that laugh now Luke 6. 25. For you shall mourn and weep Are you mâ—â—â—y now truly you have little cause were all well known your case is little otherwise then that of the devils who are delivered into chains of darknesse to be reserved unto Judgement 2 Pet. 2. 4. As condemned prisoners and malefactors they are shortly to be haled out to a dreadfull execution Are you consident and fearlesse truly it is marvell for the heavie wrath of the Almighty like a sharp sword by a small thread hangs over your heads and when this thread of your life breaks and it will break shortly then will it fâ—ll upon you to the uttermost And who shall be able to abide it Rev. 6. 17. Will you not fear him that hath the keyes of hell and death Matth. 10. 28. Fear him that when he hath killed the bodie can cast soul and bodie into hell 〈◊〉 fear him Ephes 2. 1. 2. 1 Tim. 5 6. Were it not so that you were spiritually dead twice dead and therefore senselesse and as it is that the god of this world hath blinded your eyes that you cannot see the things that belong to your peace Lukâ— 10. 42. you could not be so confident and secure as you are did you see but the least part of what is to come upon you shortly you would soon change your note and as Bâ—lshassar when he saw the hand writing upon the wall their countenance would be changed their thoughts would be troubled so that the joynts of their loyns would be loosed and their knees would smite one against another Oh that thou hadst known these things but now they are hid from thine eyes Luke 19. 42. Can thine heart endure or can thine hands be strong in the dayes that the Lord shall deal with thee Ezek. 12 14. When his wrath is kindled but a little O but a little blessed are they that trust in him Psal â—1 12. For who O Lord knoweth the power of thy anger the thunder of thy power who can understand Job 2â— 14. Even according to thy fear so is thy wrath Remember and forget not That the day of the Lord that great day and terrible day of the Lord is at hand the coming of the Lord Iesus draweth nigh That before this the Sun shall be turned into â—â—rknesse the moon shall not give hâ—r light the starres of heaven shall fall and the powers of heaven shall be shaken Matth. 24. 29. The heavens shall passe away with a noise the elements shall melt with fervent heat the earth with all the works thereof shall be burned up 2 Pet. 2. 10. Then shall come dayes or that great day or day of his wrath Rev. 6. 17. The day of judgement and destruction of ungodmen 2 Pet. 3. 7. When the dreadfull and glorious signe of the Son of man in heaven shall be seen Matth. 24. 30. The Lord Iesus Christ shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire 2 Thess 1. 7. 8. And he shall come in the clouds of heaven and all his holy-Anggels with him with power and great glory Luke 9. 26. 〈◊〉 admired of al his saints 2 Thess 1. 10. and then the Lord shall descend from above with 〈◊〉 shoat and the trumpet that is first loud shril terrible trump the trumpet of God shall sound and the dead shall be raised 1 Thess 4. 16. 1 Cor. 15. 50. And all the kindreds and Tribes of the earth shall mourn Mat. 24. â—0 Because of him and shall hide themselves in the holes of the earth and they shall say to the mountains and the rocks fall on us and hide us from the presence of him that sitteth on the Throne and from the wrath of the Lambe for that gret day of his wrath is come and who shall