man his whole duty excellency and interest that it may be well with us in the life to come And it is worthy our serious consideration and observation that when the Apostle Paul referrs to that forementioned prophecy of Isaiah in which he fore-declares and prophesies of the future judgment in which every knee shall bow to our Lord Jesus and every Tongue shall confess him Lord to the glory of God the Father He then gives such like exhortation as is before-mentioned to the believers saying Wherefore my beloved work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling for it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of good pleasure Do all things without murmuring and disputings that ye may be blameless and harmless That I may rejoyce in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain neither laboured in vain Isa 45. 22 23. 24 25. with Phil. 2. 9 10 12 13 14 16. And as this Holy Apostle gives such like counsel to the Believers unto whom he writes so he also set before them an Imitable example by his own practice that they might be followers of him I have hope toward God saith he that there shall be a Resurrection of the dead both of the just and of the unjust And herein do I exercise my self to have alwayes a conscience void of offence toward God and toward Men Act. 24. 14 16. And again he saith of himself and of other hearty Believers We labour that whether present or absent we may be accepted of him For we must all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ that every one may Receive the things done in his own Body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad knowing therefore the terrour of the Lord we perswade Men c. 2 Cor. 5. 9 10 11. Eccl. 12. 13 14. Luke 21. 34 35 36. But we shall enlarge no further unto this particular but proceed on to what remains to wit 2. We come in the next place to enquire and consider what is meant by and contained in The Life to come which is mentioned in the Text now we may premise this before we come to speak more distinctly hereto That though in the Evidences before-mentioned we have spoken of the future state indistinctly and in a general consideration Yet here in the place we are discoursing of and from by the Life to come we are to understand that blessed and happy Estate they shall enter into hereafter who do now exercise themselves to sincere Godliness and unfeigned Obedience And so much is plainly intimated to us in the words themselves to wit Godliness is profitable unto all things having promise of the Life that is to come Without all peradventure that which is promised and which is promised unto Godliness and unto them that heartily exercise themselves thereto must needs be as is there also said Profitable and highly desirable and valuable As also we may premise this that I shall not here distinctly discourse of that Intermediate State which the Spirits of Righteous Men made perfect are in between the Death and Resurrection of the Body but of that which they shall enter upon and perfectly enjoy in and after the Resurrection of their proper Bodies Now having very briefly premised these two things we may say in general that by the Life to come here mentioned we are to understand a full and compleat deliverance from all that is evil and afflictive and a perfect glorious and everlasting enjoyment and fruition of all that Good and Bliss which they shall be made capable of And as on the one hand Death comprehends all that Misery Curse and wosul Punishment which is the due and deserved reward of Mens Trangression and Disobedience Thus the Lord at the beginning threatned our first Parent Adam saying In the day thou eatest of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil Thou shalt dye the Death Thou shalt surely dye Gen. 2. 17. and so the Apostle saith The wages of Sin is Death to wit all Misery and Affliction Rom. 6. 23. and that eternal and dismal Torment and Destruction wherewith they shall be punished and tormented who know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour is called The second Death Rev. 2 11. and chap. 20. 6. So on the other Hand all that Glory and Happiness which is assured unto and shall hereafter be enjoyed by them that exercise themselves unto and perservere in well doing is called Life and Eternal Life and here The Life that is to come So also it is said This is the Record that God hath given unto us Eternal Life and this Life is in his Son He that hath the Son hath Life These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye have eternal Life 1 Joh. 5. 11 12 13. And concerning both the punishment of sin and the gracious Reward of Piety the Apostle saith The wages of Sin is Death but the Gift of God is eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord As in like expressions also Moses had spoken in former times calling the punishment of Sin and Disobedience Death as that comprehends all Cursing and Misery and the reward of Righteousness and Obedience Life As that encludes and containes as we have said all Blessing and Happiness whatsoever of which they shall be made capable Rom. 6. 23. with Deut. 30 15 16 19 20. Ezek. 33. 11. And so we may say of all who continue to exercise themselves to true Piety 1. That though they must needs all of them dye as well as other men yet they shall in due season be Raised again to the Resurrection of Life John 5. 29. Luk. 14. 14. They that are Christ's in a special consideration shall be quickned at his coming John 11. 25. 1 Cor. 6. 14. and chap. 15. 23. Our Lord Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life and He hath the Keys of the Grave and of Death Rev. 1. 18. And therewith he will in the proper season open the Gates of Death and the Doors of the Grave and will bring them forth that sleep in him to the compleat enjoyment of that Glory and Happiness which he hath by his precious Blood obtained for them and and Promised to them and will then give unto them Spiritual Powerful and Immortal Bodies so as then they Can dye no more for they are equal unto the Angels and are the Children of God being the Children of the Resurrection Luk. 20. 35 36. For this Corruptible saith the Apostle Paul must put on Incorruption and this mortall must put on Immortality c. 1 Cor. 15. 53 55 58. Then their Body which is now Vile shall be fashioned into the Likeness of the Glorious Body of Christ Phil. 3. 20 21. 2. Eternal Life by our blessed Saviour is opposed unto and set against Condemnation Joh. 5. 24. and chap. 3. 15 16. with ver 18. and so it
first use but shall now proceed on unto a second namely 2. Seeing God hath made that which is our Duty to be our great and only real Interest seeing he hath made Godliness our true and most excellent Gain and Advantage we may infer and learn from hence that it is his good Will and gracious Mind in Christ concerning us that we should all of us seriously and in good earnest exercise our selves unto true Piety That we should not onely or chiefly have a form of Godliness upon us but that we should entertain and obey the Power thereof and be all of us in sincerity Godly Persons Therefore hath he entail'd all profitable Prosperity on Godliness that we might never think of enjoying the former without our embracing the latter No good thing will He withold from them that walk uprightly Psal 84. 11. Hence he thus expresseth himself and evidenceth it to be his Cordial desire that we should apply our selves to the hearty Obedience of him O that there were such an heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my commandments always that it might be well with them and with their Children for ever Deut. 5. 28 29. And now Israel saith Móses what doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to fear the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul to keep the Commandments of the Lord and his Statutes which I command thee this day for thy good chap. 10. 12 13. It adds nothing really unto him if we be holy and good nor doth it take any thing from him if we be ungodly and prophane If thou sinnest what dost thou against him or if thy transgressions be multiplyed what doest thou unto him If thou be Righteous what givest thou him or what receiveth he of thine hand Job 36. 6. 8. No but he hires us to the Embracement and Practice of sincere Piety and Purity with the undoubted Advantage of it to our selves And therefore we may rationally and certainly conclude that God our Saviour will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledg of the Truth as 1 Tim. 2. 4. That he is not willing that any man should perish while it is called to day but that all should come to Repentance 2 Pet. 3. 9. Therefore he sets before us Life and Good and Death and Evill Blessing and Cursing not as if he was indifferent which of them we chuse but he doth Councel us and Cordially desire we should chuse Life and to that end that we love the Lord our God and obey his voice and cleave unto him for He is our Life and the length of our dayes Deut. 30. 10 15 19 20. And doubtless seeing it is his hearty will we should seriously exercise our selves unto the obedience of Faith he will not be wanting to enable us thereto by the asistance of his grace if we be not wanting to our selves for he giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not Jam. 1. 5. It is God that worketh in you saith the Apostle both to will and to do of his good Pleasure Phil 2. 12 15. If therefore we continue disobedient and ungodly and so perish in conclusion we shall have no just cause to blame the God o◠all Grace who hath done so great things for us and set so great encouragments before us to move and engage us to serve him acceptably But our Destruction will appear to be wholly of our selves and that we our selves have by observing lying vanities forsaken our own mercies and have been too too like prophane Esau who for one morsel of meat sold his Birth-right Heb. 12. 14 17. 3. Seeing Godliness is profitable unto all things and that our exercising our selves thereto is our most certain excellent and eternal advantage This then discovers and evidences unto us the great and pernicious mistake and folly of them that think and speak otherwise and so exercise not themselves thereto but walk in Ungodly Unrighteous and Intemperate ways and practises as if Impiety were the onely and mainly gainfull thing they could exercise themselves unto To this purpose Job speaks of some wicked ones who did greatly Flourish in this world in their unrighteous courses and who thought that because they did so therefore it would be a vain and unprofitable thing to serve and fear the Lord. They spend their days saith he in Wealth or Mirth and in a moment go down to the grave Therefore they say unto God depart from us for we desire not the knowledg of thy ways What is the Almighty that we should serve him And what profit should we have if we pray unto him Job 21. 14. 15. And to the same purpose Eliphaz speaks of them namely They say unto God depart from us And what can the Almighty do for them see how brutish they are in their thoughts or expressions of God while they give him the Title of the Almighty they yet say What can he do for them whereas they might rather and most truly say What cannot the Almighty do for them most strange That he should be Almighty and yet should have no Hands no power to provide for his servants Thus some wicked ones did Reason with such contradictious Talke But though they doubted of or denyed his Providence and Bounty they did partake thereof while they spake so Atheistically for it presently follows yet he filled their houses with good things Job 22 15. 17. 18. Yea such foolish and brutish ones there were not onely amongst them that were without the Church but of them also that were of the Church and of the most Reformed part thereof of Judah God's pleasant Plant. Hence it is said concerning some therein your words have been stout against me saith the Lord Yet ye say what have we spoken against thee ye have said it is vain to serve God And what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance And that we have walked Mournfully before the Lord of hosts But whence proceded this unreasonable and absurd talk of theirs Surely from hence Because wicked ones did grow Great and were Fat and Flourishing therefore they thought that their Impiety was their great Interest and Advantage for so much is signified in the following words of these simple and unwise Persons to wit And now we call the Proud happy yea they that work wickedness are set up yea they that tempt God are even delivered Mal. 3. 13 14 15. Nay that Good Man was envious at the foolish when he saw the prosperity of the wicked That there were no Bands in their death but their strength was firm That they were not in trouble as other men neither were they plagued like other men That their eyes stand out with fatness and they have more than heart could wish Behold saith he these are the ungodly they prosper in the World they increase in Riches And while he looked upon their security and prosperity according to outward appearance he was to ready and
in being thus wise they shall be wise for themselves and shall lay up for themselves in store a good foundation against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternal life Prov. 9. 10 12 1 Tim. 6. 6 19. Dan. 12. 2 3. Others may appear to have more speculative and notionall knowledge and wisdom but these are the onely persons that are really and practically wise and wiser than all other men in that they pursue Godliness and thereby obtain and make sure the favour of him that loveth Piety and righteousness Happy is the man that findeth wisdom and the man that getteth understanding for the Merchandise of it is better than the Merchandise of Silver and the gain thereof than fine Gold she is more precious than Rubies and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her Length of days is in her right hand and in her left hand riches and honour She is a tree of life to all that lay hold on her and happy is every one that retaineth her Prov. 3. 13 18. I love them saith the Wisdom of God that love me and they that seek me early shall find me But what shall they be the better for finding her what advantage will that be of unto them much every way for saith she in the next words Riches and Honour are with me yea durable Riches and Righteousness and these two always go together namely durable Riches and Righteousness I walk and lead in the way of Righteousness in the midst of the paths of Judgment that I may cause them that love me to inherit substance and I will fill their Treasure Prov. 8. 17. 18 21. If therefore we would behave our selves wisely and hopefully and succesfully pursue that which will be really and in truth profitable and advantageous to us Let us follow after righteousness and Godliness for this is our wisdom and our understanding as Deut. 4. 5 6. The ungodly Person is the greatest fool and so he is frequently called by the Wisdom of God in the Book of the Proverbs And he doth appear so to be by his despising the fear of the Lord in doing which he wrongs his own soul and loves death Prov. 1. 7. and chap. 8. 36. But the sincerely pious Person is and is usually called the Wise man because he feareth before God and the reward of Humility and of the Fear of the Lord is Riches and life Prov. 22. 4. When our saviour commends unto his disciples in his parable the unjust Steward not for his unrighteousness but because he had done Wisely he then gives this instruction unto them and I say unto you make to your selves friends of the Mamon of unrighteousness that is be rich and abundant in good and pious works That when ye fail as fail from hence we must all They may receive you into everlasting Habitations or Tabernacles and in so doing we shall deal wisely and prudently for our own souls Luk. 16. 8 9. And this leads us to the last use namely 5. Seeing Piety is profitable unto all things Be we all exhorted perswaded and prevailed withal seriously and constantly to exercise our selves thereto if we would indeed aim at and pursue that which is gainful and beneficial to us Now in this day in exercising our selves thereto God will supply all our wants and give unto us those things that are usefull and needfull for us O taste and see that the Lord is gracious Blessed is the man that trusteth in him O fear the Lord ye his Saints for there is no want to them that fear him Psal 34. 8 9 In thus doing God will be our exceeding great reward Gen. 15. 1. God is not unrighteous saith the Apostle to forget your work and labour of l ve Heb 6. 9. Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought Mal. 1. 10. Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water onely in the name of a Disciple saith our Lord Jesus verily I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his reward Mat. 10. 42. O let us then intend his service and cast all our cares and concernes upon him for he careth for us let all our Wants lye upon him whose is the earth and the fulness thereof the Cattel upon a thousand hills and who hath given this command and encouragement to us to wit trust in the Lord and do good and thou shalt dwell in the land and verily thou shalt be fed Psal 37. 3 6. And then hereafter they that now live Godly in Christ Jesus shall have the Fulness and Harvest of all spiritual blessings O how great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the Sons of men Psal 31. 19. For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the Ear neither hath the Eye seen O God besides thee what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for thee Isa 64. 4. He that sate upon the Throne said behold I make all things new and he said unto me write for these words are true and faithful he that overcometh to wit his spiritual enemies shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my Son Rev. 21. 5 7. O then Let us abstain from and flee all Ungodliness and worldly lusts and follow after Righteousness Godliness Faith Love Patience Meekness Let us fight the good fight of Faith and so lay hold on eternal life 1 Tim. 6. 11 12. And this leads us unto the following part of the words namely 2. We have the Motive to excite and provoke us to exercise our selves to Piety and Righteousness propounded to us more particularly and distinctly and therein the Truth of the foregoing part of the words opened and evidenced namely having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come of this present momentany state we are now in and of that eternal one we shall enter upon and have an everlasting enjoyment of when we are removed hence and shall be here no more But now before we come to speak unto the Motive and enforcement as it is here more particularly and distinctly exprest and evidenced to us in the latter part of the Text we may a little usefully fore-consider these following things to wit 1. What it is that hath the promise and promises absolutely Annex't unto it and entailed upon it and that is godliness as that signifies the whole duty of man as we have before noted and shewn and so the promises are first of all made unto our Lord Jesus Christ who is Emphatically and most Eminently called God's holy one or godly one Psal 16. 10. Who loved righteousness and hated iniquity therefore God even his God hath anointed him with the oyl of gladness above his fellows because
he was more Godly and holy then his Fellows Heb. 1. 8 9. He was one that knew no sin that did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth but he always did those things that pleased his father And when the due season was come he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross as he received commandment from his father And because in obedience to his father he laid down his life and hath taken it up again therefore the father loveth him and so loveth him that he hath given all things into his hands Joh. 10. 17 18. with chap. 3. 35. And unto him the promises were made Originally and most fully now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made he saith not unto seeds as of many but as of one and to thy seed which is Christ Gal. 3. 16. And he is become the root and foundation of godliness for us 1 Tim. 3. 16. Without whose Abasement Death Resurrection and Exaltation there had been no forgiveness of sins for us nor could we have been made partakers of the favour of God nor would Repentance and Faith have availed us any thing Heb. 9. 22. 1 Cor. 15. 12 17 20 Nor could we have come unto God so as to have received mercy and salvation from him Joh. 14. 6. Act 4. 11 12. But now in Him who by the grace of God tasted death for every man and rose again all the promises of God are yea and in him Amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. And if we be Christ's to wit in a special consideration then are we Abraham's seed and Hears according to promise Gal. 3. 16 26 29. And Heirs of the promises in being united by Faith unto him who is the Heir of all things Heb. 1. 2. 1 Cor. 3. 21 23. 1 Joh. 5. 11 12. The promises are not made with or absolutely assured unto any person in a personal Consideration but to such manner of persons as do exercise themselves unto Godliness and Righteousness Thus the everlasting Covenant which did contain exceeding great and precious promises was not made with Abraham as a man known by that name simply but it was made with him as he was a Truly Pious and upright man Thus it is said the Lord appeared unto Abraham and said unto him I am the Almighty God walk before me and be thou perfect or sincere and I will make my Covenant between me and thee c. Gen. 17. 1 2 7 8. And to the same purpose it is else-where said thou foundest his heart faithful before thee and madest a Covenant with him Neh. 9. 7 8. And this Covenant was thus made with him not for himself onely but for his spiritual Seed also and so it was made with him as a father of many Nations Gen. 17. 4 5 8. Rom. 4. 16 17. And so those that are sincere like unto him are Heirs of the same Covenant as to the choice things therein contained and assured Rom. 4. 16 17 24. As the Apostle saith know ye therefore that they which are of Faith the same are the Children of Abraham So then they which be of Faith are blessed with faithful Abraham Gal. 3. 7 9. with Rom. 4. 11 13 16. It is out of God's love to righteousness that God doth delight in and is well-pleased with them that heartily follow it and walk in it the righteous Lord loveth righteousness and therefore his countenance doth behold the upright Psal 11. 7. To him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward Righteousness tendeth to life Prov. 11. 17 18. In the way of righteousness is life and in the path way thereof there is no death ch 12. 26 28. Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way chap. 13. 6. and chap. 8. 20. 21. And this is the general and constant Current of the holy Scriptures both of the Prophets and Apostles that not such persons meerly but such manner of persons graciously qualified persons are the Heires of the promises of life and salvation and shall so abiding in due season inherit the blessings therein propounded and thereby assured Who shall Ascend into the hill of the Lord and who shall stand in his holy place he that hath clean hands and a pure heart who hath not lift up his soul unto vanity nor sworn deceitfully He shall receive the blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation This is the generation of them that seek him that seek thy face O God of Jacob. Selah Psal 15. and 24. 3. 6. When the Evangelical Prophet largely treats of the Everlasting Covenant and of the blessings thereof in Isa 54. He then in the close of that Chapter gives us to understand who are the Heirs of it and shall inherit the Blessings and Benefits of it saying This is the Heritage of the servants of the Lord and their righteousness is of me saith the Lord. And then by his servant the Prophet he makes this Proclamation and Invitation Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and he that hath no money no worth no worthiness Hearken diligently unto me and eat ye that which is good and let your soul delight it self in fatness Incline your ear and come unto me hear and your soul shall live and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you even the sure mercies of David As if he should say if ye will indeed learn the way of my people as Jer 12. 16. and sincerely become my servants also then upon these terms you shall be heirs with them of the same Covenant and inherit the same blessing with them Isay 54. 17. and chap. 55. 1 2 3. Psal 84. 11 12. and 125. And to the same purpose our Lord and Saviour and his Holy Apostles have spoken to us in the Word of the Lord My Sheep saith our Lord Jesus hear my voice and I know them and they follow me And I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any pluck them out of mine hand John 10. 27 30. and chap. 14. 21 23. Matth. 7. 24 27. Col. 1. 22 23. 2 Pet. 1. 3 4 8 10 11. 1 John 2. 24 28. Rev. 22. 12 14. The way of the Lord even sincere Holiness and Righteousness is strength to the upright Prov. 10. 29. And he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul Prov. 16. 17. But as for them that turn aside to their crooked paths the Lord will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity but peace shall be upon Israel even upon the Israel of God Psal 125. 5. with Gal. 6. 15. 16. For Persons therefore to rely on and bolster up themselves with the Promises while they walk ungodlily and their way is perverse before the Lord this is to turn the grace of our God into Lasciviousness and Wantonness as Jude 4. And this is that which is highly provoking unto the Holy Lord God Hence Moses gives this caution to the People of Israel when they
through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus Rom. 3. 22 25. And he will pour out his spirit unto the truely pious persons and thereby make their souls like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not which will spring up unto everlasting life Isa 58. 6 11. How much more saith our Saviour shall your heavenly father give the holy spirit to them that ask him Luk. 11. 13. But this is to be understood of the first-fruits thereof the Harvest thereof is still to be waited for as the Apostle saith we our selves also which have the first-fruits of the spirit even we our selves groan within our selves waiting for the adoption c. Rom. 8. 23 25. Even as before the children of Israel came into the Land of Canaan they had a first-fruits as it were of that excellent land which was the glory of all lands brought unto them in the wilderness for their encouragement to hold on their way and that from thence they might conceive and conclude that the land of Canaan was a most excellent countrey Numb 13. 23 24 26 27. So now while they are in the wilderness of this world God doth in some beginnings and in a small measure give unto them that live godly in Christ Jesus a Taste of what they shall hereafter compleatly and fully enjoy that they might Hunger and Thirst after righteousness and press toward the mark for the prize which is set before them He is now merciful to their unrighteousness Heb. 8. 12. And doth remember them with his special favour Psal 106. 4. Prov. 8. 17. And gives them grace for seasonable help Psal 84. 11. Heb. 4. 16. And is filling them with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ to the praise and glory of God Isa 61. 3. Joh. 15. 1 8. In taking Christ's yoke upon them and learning of him they shall find rest to their souls while they meet with various afflictions and occasions of sadness as with respect to the outward man their soul shall dwell at case and lodge in Goodness Mat. 11. 28 30 Psal 25. 11 14. God is now filling them with joy and peace in believing in the midst of all the troubles and exercises wherewith they are exercised and is also effecting in them and quickning them unto a lively Hope and well-grounded Expectation which maketh not ashamed of the Harvest and future inheritance and this Hope they have as an Anchor of the Soul both sure that which will not break how highly soever the waves lift up their voice or how fiercely soever the winds bluster and blow yet this Hope will hold firm and it is stedfast it will not slip for it is centred in Christ that Rock of Ages against which the gates of hell shall not prevail nor against those that firmely abide in him Yea this Hope which is the Anchor of the Soul entreth into that within the veil whither the fore-runner is for us entred even Jesus made an High-priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech Heb. 6. 18 20. 1 Joh. 3. 1 2 3. But we shall here add no more as to this first particular in which the Apostle doth evince and evidence to us the great advantageousness and profitableness of true piety holiness and righteousness to the end we may seriously and stedfastly exercise our selves to the unfeigned belief of the mystery of it and also to the sincere practice of it in saying unto us having promise of the life that now is And now God willing we shall proceed on unto the second contained in the last clause namely 2. Godliness is profitable having promise also of the life that is to come to wit after this uncertain and frail life shall have an end In which is intimated to us that though men lead never such pious and good lives though they walk never so holily justly and unblamably in having their conversation as becomes and adornes the Gospel of Christ Jesus yet they shall not live here always but they must depart this life as well as other men It is appointed to men generally once to dye to dye the first death Heb. 9. 27. What man is he that liveth and shall not see death and shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave Psal 89. 48. Nor indeed would it be good for them to live here always in this polluted evil troublesome and dangerous world for while they are at home in the body they are absent from the Lord but when this life is at end they shall then be with Christ and shall enter into the joy of their Lord. And therefore as the present life is theirs while it is continued to them so death is theirs also to them to dye is gain the day of death is better to them than the day of their birth Eccl. 7. 1. To which I shall at this time enlarge no further But though they also must needs dye and depart out of this world yet in unfeignedly exercising themselves to Godliness they have the promise of the life that is to come As things present are theirs so also are things to come All things are theirs and they are Christ's and Christ is God's 1 Cor. 3. 21 22 23. If in or for this life onely they have hope in Christ they are of all men most miserable as 1 Cor. 15. 19. But they have the promise and assurance of a suture and better life and are begotten again to the lively hope of it But now in speaking unto this last clause I shall desire so to do in this following order That is to say 1. Evidence and shew that there is a future life a life to come when this present short and frail life is ended 2. What is meant by and contained in the life to come 3. That Godliness hath the promise thereof 1. I Say we shall give some evidences and shew that there is a future state to be entred upon another life besides this present a life to come when this frail vain and Transitory life is ended and expired and this may appear and be evidenced in these following evidences namely 1. From plain intimations and expressions which are contained in the Scriptures of Truth This was more darkly signified and made known in the holy Scriptures written before the coming of our Lord Jesus in the Flesh Thus those words spoken unto Moses by God in the bush to wit I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob Exod. 3. 6. are made use of by our blessed Saviour to prove a future state after this life For saith he God is not the God of the dead but of the living for all live unto him These Patriarchs though they are dead unto us yet they live unto him and shall be raised again in due season Mat. 22. 31 32. Mark 12. 26 27. Luk. 20. 37 38 Thus also whereas the Prophet saith he will swallow up death in victory and the Lord
God will wipe away tears from off all faces c. The Apostle Paul proving the Resurrection of the dead and particularly saying this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality c. He then addes the former part of that Prophecy before cited to wit Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written Death is swallowed up in victory And the latter clause of the Prophet's forementioned is cited by the Apostle John when he speaks of the future state of such as were truly Godly persons Isa 25. 8. with 1 Cor. 15. 53. 54. and Rev. 7. 14 17. and chap. 21. 4. That Prophecy also of the prophet Hosea's to wit O death I will be thy plagues O Grave I will be thy destruction The Apostle doth cite when he treats of and proves the resurrection Hos 13. 14. with 1 Cor. 15. 55. Thus also when the Prophet Isaiah is speaking of the removal of the righteous out of this world by death saying The righteous perisheth And merciful men are taken away none considering that the righteous is taken from that which is evil he then immediately signifieth that there is not then an utter end of them or that for ever they cease to be but he very plainly gives us to understand that they enter upon a better state when they are hence departed for he immediately subjoynes to the former He shall enter into peace they shall rest in their beds each one walking in his uprightness or before him Isa 57. 1 2. And the Prophet Daniel doth very plainly and perspicuously speak of a future state to be entred upon by both good and bad when they by death are passed out of this world for he thus prophetically speaks saying Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt And by the word many there we may well understand all or the multitude for it doth so signify in other places of Scripture Dan. 12. 2. with Rom. 5. 15 19. with vers 18. Psal 32. 10. c. And though the life to come or future state was more darkly discovered or less clearly revealed then it is since Christ came a light into the world yet it was then so plainly made known that the holy ones in the Church of Israel did firmly believe and confidently expect a better life when they should depart out of this and the faith and hope thereof made them willing to forgo the desirable things of this present life and world and to undergo afflictions persecutions and torments yea and death it self for the name of God Heb. 11. 13 16 24 26. And so it is said Others were tortured not accepting deliverance to wit upon their enemies Termes That they might obtain a better Resurrection And others had trial of cruell Mockings and Scourgings yea more-over of Bonds and Imprisonments c. Heb. 11. 35 36 40. Yea it appears that not only the truly pious ones in that Church did thus believe and confess But it was the general belief of all among the Jews the Sect of the Sadduces excepted Mark 12. 18 27 37. Matth. 22. 23 33. And particularly of the Pharisees it is said They confess a Resurrection and Angels and Spirits Act. 23. 6 8 9. See also John 11. 24. Act. 24. 14 15 16. and chap. 26. 6 7 8. But that there is a Future State to be entred upon by All when this Transitory and Momentany State shall be ended and determined is much more clearly revealed and evidently discovered to us in the Holy Scriptures written since the coming and appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath abolished death and brought Life and Immortality to Light by the Gospel 2 Tim. 1. 9 10. with Mat. 22. 24 30. How plainly was this declared by our Lord Jesus himself while he was upon the Earth When saith he the Son of Man shall come in his Glory and all the Holy Angels with him Then shall he sit upon the Throne of his Glory and before him shall be gathered all Nations And he shall separate them one from another as a Shepherd divideth his Sheep from the Goates Matth. 25. 30 32 41 46. And again our Lord saith unto the Jews Marvel not at this for the hour is coming in which all that are in their Graves shall hear the voice of the Son of Man and shall come forth they that have done good unto the Resurrection of Life and they that have done evil unto the Resurrection of Damnation John 5. 27 29. Once more he saith I came down from Heaven not to do mine Own Will but the Will of him that sent me And this is the Will of him that sent me That of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up at the last day And this is the Will of him that sent me That every one that seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting Life And I will raise him up at the last day John 6. 38 39 40. and Chap. 11. 25. And the holy Apostles after the Holy Spirit was received by them in that most plentiful effusion of it mentioned in Act. 2. did very frequently and most clearly Preach through Jesus the Resurection from the dead Act. 4. 2. and chap. 10. 42 43. And particularly the Apostle Paul speaketh thus of his Faith and Hope After the way which they call Heresy so worship I the God of my Fathers Believing all things which are written in the Law and the Prophets And have hope toward God which they themselves also allow That there shall be a Resurrection of the Dead both of the Just and of the Unjust Act. 24. 14 15 16. And indeed to this end Christ both Died and Rose and Revived that he might be Lord both of the Dead and living For it is written As I live saith the Lord every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God So then every one of us shall give an Account of himself to God Rom. 14. 9 11 12. with Phil. 2. 9 11. And in 1 Cor. 15. the same Apostle doth very largely assert and evidence by manifold Arguments that all shall be raised again in due season And particularly in ver 21 22. he saith For since by man came Death by man came also the Resurrection of the Dead For as in Adam all dye so in Christ shall all be made alive But every man in his own order See also Rev. 20. To this I might further have enlarged but what hath been written doth sufficiently evince that the Scriptures do very fully and plainly assure us that there is a Life to come a future State to be entred upon by all when this short and frail state is ended And I shall here only add that this is a very considerable momentous and weighty Evidence of the Truth hereof For the Scriptures cannot be broken And it is easier
from the dead Act. 17. 30 31. 1 Cor. 15. 20 22. and chap. 6. 14. 1 Thes 4. 13 18. And presently after the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus from the dead many other Holy Ones were raised As it is said And the Graves were opened and many Bodies of Saints which slept arose and came out of the Graves after his Resurrection and went into the Holy City and appeared unto many Mat. 27. 52 53. which might be some first-fruits of fulfilling of that Prophesie of Esaias where he saith Thy dead men shall live together with my dead Body shall they arise c. Isa 26. 19. And Lastly our Saviour in the Parable or Story of the Rich Man and of Lazarus doth plainly give us to understand that when they departed out of this Life and World they then entered upon another State the one of Joy and Comfort and the other of Misery and Torment for it is said The beggar died and was carryed by the Angels into Abraham's Bosome The Rich Man also died and was Buried And in Hell he lift up his eyes being in Torments and seeth Abraham afarr of and Lazarus in his Bosome And said Father Abraham have mercy upon me and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue for I am Tormented in this Flame But Abraham said Son Remember that thou in thy life-time received'st thy good things and likewise Lazarus evil things but now he is 〈◊〉 Comforted and thou art Tormented In which also is plainly signified to us that Abraham the Father of the Faithful was then alive in his Spirit and did live unto God as our Saviour also else-where affirmeth Luk. 16. 19 22 24 25. and chap. 20. 38. And the Apostle John saith I saw under the Altar the Souls of them that were slain for the Word of God and for the Testimony which they held And they cryed with a loud voice saying How long O Lord Holy and True dost thou not Judge and Avenge our Blood on them that dwell on the earth c. Rev. 6. 9 10 11. and chap. 7. 14 15 17. But I shall enlarge no farther unto that Second Evidence of a Future State and Life to come but proceed unto the Third to wit 3. The Truth of the former is further Evidenced by the Desire and Vote of Pious and Serious Persons to be removed out of this World I do not mean or speak concerning the Desire or Prayers of some good men in a Passion or Distemper such an one it may seem Elijah was in when Jezebel vowed to take away his Life for then he requested for himself that he might Dye and said It is enough O Lord take away my Life for I am not better than my Fathers 1 King 19. 1 4. with Jam. 5. 17. So also when Jonah saw that God spared Nineveh upon their serious Repentance It displeased him exceedingly and he was very angry And said Take I beseech thee my life from me For it is better for me to dye than to live And again when his Gourd withered And the Sun beat upon the head of Jonah that he fainted He wished in himself to dye and said It is better for me to dye than to live And God said unto Jonah doest thou well to be angry for the Gourd and he said I do well to be angry even unto Death Jonah 4. 1 3 6 7 8 9. Job 6. 8 9 10. and 14. 13. with chap. 36. 20 21. But I speak concerning the Vote and Desire of Good men when they were in a good calme composed frame and temper of Spirit So that Good and Holy man Simeon when he had seen our Lord Jesus and taken him into his Armes He then blessed God and said Lord Now lettest thou thy servant depart in Peace according to thy word c. Luk. 2. 26 28 29 30. And Paul saith of himself and of other unfeigned Believers Our selves which have the first-fruits of the spirit even we our selves groan within our selves waiting for the the Adoption to wit the Redemption of the Body Rom. 8. 23. And again he saith For we know that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolved we have a Building of God an house not made with hands Eternal in the Heavens for in this we groan earnestly desiring to be cloathed upon with our house which is from Heaven For we that are in this Tabernacle do groan being burdened not for that we would be unclothed but clothed upon that Mortallity might be swallowed up of Life We are confident and willing rather to be absent from the Body and to be present with the Lord 2 Cor. 4. 16 18. and chap. 5. 1 2 4. 8. And the same Holy Apostle as with Respect to himself saith I am in a straight betwixt two having a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far better Phil. 1. 20 23. And of the Patriarchs and Holy Ones in former times it is said If they had been mindful of that Countrey from whence they came out they might have had opportunity to have return'd But now they desire a better Countrey that is an Heavenly wherefore God is not asham'd to be called their God for he hath prepared for them a City Heb. 11. 9 10 13 16. Gen. 49. 18. And these Holy Ones who thus Desired were not Novices in the Faith but Eminent ones therein they were Pillars in the Church as it were or however some of them were so Patriarchs Prophets and Apostles and so such as were guided by the Holy and Eternal Spirit of God which searcheth all things yea the deep things of God And by which Blessed and infallible Spirit they were assured that there was a future state to be entred upon when they are departed out of this Evil and passing world and so Faile from among the Children of men or otherwise it was not at all desirable to go out of this Life and World For not to be is next unto and little better than to be miserable as our Saviour seems to signifie to us in Matth. 26. 24. Mark 14. 21. And also by this good and most Understanding Spirit they were perswaded to Believe that the future State that good men shall enter upon when they are departed out of this World is far better and much rather to be chosen then that they were then upon while they were in this Frail Mortal and Corruptible Body as the Apostle Paul saith To me to live is Christ and to dye is Gain Phil. 1. 20 21. And so particularly it is said of that Pious man Simeon fore-named who desired to depart out of and leave this World and Life when he had seen God's Salvation which he had prepared before the face of all People that the holy Ghost was upon him and it was revealed to him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see Death before he had seen the Lord's Christ And he came by the Spirit into the Temple
doth signifie or however enclude Justification for these two to wit Justification and Condemnation are very usually opposed the one to the other Rom. 5. 18. and chap. 8. 33 34. 2 Cor. 3. 9. And so those that now do live Godly and Righteously in Christ Jesus shall in the World to come of which we speak be compleatly Gloriously and eternally Justified from all their Sins and Transgressions Isa 45. 23 25. Their Sins shall be fully and everlastingly Blotted out when the times of Refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord Act. 3. 19. Now they are instructed and directed by our Lord Jesus and need to pray unto their Father which is in Heaven every day Forgive us our Sins and Trespasses for they are daily offending and sinning against God Matth. 6. 12. who can tell how oft he offendeth There is not a Just man upon the Earth that doeth good and sinneth not Eccl. 7. 20. But then they shall sin no more but shall be justified and cleansed as Dan. 8. 14. from the Inherency and In-being of Sin and they shall also perfectly and for ever be forgiven and delivered from the Guilt of their former Transgressions and Miscarriages Isa 45. 25. with Heb. 8. 10 12. He commanded us saith the Apostle Peter to Preach unto the People and to testify That it is He Christ who is Ordained of God the Judge of quick and dead To him give all the Prophets Witness that through his Name whosoever Believeth in him shall receive in the future Judgment Remission of Sins Act. 10. 40 43. 3. The truly Godly and Righteous persons shall when they are raised again out of their Graves be wholly and for ever delivered from the wrath and displeasure of the Almighty God and so Eternal life is opposed unto the wrath of God by the Baptist when he thus speaketh He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting Life and he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life but the Wrath of God abideth on him John 3. 3 6. So also the Apostle doth oppose Eternal Life and Wrath each to other saying to them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory He will render eternal Life But unto them that obey not the Truth he will render Indignation and Wrath Rom. 2. 7 8. see also Prov. 16. 14 15. And so they that now are Pious and Pure in heart and way shall then obtain and enjoy his valuable Favour in which is life Psal 30. 5. yea his loving kindness is better than Life than the most excellent life we can here enjoy Psal 63. 3. Then shall that promise which the Faithful God hath promised to them be compleatly and most fully performed to wit For a moment have I forsaken thee but with great mercies will I gather thee In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy upon thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer For this is as the waters of Noah unto me for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah shall no more go over the earth so have I sworn that I will not be wrath with thee nor rebuke thee This is the Heritage of the servants of the Lord c. Isa 54. 7 8 9 10. 17. 4. Eternal Life is opposed unto Everlasting fire and unto everlasting punishment Matth. 25. 41 46. And so it may signifie the same with Everlasting Salvation And our Lord Jesus being made perfect Became the Author of eternal Salvation unto all them that obey him Heb. 5. 8 9. Whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life John 3. 15 16. and chap. 10. 27 28. They that now run with patience and perseverance the way of God's Commandments shall hereafter unto all Eternity be delivered from the dreadful and direful effects of the Wrath of the Almighty God which is to be dreaded and deprecated by us they shall then fully and for ever be secured from all Torment Destruction and perdition Isa 45. 16 17. Everlasting Life is also opposed unto Shame Reproach and Disgrace As where the Prophet saith Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake some to everlasting Life and some to Shame and everlasting Contempt Dan 12. 2. And so in that future state which the Godly shall enter upon they shall certainly and perpetually be delivered from all Infamy and Contempt though now many times they are a Reproach of men and despised of the People and are a By-word amongst their Neighbours and therefore may say as the Psalmist doth Thou hast known our Reproach and our Shame and our Dishonour Reproach hath broken our hearts c. Psal 69. 19 20. yet hereafter Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation they shall not be Ashamed nor Confounded world without end Isa 45. 17. But they shall then obtain and be made partakers of everlasting Glory and immortal Honour unto which they are now called by the Gospel When Christ who is our Life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in Glory Col. 3. 1 4. Then saith our Lord Jesus shall the Righteous shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father who hath ears to hear let him hear Matth. 13. 44. 2 Tim. 2. 10. For their former Shame they shall then have double Glory Isa 61. 7. And again Eternal life is sometimes opposed unto the Place of Torment into which the unrighteous and unholy shall go and in which will be Weeping and Wailing and Gnashing of teeth Mark 9. 43 46. And so also it is opposed unto Anguish and dismal Grief which is the effect of the Wrath and Indignation of the most Righteous Judge Rom. 2. 7. with ver 8. 9. And they that now lead their lives in sincere Piety and Honesty shall hereafter be delivered from all occasions of weeping and wailing and shall be made partakers of everlasting Joy Gladness and Consolation as the Lord by the Prophet gives us to understand saying The Redeemed of the Lord shall return and come with singing unto Zion and everlasting joy shall be upon their Heads they shall obtain Gladness and Joy and Sorrow and Mourning shall flee away Isa 35. 10. and chap. 51. 11. Light is now sown for the Righteous and Gladness for the upright in heart Psal 97. 11 12. And even now while as their need requires they are in heaviness through manifold Temptations yet believing in Christ Jesus whom now they see not they rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of Glory they greatly rejoyce in that Salvation ready to be revealed in the last times 1 Pet. 1. 3 6 8 9. But their present joy is not without mixture of sorrow They now rejoyce with trembling Heb. 3. 16 18. And their joy is not compleat because it is in unseen things but hereafter God will wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more sorrow nor crying for the former things are passed
away And he that sate upon the Throne said unto me faith St. John Write For these words are true and faithful Rev. 21. 1 4 5. And then they shall for evermore Reap that Harvest of unmixed joy and light which is now sown for them they shall enter into the joy of their Lord when they are absent from the Body they shall be present with the Lord and shall for ever be in his Blessed and Glorious Presence In whose Presence is fulness of joy and at whose right hand are Pleasures for evermore Matth. 25. 21 23. 2 Cor. 5. 6 8. Rev. 22. 4. And if now they greatly rejoyce in hope and expectation of the Glory of God which now they see not nor fully enjoy Rom. 8. 24 25. what will their joy and rejoycing be when they have a compleat glorious and never-ending enjoyment and fruition of what they now in this day longingly and patiently expect and wait for 5. Sometimes Eternal life is declared to consist in the Knowledg of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord gives us to understand in his Address to his Father saying unto Him This is life Eternal that they know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent John 17. 2 3. with 1 John 5. 20 21. Indeed that imperfect and small knowledge of God and Jesus Christ which they now have while they are absent from the Lord is very sweet and delightful My Son saith the Wise-man eat thou honey because it is Good and the honey combe which is sweet upon thy palate so shall the knowledge of Wisdom be unto thy soul when thou hast found it Prov. 2. 10. and chap. 24. 13 14. It is called The light of the knowledge of the glory of God 2 Cor. 4. 4 6. And Light and Understanding and Excellent Wisdom are put together Dan 5. 11 14. to signifie that what Light is to the outward man knowledge and wisdom is to the Inner even to the soul And truly the light is sweet and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the Sun Eccl. 11. 7. But if that very small and little measure of knowledg and understanding which the Saints now partake of be so grateful and pleasant how sweet satisfactory and ravishing will be the perfect and compleat knowledge they shall enjoy and be made partakers of in the future state they shall enter upon We now know in part saith the Apostle and we Prophecy in part But when that which is perfect is come then that which is in part shall be done away For now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face Now I know in part but then shall I know even as also I am known 1 Cor. 13. 9 10 12. And through the present perfect sight and knowledg of our Lord Jesus Christ they shall also be compleatly conformed to his most excellent Image and Likeness which is now effected in part through the imperfect sight of him as it is said We all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. 12 18. But when they shall behold him without a glass when they shall see him eye to eye as Isa 52. 8. they shall then be perfectly made like unto him To this purpose the Apostle John speaks to the believers saying Now are we the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear to wit to themselves fully what we shall be But we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 John 3. 2 3. Matth. 5 8. Isa 33. 15 16 17. 6. Sometimes by the life to come is meant that Kingdome or reigning state that is proposed to and set before us in the Gospel to move and excite us to exercise our selves seriously and constantly to Godliness and Righteousness and which Crown of Glory they shall undoubtedly receive who run the ways of Gods commandments with diligence and perseverance Thus whereas in two verses in Mark 9. we have these expressions used by our Lord Jesus It is better for thee to enter into life In another verse in the same place it is thus expressed It is better for thee to enter into the Kingdome of God c. vers 43 45. with vers 47. Thus also it is said of them which receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness that they shall reign in life by one Jesus Christ Rom. 5. 17. And the Future life the life to come which is promised to the unfeigned believers is called The Crown of life so it is said When he is tried he shall receive the Crown of Life else-where called by the same Apostle The Kingdom which the Lord hath promised unto them that love him Jam. 1. 12. with chap. 2. 5. And our Lord saith unto the Angel of the Church in Smyrna Be thou faithful unto the death and I will give thee a Crown of life Rev. 2. 10. And so this is contained in the future life which is promised unto Godliness that they that now hear Christs voice and follow him shall then be exalted to inherit a Kingdome Luk. 12. 32. As the holy ones confess to the praise of the Lamb that was slain saying Thou hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall Reign on the earth Rev. 5. 9 10. Rom. 2. 9 10. And they shall Reign for ever and ever Rev. 22. 5. 7. And lastly sometimes life and eternal life are opposed to Corruption and Mortality thus the Apostle saith That Mortality may be swallowed up of life 2 Cor. 5. 4. Gal. 6. 8. And life is joyned with Immortality 2 Tim. 1. 10. And so it signifies an endless life and therewith an everlasting deliverance from all wrath death pain punishment enemies shame weeping and grief c. And an eternal enjoyment and possession of all Glory Honour Peace Joy and compleat bliss and happiness as we have intimated all along in what we have written and as is also imported to us in the very Pharse of everlasting or eternal life Heb. 7. 16. Psal 133. 3. and 36. 7 9. Thus I have given some short and very imperfect account of what is meant by and contained in the life to come of which Godliness hath the promise of which the Apostles themselves have not onely known but also Prophesied in part in those excellent things spoken and written by them and then how should such a Child in understanding as I am do otherwise then darken it by words without knowledge 1 Cor. 13. 9 12 1 Joh. 3. 1 2. Isa 64. 4. with 1 Cor. 2. 9 10. Psal 31. 19. And we shall hereafter see cause to use the words of the Queen of Sheba concerning this eternal life and Salvation namely It was a true report that we heard of it from the holy Prophets and Apostles Howbeit Behold
perform the truth unto Jacob and the mercy to Abraham Mica 7. 18 20. If God should be severe to Mark against the pious and righteous persons the manifold iniquities and miscarriages found with them both in their Omitting that which is good and Committing that which is evil they could not stand before him nor receive the benefits of his promises Psal 130. 4 5. And as that perfect man Job saith how should man be just before God namely if he should enter into judgment with him for so it immediately follows If he will contend with him he cannot answer him one of a thousand Job 9. 2 3. with Psal 143. 2. And therefore such as are upright in the main need to Rejoyce in and Implore the mercy of God daily and continually And it is observable that David the man after Gods own heart thus expresseth himself I will sing of thy Power yea I will sing aloud of thy Mercy c. Psal 59. 16 17. And again he saith I will sing of the Mercies of the Lord for ever Psal 89. 1 4. And when he thus speaks of himself in his Prayer unto God saying I have done Judgment and Justice and doth acknowledge himself to be The Servant of the Lord to wit in an especial consideration one that did desire to fear his name and to serve and please him yet then he humbly and earnestly Implores the mercy of God saying Deal with thy Servant according to thy Mercy Psal 119. 121 124 125 and 143. 2. And Daniel a man greatly beloved of his God and an eminently Holy man doth thus address himself unto God in his Prayer We do not present our Supplications before thee for our Righteousness but for thy great Mercies O Lord hear O Lord forgive O Lord hearken and do Dan. 9. 7 9 18 19. with Isa 64. 6. And when the Apostle Jude gives this counsel and exhortation unto the Believers who were Sanctified in God the Father and Preserved in Christ Jesus and Called to wit But ye Beloved Building up your selves on your most Holy Faith praying in the Holy Ghost keep your selves in the love of God He then Immediately further adds thereto Looking for the Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto Eternal Life To signify to us that the most upright and holy Ones do continually stand in need of the Mercy of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ and without that they could not have Eternal Life Jude 1. 2 20 21. Heb. 4. 16. Luke 17. 9 10. The Mercy of the Lord is from Everlasting to Everlasting upon them that fear him Psal 103. 17 18. with 52. 8. Where is Boasting then It is excluded By what Law Of Works Nay but by the Law of Faith Rom. 3. 25 26 27. Yet let none from what hath been said Abuse the Mercy and Grace of God as evil ones are two forward and prone to do Rom. 5. and chap. 6 1 2. and cry Peace to themselves Where there is no Peace For though it be certainly true that God is a God of Mercy towards mankind rich in Mercy the Father and Fountain of Mercies 2 Cor. 1. 3. Ephes 2. 4 5. yet he will not be merciful in an especial consideration To any wicked trangressors Psal 59. 5. He that made them will not have mercy on them and he that formed them will shew them no Favour I mean if they continue and go on still in their Trespasses Isa 27. 11. Psal 68 18 21. But this is a very great and considerable encouragement to them whose hearts are perfect with the Lord That he who hath entail'd the Promise on Godliness is one who delights in mercy And therefore he will perform the Covenant to them that keep his Testimonies and seek him with the whole heart though they be subject to Passions and have many Infirmities and Frailties found with them in their due and diligent addressing themselves to the Throne of Grace that they may obtain mercy in the forgiveness of their Sins These are The Vessels of special Mercy which he hath prepared unto Glory Rom. 9. 23. with 1 Tim. 4. 10. Hence the Apostle Paul thus votes As many as walk according to this Rule Peace be upon them and Mercy even upon the Israel of God Gal. 6. 14 15 16. Heb. 8. 10 11 12. 2. The God whose the Promise is that Godliness hath is also a God of Ability and Power one who is strong and able to perform all his Gracious Promises And so he is able to give unto the truly Pious Persons now those things which he knows to be needful for them for this present Life and State Whatsoever is under the whole Heaven is his Job 41. 11. Thine O Lord saith David is the Greatness and the Power and the Glory and the Victory and the Majesty For all that is in the Earth is thine Thine is the Kingdom O Lord and thou art exalted as head above all Both Riches and Honour come of thee c. 1 Chron. 29. 11 13. Deut. 10. 14. He can open his good Treasure and give unto us out of that whatsoever is needful and useful for the Body and outward man as Deut. 28. 1 12. And so also the Heaven and all Heavenly things are his in his hand and at his Dispose 1 Chron. 29. 11. Behold the Heaven and the Heaven of Heavens is the Lords Deut. 10. 14. Psal 115. 16. And saith the Apostle Paul Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath Blessed us with all Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly things in Christ Jesus Eph. 1. 3. Jam. 1. 5 17. Luk. 11. 13. Thus God in former times made known himself to Abraham Isaac and Jacob by the Name of God Almighty Gen. 17. 1. Exod. 6. 3. And Abraham glorified God in believing him to be such an one as he made himself known by his Word to be namely the Powerful the Almighty God and that therefore he could give a Being to his word and and perform the Promise which he had made unto him notwithstanding all appearing difficulties and unlikelyhoods So when the Lord promised him saying So shall thy Seed be It is said by the Apostle He considered not his Body now dead neither yet the deadness of Sarahs Womb. He staggered not at the Promise of God through unbelief but was strong in Faith giving Glory to God And being fully perswaded that what he had promised he was able also to perform Rom. 4. 18 21. There were some staggerings at that Promise of God as to his Ability to perform it in Sarah it may seem for which she was somewhat reproved by the Lord in his thus speaking unto Abraham Wherefore did Sarah laugh Is any thing too hard for the Lord Gen. 18. 13 14. But no such thing was charged upon her Husband And again when the Lord tried Abraham commanding him to Offer up his Son his only Son Isaac for a Burnt-Offering concerning which Son the Lord had thus promised In Isaac shall thy
Seed be called Rom. 9. 7. yet Faithful Abraham staggered not at the Promise of God but did firmly believe that he was able to perform what he had promised though in obedience to God he did offer up his Son Hence it is said By Faith Abraham when he was tried offered up Isaac And he that had received the Promises offered up his only begotten Son accounting that God was able to raise him up even from the dead From whence also he received him in a Figure Heb. 11. 17 20. And He is the same God still and is able to do for us exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think according to the Power that worketh in us Eph. 3. 20 21. as St. Paul saith I know whom I have believed and I am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day 2 Tim. 1. 12. He is not only able to give us the things which are good and needful for the mortal Body 2 Chron 25 9. but also to raise up this body again when it is dead and laid in the Grave and turned to corruption Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you that God should raise the Dead Acts 26. 8. Indeed it might well be thought a thing incredible and impossible that any mere Creature should effect this great and wonderful work But is any thing impossible unto or too hard for the Lord Cannot he who at the first Created all things of nothing raise up this Body again when it is dissolved and turned to dust and rottenness and reunite it to its proper Soul and Spirit yes without all peradventure he can do it and will do it in due season God hath both raised up the Lord Jesus and will Raise up us also by his own Power 1 Cor. 6. 14. with Ephes 1. 19 20. 2 Cor. 1. 9 10. Though Christ was Crucified through weakness yet he liveth by the Power of God For we also are weak in him But we shall live with him by the Power of God 2 Cor. 13. 4. He is able to change and transform these vile dusty bodies into excellent ones to make these bodies which are corruptible weak dishonourable Natural bodies to become Spiritual Glorious Powerful and Incorruptible bodies 1 Cor. 15. 42 44 48 49 53 54. He shall change our vile Body saith the Apostle that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious Body according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself Phil. 3. 21. And so he hath power to deliver us from the In-being of sin and from all our spots and Faults and will do so perfectly in the Resurrection from the dead Eph. 5. 25 27. He is able to keep the Believers from falling now in this day and hereafter even in the resurrection of the just To present them faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy Jude 24. 25. Yea in short He is able to save them to the uttermost who do sincerely seek and serve him and to make them partakers gloriously of Eternal Life as it is before spoken to and in some weak and imperfect measure opened and explained And he hath given his Son our Lord Jesus Power to give unto them Eternal Life he hath already given us mankind in his Son Eternal Life hence the Apostle John saith He that believeth not God hath made him a liar because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son And this is the record that God hath given to us Eternal life and this life is in his Son 1 John 5. 10 11. And not only hath he so done but he hath also impowred his Son to make them partakers of this Eternal life who hear his voice and diligently and constantly follow him now in a first-fruits by faith and hereafter fully in the glorious enjoyment and fruition of it As our Saviour in his address to his Father signifieth saying Thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him John 17. 2. with chap. 10. 27 28. Now this is a very powerful and forcible encouragement to encourage and strengthen us to expect the performance of the exceeding great and excellent promises which he hath made unto Godliness and so unto us upon our sincerely exercising our selves thereunto and patiently continuing so to do that he who hath promised is a God of infinite and eternal power and so able to accomplish whatever he hath promised If men make promises and intend really to perform them yet there may be and oftentimes is a failure found with them therein because though their wills and purposes be never so strong and firm yet their Hand and Power is very short and weak But it is not so with the Lord our God his Hand is not shortned at all but Power doth belong unto him as well as with him is Mercy Psal 62. 11 12. In thine hand is there not Power and Might so that none is able to withstand thee 2 Chron. 20. 6. He that hath made these Promises to Godliness and unto them that sincerely exercise themselves thereto who walk before him and are perfect is the Lord Almighty Gen. 17. 1 8. 2 Cor. 6. 16 18. with chap. 7. 1. 3. And he who hath entail'd the promise on Godliness is also a God of Righteousness and Truth and who will therefore undoubttedly perform his good word he is abundant in Goodness and Truth Exod. 34. 6. Thus when Moses saith I will publish the Name of the Lord he presently thus proclaims it He is the Rock his work is perfect for all his ways are Judgment a God of truth and without iniquity just and right is he Deut 32. 3 4. And he thus speaks unto Israel saying Know therefore that the Lord thy God he is God the faithful God that keepeth Covenant and Mercy with them that love him c. Deut. 7. 9 11. And thus in due season he evidenced himself to be in accomplishing that promise which he made unto his ancient people in bringing them into and poss ssing them of the Typical rest the land of Canaan Hence it is said The Lord gave them rest round about according to all that he swear unto our Fathers there failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel all came to pass Josh 21. 43 45. and chap. 23. 14 15. And now he hath most clearly and comfortably manifested his truth and faithfulness in sending his well-beloved Son into the World that we might live through him and in not sparing his own Son but delivering him up for us all and in lifting him up again from the gates of Death This he promised from the beginning of the World long before the proper season for the actual accomplishment of it came But his promise did not fail for evermore But when the fulness of time was come God sent forth
The Childs Delight together with an English Grammar Reading and Spelling made easie both by Tho. Lye Aesops Fables with morals thereupon in English Verse The Young-mans Instructor and the Old-mans remembrancer being an Explanation of the Assemblies Catechism Captives bound in Chains made free by Christ their Surety both by Tho. Doolittle Eighteen Sermons preached upon several Texts of Scripture by William Whitaker The Saints care for Church Communion declared in sundry Sermons preached at St James Dukes-place by Zech. Crofton The life and death of Edmund Stanton D. D. To which is added a Treatise of Christian-conference and a Dialogue between a Minister and a Stranger Sin the Plague of plagues or sinful sin the worst of Evils by Ralph Venning M. A. Cases of Conscience practically resolved by J. Norman The faithfulness of God considered and cleared in the great Events of his Word or a second part of the fulfilling of the Scripture The immortality of the Soul explained and proved by Scripture and Reason to which is added Faiths-triumph over the fears of death by Tho. Wadsworth A Treatise of the incomparableness of God in his Being Attributes Works and Word by George Swinnock M. A. A discourse of the original c of the Cossacks The generation of Seekers or the right manner of the Saints addresses to the throne of Grace with an Exposition on the Lords-Prayer The administration of Cardinal Ximones An Essay to facilitate the Education of Youth by bringing down the rudiments of Grammar to the sense of seeing which ought to be improved by Syncrisis by Mr. Lewis of Totenham An Artificial Vestibulum wherein the sense of Janua Linguarum is contained compiled into plain and short sentences in English for the great ease of Masters and Expeditious progress of Scholars by M. Lewis Speculum Sherlockianum or a Locking glass in which the admirers of Mr. Sherlock may behold the man as to his Acuracy Judgment Orthodoxy A discourse of Sins of Omission wherein is discovered their Nature Causes and Cure by George Swinnock His Majesties Propriety in the British Seas vindicated Quakerism no Christianity or a through-Quaker no Christian proved by their Principles and confirmed by Scripture by J. Faldo Differences about Water-baptism no bar to Communion by Jo. Bunian The Dutch-dispensatory shewing the virtues qualities and properties of Simples the vertue and use of Compounds whereto is added the Compleat Herbalist Judg Dodaridge's laws of Nobility and Peerage Dinglys Spiritual Feast Solitude improved by Divine Meditation by Matth. Ranew A Murderer punished and pardoned or Tho. Savage his life and death with his Funeral sermon Hurst Revival Grace Buryes Husbandmans Companion help to holy walking Hanmers view of Antiquity Nomenclaturas Wases Grammar Vincent of Conscience Gouges Principles of Christian Religion Christian Direction Word to Saints and Sinners Young mans guide Christian Housholder Perrots Englands duty The Nonconformists vindicated Wadsworths remains Shepherdy Spiritualized Calamys Art of divine Meditation Faldos Quakerism no Christianity vindication of 21 Divines Small 8vo A defence against the fear of death by Zach. Crofton Gods Soveraignty displayed by William Gearing The Godly mans Ark or a City of Refuge in the day of his distress in five Sermons with Mrs. Moors evidences for Heaven by Edmund Calamy The Almost-Christian discovered or the false-Professor tried and cast by M. Mead. The true bounds of Christian-freedom or a discourse shewing the extent and restraints of Christian-liberty by S. Bolton D. D. The sinfulness of Sin and fulness of Christ in two Sermons by Will. Bridg. A Plea for the godly or the Righteous mans Excellency The holy Eucharist or the Sacrament of the Lords Supper A Treatise of self-denial All three by Tho. Watson The life and death of Tho. Wilson of Maidstone in Kent The Life and Death of Dr. Samuel VVinter A Covert from the Storm or the fearful encouraged in the day of Trouble Worthy-walking press'd upon all that have heard the Call of the Gospel The Spirit of Prayer All three by Nath. Vincent The inseparable union between Christ and a Believer by Tho. Peck A discourse of Excuses setting forth the variety and vanity of them the sin and misery brought in by them by John Sheffield Invisible reality demonstrated in the holy life and triumphant death of Mr. J. Janeway The Saints encouragement to diligence in Christs service both by Mr. James Janeway A discourse concerning the Education of Children Convivium Caeleste a plain and familiar discourse concerning the Lords Supper both by R. Kidder The Saints perseverance asserted in its Positive-ground against Mr. Ives by Tho. Danson A Wedding-ring fit for the Finger by VVill. Secker An Explanation of the shorter-Catechism of the Assembly of Divines by Tho. Lye The life and death of Tho. Hall A Plea for the Non-Conformists tending to vindicate them from Schism by a Doctor in Divinity The flat opposition of Popery to Scripture by J. N. Chaplain to a Person of Honour The Weavers Pocket book or Weaving spiritualiz'd by J. C. D. D. Two disputations of Original sin by Richard Baxter The History of Moderation The welcome Communicant The little-peace-maker discovering foolish Pride the Make-bate Philadelphia or a Treatise of Brotherly love by Mr. Gearing Reformation or Ruine being certain Sermons on Levit. 26. 23 23. by Tho. Hotchkis The Riches of Grace displayed to which is added the priviledge of Passive obedience and 52 proposals in order to help on Heart-humiliation by VVill. Bagshaw The parable of the great Supper opened in 17 Sermons by John Crump A present for Teeming-women by J. Oliver Non-conformity without Controversie by Benj. Baxter A Treatise of Closet-Prayer by Richard Mayo The Religious Family by Philip Lamb. A discourse of the prodigious Abstinence of Martha Taylor Index biblicus multi-jugus or a Table of the holy Scripture wherein each of its Books Chapters and particular matters are distinguished and Epitomized The day of Grace with the Conversion of a Sinner by Nathanael Vincent An easie and useful Grammer for the learning of the French Tongue by Mr. Gosthead Gentleman The Miners Monitor or advice to those that are employed about the Mines A Protestant Catechism for litte Children A Scripture Catechism by Samuel Petto A Catechism according to the Church of England Nero Tragidea Cornelianum dolium Wilsons Catechism Elenchuus motuum nuperorum in Anglia Cackaines Poems Croftons Foelix Scelus or prospering-profaneness provoking holy conference by Zach. Crofton Gramaticus Analyticus by the same Author Alexanders advice to his Son H. Excellency of Christ set forth Phelps Caveat against Drunkenness Lamentation for the loss of a good man Antidote against desperation Bury against Drunkenness Wadsworths last warning to Sinners Dr. Wilkinsons Counsels and Comforts to afflicted Consciences Cappello and Bianco a Romance Calys Ghimpse of Eternity Period of humane Life Defence of Period of humane Life both written by the Author of the whole Duty of man c. An Answer to the period of humane Life Survey Quakerism Tho. Vincents Explication of the Assemblies Catechism Vincent on Prayer On Conversion and day of Grace Covert from storm Worthy Walking Parsons Letter to VVem Adams Catechism Lambs New Years Gift Perks way to mend the World Burys Antidote against the fear of Death Mr. Corbets Kingdom God among men with a Tract of Schism Self-imployment in Secret by John Corbet Solomons Proverbs Traughtons Popery the grand Apostacy Heywoods Christ displayed Bishop Reignolds Meditations Mr. Edward Wests Legacy Gerhard on Death Whole Duty of Youth Welcome Communicant Ames Marrow Diuinity Tho. Vincent against the Quakers being the sandy Foundation shaken A warning to young men or Brinkhursts Narrative Mr. Kidders help to smallest Children in their understanding of the Church-Catechism Thomas Vincents Himns Bartlet on the Sacrament Greens needful preparatory to the Lords Supper Dr. Collings of ordinary matter of Prayer Wilsons Childs Trade Scandrets Catechism Sheffiields Catechism Much in a little or an abstract of Mr. Baxters plain Scripture-proof for Infants Baptism Some brief Directions for the improvement of Infants Baptism Books Twelves Drexellius Repository Meads Spiritual Wisdom Nathanael Vincents little Childs Catechism All three by Tho. VVhite The duty of Parents towards their Children A little book for little Children A method and instruction for the Art of divine Meditation The considerations of Drexelius on Eternity The shadow of the Tree of Life by M. M. The Psalms of David newly translated more plain smooth and agreeable to the Text than any heretofore Mr. Henry Lukin's Life of Faith FINIS
the Lord without distraction Signifying That the waiting and attending upon him and so living Piously and Honestly in this World will be more profitable for us than waiting upon and endeavouring to please the World as our Lord and Master will be 1 Cor. 7. 29 32 35. O then Tast and see that the Lord is good Blessed is the Man that trusteth in him Psal 34. 8 10. And as it is very useful and needful for all Persons seriously to consider that Piety is the most profitable thing they can practise and exercise themselves unto So particularly and especially let Young Persons observe That the Apostle excites Timothy in his Youth or younger Years to the pursuit and practise of Godliness as may be seen in 1 Tim. 4. 7 8 12. That they also may embrace and obey that Counsel given to Timothy and given unto him That he might in observing it set a good Example before others And St. Paul charges Titus to Exhort young men to be Sober-minded to wit not to let out their Hearts too much unto or immorderately set their Affections upon those things which are perishing and momentany Intimating That there is a too great proness in them thereto Tit. 2. 6 7. But it is good for such who are entring into the World as some speak to mind That Pure Religion is their greatest and surest Interest and most profitable for them both for this present State and for that which is to come Psal 34. 11 15. When Solomon while he was young and tender had this Liberty given unto him by the Lord to wit Ask what I shall give thee He then begged for Wisdome and Understanding which is the Principal thing Prov. 4. 6 7. and his Choice and Speech did so please the Lord that he had asked an Understanding Heart That he fulfilled the Request of his Lips and Gave him an understanding Heart so that there was none like him before him neither after him should any arise like unto him And not only so but he also gave him other things which are higher desirable and valuable with young Persons As he saith I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked both Riches and Honour c. And if thou wilt walk in my Ways then I will lengthen thy Days 2 King 3. 5 14. Lo here young persons You have an eminent Instance set before you to assure you that it is your highest Interest to get Wisdome which is the most excellent thing For in so doing all other good and needful things shall be added to you But you may say Though we should exercise our selves to true Wisdome and Piety and first seek after that Yet we cannot assure our selves That He will supply us with all needful things from God's so dealing with Solomon To this I Answer That Solomon himself as it were Relating unto God's gracious Dealing with him doth assure us That in our exercising our selves to sincere Piety we shall also receive therewith the three valuable Things promised unto him by way of over-plus so far as they are Profitable for us when he saith By humility and the fear of the Lord are Riches and Honour and Life Prov. 22. 4. Luk. 12. 29 31 32. Now therefore saith Wisdome hearken unto me O ye Children For Blessed are they that keep my Ways both now and to all Eternity Hear Instruction and be Wise and refuse it not Prov. 8. 32 33 35. with ver 17 18 21. I shall hold thee no longer here but refer thee to what followeth And Praying God to Pardon what is Amiss and to bless and succeed what is his I desire to Approve my self March 4th 1632. A Well-Willer of thine and of all Mens Charles Phelpes THE Gian of Godliness 1 Tim. 4. 8. But Godliness is profitable unto all things having Promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come THese words are propounded by the Apostle Paul as a forcible motive to move and engage Timothy to observe and obey that Exhortation and Counsel which he had given him in the fore-going verse namely Exercise thy self unto Godliness ver 7. and to inforce that Exhortation He here sets before him this very Powerful and Efficacious encouragement For Godliness is profitable unto all things c. And though that Exhortation or Command in ver 7. was directly and particularly given by the Apostle to Timothy his own Son in the Faith yet it was so given unto him and was so to be observed by him as that he might be a Pattern in the observance thereof to the Believers generally For so much is signified in what he presently subjoyns to wit in ver 12. where he thus saith Let no man despise thy youth But be thou an example of the Believers in Word in Conversation in Charity in Faith in Spirit in Purity And so it plainly appears that the Counsell and Exhortation given unto Timothy in ver 7. was given to him that he might in the observance of and obedience to it be an Example to the Believers And that all of us might in Imitation of him and other Godly and Holy ones heartily apply our selves unto true and unfeigned Piety and Religion which is profitable and advantageous to all that sincerely exercise themselves thereto Now in the words themselves which we have Propounded to Consider and Discourse of we have as is before observed a Powerful Motive and Enforcement to perswade us and prevail with us to Exercise our selves unto Godliness And this weighty motive is 1. Propounded to us more Generally and Indistinctly namely Godliness is profitable unto Or for All things 2. This motive is more Particularly and Distinctly expressed and laid down and the Truth of the former part evidenced in the following words that is to say Having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come In both which it doth very manifestly appear and is fully evidenced that Godliness is profitable unto all things both here and hereafter now in this present short and frail state and in that future and endless state we must all of us hereafter enter upon 1. I say we have a Powerful and Cogent Motive to enforce that Counsel Exhortation in ver 7. more Generally and Indistinctly laid down and propounded to us to wit Godliness is profitable unto or for all things Now in speaking hereto let us enquire into and Consider 1. The subject-matter here treated of and commended to us and that is Godliness 2. That which is affirmed of it by way of Commendation and for our encouragement to exercise our selves thereto and that is It is profitable unto all things 1. The Subject-matter here treated of and highly commended to us and that is Godliness But what is this Godliness which is so much commended and so greatly and eternally profitable Now to that Enquiry I shall give answer 1. Negatively 2. Affirmatively 1. We shall speak unto the fore-mentioned Enquiry Negatively or shew what is not
thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort thou shalt do welt 3. Joh. 5. 6. And so on the other hand they are called ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into Lasciviousness in a general consideration Jud. 4. 2 Pet. 2. 5 6. And very frequently in the book of the Psalmes where in the Translation after the Hebrew we read wicked the Septuagint read ungodly and so doth our Vulgar Translation as we by observation may see And thus as I have said Godliness is to be accepted in this place in such an Extensive and Comprehensive consideration And so taking it and looking upon it we may say 1. That by Godliness here we are to understand the Christian Faith or the Articles thereof which are to be believed by us and the unfeigned belief thereof which this Apostle calls the mystery of godliness when he saith without Controversy or Confessedly great is the Mystery of Godliness God was manifest in the flesh justified in the spirit seen of Angels Preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the world received up into Glory 1 Tim. 3. 16. And of which Truth or mystery the Church of the living God is the ground and Pillar v. 15. And so this mystery of Godliness contains in it the incarnation abasement sufferings death Resurrection Ascension and Exaltation of the Son of God and all the Truths of the Gospel which are therein Preached to us to the end they may be unfeignedly and heartily embraced and entertained by us and which mystery is called the Gospel Thus when the Apostle saith to the Corinthians I declare unto you the Gospel which I Preached unto you which also ye have received c He then more Particularly acquaints them with and re-minds them of the Gospel which he had formerly Proclaimed unto them saying For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures and that he was seen of Cephas then of the Twelve c. 1 Cor. 15. 1 4 8. And so this Doctrine of Godliness is called The word of Faith which the Apostles have Preached and delivered Rom. 10. 8. 10 15 17. And the Faith of the Gospel Phil. 1. 27. And the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of Glory Jam. 2. 1. And the Faith which was once delivered to the Saints Jude 3. 4. To which I shall not here particularly speak 2. And by Godliness here we are also to understand the Christian life and practice which is Taught us by the Gospel of Christ as it is now Preached unto us according to the Revelation of the Mystery Hence the Gospel of Christ is called the Doctrine according to Godliness because it doth teach us to serve God acceptably with Reverence and Godly fear to serve him without fear in holiness and Righteousness before him all the days of our life 1 Tim. 6. 3. Heb. 12. 28. As the Apostle Paul saith the grace of God which bringeth Salvation unto all men hath appeared teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live Soberly Righteously and Godly in this present world in this posture looking for the blessed hope c. Tit. 2. 11 12 13. And the same Apostle declaring to the believing Ephesians the sad miscarriage of the Gentiles that knew not God And how they walked in the vanity of their mindes he then saith unto them But ye have not so learned Christ if so be that ye have heard him and been taught by him as the truth is in Jesus that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts And be renewed in the spirit of your mind And that ye put on the New-Man which after God is Created in Righteousness and Holiness of Truth To give us to understand that the word of the Truth of the Gospel of Christ doth Teach us to be pure in heart and Pious in all manner of Demeanour and conversation for which cause also it is called the Truth which is after Godliness Eph. 4. 20 24. With Tit. 1. 1. It gives unto us more perfect Easy and excellent commands and rules then the Law doth however as to the clearness of them It sets before us more excellent and forcible Motives and Arguments on the right hand and on the left to Enforce our Duty It propounds to us the most excellent example of Jesus the Son of God That we might follow his steps and walk as he hath walked And also with it are afforded more abundant and powerful assistances of the grace and spirit of God to work in us both to will and to do of good pleasure That we might do all things without Murmuring and disputings that so we might be blameless and harmless And therefore as our blessed Saviour saith except your Righteousness shall exceed the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees which were the most strait sect of the Jews Religion Act. 26. 5. Ye shall in no Case enter into the Kingdome of Heaven Mat. 5. 19 20 47 48. To whom much is given of them much will be required Luk. 12. 47 48. And we therefore being preferred above the Jews ought to exceed them in all Godliness and Goodness 1 Pet. 1. 10 12 13 18. What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and Godliness Be we then diligent that we may be found of him in Peace without Spot and Blameless 1 Pet. 2. 9 10 12. 2 Pet. 3. 12. 14. And so in a few words the Godliness here commended to us doth contain in it an hearty unfeigned and operative belief of the Gospel and a life Practice suitable thereunto to wit in sincere Holiness Righteousness and Sobriety Rom. 6. 17 18 21. And thus according to my weakness I have briefly shewn what is here meant by Godliness 2. Consider we in the next place what is here Affirmed of Godliness by way of its Commendation And for our encouragement to exercise our selves thereto And that is It is profitable for or unto allthings It is that which is of greatest and most general advantage to them that exercise themselves heartily unto it But before we speak any further thereto we may observe that the Apostle here doth not declare unto us the whole excellency of the Christian Faith and Life or give unto us a Compleat Commendation of it for it is pleasant sweet and grateful also it is as delightful as Gainful as pleasurable as profitable as it is said of Wisdome to wit of Sincere Piety her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace Prov. 3. 13 17. Great peace have they that Love thy Law And nothing shall offend them Psal 119. 165. Believing in Christ with Faith unfeigned they rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1 6 8. And such as uprightly exercise
themselves to the Faith and fear of the Lord may say with the Apostle our rejoycing our glorying is this the Testimony of our Conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity not with fleshly Wisdom but by the grace of God we have had our Conversation in the World c. 2 Cor. 1. 12. And this is that Efficacious Motive and Argument which our Lord Jesus sets before us to perswade and prevail with us to take his yoke upon us and seriously undertake his service namely saith he my yoke is easy sweet gracious and my burden is light Mat. 11. 29 30. As also the applying our hearts and lives to the power of Godliness is the most advancing noble and honourable exercise we can ingage our selves in To you that believe he is an honour 1 Pet. 2 6 7. And when the Wise-man Commends Wisdome and Exhorts and excites us to the diligent pursuit of it saying Wisdom is the principal thing get Wisdom and with all thy gettings get understanding he then propounds this motive and inforcement exalt her and she shall promote thee she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her She shall give to thine head an Ornament of Grace a Crown of glory shall she deliver to thee Hear O my Son and receive my sayings c. Prov. 4. 7 8 10. The reward of humility and of the fear of the Lord is honour even that also which is excellent and durable Prov. 22. 4. 1 Sam. 2. 30. And if the desire of honour and glory have any Influence upon us let us exercise our selves unto that Religion which is pure and undefiled before God and the Father We may Lawfully and Laudably be Ambitious of that Honour which is united with and Entaild upon divine vertue and goodness and in following after godliness we shall thereby attain unto true and abiding honour For God will give glory Honour and Peace unto every man that worketh good Rom. 2. 7 10. Isa 43. 4. 2 Cor. 5. 9. Rom. 2. 28 29. But though Godliness be as we have briefly shewed both Pleasurable and Honourable yet in this place the Apostle asserts the general Profitableness of it to induce us to the hearty exercise of it And gain and advantage is that which is Generally desirable and greatly Valuable and which excites and encourages men to take much paines to run many hazards to endure much hardship and encounter with many difficulties and dangers What makes so many persons take such long and tedious Journeys and Voyages ride through thick and thin expose themselves to the cold and other inconveniences but the hope and expectation of Profit In all labour there is profit eyed designed and pursued Prov. 14. 23. And if men rise up early and sit down late and eat the bread of carefulness for secular gain and advantage much rather should we so mind the great and excellent gain of true Piety as to Apply our selves thereto with all our might and main and endure any hardships in that application that we may be made partakers thereof as the Apostle and his fellow-Labourers did as he signifies to us in the next verse but one to this we are discoursing of saying Therefore because Godliness is so generally and greatly gainful we both labour and suffer reproach 1 Tim. 4. 8 10. And in our working and continued abounding in the work of the Lord our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord 1 Cor. 15. 58. But to this I shall enlarge no further at present because there will be apt occasion to speak more particularly hereto in the following part of the words in which the Apostle doth more distinctly evidence the Truth of what he more indistinctly propounds in the former part saying having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come But now from this Motive as thus generally propounded to move and provoke us to exercise our selves to true Piety we may infer several things which may be useful for us As 1. Seeing this is propounded by the Apostle to perswade us to follow Godliness That it is Profitable unto all things then we may from hence learn that it is no mercenary or base thing but what is well pleasing unto God That we should so mind and consider the gain and Profit of Godliness that we may exercise our selves to the Mystery and Practice of it Indeed when we follow Religion for the advantage promotion and Grandeur of this World only or Principally then we may truly be said to be mercenary and shall no longer appear to be Religious then as that may conduce unto our secular interest and Ambitious designs as before we have said and as the devil falsly and maliciously suggested concerning Job Chap. 1. 9 11. But we may so consider the Real and Eternal gain of true Piety as to quicken Excite and perpetuate our endeavours and Pursuit after pure Reliligion and yet not at all be mercenary in an unworthy sense or Reprovable consideration And that we may Lawfully and allowably have an eye and respect to the advantage and gain of true Piety to engage us to exercise our selves to the serious and constant Practice of it doth appear 1. Because God's people when they have neglected their Duty have been justly reproved for not believing that Religion was their greatest and truest Interest or for not pursuing advantageous things Elihu somewhat severely reproves Job saying Thinkest thou this to be right For thou hast said what advantage will it be unto thee and what profit shall I have if I be cleansed from my sin whereas as he afterwards adds Though we give nothing to God if we be righteous yet our Righteousness will profit the Son of man Job 36. 2 3 7 8. And the Lord himself doth fault and reprove the Priest's and Pastors because they walked after things that did not profit them And he thus expostulates with his people Hath a Nation changed their Gods which yet are no God's But my people have changed their glory their God for that which doth not profit Be astonished O ye Heavens at this and be horribly afraid c. Jer. 2. 8 11 12 13. 2. That to excite us to pursue undefiled Religion we may have an eye at its reward is further evident and evidenced in that God in his promises doth set the gain of it before us to make us truly Pious and if this be to be mercenary to have a respect to the recompence of the reward God makes men so by his assurances and encouragements Thus he saith unto Abram the Father of the saithful fear not I am thine exceeding great reward Gen. 15. 1. My Son saith the holy Spirit Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long for surely there is a reward and thine expectation shall not be cut off Hear thou my Son and be wise and guide thine heart in the way Prov. 23. 17. 18. Touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you and I
promise of that because it is not profitable for us And as with respect to the life to come some may conceive they shall then marry and have their fills of Love and Carnal delights and pleasures as Mat. 22. 28 30. But now Godliness hath not the promise of these sensual and contemptible Enjoyments but of that which is infinitely better of all spiritual and heavenly delights and satisfactions Psal 36. 7 9. Rom. 8. 23. And so it hath the promise of all that which is and only of that which is profitable for us in our present and future state Like unto what the Scripture elsewhere speaks saying the young Lions do lack and suffer hunger but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing Psal 34. 9 10. The Lord God is a Sun and Shield he will give grace and glory no good thing here during the kingdom of his grace or hereafter in the kingdom of his glory will he withhold from them that walk uprightly O Lord of hosts Blessed is and for ever shall be the man that trusteth in thee Psal 84. 10 12. And thus also our Saviour when he excites and encourages his disciples to exercise themselves to pious devotion in addressing themselves unto God saying Ask and ye shall receive seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you He presently after signifies to them what they shall receive and find and so intimately directs them what to ask and seek for to wit that which is really good for them saying unto them if ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him Mat. 7. 7 9 11. Deut. 28. 1 12. To which I shall enlarge no further in this place Now then having premised and noted these three things which deserve our most serious consideration we come to consider and speak unto the Motive and enforcement as it is here more particularly and distinctly exprest and evidenced to us by the Apostle and so Godliness is profitable 1. Having promise of the life that now is of this present frail state we are now upon while we are in this old passing and corruptible world and so it hath the promise of the good things directly appertaining to this passing short and transitory life 2. And it hath the promise of a first-fruits of the life of God or of a new spiritual life which will be compleat and consummate hereafter in our abiding in the saith of our Lord Jesus 1. I say Godliness hath the promise of the life that now is even of the good things more directly appertaining to the continuance and comfort of this short transitory and uncertain life as may appear to us in the following particulars 1. Godliness hath the promise of this life it self and of the continuance of it while it may be for the glory of God and so while it may be truly profitable for them that unfeignedly apply themselves unto the power of Godliness Their times of health and life are in the hands of God as David saith of his and it is not in the power of Satan or of any of their enemies to put an end to their lives when they please Psal 31. 13 15. Indeed in his hand is the soul of every living thing and the breath of all mankind Job 12. 10. Mat. 10. 29 31. But he is especially the Saviour of them that believe 1 Tim. 4. 8 9 10. Job 1. 9 10 and chap. 2. 6. And while the continuance of this life is profitable for them it shall be granted unto them Hence it is observable that when the Psalmist had been saying as we before noted that they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing He then immediately addes come ye children hearken unto me I will teach you the fear of the Lord what man is he that desireth life and loveth days that he may see good and then he directs them to apply themselves to Piety and the fear of the Lord that they may enjoy life as long as it is good for them saying keep thy tongue from evil and thy lips from speaking guile Depart from evil and do good seek peace and pursue it For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous c. Psal 34. 10 12 15. And this assurance encouragement to follow vertue and goodness did not only respect them that lived before our Lord took upon him our nature in which times they had as to the outside of them however more and more frequently temporal blessings set before them and assured to them but the same Motive is made use of by the Apostle Peter since to move and prevail with us to abhor that which is evil and cleave unto and pursue that which is good before God 1 Pet. 3. 10 11 12. Thus also when the Psalmist pronounceth them blessed that exercise love and mercy towards such as are indigent and necessitous saying blessed is he that considereth the poor the weak or sick he then declares this as one partiticular in which a merciful person shall be blessed namely the Lord will preserve him and keep him alive and he shall be blessed upon the earth Psal 41. 1 2. All things are theirs who are Christ's and so particularly life even this present life is theirs also 1 Cor. 3. 21 23. Hence we have such sayings as these in the book of the Proverbs The labour of the righteous tendeth to life Prov. 10. 16. Righteousness tendeth to life chap. 11. 19. The fear of the Lord tendeth to life and he that hath it shall abide satisfied chap. 19. 23. He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life chap. 21. 21. The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord is life chap. 22. 4. All which Proverbs though they may have a principal respect unto a more excellent life than is here enjoyable yet they have also respect unto our enjoyment of this present life while the continuance of it is a mercy to us if we be and abide in the true fear of the Lord. God is the God of the righteous in a peculiar consideration and the God of their lives therefore they need not fear with any fear that hath torment in it 1 Joh 4. 18. What their enemies can do unto them Psal 118 6 9. Heb. 13. 5 6. To this purpose the Psalmist speaks saying the Lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I be afraid Psal 27. 1. And when he was in great afflictions and had many enemies that conspired and endeavoured to destroy him he encouraged himself herein that God was the God of his life Hence when he saith Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy water-spouts all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me He doth then thus comfort himself yet the Lord will command his loving-kindness in the day-time and in the night his Song shall be with
some in Power and Authority under him and was deserted and forsaken by his friends in this eminent time of danger he had then the gracious presence and assistance of him that is faithful of him that is true with him At my first answer saith he no man stood with me but all men forsook me I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge notwithstanding the Lord stood with me and strengthned me And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdome c. 2 Tim. 4. 16 17 18. 5. And when those that live in Godliness and Honesty are in Tribulation he will make them instrumental for his praise and cause them to glorify him in the fires as Isa 24. 12 14. Behold saith the Lord to his afflicted people I have refined thee but not with silver I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction For mine own sake even for mine own sake will I do it for how should my name be polluted Thereby giving us to understand that he therefore cast them into the fire and fornace and thereby refined and purified them that they might be vessels for the finer that they might be to him for a people and for a Name and for a praise and for a glory that they might call on his name and then he promiseth I will hear them I will say it is my people and they shall say Jehovah is my God Isa 48. 10 11. with Zech. 13. 9. And when he sent the upright ones into that severe and long continued Affliction and Captivity in the land of the Caldeans he saith concerning them I have sent them out of this place into the land of the Caldeans for good It was indeed for their own good as we have before noted But it was not onely so but also for the good of them unto whom they were sent that they might shew forth God's praise among them as Isa 43. 21. And therefore we may take notice that the word their is not in the Hebrew Text nor in the Septuagint in Jer. 24. 5. But is put in by the Translators And indeed the upright ones in that grievous and severe Captivity were eminent instruments for the glory of God and for the good of all that were under the Government and Empire of that great King of Babylon which was so large and extensive that all Nations did serve the King thereof Jer. 27. 5 6 8. As we may observe in one or two instances After the three Worthies had refused to worship the golden Image which Nebuchadnezzar the King had set up and were for such refusal by his command cast into the burning fiery furnace and by God's Miraculous and wonderful Power preserved in and delivered out of the fiery furnace without any hurt or harm the King by occasion thereof doth himself bless the onely living and true God and not only so but thus he saith therefore I make a decree That every People Nation and Language which shall speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach Meshach and Abednego shall be cut in pieces and their houses shall be made a dunghill because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort Dan. 3. 22 30. See also ch 41 23. Another instance of the truth hereof was when that vast Empire was Translated to the Medes and Persians the Nobles and Rulers under King Darius procured a decree and interdict to be made and sealed that whosoever should ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days save of the King should be cast into the Den of Lions Daniel the man greatly beloved of God was presently found and declared a Transgressour of and by this Law The unwary King though greatly unwilling is forc't as it were to consent that Daniel should suffer the penalty for the Transgression of that interdict he is cast into the Den of Lyons but God sent his Angel and shut the Lyons Mouthes that they hurt him not and he was taken out of the Den safe and sound Then King Darius wrote unto all People Nations and Languages that dwell in all the earth Peace be multiplyed unto you I make a decree that in every aominion of my Kingdome men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel for he is the living God and stedfast for ever and his Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed and his dominion shall be even unto the end c. Jer. 24. 5. with Dan. 6. 7 10 26 27. By all which it plainly appears what Eminent instruments of God's praise the sincerely pious ones have been and of great Good unto others when they have been under great persecution and so Afflictions and Tryals were profitable unto themselves in conclusion And the Apostle writing to the believing Philippians saith I would ye should understand brethren that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the Gospel so that my bonds for Christ are manifest in all the Pallace and in all other places And many of the brethren in the Lord waxing confident by my bonds are much more bold to speak the word without fear Phil. 1. 12 13 14. 6. And lastly as to this matter God hath promised that he will in due season deliver them out of their Tribulations and afflictions And he will faithfully perform what he hath so promised The righteous cry and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all their troubles many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivereth him out of them all Psal 34. 17 19. The Salvation of the righteous is of the Lord he is their strength in the time of trouble And the Lord will help them and deliver them he will deliver them from the wicked and save them because they trust in him Psal 37. 39 40. and 91. 14 15. 2 Tim. 4. 18. By all which it doth evidently appear that God will make profitable unto them and cause all the afflictions which he orders to work together for the good of them who are undefiled in the way and walk in the Law of the Lord. Thus we have spoken somewhat unto the promise of this life which Godliness hath as to the things more directly appertaining to the good and benefit thereof and shall now proceed on to what follows to wit 2. Godlinèss hath also the promise of the life that now is namely that in exercising our selves thereto he will while we are in this world bless us with spiritual blessings with those blessings which more directly conduce to the life prosperity and advantage of the inner-man the most Noble and excellent part of man And indeed what we have been speaking of afflictions and of the profit and advantage of them is to be understood as with respect to the soul and inner-man especially but having spoken so largely of them before I shall add no more thereto But we may say he will now justify them freely by his grace
for Heaven and Earth to pass than one tittle of the Law to faile Luke 16. 17. And when the Rich man in the Parable said unto Abraham I pray thee therefore Father that thou wouldest send Lazarus to my Fathers House for I have five Brethren that he may testify unto them lest they also come unto this place of Torment Abraham then saith unto him They have Moses and the Prophets let them hear them Intimating plainly that they gave sufficient notice of a future State that those that heard them might avoid that dismal place of Torment Psal 9. 17. and 49. 14 15. And he said nay Father Abraham But if one went unto them from the dead they will Repent And be said unto him If they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the dead And the same may be more fully affirmed concerning them that will not believe our Lord Jesus and his holy Apostles Luke 16. 27 29 31. with Heb. 2. 1 3. and chap. 10. 28 29 31. and chap. 12. 18 25 29. And so much for that first and most material evidence 2. That there is a Life to come a future State to be entred upon when this present Frail one is ended is evidenced also by some Instances of the Truth hereof which are mentioned in the Holy Scriptures Thus it is said of Enoch That He walked with God and he was not For God took him Or as the Apostle saith By Faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death and was not found because God translated him to wit from Earth to Heaven for before his Translation he had this Testimony that he pleased God But without Faith it is impossible to please him Now if there be not a future State to be entred upon when this present one is ended and a better Life to be enjoyed by such as please God when they depart out of this then Enoch had fared the worse for his very signal and eminent Holiness For he was the shortest liver in this World by far of any of them mentioned in Gen. 5. And doubless God removed him to a far better place and state to give assurance to others that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him And this Instance of a future Blessed State was the more considerable before the Scriptures were written that the World might know that it is no vain thing to serve and please the Lord Gen. 5. 22 24. with Heb. 11. 5 6. And as the Son of Sirach saith Enoch pleased the Lord God therefore was he translated for an ensample of Repentance to the Generations Ecclus 44. 16. And again Upon the Earth was no man created like Enoch for he was taken up from the Earth chap. 49. 14. Thus it is also said of Elijah There appeared a Chariot of fire and Horses of fire and parted Elisha and him asunder and Elijah went up by a whirl-wind into Heaven and Elisha saw it and he cryed My Father my Father c. 2 King 2. 9 11 12. And many hundred of years after this even when our Lord Jesus was upon the Earth Moses and Elias were with him when he was transfigured As it is said Behold there talked with Christ two men which were Moses and Elias who appeared in Glory and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem And Peter James and John a competent number of credible Witnesses Saw the two men that stood with our Lord. And Peter said unto Jesus Master it is good for us to be here or as some that we Remain here And let us make three Tabernacles one for thee and one for Moses and one for Elias c. Luk. 9. 30 31 32 33. Our Lord also who was not in Appearance only but really dead John 19. 33 34. And who continued untill the third day in the Grave was then Raised again from the Dead in that very individual Body in which he was Crucified Dead and Buried Luk. 24. 38 40. John 20. And unto his holy Apostles He shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs being seen of them forty dayes and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God Act. 1. 3. Yea he was not only seen of his Apostles but also of above five hundred Brethren at once 1 Cor. 15. 6. And after his Resurrection and after his Remaining forty dayes upon the Earth While his Apostles beheld he was taken up to wit into Heaven And unto his Disciples two Angels said Ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing up into Heaven This same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven Act. 1. 9 10 11. And some considerable time after this the Holy Man and Martyr Stephen saw him in Heaven For it is said He being full of the Holy Ghost looked up stedfastly into Heaven and saw the Glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God and said Behold I see the Heavens opened and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God And this good confession he witnessed before those Who gnashed on him with their Teeth and presently after stoned him Act. 7. 54 55 56 59. And after this again the Lord Jesus Appeared unto Saul in the way Act. 9. 15. and was seen by him Hence he saith Am I not an Apostle Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord 1 Cor. 9. 1. And saith he Last of all he was seen of me also as of one born out of due time 1 Cor. 15. 8. Act. 22. 8 14 15. and chap. 26. 11 16. And himself by his Angel thus speaketh unto St. John saying I am he that liveth and was dead and behold I am alive for evermore Amen This is a true and Faithful saying And therefore worthy of all acceptation Rev. 1. 18. and chap. 2. 8. So that we have full assurance and infallible proof given us of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and of his enjoyment of an everlasting and endless Life in the nature of man Heb. 7. 16 17. And this Instance is the most Considerable of all because he died and rose as a Publick Man as the last Adam He by the grace of God tasted death for every man And rose again for their justification and is become the Resurrection and the Life John 11. 25. He is a quickning Spirit In and by whom All shall be made Alive after they are dead 1 Cor. 15. 45. with ver 21 22. And the very end of his dying and rising and reviving was that he might Lord it over quick and dead and be Judge of all Rom. 14. 9 12. And saith the Apostle Paul God now commandeth all men every where to Repent Because he hath appointed a day in which he will Judge the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him
6. is ratified and made sure by the most precious blood of Christ as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot Indeed the first Testament was confirmed and Dedicated with blood For Moses took the blood of Calves and of Goats with water and Hysop and sprinkled the book saying This is the blood of the Testament which God hath enjoyned unto you Exod. 24. 3 8. with Heb. 9. 18 20. But this better and far more excellent Covenant and Promise which is entail'd on sincere Piety is ratified and established by the blood of the Son of God who is the Mediatour of it Thus when our Lord Jesus instituted his Supper in the night in which he was betrayed He took the Cup and gave it unto his Disciples saying Drink ye all of it for this is my Blood of the New Testament which is shed for many for the Remission of Sins Matth. 26. 27 28. This Testament of exceeding great and precious Promises is confirmed by the Blood of himself who is the Testator For where a Testament is there must also of necessity be brought in the Death of the Testator For a Testament is of force after men are dead otherwise it is of no strength at all while the Testator liveth Heb. 9. 16 17. Hence this Covenant is called The New Testament in his Blood Luke 22. 20. 1 Cor. 11. 25. And his Blood is said to be The Blood of the New Testament or Covenant Mark 14. 24. Heb. 10. 29. and the Blood of the everlasting Covenant Heb. 13. 20. And our Lord Jesus who hath obtained sealed and ratified this New Testament with his own Death is raised again from the Dead and is now Alive a 〈…〉 ives for evermore and is the Mediator 〈…〉 is New Covenant to see to the faithful Execution and Performance of his own last Will and Testament As the Apostle saith And for this cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament That by means of Death for the Redemption of the Transgressions that were under the First Testament They which are called to wit called according to purpose so as they unfeignedly obey the call might receive the Promise of the eternal Inheritance Heb. 9. 14 15. So that the Promise being thus Confirmed by the Oath of the ever-living and eternally unchangeable God and by the Blood of the eternal and Immutable Son of God Heb. 13. 7 8. appears hereby to be a faithful and true saying and therefore as we have said is worthy of all hearty and honourable Acceptation and Entertainment from us all To conclude all then in a few words Let us all so carefully and seriously minde and consider the General Gainfulness of sincere Piety and Goodness both in this present State which we are now in and in that future and eternal State which we must hereafter enter upon which is fully and abundantly evidenced in this that it hath the Promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come And that the Author and Maker of this Prom 〈…〉 s the living God the Incorruptible God the most Merciful most Powerful and Faithful God And that this Promise is ascertained and confirmed by his most solemn Oath to shew unto the Heirs of his Promise the Immutability of his Counsel and that it is also Ratified and Established by the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday and to day and for ever Heb. 13. 7 8. And who ever liveth to see to the performance of his Covenant and Promise Heb. 1. 10 12. that we may resolvedly and constantly deny Impiety and all sinful and worldly lusts and affections by the aid and assistance of the Spirit of Grace lest we come short of enjoying the Benefit and advantage of this excellent and most beneficial promise as Heb. 4. 1. And let us uprightly and perseveringly follow after and exercise our selves not to the Form only or mainly but to the Power and Practice of real Godliness that so we may have an Interest in and an enjoyment of The Gain and Advantage of Godliness both now in this present Day and to the Day of Eternity O let us not by observing lying Vanities which cannot save us from evil nor satisfy us with good forsake our own Mercies God hath Inseparably joyned together our Duty and our Interest that we cannot Possibly have the Latter unless we sincerely perform the Former nor can we heartily exercise our selves to the Former but we shall without all doubt be made Partakers of the Latter What God therefore hath so joyned together let no man fondly imagine or foolishly endeavour to put asunder As by annexing and assuring this general and most valuable advantage to Godliness God doth Intimate our backwardness to exercise our selves thereto and our averseness therefrom So in that he proposes and promises such a Reward to Piety He doth plainly give us to understand that it is his gracious Mind and Will that we should be Good and Pious that we may be truly Blessed and Happy We must indeed take Christs Yoak upon us and unseignedly undertake his service if we will meet with and find Refreshing to our Souls But that we may heartily and willingly so do He doth assure us that it is an easie that it is a gainful one and so draws us to take the Yoke upon us with the Bands and Cords of Profit and Advantage both Earthly and Heavenly And thus he did allure his people in former times to the well-pleasing service of him by assuring them that it would conduce unto their own Advantage and Interest And now saith he by Moses What doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to fear the Lord thy God to walk in all his wayes and to love him and to serve the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul to keep the Commandments of the Lord and his Statutes which I command thee this day for thy Good But for what Good should they do this surely for their present and for their future good for their earthly and for their heavenly advantage And so much may be signified in what immediately follows with a note of attention perfixed thereto namely Behold the Heaven and the Heaven of Heavens is the Lords thy God the Earth also with all that therein is Deut. 10. 12 13 14. O then Let us Exercise our selves unto Godliness For Godliness is profitable unto all things having promise of the Life that now is and of that which is to come This is a Faithful saying and worthy of all Acceptation THE END Books to be Sold by Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and three Crowns in Cheapside A Hundred select Sermons on several Texts by Tho. Horton D. D. Sermons on 4 select Psalms viz. 4th 42 51 63. by Tho. Horton D. D. Mr. Baxters Christian Directory Sermons on the whole Epistle of Saint Paul to the Collossians by Mr. J. Daille translated into English by F. S. with Dr. Tho. Goodwins and Dr. John Owens
Epistles Recommendatory An Exposition of Christs Temptation on Matth. 4. and Peters Sermon to Cornelius and circumspect walking By Dr. Tho Taylor A Practical Exposition on the 3d. Chapter of the first Epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians with the Godly mans choice on Psalm 4. v. 6 7 8. by Anthony Burgess Dr. Donns 40 Sermons being his 3 Volumes Pareus Exposition on the Revelations General Martyrologia with the Lives of 32 English Divines by Sam. Clark All four Published by Dr. Titus Oates A Narrative of the Horrid Popish Plot. A Narrative of Knox and Lane The Witch of Endor Popes Ware-house Robert Jenneson Esq His Narrative Dugdales Narrative Mr. Tho. Dangerfields of the Sham Presbyterian Plot. Smiths Account of the 14 Popish Malefactors in Newgate Animadversions on the 5 Jesuits Speeches The Excommunicated Prince a Tragedy as it was acted by his Holinesses Servants By Captain William Bedlow .. Protestant Conformist plea for moderation A Conference between a Bensalian Bishop and an English Doctor concerning Church Government A Caution to all English Protestants A Lenetive for the Clergie Broughtons Works published by Dr. Lightfoot Books 4to The Door of Salvation opened by the Key of Regeneration By George Swinnock M. A. An Antidote against Quakerism by Stephen Scandret An Exposition of the five first Chapters of Ezekiel with usefull observations thereupon by William Greenhil The Gospel Covenant opened by Pet. Bulkley Gods holy Mind touching matters Moral which he uttered in ten Commandments Also an Exposition on the Lords Prayer by Edward Elton B. D. The fiery Jesuit or an Historical Collection of the rise encrease doctrines and deeds of the Jesuits exposed to view for the sake of London Horologiographia optica Dyaling universal and particular speculative and practical together with a Description of the Court of Arts by a new Method by Sylvanus Morgan Regimen sanitatis salemi or the Regiment of Health containing Directions and instructions for the guide and government of mans life A seasonable Apology for Religion by Matthew Pool Seperation no Schism in answer to a Sermon preached before the Lord Mayor by J. S. The Practical Divinity of the Papist discovered to be destructive to true Religion and mens Souls by J. Clarkson A Case of Conscience viz. whether it be lawful for any person to act contrary to the opinion of his own Conscience formed from arguments that to him appear very probable though not necessary or demonstrative by Dr. Collings The Creatures goodness as they came out of Gods hand and the good-mans mercy to the bruit-Creatures in two Sermons by Tho. Hodges B. D. Certain Considerations tending to promote Peace and Unity among Protestants Mediocria or the most plain and natural apprehensions which the Scripture offers concerning the great Doctrines of the Christian Religion of Election Redemption the Covenant the Law and Gospel and Perfection Funeral Sermons Mr. James Janeway by Nath. Vincent The Lady Susanna Keate's by Richard Kidder M. A. Mr. Cautons by Mr. Henry Hurst and Mr. Nath. Vincent Mr. Sorrels by Mr. Benj. Smith Mr. Wadsworth by Mr. R. Bragg Mr. Newcomens by Mr. Fairson Mr. Thomas Vincents by Mr. Slater Mr. Corbets by Mr. Richard Baxter Mr. Bakers by Mr. Nath. Vincent Mr. Marshalls by Mr. Tomlins Mr. Johnsons by Mr. Loid Mrs. Fishers by Mr. Scot. Dr. Whittakers by Dr. Annesly Mr. Wells by Mr. Thomas Watson Mr. Stubs by Mr. Watson Mr. Stubs by Mr Richard Baxter Hodges Vanity of man as mortal Mrs. Lyes by Mr. Lamb. Vertuous Daughter by Brion Sir Thomas Viners by Dr. Spurslow Mr. Perns by Ainsworth Work and Reward of a Christian by R. Raworth Mr. Wests Funeral Sermon by Mr. Cole Mr. Webbs by Mr. David Burges Baxters which is the true Church Hodges Creatures goodness Naked Truth Doolitles Protestants Answ to a Popish Quest Mr. Kidders Charity directed Scholars address against Pluralities Dr. Crossmans Sermon Humphrys peaceable disquisitions Hodges considerations to promote peace An Endeavour for Peace among Protestants A conference between a Papist and a Jew and a Protestant and a Jew An Essay for the Education of Gentlewomen A warning for Servants or the Case of Margaret Clark An Answer to Dr. Stilling fleets Sermon by the peaceable design A Discourse of Pluralities A Discourse of Excommunication The middle way of Predetermination Popery an Enemy to Truth by Mr. Sheldreck Dr. Dumoulins conformity of Independent Government to the Antient Primitive Christians Excommunication Excommunicated in a Dialogue between a Doctor of both Laws The Case of the Protestants in England under a Popish Prince A rebuke to Informers A modest Inquiry into Dr. Stilling fleet Historical mistakes The State of Blessedness An Answer to Dr. Stilling fleets Book by J. H. Liberty of Conscience in order to universal peace The Lords voice crying to England Life of Herod the Great A Manifesto or an Account of the State and differences between the King of Denmark and Norway and the Duke of Slesmick Phelps Innocencies reward Materials for Union A sheet of Union Rosses Mestogogus Poaeticus Phelps on the Revelations Gilaspys Ark of the Covenant Present State of New England Dr. Collings of Providence Froysells Sermons of Grace and Temptations Yarringtons Englands Improvement First part Idem second part Meaning of the Revelation by John Hayter The Morning-Lecture against Popery or the principal errors of the Church of Rome detected and confuted in a Morning-Lecture preached by several Ministers of the Gospel in or near London Four useful discourses 1 The art of improving a full and prosperious condition for the glory of God being an appendix to the art of Contentment in three Sermons on Philip. 4. 12. 2 Christian submission on 1 Sam. 3. 18. Philip. 1. 21. 4 The Gospel of peace sent to the sons of peace in six Sermons on Luke 10. 5 6. by Jeremiah Burroughs Dr. Wilds Letter of Thanks and Poems A new Copy-Book of all sorts of useful hands The new World or new-reformed Church by Doctor Homes The Vertuous Daughter a Funeral Sermon by Mr. Brian The Miracle of Miracles or Christ in our Nature by Dr. Rich. Sibbs The unity and essence of the Catholick Church visible by Mr. Hudson Brightman on Revelations Canticles and Daniel Canaans Calamity The intercourse of Divine Love between Christ and the Church or the particular Beleiving soul in several Lectures on the whole second Chap. of Cant. by John Collins D. D. Large 8vo The sure mercies of David by Nath. Heywood Heaven or Hell here in a Good or Bad Conscience by Nath. Vincent Closet-Prayer a Christians duty all three by O. Heywood A practical discourse of Prayer wherein is handled the nature and duty of Prayer by Tho. Cobbet Of quenching the Spirit the evil of it in respect both of its causes and effects discovered by Theophilus Poiwheile The sure way to Salvation or a Treatise of the Saints mystical Union with Christ by Richard Stedman M. A. Sober Singularity by the same Author Heaven taken by Storm by Tho. Watson
me and my prayer unto the God of my life Psal 42. 7 8 9 11. Object But against what hath been last said some may Object and say But are not godly persons oftentimes short-liv'd in this world are not their days as few in number as other mens are and sometimes fewer are they not untimely removed out of this world as well as those that live ungodly Answ To this objection I shall desire to return some answer in these following particulars Namely 1. Sometimes such as are godly in the main may be guilty of some great and provoking miscarriages and thereby procure to themselves an untimely cutting off and so they may say of themselves as good King Hezekiah did of himself namely our age is departed and is removed from us as a shepheards Tent we have cut off like a Weaver our lives Isa 38. 11 12. Thus it was with Moses and Aaron those two eminently holy ones because they believed not God to sanctify him in the eyes of the Children of Israel therefore said the Lord to them ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them Numb 20. 11 24. Though he forgave their iniquities yet he took vengeance of their inventions as Psal 99. And doubtless many of them whose Carcases fell in the wilderness and who were cut off before their time were good men in the main and yet were cut off for their unbelief Numb 14. Whence the Apostle admonishes the believers to be warned by their harmes and miscarriages Heb. 3. and chap. 4. 1 11. And when David out of a prudential consideration was dumb with silence and held his peace even from good then God threatned to cut him off by his afflicting hand which made him cry out unto God for mercy saying remove thy stroke away from me I am consumed by the blow of thine hand O spare me a little that I may recover strength before I go hence and be no more Psal 39. Job 36. 17 21. But now this nothing opposes what we have been speaking of for these and such like plous persons were not so punished or untimely removed because they exercised themselves to godliness but because at some times they did not exercise themselves thereto but did partake with others in their sins and so did partake with them in their judgments here that they might not be condemned with the world hereafter as Rev. 18. 4. 1 Cor. 11. 30 31 32. And thus it hath fared and may do so again with many such as were good persons in the main 2. Sometimes God in mercy removes good persons before he pours out some heavy Judgments on the Nation or place in which they lived so the Lord saith concerning Abijah the Son of Jeroboam King of Israel concerning whom the Prophet in the name of the Lord saith all Israel shall mourn for him for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave because in him there is found some good thing toward the Lord God of Israel 1 King 14. 1 13. And the same may be said in part concerning that very excellent and good Prince King Josiah concerning whom the Lord saith Behold I will gather thee to thy fathers and thou shall be gathered to thy grave in peace neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place and upon the Inhabitants of the same 2 Chron. 34. 26 27 28. And to this purpose some understand those words of the Lord spoken by the Prophet Isaiah namely Come my people enter thou into thy Chambers and shut thy doors about thee hide thy self as it were for a little moment until the indignation be over-past For behold the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity c. Isa 26. 20 21. with Job 14. 13. Or God may in much mercy remove some Timerous and feeble-minded upright-hearted ones before a day of Fiery Tryal come which might be too hot and too heavy for them lest they should put forth their hand to iniquity to save themselves and secure themselves from such sufferings Psal 125. 3. So our Lord Jesus speaking to the Angel of the Church in Philadelphia which had but a little strength saith Because thou hast kept the word of my patience I also will keep thee from the hour of Temptation which shall come upon all the world c. Rev. 3. 8 9 10. Now in such Cases or in others of a like nature it would not be good for them which are so removed to have their lives longer continued to them but it is profitable for them to be taken away Isa 57. 1 2. 3. Sometimes pious men are taken out of this world as a gracious reward of their more Eminent piety and abundant goodness that is found with them above what is found with others As by reason of the great and more hainous wickedness committed by some evil men their iniquity is more speedily full and they are in judgment untimely cut off even before they have lived out half their days Psal 55. 21. Eccl. 7. 17. So also on the other hand some pious persons may in much mercy to themselves be removed and taken out of this world into a better before old age and decrepid years come upon them Thus Enoch was the shortest liver by far of all mentioned in Gen. 5. But the very reason of his being so early removed from hence was his signal and more abundant piety and goodness Enoch walked with God and he was not for God took him Gen. 5. 22 24. with Heb. 11. 5 6. To which things I shall not though I might further enlarge But to conclude this particular as I have said so again I say godliness hath the promise of this life of the life it self namely of the continuance thereof while the only wise God judges it good and profitable for them 2. And in order to the preservation and continuance of this natural life while it may be useful and good for them godliness hath the promise of needful provision for them that sincerely exercise themselves thereunto and are diligent in their lawful vocation Trade or way of Imployment Indeed God out of his general mercy and bounty doth provide for all man-kind during the day of his grace and patience the Lord is good to all and his tender mercies are over all his works for the good of mankind Psal 145. 8 9 17. He giveth food to all flesh for his mercy endureth for ever Psal 136. 25. He maketh his Sun to Rise upon the evil as well as upon the good and he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil Mat. 5. 44 45 48. Luk. 6. 35 36. He left not himself without witness towards the Heathen but did them good and gave them rain from heaven and fruitful seasons filling their hearts with food and gladness Act. 14. 16 17. and chap. 17. 24 28. But now as with respect to them that serve him acceptably with