salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth observe it Sanctification and Salvation have an inseparable Connexion Saints in the Old Testament and in the New have the same spirit of faith 2 Cor. 4.13 This animates all the Members of Christ running through the Veins of his mystical Body 2 Cor. 1.22 and this is the seal and earnest of our future inheritance Eph. 1.13 14. To be sure God will not lose his Earnest or throw it to Hell 4. Saints shall be gathered together to Christ because they are all wrapt in the same Bond of the Everlasting Covenant it s called the bond of the covenant Ezek. 20.37 And by this Covenant all the Saints become one stick in the Lords hand Ezek. 37.17 Suppose abundance of Twigs be bound up together yet they all make up but one Rod many Stones make but one building many Inhabitants make but one City or Kingdom All Saints are fellow citizens Eph. 2.19 20 21 22. God will not part them either in this or in the other World Sincere and persevering Souls shall all meet before the Throne to sing Hallelujahs with harmonious Melody All the Saints through the World are Children of the same Father God yea they that are of faith are children of Abraham Gal. 3.7 In a Spiritual Sense one houshold of faith Gal. 6.10 fellow heirs of the same body Eph. 3.6 fellow servants Col. 1.7 brethren in Christ faithful brethren Col. 1.2 fellow citizens with the Saints Eph. 2.19 and of the houshold of God Such special Relation calls for this Congregating No doubt they must be gathered together at last CHAP. VII Inferences from this Doctrine of Saints being gathered together THE Improvement I shall make of this Point shall be 1st for Doctrine or information of our Minds and Judgments in these Ten Inferences and Consectaries 1. That God is Omniscent and Omnipotent known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world Acts 15.18 He is infinite in Knowledge and Wisdom that takes account of the meanest Creatures and he is of infinite Power to gather them up these are the Lord's People and his Inheritance which he hath brought out by his mighty power and stretched out arm Deut 9.29 As God brought his Israel out of Egypt so he laid out the same Power in bringing them into Canaan so the same Power that converted Sinners will also save them for they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation 1 Pet. 1.5 2. That Jesus Christ is a compleat Saviour He is able to save to the uttermost Heb. 7.25 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 every way to all intents and purposes Soul and Body in all cases difficulties conditions in all Dispensations Yet it hath a further meaning He is able to save totally finally perfectly and perpetually so as none shall need to come after him to finish what he hath begun yet further He saves so as he shall never cease to be a Saviour to all Eternity For though he finished his suffering Work on Earth and his crowning Work at the great Day of Judgment yet the God-injoying Work shall be by him through the Ages of Eternity as he shall be lookt on as the Authour so he will be the Object of their Happiness and embrace them in the Arms of his Love for evermore 3. That Death is not terrible to a gracious Person It s true to Nature it may well be called the king of terrours Job 18.14 it is a dissolving of this compound Man but it is the shell and cloathing of the Soul that 's laid by an Elementary composition that 's dissolved the Soul is thereby set at liberty and takes its flight into another World a World of Spirits A better State then here Death is but a bridge a portal that opens the Door to Heaven Christ hath unstung Death perfumed the Grave and made it a means of Manumission into the blessed Society of God Angels and Saints thousands better then we are gone who are we to be exempted It s no untrodden Path our best Friends are above let us not be afraid to follow them 4. That Heaven is a capacious place all the Saints in the Old Testament are gone thither and Millions in New-Testament days are mounted to Glory an hundred forty four thousand of all the Tribes of Israel and a great multitude which no man could number Rev. 7.49 Moses and Elias came from Heaven at Christ's Transfiguration Abraham in glory and all his spiritual Off-spring which makes a vast number yet there 's room enough left in those extracted Mansions above How small a point is this habitable World compared with Heaven where there is innumerable company of Angels and spirits of just Men made perfect Heb. 12.22 Yet none refused or kept out that are written in the lambs book of life Heaven is capable of entertaining all the Son 's of God it is a this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 universal Receptacle for all Pilgrims and Strangers here on the Earth Heb. 11.13 5. No unclean thing shall enter Heaven Nothing that defileth no Dogs shall tread on that golden Pavement Rev. 21.27 Chap. 22.15 without are dogs as large as it is wicked graceless Sinners shall not creep or croud into it our Lord keeps the Keys of Paradice in his own Hands he cannot be guilty of an over sight for his Eyes are like a flame of fire Rev. 2.18 none can give him the slip undiscrepâ—bly he knows them that are his and he disowns others For without holiness no Man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 Grace and Glory go hand in hand unconverted Sinners can no sooner enter Heaven continuing so then Devils or damned Souls Persons must be gathered by Conversion or not gathered by Salvation 6. Saints glorified shall retain their Intellection and some kind of Sensation as they shall intuitively see God know as they are known Mat. 5.8 1 Cor. 13 12. discern spiritual Mysteries more clearly then ever So they shall have some kind of sense and feeling from whence come Love Joy Delight for the Soul wants not the exercise of its essential Faculties for want of bodily Organs These opperations of the Soul in Flesh are but imperfect shadows of that Intellection and volition above and so of that excellent Sense and Affections of Love and Joy which we now cannot clearly conceive of here below See this fully in Mr. Baxter's Dying Thoughts page 201. 7. The Saints in Heaven will know one another as the Disciples knew Moses and Elias and those that never saw one anothers Faces in this World shall meet together with great content and this shall be no small part of their Happiness when they shall say there stands holy Enoch righteous Noah grieving Lot believing Abraham upright David patient Job penitent Peter zealous Paul the beloved lovely Disciple John victorious Champions and my glorious Companions for ever And we together are perfected and glorified Oh happy day
Mystical as Members of the same mystical Body Eph. 5.30 or Ecclesiastical These Converts are said to be added to the Church and have mutual external Fellowship Acts 2.41.42 Thus Paul when converted assayed to joyn himself to the Disciples Acts 9.26 Acts 17.4 And others consorted with Paul and Silas and indeed 't is natural for a Child of God to desire yea and delight in the Society of the Saints thence the Apostle mentions the Philippians fellowship in the gospel Phil. 1.5 from the first day until now mark it it was early and permanent A good Man knows not how to go to Heaven alone They must go forth by the foot-steps of the flock Song 1.8 6. and are like a company of horses in Pharaohs chariot So amiable profitable and pleasant is Christian Society 4. Do you lay to Heart the scatterings of Christians Zeph. 3.18 I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn Assembly who are of thee to whom the reproach of it was a burthen This scattering is either by Persecution or Dissention 1st If Enemies prevail and break up the Saints solemn meetings God's poor Children lay it deeply to Heart hence such lamentable complaints and expostulations of God's People Psal 143.4 Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary Isa 64.9 12. This was one Ingredient of Judah's Lamentation that the ways of Zion mourn and God's People did mourn with her Lam. 1.4 7. Such sympathy speaks kindly bowels and moves God's Heart and possibly in this World they may be gathered however in the other Isa 66.10 Rejoyce ye with Jerusalem and be glad with her all ye that love her rejoyce for joy with her all ye that mourn for her Sions Friends shall partake of Sions Comforts 2dly Such as grieve for the Divisions of the Church within her self Judg. 5.15 16. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart great searchings of heart O the sad Contentions and Animosities that have risen up in the Church in all Ages and the pious and peaceable Members thereof have been grievously afflicted therewith Sometimes upon Personal sometimes Doctrinal differencess have rent the Bowels thereof and rent the Hearts of publick-uniting Spirits and they have almost despaired of seeing an End of them in this World till they arrive in the place where Luther and Calvin are made perfect Friends and all the Saints shall be of one Mind Mourners for these Breaches shall be perfectly cured and comforted Isa 51.11 Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return and come with singing unto Zion and everlasting joy shall be upon their head they shall obtain gladness and joy and sorrow and mourning shall flee away 5. Do you follow the Army of Martyrs in bearing your Cross and preparedness to suffer for Christ hâc fitur ad astra This way have all the Saints gone to Heaven this is the established enacted Law of Heaven If any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me Mat. 16.24 Acts 14.22 We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God Heaven is taken by Storm and the gracious Soul is resolved to go through Storms For Persecution and Evangelii genius the common constant Lot of all the Saints 2 Tim. 3.12 All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution Yea but the Christian is not appaled with nor ashamed of the Cross of Christ nay he takes pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in necessities in persecutions in distresses for Christ's sake 2 Cor. 12.10 Nay he glories in the Cross and in the marks of the Lord Jesus Gal. 6.14.17 as much as an Old Soldier in his Wounds received in the Wars As the poor Woman in the Book of Martyrs thought it a piece of Honour and Happiness that her Foot was put in the same Hole of the Stocks wherein Mr. Philpot's had been before So the Christian rejoyceth to follow that blessed Army of Martyrs to Heaven not meerly by an Apish Imitation from a good Conceit they have of them 2 Cor. 4.13 but having the same spirit of Faith they make their Profession and endure Opposition whatever it cost onwards he will though he die in the Conflict he sees a Crown attending him and so gathers strength by every bout yea by every foil as it was said of Rome Roma cladibus animosior that every Battel yea every slaughter of Men made her more couragious So it is with the conflicting Soul none of these things move him Acts 20.24 that startle others but animate him with more Courage in his Christian Warfare and Voyage through this boisterous Sea to the Haven of Rest Is it thus with you 6. Do you daily make Proficiency in Grace Are you marching on in your Christian course adding daily some Cubits to your Spiritual stature There 's no standing still in Heaven's Road non progredi est regredi not to go forward is to go backward Paul saith I press toward the mark for the Prize of the high Calling of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3.14 Nothing would serve him on this side Perfection Ver. 11. He longs after that pitch of Grace he shall attain to in the Resurrection The sincere Christian grows brighter and better as the shining Light Prov. 4.18 that shineth more and more unto the perfect day Where there is Truth there will be Growth Grace is like a Grain of Mustard-Seed the Christian never thinks he hath grown enough he is still perfecting Holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 getting Ground daily of the Body of Death This is their Duty this is their Property this is what the Apostle earnestly prays for 1 Thess 3.12 13. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one towards another and towards all men c. I would saith the Saint be holier than the holiest Saint on Earth Eph 3.8 but judge my self lesser than the least of all Saints O that I were perfectly free from Sin O that my Blossoms of Grace were ripe Fruit O that I could increase with the increase of God! Col. 2.19 2 Thess 1.13 Let my Faith grow exceedingly to full assurance let my Love grow to delight in God my Repentance be more Evangelical my Hope more fixed my Fear more filial my Obedience more universal and all my Graces more lively and my whole Man more conformable to Christ the perfect Pattern of Holiness Oh that I could go from strength to strength Psal 84.7 till in Zion I appear before God 7. What blessed Instinct inclines you Heaven-wards Heavy things move downwards light things upwards every thing moves towards its Center The Church is compared to pillars of Smoak Cant. 3.6 still mounting towards its proper Element John 3.3 So the Christian is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 born from above and naturally inclines to things above
together in one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is very emphatical it signifies to recapitalate or recollect or reduce all to an Head it implies that mankind by Sin is separated from God disjointed one from another the Members scattered just like an old ruinous House that 's fallen All the pieces thereof are gone asunder till the workman come and set them together and rear up a stately Fabrick of the old Materials Man hath not lost the faculties of his Soul by the fall but the rectitude thereof Gen. 6.5 Gen. 3.8 Luke 15. All the imaginations of Man's heart are become evil He hath banish't himself from God into a foreign Country In a natural Sense Acts 17.27 God is not far from every one of us But in a moral Sense God and unconverted Sinners are at a great distance Eph. 2.13 Chap. 4.18 they are far off alienated from the life of God but Grace brings Sinners from their wanderings The Spirit in the word unites them by a blessed cement in an efficacious manner and that he that is joined to the Lord is one Spirit 1 Cor. 6.17 And the Blood of Christ unites God and the Soul meritoriously O blessed conjunction Oh Eph. 2.13 22. happy meeting God hath found out a way in the Gospel to gather together the outcasts of Israel Isa 56.8 Alass we are all as Sheep going astray Isa 40.11 John 10.16 but our Lord gathers the lambs into his armes and brings them into fold Jews and Gentiles make one fold For saith the Apostle Paul ye are all the Children of God by faith in Christ Jesus Gal. 3.26 Faith makes a mistical Union Love a Moral Eph. 4.15 But speaking the truth in love or teaching it in love may grow up into him in all things which is the head even Christ Oh this this is the foundation of all the rest conversion is the first collection 2. God gathers his Saints by Death to himself It s said of Abraham that he should be gathered to his Fathers in peace Gen. 15.15 and he was gathered to his people Gen. 25.8 Interpreters observe that this is usually applyed in Scripture to good Men and it refers to the Soul that they go to their godly progenitors Gen. 25.17 Gen. 49.29 and because this is applied to Ishmael therefore the Jews think he was a Penitent But however Num. 20.24 Chap. 27.13 the Phrase is applied most ordinarily to good Men as Jacob and of Aaron of Moses of Josiah 't is said 2 Kings 22.20 I will gather thee to thy Fathers and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace It s true he died in Battle but in peace with God and was translated into the everlasting peace with the Saints this is the way of Divine Providence to carry his Children through a tempestuous Sea into an Haven of Rest they shall not always be tormented with Satan's temptations the Worlds oppositions their own corruptions but when they have done their work here in this wary World they shall enter into peace they shall rest in their beds each one walking in his uprightness Isa 57.2 Oh blessed change God gives them a quietus est from the Troubles of this wary Pilgrimage Rev. 14.13 1 Thes 4.14 they rest from their labours their bodies sleep in Jesus and are laid up safe in a quiet Repository Luke 23.43 and their Souls do enter into Paradice i. e. the third Heaven the immediate presence of God As Earth is the common Mother of all so Heaven is the receptacle of all Believers 3. God gathers them up out of their graves by the resurrection of their Bodies and the re-union of their Souls to those self same Bodies This was a Doctrine believed and well digested in the Old Testament Job 19.25 26 27. Though after my skin worms destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God thy dead Men shall live saith Isaiah ch 26.19 together with my dead body shall they arise The New Testament doth abundantly confirm this great Article of our Faith John 5.28 29. 1 Cor. 15. Oh what an Army of Saints will start up out of the Earth Their scattered bones and dust shall be reared up and coagulated and our Lord will bring their glorified Souls along with him to sing out the high Praises of Jehovah Roses die sweetest Flowers perish and the beauteous Complexion of the Earth turns to a bleak and withered hue in Winter yet in Summer there is a kind of Resurrection If you say in them life is remaining in the Root and Seed we say the Soul is the root of the Body and Christ the root of the Soul and both are living Col. 3.34 and though there be no physical Contract yet there is a relative Union betwixt Soul and Body and a deep rooted love and inclination the Soul hath to it the silly Snail by its natural life and power can make for it self an Habitation yea a Silk-worm becomes a winged Fly See Mr. Baxter of Self-denial Page 206. the warmth of the Hen turns the Egg into a Chicken these are Emblems of the Resurrection And what cannot the Power of God effect If a skilful work-man can turn a little earth and ashes into such curious transparent Glasses why should we doubt whether the mighty Power of God can communicate a glorious perfection to the Flesh that 's dissolved into its Elements Luther saith I love the noble Art of Chymistry it is such a brave Emblem of the Resurrection O what a blessed ravishing sight will that be to see the sanctified Soul united to the glorified Body to receive their reward together This is the next 4. By the same power of God some shall be changed others raised from the dead the Souls of the glorified Saints shall descend and be united to their own Bodies and then ascend to meet the Lord in the Air and the wicked are left behind on their dunghil the earth in setters to receive their Sentence and confined to their Prisons this is that Mystery which possibly the blessed Apostle Paul heard from God when he was caught up into the third Heaven and heard unspeakable words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 worldles words 2 Cor. 12.4 This is 1 Cor. 15.51 52. Behold I shew you a mystery we shall not all sleep i. e. die but we shall all be changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye This is further confirmed and explained in 1 Thes 4.15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep And verse 16. The dead in Christ shall rise first then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air Verse 17. Calvin saith he speaks here of the Faithful only Calvin in 1 Cor. 15.5 the resurrection of the Wicked is a kind of
here botled and a cup of cold Water shall be rewarded there is room enough in Heaven for all the Saints in my fathers house saith he are many mansions John 14.2 Many for number large for extension Rev. 21.10 12 25. That City is four square having twelve Gates filled from all quarters of the World The gates of it continually open never shut O the stupendious vastness of that upper Region Earth is but a point a small Pin-head compared to it though the Text in Revelations speak but of twelve thousand Furlongs which according to some make but fifteen hundred Miles But what is that to Heaven if the City of the great King be meant there by the New Jerusalem as some think But doubtless it is exceeding spacious if indeed it be a place circumscriptively taken but where the King is there is the Court as the Angels do always behold the Face of God and therefore are still in Heaven Mat. 18.10 Heb. 1.14 though imployed about Saints on Earth so it may possibly be with the Saints after the Resurrection Who knows whether the purified Earth may be one Place of their Coelestial Happiness yet some think it will be wicked Men's Hell and place of Torments But be that as it may we are sure there is room enough for all the Saints in Heaven and our Lord will have them all with him not an hoof left behind as slighted for he purchased all at a dear rate prayed for them when he was leaving the World An idea and sum of his present Intercession we have in John 17. particularly verse 24. Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am This will be a blessed Congregation indeed a spacious Temple a large Paradice not in corners houses chappels where they are crowded and often persecuted fined imprisoned here they have liberty yea possibly every Saint shall have his proper Mansion yet in full communion with God and the rest of glorified Spirits But more of this hereafter Thus I have shewed how they are gathered CHAP III. What is implied in this gathering together what is included in it and consequences of it 3. THE next Head to be opened is to give a more particular account of this work of the Saints gathering together and this I shall do in these Seven particulars 1. That all the Saints in the several ages places conditions wherein they have lived shall be gathered into one general Assembly this may seem strange but its true all the Children of God that ever have lived this five thousand Years and upwards since Man was placed on this earthly Globe all that ever have lived do live or shall live till the end of time shall be assembled such as have lived in far distant places many thousand Miles asunder by vast tracts of ground mountains seas in Europe Asia Africa and America such as have died many thousand Years ago and have been long singing praises and enjoying God in the Church triumphant Old Testament Saints and New Testament Saints The Children of God in the Church militant yet fighting under the banner of Christ shall meet with Victors that have been long crowned Persons of all Conditions Ages Sexes Qualities Rich and Poor Old and Young such as never saw each others Faces in this World no nor ever heard of each other yet then they shall meet together Luke 13.29 And they shall come from the East and from the West and from the North and from the South and shall sit down in the Kingdom of God It s said Acts 2.5 There were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews devout Men out of every Nation under Heaven But what are those to these out of all Countries of the World O what a vast number of Souls shall be congregated Such as never appeared together in this lower Region When there shall be a general Collection of Mortals beyond the Theaters or Amphitheaters of the Ancient Romans or Armies of Mahometans Multitudes Joel 3.14 multitudes in this Mount as Joel speaks in the valley of decision 2. That all this Congregation shall then be perfectly holy So it may be truly said of this Assembly as the murmuring Princes said of Israel Num. 16.3 All the Congregation are Holy every one of them and the Lord is among them there is not one feeble Person among them no infant of day's but they are grown up to be strong turn Gyants in Grace They stand in no need of Ordinances ministerial Gifts and the exercise thereof are only for perfecting of the Saints Eph. 4.12 But now they are above them being perfected That City hath no need of the Sun Rev. 21.23 or of the Moon to shine in it As soon as ever the breath departs out of the body of a Child of God it shakes off all Sin and puts on a new Garment of perfect Holiness They take their leave of the Body of Death and Earth together Not one speck of dirt to be seen upon all this great Multitude Souls take their leave of Sin as they are taking their leave of this World O what a glorious sight will that be of milk-white Saints Surely a lovely sight there will be no Pride Passion Impatience nor any thing to vex themselves or others The dregs are left behind and pure quintescence floats upwards Consecrated Souls are now elevated to the highest pitch and defecated from filthy and defiling dregs Oh what a blessed day will that be 3. That all Troubles and Temptations in this lower World shall then cease Neither the Devil nor wicked Men can follow them off this Dung-hill although the Devil be called the Prince of the Power of the Air Eph. 2.2 yet he cannot stop or hurt the Saints as they pass through his Dominions nor shall he shoot a Dart at them or after them All Troubles are at a Period Death it self the King of Terrours is strangled it had no Sting to wound the Saints before 1 Cor. 15.56 Heb. 2.15 now it hath no being The fear of it was gone in some degrees in their lives now the very feeling of it is gone They are delivered not only from the Second but from the First Death They shall never receive a mortal wound no nor any wound The accuser and abuser of the Brethren is cast out Rev. 12.10 Not only cast down but quite cast out and all his Artillery and his Instruments 4. When Saints are thus gathered together they shall know one another It s true some kind of imperfect knowledge shall cease that knowledge which is only acquired in the use of Means shall vanish away 1 Cor. 13.8 Or that which sees through a glass darkly then shall we see face to face verse 12. I must needs confess those two words are beyond my comprehension of knowing even as we are known 1 Cor. 13.12 1 John 3.2 and of seeing God as he is And I suspect that no Mortal can understand what they mean But I
think the Faculties will be strangely inlarged so that the Saints will know all natural things and pierce into the Essence of the most intricate Beings the Nature and Efficacy of Creatures the Properties of Angels the Mysteries of Redemption the Councels of God Though they are not omniscient their Knowledge is limited yet I think they will know all the Antient Patriarchs Abraham Isaac Jacob Joseph David Paul Peter though they had never seen them in this World Thus the rich Man though damned knew Father Abraham Luke 16.23 and Lazarus in his bosom Luther discoursed the Night before he died that Saints shall know one another hereafter from Adam's knowing who Eve was though he was asleep Gen. 2.23 the Disciples knowing Moses and Elias in Christ's transfiguration Mat. 17.3 and indeed his mutual knowledge will not be the least part of Saints heavenly delight 5. The Souls of Men live after they are separated from the Body For what is it which is gathered with the Saints It s not the Body for that is laid in the dust but it s the Soul for the Body and Soul meet not till the great Day of the Resurrection Nor doth the Soul sleep in the dust till then for our Lord said to the penitent Thief Luke 23.43 to day shalt thou be with me in Paradice And Paul desired to be loosed that he might be with Christ Psalm 1.23 nor doth the Soul cease to be it hath an existence in a separate State Men may kill the Body not the Soul Mat. 10.20 Atomists and Epicureans will not grant an annihilation of any one Atom in the Universe surely then not this excellent Creature the Soul of Man Yea the Soul of Man continues its inviduation i. e. it s distinct being and falls not into one common universal Soul of the World as some have imagined Spirits have a numerical Difference a distinct Being Nor are we to think that the Soul returns into the Essence of God because the Text saith The Spirit returns to God who gave it Eccl. 12.7 It doth return to God to receive its Sentence from him not into his Being for then we should make God Divisible and consisting of Parts which is contrary to his infinite Divine Nature thus Souls have a distinct Being yet depending on God the first Being and are individuals and must be accordingly judged 6. That the Soul being gathered with the Elect enters immediately into glory to know where Lazarus's Soul was while he was in the Grave requires more skill then I can pretend to Some think it hovered about the Grave by Christ's order as designing its re-entring the Body but Scripture assures us of the immediate Salvation of gracious Souls They enter into peace when the Body rests in its Bed Isa 57.2 They are pronounced blessed that die in the Lord Rev. 14.13 When Christ who is our life shall appear then shall we appear with him in Glory Col. 3.4 Now they shall be glorious in their Souls At the Resurrection their Bodies will be Glorious Phi. 3.21 even like Christ's glorious Body This answers that Query whether the Saints shall have greater Glory at the Resurrection then they had immediately after their Death It is easy to determine that so far as there is an Addition of a glorified Body to the glorified Spirit so far is the Glory greater what further I know not Though Dr. Hammond thinks the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when Flesh is not joined to it signifies that Life which the Soul enters upon immediately after Death called Resurrection i. e. Glorification Certainly the Soul hath some intuitive Knowledge in its separate State and Felicity also so far as it is capable 7. When these blessed Souls are thus gathered together they shall never part they shall live with God and each other for ever Here we part and meet again and meet and part again and part so as we shall never meet again in this World But in the other World we shall part no more through the Ages of Eternity After Millions of Years the Comforts are as fresh as at the first Moment never weary nor interrupted they are before the throne of God Rev. 7.15 chap. 20.6 chap. 22.5 and serve him day and night in his temple These Waters have a perpetual Spring this Day hath no Night They shall reign with Christ not a thousand Years definitively but for ever and ever O what a lasting and everlasting injoyment of God and Saints will that be What can part them God will not the Devil and wicked Men cannot themselves shall not for they have within them an incorruptible Seed even of that Word that liveth and abideth for ever 1 Pet. 1.23 It is not with Saints in Heaven as with Boon-companions in playing drinking carousing Matches of sport and vanity that must part nor is it with Saints there as with God's Children here in the Worship of God that have their Intermission Cessations Interruptions are forced to break off But there the work continues praising God the place continues it hath Foundations the persons continue he that doth the will of God abideth for ever 1 John 2.17 CHAP. IV. For what End the Saints are gathered together 4. THE next Head is to open the End or Design of the Saints gathering together these are of Two Sorts 1. Principal 2. Secondary and Subordinate 1. The primary and principal End is the Glorifying of God the great God doth all things for this great End 2 Thes 1.10 When he shall come to be glorified in his Saints and to be admired in all them that believe The glory of the Saints shall reflect glory to God God takes himself honoured in his Saints Honour as the Prince is magnified in the splendour of his Court If God be glorified in the bitterest Sufferings of his Saints 1 Pet. 4.14 how much more in their Exaltations Oh what a Luster will they cast when they are all crowned as Kings Dan. 12.3 Mat. 13.43 when they shall shine as the Firmament yea as Stars yea as the Sun in its Meridian glory O what a strange change is this to be raised out of the Durst and Dung-hill to sit upon Thrones How came this to pass surely the Author of this Glory will have the chief share therein all God's perfections will be conspicuous The Saints meeting together in the foresaid Manner will tend to the glory of 1. God's Soveraignty wherein he chose these that were Children of Wrath even as others to make them Vessels of Mercy and left others as good as they to perish and be banished from God to all Eternity then those eternal Councels will be displayed and that Scripture fully explained Rom. 9.15 18 22 23. 2. God's Wisdom shall be illustrious in contriving a way for Man's Redemption and Salvation This Wisdom of God in a Mystery even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory 1 Cor. 2.7 Then the Secrets
Grace resembles God it widens the Soul's Faculties and makes it altogether unsatisfied with Sublunaries Even an Heathen Seneca could say major sum ad majora natus I am born to higher things than to these Trifles my thoughts are carried quite above visible Objects Mortal things cannot fill an Immortal Soul especially touch'd with a Coal from the Altar and raiseth sparks upwards to the Fountain of Light and Love Our Lord gives this as a certain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or token of a Soul that is either for this or for another World Mat. 6.21 Where your treasure is there will your heart be also The workings of the Heart are an infallible demonstration of a Christian's state Is the rational habitual motion and tendency of your Hearts God-wards Heaven-wards Have you a strong impetuous motion and bent of Soul to things above Are you best pleased when your Hearts are in a frame for God Do you take it ill and resent that with some regret and indignation that obstructs your Soul's motion Have you a strong impulse Heaven-wards by the restless motion of Desire and by the acquiescing affection of Delight Never so well as when you are conversant about Heavenly Objects It 's also the blessed Apostle's Character of a Saint Col. 3.7 If you then be risen with Christ seek those things which are above There there is a Christian's Life his Love and Delight thither he is mounting as on Eagles Wings Isaiah 40. and is never satisfied till he be swallowed up in the Divine Embraces He is glad of Communion of Saints below more glad of Communion with God in his Ordinances but still most restless till he be wrapt up in the full Enjoyment of God above For our Lord hath said in â—uke â—7 37. Wheresoever the body is thither will the Eagles be gathered together The Saints are united to Christ by Faith as Members to the Head and have an innate Propensity to him and cannot be satisfied without a full Enjoyment of him and that will never be till the Soul get above this drossy reeling Earth into the Regions above Is this your frame Are these your aims Are your motions Heaven-wards though alas too often interrupted to the grief of your hearts Your Souls are now espoused to Christ your Husband and you earnestly long for the compleat Nuptials 2 Cor. 11.2 That you may be presented to your Heavenly Husband as chast Virgins CHAP. X. A Perswasion to all to seek after this blessed Gathering at last 4. USE of Exhortation 1. To Sinners 2. To Saints 1. To Sinners A word or two to those Souls that are yet in the gall of bitterness Acts 8.23 2 Tim. 2.26 and bonds of iniquity tyed with Chains to the Prince of Darkness led captive by him at his pleasure Suffer your selves to be gathered unto Christ what would poor Ministers give that they might prevail with you How doth our Lord spread his Arms to embrace you After all your wandrings and Extravagancies the Father of the Prodigal would run towards the returning Prodigal fall on your Neck kiss you and make you kindly welcom and Godly Christians would not envy your Entertainment but delight in your Society as not diminishing but increasing their Felicity Luke 15.7.10 There is joy in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth saith our Lord yea there 's joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one sinner that repenteth Glad are the Saints of such Consorts glad are the Holy Angels of such Babes to attend upon glad would poor Ministers be if your Souls were savingly converted and gathered to Christ But if you still stand out you have neither part nor lot in this matter but must be Exiles banish'd and punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and the glory of his power 2 Thess 1.7 8 9. As meanly as you think of God's Children now it will be a doleful parting from them in the great Day Now be wise for your precious Souls 1. Yet there 's a possibility that you may be converted and saved Now is the accepted time 2 Cor. 6.2 now is the day of Salvation to Morrow it may be past and never return again You are yet alive many are past hope past help thousands are dead and damned since you deserved to be in Hell you are yet Monuments of Mercy 2. The Spirit is yet striving with you poor Ministers are studying for you pouring out their Souls to God for you longing after you crying out Why will you die Why will you refuse this blessed Call of God Be it known to you God will not always be affronted Gen. 6.3 His spirit shall not always strive 3. If ever your Souls be converted and saved your selves must be Instruments as well as God is the Efficient cause thereof for God works Morally so as to preserve Men's nature and the principles thereof if ever you repent the Work is your's though the power to work is from God Baxter's Myth Theol. Part III. page 46. Phil. 2.12 13. omne opus humanum est virium nostrarum opus vires nullae sunt nobis nisi à deo libere donatae saith a great Divine The Duty is our's the Grace is his God is the efficient Man the Agent 4. Your work is then to fall down on your Knees and beg of God a Spirit suited to the Grace of God and fitted for this day of gathering Lord I am now going to hear thy Word oh come with power from on high Acts 16.14 open my Heart as thou didst the Heart of Lydia Melt my Heart like wax then set thy stamp upon me 2 Cor. 10.5 Cast down my vain imaginations and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ Square my Soul to be a Temple of the holy Ghost Put spiritual Life into my Soul 1 Pet. 2.5 and let me be one of those lively Stones built up a spiritual House with the rest of thy Saints Song 5.4 Put thy Hand in by the hole of the door of my heart and make my bowels move towards thee Let the power of thy Grace be such an hidden prevailing uncontroulable Efficacy as may win my Soul to thee All I can do is nothing unless the Spirit prevail If thou wilt work who can let it If thou work not all I do is in vain O Lord let me not perish with the rest of the Infidel World gather not my soul with sinners Psal 26.9 12. nor my life with bloody men but in the midst of thy congregation let me bless the Lord. 2. But the parties I have to deal with more directly are Christians real Saints who are gathered to Christ and hope to be gathered to him at last with the rest of God's People such as these I will give these few Instructions to and all Professors 1. Be Sincere Be really what you seem to be by Profession It will be a dreadful disappointment to pass for
more chearfully will you sing in the height of Zion 14. The Saints that have attended Ordinances with many defects and imperfections will leave them all behind them and attend the Lord without the least defect distraction or imperfection The best of God's Children have a weight hanging on them and a sin that too easily besets them Heb. 12.1 and impedes their Motion and obstructs their Ascent upwards But these shackles shall be shak'd off with the Body never a wandring Thought more to all Eternity Here we weaken the hands one of another Heb. 12.12 by our hands falling down and our feeble knees bodily infirmities oft render the best Services wearisom because the holiest Saints have but a Measure of Affection hence it was that Three of Christ's choicest Disciples slept while Jesus was in his Agony for though the spirit was willing yet the flesh was weak Mat. 26.36 41. Alas Aaron and Hur must hold up Moses hands here the best at some seasons may be out of frame for Duty but in Heaven the Saints shall join hearts and hands without weariness or distraction in singing the high Praises of God in that heavenly Quire and none shall fail his Fellow or fall short of Duty 15. Saints of the meanest stature and standing here shall be compleat and commence the highest degree of Grace in Glory I say not that all the Saints shall have equal Degrees of Glory the Text saith that at the Resurrection 1 Cor. 15.41 42. one star differeth from another star in glory It s true all these heavenly luminaries shall be perfectly joined in one constellation But good Divines think that as there will be Degrees of Torments in Hell so of Joys in Heaven As the Vessels are larger to contain more or as Men have honoured God more here below yet the meanest Saint will be top full of glory For they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and they that turn many unto righteousness as the stars for ever and ever Dan. 12.3 Weak Christians shall no more complain of Defects but he that it feeble in that day shall be as David Zech. 12.8 and the house of David as God as the Angel of the Lord before them There will no more be thence an infant of days Isa 65.20 The meanest Christian will in some respects be equal with the Angels in heaven Mat. 22.30 Children in Grace shall be grown up to be perfect Men Eph. 4.13 to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ 16. Saints at that day shall he raised above the revilings calumnies and slanders of a malicious World and be advanced to the highest Honour In this World every one can throw dirt on God's Children and account them the vilest of Men not worthy to live upon Earth and cry as they against Paul away with such a fellow from the earth for it is not fit that he should live Acts 22.22 But what saith God of such Of whom the world was not worthy Heb. 11.38 No Nicknames shall follow them to Heaven they shall not be there called Puritans Fanaticks Schismaticks Fools nay possibly they shall be honoured among Men when dead and raised to glory Prov. 10.7 14. The memory of the just is blessed The godly above shall honour them though sometimes they thought and spoke slightly of them nay the wicked and damned in Hell shall esteem honourably of them as the Rich Man that thought once Poor Lazarus a fit Embassadour to send to his Rich Brethren on Earth yea it may be wretched Hypocrites on Earth will build the tombs of deceased prophets Luke 16.28 and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous Mat. 23.29 in honour to them whom they or such as they were did once abuse and revile on Earth they will call the dead Saints and canonize them when as they miscal such as they are Hypocrites and no better then Devils God oft turns the Scales and rolls away the Reproach of all his Servants 17. Saints that have exercised Charity and Hospitality and such as received their Bounty shall embrace each other with mutual Alacrity Our Lord affirms it That whosoever gives but a cup of cold water if he hath not a fire to warm it to a little one in the name of a disciple though he may be mistaken verily I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his reward Mat. 10.42 O will the poor Beggar say there 's my loving Benefactor the Debtor will there own his Creditor that forgave him all when he had nothing to pay Mat. 18.26 27. well saith the Free-hearted disburser I do not repent it since I am so richly rewarded this Recompence is above my expectations and contrary to my deserts Strange that I should receive so much for laying out so little this is above Isaac's reaping an hundred Fold How comfortable will that Language of our Lord be when he shall say as in Mat. 25.34 40. Come ye blessed of my father inherit the kingdom prepared for you c. Behold my Deputies in relieving of whom you relieved me I took it as done to my Person what you did to my Members and you shall be glorified together 18. Saints that have wanted many things in this World when they meet above shall want nothing In this World the Body is full of Wants we want necessaries to supply Nature we want food to nourish us cloaths to cover us physick to cure us arrows to defend us sleep to refresh us yet these but supply particular wants and Men ordinarily have dependance one upon another for Supplies But when God's Children get above yet though they shall have sweet Communion with each other yet their Happiness chiefly depends on the Vision and Fruition of God With him is the fountain of life Psal 36.9 Psal 16.11 in in his light they see light in his presence is fulness of joy The Sun doth dart its Beams through the whole Universe God's Presence not Saints makes Heaven The King makes the Court not Courtiers Nothing can satisfy the capacious Soul but God I shall be satisfied saith David when I awake with thy likeness Psal 17.15 That and nothing else gives content Angels and glorified Spirits as Creatures must say it is not in me to satisfy you God alone can Now and never till now the Soul saith I have enough I need no more I have not only tasted but drunk deep of this River of Pleasures yea bathed my Soul in this blessed Ocean of Delights Nor do I surfeit upon these but fresh Springs of joy yield me perpetual contentment 19. All Saints pass through the valley of the shadow of Death to that Glory None exempted but Enock and Elias and those that shall be found alive at the last day It is no strange thing For it is appointed to Men once to die Heb. 9.27 It is the common Lot of Mankind even the best Men The
Sting of Death is gone it s but a Trap-door to let us into Heaven Thousands are gone before us they are not lost but laid up We shall meet them again O who would be afraid of Death when Jesus Christ hath perfumed the Grave for us Well may a graceless Soul be afraid to die because he knows not what Company he shall converse with in the other World but may fare with Devils and damned Souls but the righteous hath hope in his death Prov. 14.32 and sees Jesus Christ standing with a Crown on his Head and another in his Hand saying Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life Rev. 2.10 Why should we then fear this King of Terrours that 's disarmed it may hiss but cannot sting us 1 Cor. 15.56 57. It may kill us but cannot hurt us See yonder glorified Assembly of the Spirits of Just Men made perfect have conquered Death and are set upon triumphant Thrones 20. This blessed Society of departed Souls shall continue through the Ages of Eternity In this World they met and parted again there was many intermissions in their sweet Communion But now they shall for ever dwell in the House of the Lord and sing praises to the lamb for evermore Rev. 3.12 Such as overcome shall be pillars in the temple of God and shall go no more out They shall never be banished out of this heavenly Paradise This word ever evermore everlasting puts new Life into the glorious Songs of Praise and daily revives their Spirits After ten thousands of Millions of Ages shall the Joy be as fresh as at their first Entrance That River is still running in thy presence is fulness of joy Psal 16.11 at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore Mortality is writ upon all Sublunaries Eternity puts an Accent upon Spirituals There shall be no night there no Clouds no Eclipes of that Glory Rev. 22.5 for the Lord God giveth them light and they shall reign for ever and ever It is recorded of Diagoras that when he saw his three Son 's crowned in one day at the Olympick Games as Victors died away while he was embracing them for joy But though the Saints shall be in a continual Extacy and transport of Joy in beholding their Children in Christ and their godly Christian-Friends yet their Heart-strings shall not break but be inlarged with comfort and perpetuated for evermore Oh what a day will that be when all the Son 's of the Second Adam shall meet together so many pure Spirits defecated from the sordid dregs of Sin and Suffering shall join their Harmonious Musick and Melody in praising our dear Lord whose glorious Perfections we could never extoll What a brave Quire will that make Not a discordant String among them all But as one Eye moves the other rolls when one String is struck the other sounds such a blending sympathy will there be of well-tuned Praises in that heavenly Chorus Ignatius thinks the Sun Moon and Stars made a Quire about the Star that appeared at Christ's Incarnation oh then what an Halcyon-day will that be when the morning stars shall sing together Job â—8 7 and the son 's of God shall shout for joy O what in harmonious Harmony in perfect Symphoâ—… What mutual Love and Delight in each 〈◊〉 Yea they shall Love one another the better for the perfect Love they have to God And bathing their Souls in that fathomless Ocean of divine Love It s true the infinite God is ultimately and objectively the Saints proper delight both here and in Heaven but glorified Bodies united to these blessed Souls and the blissful Society of Angels and Saints will be no small accessories of the Saints Happiness As there will be no Hypocrite there to cool their Charity so there will not be missing the meanest Member of Christ The weak Christian that cryed out my lameness my lameness shall then be strong The dark Soul that rarely got a glimpse of God or a sealing of the Spirit shall walk for ever in the light of God's countenance The grieved Saint shall be now in an Extacy of Joy Not a gracious Soul shall be missing not the least Grace wanting not a Duty lost all secret Prayers Tears Groans shall come to light and be rewarded Psal 56.8 their Tears were bottled their Prayers bookt and now shall be produced Not an Act of Charity though the Left-hand knew not what the Right-hand did much less others but it shall be brought to light before Angels and Men with high Approbation and Commendation Oh who would not be preparing for such a Day Who would not long for it breath after it and freely welcom it Let all the Children of the bride-chamber make themselves ready Luke 12.35 let your loins be girded about and your lights burning Be waking and watchful attend his Motions be glad of his Approaches and gladly welcom the Bridegrooms coming with all his holy Angels and glorified Spirits descending in the Clouds to fetch you home into those Coelestial Mansions to be for ever with the Lord Be not afraid when he saith surely I come quickly let the redeemed of the Lord eccho Amen even so come Lord Jesus Amen so be it FINIS Advertisement These BOOKS are Publish'd by the Reverend Mr. Oliver Heywood M. A. Minister of the Gospel and Sold by Thomas Parkhurst at the Bible and Three-Crowns in Cheapside viz. 1. BAptismal Bonds Renewed being some Meditations on Psal 50.5 2. Closet Prayer a Christians Duty 3. Sure Mercies of David 4. Israels Lamentation after the Lord. 5. The Holy Life and Happy Death of Mr. John Angier Minister formerly at Denton near Manchester 6. Advice to an only Child or excellent Counsel to all young Persons 7. Best Intail a Discourse on 2 Sam. 23.5 8. Family Altar a Discourse on Gen. 35. 2 3. for to Promote the Worship of God in private Families 9. Meetness for Heaven on Colos 1.12 designed for a Funeral Legacy 10. The New Creature on Galations 6.15 lately Publish'd BOOKS written by the Reverend Mr. J. How OF Thoughtfulness for the Morrow With an Appendix concerning the immoderate Desire of Foreknowing Things to come Of Charity in reference to other Mens Sins A Sermon at the Funeral of Mr. Richard Adams M. A. sometime Fellow of Brasen-Nose Colledge in Oxford The Redeemer's Tears wept over lost Souls In a Treatise on Luke 19.41 42. With an Appendix wherein somewhat is occasionally discoursed concerning the Sin against the Holy Ghost and how God is said to will the Salvation of them that perish A Sermon directing what we are to do after a strict enquiry Whether or no we truly love God A Funeral Sermon for Mrs. Esther Sampson the late Wife of Henry Sampson Doctor of Physick The Carnality of Religious Contention In two Sermons preach'd at the Merchants Lecture in Broadstreet A Sermon for Reformation of Manners A Sermon preach't on the Day of Thanksgiving December 2. 1697. to which is prefix'd Dr. Bate's Congratulatory Speech to the KING A Calm and Sober Enquiry concerning the Possibility of a Trinity in the Godhead A Letter to a Friend concerning a Postscript to the Defence of Dr. Sherlock's Notion of the Trinity in Unity relating to the Calm and Sober Enquiry upon the same Subject A View of that part of the late Considerations to H. H. about the Trinity Which concerns the Sober Enquiry on that Subject The Redeemer's Dominion over the Invisible World A Funeral Sermon for Mrs. Hammond A Funeral Sermon for Dr. Will. Bates A Funeral Sermon for Mr. Mat. Mead. BOOKS written by Mr. Flavel 1. THE Fountain of Life open'd or a Display of Christ in his Essential and Mediatorial Glory containing Forty two Sermons on various Texts Wherein the Impetration of our Redemption by Jesus Christ is orderly unfolded as it was begun carried on and finished by his Covenant Transaction mysterious Incarnation solemn Call and Dedication blessed Offices deep Abasement and Supereminent Advancement 2. A Treatise of the Soul of Man wherein the Divine Original excellent and immortal Nature of the Soul are opened its Love and Inclination to the Body with the necessity of its Separation from it consider'd and Improved The Existence Operations and States of separated Souls both in Heaven and Hell immediately after Death asserted discussed and variously applied Divers knotty and difficult Questions about depraved Souls both Philosophical and Theological stated and determined 3. The Method of Grace in bringing home the Eternal Redemption contrived by the Father and accomplished by the Son through the Effectual Application of the Spirit unto God's Elect being the second Part of Gospel Redemption 4. The Divine Conduct or Mystery of Provividence its Being and Efficacy asserted and vindicated All the Methods of Providence in our Course of Life open'd with Directions how to apply and improve them 5. Navigation spiritualiz'd or a new Compass for Seaman consisting of Thirty two Points of pleasant Observations profitable Applications serious Reflections all concluded with so many spiritual Poems c. 6. Husbandry Spiritualiz'd or the Heavenly use of Earthly things 7. A Token for Mourners 8. The Saint indeed or the Great Work of a Christian 9. The Touch-stone of Sincerity or the sign 's of and symptoms of Hypocrisie Being the Second Part of the Saint Indeed All these Nine by John Flavel late Minister at Dartmouth 1. A Funeral Sermon on the Death of Mr. Joseph Barret by John Whitlock Junior to which is added his Holy Life his Evidences Experiences Holy Resolves Divine Meditations and his constant Course of Self-Examination being part of an Exact Diary written by his own Hand 2. The Remains of Mr. Joseph Barret being the Second Part taken out of an Exact Diary written by his own Hand
God's Children have by a well-grounded Assurance of their Salvation it will raise your Hearts in praise of God and transport your Spirits in love to and delight in him This drops sweetness into all worldly Injoyments it chears up the Heart in Sufferings Heb. 10.34 fortifies the Soul against Temptations excites the Christian to all Acts of new Obedience gives Contentment in every Condition This strengthens against fears of Death and is a certain preludium and fore-runner of Heaven O happy Soul that can say God is my Father Saints my elder Brothers and I shall meet them all in Glory and sing praises with them to God and the Lamb for evermore Quest But how shall a Man know that he shall be one of those that shall be gathered together to Christ in that Solemn day Answ I desire you will faithfully Answer these Seven Questions 1. Have you been gathered to Christ by converting Grace To him i. e. to Shiloh shall the gathering of the People be Gen. 49.10 Hath the Spirit of God in the Word convinced you of your distance from God prevailed with you to enter into Solemn covenant with him Alas by nature we are as Sheep going astray Psal 119.176 Prodigals in a far Country have neither skill nor will to return to God but Christ the good Shephard calleth his own Sheep by name and leadeth them out they know his voice and follow him John 10.34 Formerly saith the returning Sinner I heard but the Voice of Man now methinks I hear the Voice of God rending my Heart discovering those Secret-lusts that no mortal can know of the very Secrets of my Heart are made manifest I must fall down on my face and worship God and must report that God is there in such an Ordinance of a truth 1 Cor. 14.24 25. What concussions and shakings of Soul have you found to unsettle you from your carnal Peace and Security Hath the Lord hewed you by his Prophets Hos 6.5 and slain you with the words of his mouth What convictions of your lost Condition Hos 11.10 11. What tremblings after the Lord When he roareth as a Lion Are you of those that tremble at the Word of the Lord Isa 66.5 Yet it doth not afright you from him but to him I can be safe no where but under the shadow of his Wings Come let us join our selves to the Lord in a perpetual Covenant that shall not be forgotten Jer. 50.5 I will tie this slippery Heart to the Lord with the strongest and streightest Bonds I will not only say it with my Mouth but subscribe it with my Hand Isa 44.5 yea and swear my self to be the Lords and his only Some indeed Swear by the Name of the Lord Isa 45.23 ch 48. 1. ch 49. 22. but not in truth nor in righteousness but the sincere Christian is most afraid of Hypocrisy longs after sincerity approves his Heart to God resolves to resort to his Standard fight his Battles and be on his Side for ever Let Flesh and Blood and all the Devils in Hell say what they can to the contrary is this your Peremptory resolution 2. Have you separated from Sinners 2 Cor. 6.17 Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you For ver 14. 15. what communion hath light with darkness As Man cannot carry their vain Companions to Heaven so not into the Church-state No unclean thing or person can enter the Gates of this holy City Rev. 21.27 For without are Dogs ch 22. 15. Saints may not deny civil Converse with the worst of Men in Neighbourhood or near Relation 1 Cor. 5.10 But in two respects the Apostle denies Society with gross Sinners 1st Not too much or needless Familiarity with them not to be mingled with them as Water and Oil will not mix Christians must not will not be Hail-fellow with dissolute Persons 2dly Especially with such as are pretended Christians and bely their Profession by scandalous Actions these of all others we must keep at a distance from 2 Thes 3.14 as a piece of their Punishment to bring them to Shame and so to Repentance If you Act as Christians you will let him see a strangeness in you towards him ut quaeras ubi So possit prae pudore occultare that he may turn into himself by Self-reflection recognize his Disorders or seek where to hide himself But that 's not all for a godly Person hath a kind of antipathy against wilful Sinners and avoids them as afraid of being infected by them as Joseph was shy of his Mistress And as Solomon adviseth Prov. 58.9 By familiar Converse you may incourage them in Sin and prejudice your Selves Hence all Pious Persons have been afraid to associate with Sinners so David Psal 26.4 I have not sat with vain Persons neither will I go in with dissemblers For in their Company I shall get either Guilt or Grief if I Act as they I shall be guilty if not I shall be grieved The best is to meddle as little as I can with them for God's Honour and my own Peace I will resolve with Old Jacob Gen. 49.6 O my Soul come not into their Secret I dare not touch the Rope least I hear the Bell 1 Thes 5.22 Jude 23. I will abstain from the appearance of evil and hate the Garment spotted by the flesh 3. Have you associated your Selves to them that fear God Godly Persons were holy David's intimate Friends Psalm 16.3 the Saints were in his Account the excellent in the Earth in whom is all my delight Companion am I to all them that fear thee Psal 119.63 I have wise Senators valiant Souldiers but what are these to me if they be not truly Religious one Jonathan is better then many Joabs one Hushai better then a thousand Achitophels I love them that fear God with a peculiar Love yea though they should be severe upon me if I offend I will not only patiently bear it but thankfully own them as my Benefactors Let the righteous smite me Psal 141.5 Prov. 27.6 it shall be a kindness Faithful are the wounds of a friend I will love Nathan the better whil'st I live for his Faithfulness Sit anima mea piis let my Soul be united to Saints I will live with them on Earth with whom I would sing Praises in Heaven Communion of Saints is not only an Article in my Creed but a main Point of Practice yet next to Communion with God my highest Priviledge These these will I converse familiarly with I will confer with them about the things of God pray and praise God with them sit down with these at the holy Supper and walk hand in hand with them in my journey Heaven-wards There is an holy Union of all Saints which yet is not natural or corporal political nor yet personal but yet it is Real and this Union is either