Evil Things in this Life and their Good in the next Short Misery on Earth and long Felicity in Heaven Some live and die possest of a good Estate and in a State of Grace These have their Good Things here and better hereafter Now some Earnest then actual Possession It is better to live and die in the Depths of Poverty and have the Soul Everlastingly saved than in the Heigths of Prosperity and the Soul Eternally lost The worst Condition of a Child of God be it never so bad is better than the best Condition of a Wicked Man be it never so good In the Words of the Text Five Things may be observed 1. The Passage of a Believer to the Place of his Eternal Abode He is carried or transported to it 2. What of the Believer is carried to that Place or State And that is the Soul He was carried his Soul not then his Body His Soul was transported his Body was left behind The Soul is carried at his Dissolution the Body not till the Resurrection 3. Whither was the Soul carried what was the Place or State to which it was transported Into Abraham 's Bosom 4. When As soon as he died that Minute it was separated from the Body it began its Journey to its Eternal Home 5. By whom By the Angels he was carried into Abraham 's Bosom Not by one but many Angels Several great Articles of Faith affording great Support and Comfort to Believers are taught by Christ in these Words 1. Observation That the Soul doth exist after its Separation from the Body Otherwise it would not be capable to be carried to another State of Blessedness and Glory In Man's Mortal Body there is an Immortal Soul Death turns the Soul out of the Body and the Man out of this World Death deprives the Body of Life and leave it a Lump or Mass of Breathless Clay but in Death the Soul escapeth Death Death that conquereth all Mens Bodies kills no Man's Soul The Life and Being of the Soul cannot be destroyed either by Outward Violence by Inward Principles First Not by Outward Violence No Finite Power can make the Soul to cease to be The most Powerful Cruel and Enraged Persecutors who may torture kill or burn the Body cannot touch nor reach the Soul Mat. 10. 28. Fear not them which kill the Body but are not able to kill the Soul but rather fear him which is able to destroy both Soul and Body in Hell Tho' they had a Will to kill the Soul yet they want Power If they would they are not able They can neither kill it nor damn it Luke 12. 4. I say unto you my Friends be not afraid of them that kill the Body and after that have no more that they can do When they have taken away the Life of the Body they have done their worst their most their all so that there is no more that they can do for the Soul escapes their Fury and their malicious Rage And as Creatures cannot so we are assured that God will not cause the Soul to cease to be and this we know 1. From the Promises he hath made to sincere Believers to give to them Eternal Life Joh 3. 16. For God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting Life That they shall be for ever with the Lord 1 Thes 4. 17. That they shall be Eternally Saved Heb. 5. 9. That they shall have a Crown incorruptible that fadeth not away 1 Pet. 1. 4 5. If these Eternal Things shall be enjoyed by Believers then their Souls must exist to all Eternity for that which is nothing can enjoy nothing 2. From the Threatnings of God recorded in his Word of the Everlasting Punishment they shall be tormented with in the other World to all Eternity that leave this World in a State of Sin Rev. 14. 10. The same shall drink of the Wine of the Wrath of God which is poured out without Mixture into the Cup of his Indignation and they shall be tormented with Fire and Brimstone in the the Presence of the Holy Angels and in the Presence of the Lamb. V. 11. And the Smoak of their Torment ascendeth up for ever and ever and they have no rest Day nor Night If Souls shall lie under the Punishment of Sense for ever they must exist for ever for that which is nothing by ceasing to be can have no Sense of Punishment Secondly The Soul cannot die or cease to be by any Internal Principles such as contrary Qualities in the Body which after Conflicts and one consumed by the other cause the Death of the Body as Fire in the Lamp licking up all the Oyl causeth the Lamp to go out or if too much Oyl be poured in and overflows the Fire it also is extinguished Neither can the Soul dye with old Age as the Body will for time is not the measure of the Duration of the Soul as it is of the Body but Eviternity and Beings measured thereby tho' they have a Beginning yet shall have no Ending Let this awaken all to provide a Lodging for their Souls against the Hour they shall be separated from their Bodies Now our Souls dwell in Houses of Clay and these have their Foundation in the Dust and will shortly fall and the Soul be dispossessed and turned out of this House in which it is a Tenant at Will of the great Landlord of all the World who might Seal a Lease of Ejectment at his Pleasure when you cannot remove from one House to another in the same Parish in the same City or in the same Nation no nor yet in the same World but will be such a Remove as never yet you made from one World to another Since then the Soul after Death will be in Being it must be some where for that which is no where is nothing but where shall it be There are but Two Places in the other World where Souls shall be Heaven or Hell Do you know in which Or do not you think nor care in which your Soul shall live and lodge for ever If in Hell your Lodging will be so uneasy that in it you cannot rest A Bed of Flames a Lodging in boiling Lead or Oyl or burning Brimstone will cause you to cry out I am uneasy I am uneasy in my Lodging I cannot rest upon this Bed I cannot take one wink of Sleep May I not change my Lodging I am weary of being here May I not go back again from whence I came I thought my sick Bed was uneasy but this is worse inconceivably worse beyond Expression more painful and uneasy But if I may not go back to my old Lodgings in that World from whence I came Let me seek a cooler Lodging where I am Let me rove from one side of Hell unto the other if I might find some easy Corner where I may a while be free from
am come from those to them My Friends are mourning because they have lost me and these tormenting Devils are glad that they have found me Men on Earth are not in such haste to carry my Body to the Grave as these Devils are to carry me to Hell Oh Cursed Caitiff that I am What Difference hath one Hour made What a miserable deceived Wretch was I when in the Body and how convinced of my Self-deceiving Flattery as soon as separated from my Body When in the Body I did think all would be well as soon as cut of the Body I am sure woe is me all will be woe When in the Body I was amongst my Friends as soon as out of the Body I am amongst mine Enemies When in the Body I did dream of being Happy as soon as out of the Body I saw it was but a Dream When in the Body I did hope and till I parted from my Body I would not I did not part from my Hope that I should be carried into Heaven but as soon as I parted from my Body I parted from my Hope and my Hope from me for these infernal Spirits are carrying me to Hell and I cannot fain I would but cannot any longer hope for Heaven When in the Body the Devil and Sin did blind mine Eyes that I could not see the sandy Foundation on which I built my Expectation of Happiness in the Highest Heavens but as soon as Death and Friends had closed the Eyes of my Body then the Eyes of my Mind were opened to see all my Building on that rotten Foundation is gone to Ruine and I am going in this Company to the Lowest Hell Such-like bitter Cries such self-lamenting Groans we may conceive the separated sinful Soul to utter as it is on its way in the Company of Devils to the Place of Outer-darkness where there shall be Weeping and Wailing for Ever Yet if we consider the Circumstances that will farther aggravate the Sorrow of the Soul in its Journey to the Lake of Brimstone arising from the Company of unclean Spirits that are dragging it along to the Place of Torment which the distressed unsanctified Soul shall be apprehensive and sensible of it will pass our Thoughts to conceive and our Words to express how great its Horror will be and what Fear and Trembling it will be filled with when it shall find these Carriers of it to Hell to be 1. Exceeding Powerful and Strong that the seized Soul is not able so to resist as to rescue it self out of their Hands Their Strength is signified by their Names being called Principalities and Powers Eph. 6. 12. and known by the Effects which they have done in such as have been possessed as we read of one Mar. 5. 3 4. That no Man could bind him no not with Chains because that he had been often bound with Fetters and Chains and the Chains had been plucked asunder by him and the Fetters broken in pieces Neither could any Man tame him How then will this add to the Misery of the Soul seized by them when tho' it struggle it cannot get free tho' it strive it is to no purpose tho' it resist it cannot prevail O Miserable Wretch that I am when I was in the Body I should have resisted their Temptations and might now I would their Power but cannot I should have withstood their enticing Persuasions but did not I could but would not now I would withstand their Force and Violence but I cannot fain I wou'd but woe is me I cannot I must along with these dragging Devils I would not but I must for they are stronger than I. 2. This will aggravate the Evil of his Passage in that the Company of Devils is so Numerous A Legion of unclean Spirits possessed one Man's Body Mar. 5. 9. and will not a Legion of them be as ready to seize one Soul Which when the separated Soul perceives enquires Why so many Why so many to one Why so many so strong to one so weak Are all of one Mind Are ye all agreed to hurry me to Hell Is there not one amongst you all will stand my Friend Not one to take my Part to be on my Side Alas for me Tho' they are many they are as one How strange is this that a Legion of Devils should be so unanimous in my Ruine that all are called by one Name as if many were one As the Devil that possessed a Man being asked what is thy Name he answered saying My Name is Legion for we are many Never was a poor Debter on Earth carried to Prison by the Joint-consent and One-will of many Serjeants as I poor Debter am carried to the Prison and Dungeon of Hell by the Joint-consent and One-will of many Devils 3. This will aggravate the Sorrow the Soul in its Passage to its long and doleful Home will be filled with That these Carriers are so swift and active in their Motion which will increase the Horror of the Soul in its way upon these Accounts First Because by flight it cannot escape from them When we cannot resist an Enemy by the Strength of our Arm yet we may escape by the Swiftness of our Feet When we cannot get the Victory by Fighting we might prevent our Captivity by Running But this will give no Relief to the separated sinful Soul because evil Spirits are such agile swift and active Creatures that move so fast that the Soul cannot be more speedy than they Tho' Holy Angels as they are stronger so they are swifter than Apostate Spirits being more able ready and speedy to protect and defend us than Fallen Angels are to hurt and destroy us and therefore the Good are said to have Wings which as I remember is not spoken of the Bad yet these Infernal Spirits are so much speedier in their Motion than the Soul that it can have no Hope of preventing their transporting of it from the dying Bed to its Lodging in the Flames of Hell Secondly Because by them it will be brought so soon to the Place of Torment Men on Earth sin so much swear so fast and run in the Ways of Wickedness as tho' they could not get to Hell sure enough nor soon enough But when they have done sinning upon Earth and are on their Way to their Eternal Miserable State they will think Devils put them on too fast and carry them with too much speed to that Place where their Entertainment will be so bad We may imagine the separated Soul in the Devil's Arms to lament it self saying What! Is my Journey like to be so short when my Journey 's End will be so bad Am I going whither I would not and yet do these Carriers make such haste must I thus be posted to such grievous Torments whence I shall never be delivered Tho' the Way be so uncomfortable yet the Place will be so much more when I come thither therefore let me move more slowly to it Tho' I have an
THE Saints Convoy TO HEAVEN A DISCOURSE occasioned by and in Part Preacht upon THE DEATH and FUNERAL OF Mr. Benjamin Lindsey Who Deceased the 21st of February 1697. By THO. DOOLITTLE M. A. LONDON Printed for John Lawrence at the Angel in the Poultry over against the Compter 1698. THE EPISTLE TO Mrs. Rebeccah Lindsey Mother Mr. Joseph Lindsey Brother Sisters Mrs. Abigal Shipton Mrs. Sarah Pike Kinsmen Mr. John Hinde Mr. Morgan Hinde Mr. Richard Hinde Mr. Robert Hinde to Mr. Benjamin Lindsey lately Deceased Dear Friends ACcording to the several Relations nearer or more remote wherein ye stood to Mr. Benjamin Lindsey when he was living with you Nature and Reason dictates that ye must be differently affected as to Degrees by his being by Death removed from you yet being so much beloved and respected by you all it is easy to determine that his Death was Matter of Sorrow to you all but the Religion ye all profess and the Christian Doctrine ye all do own must be instructive to you that ye sorrow not as those that have no Hope either that his Soul being so Pious was not carried by Angels into Abraham's Bosom or that his Body that ye carried and lodged in the Bosom of the Earth should not be raised again to a joyful Resurrection and be hereafter where the Soul at present is in Happiness and Glory Of which Two Things the believing Consideration should drie your weeping Eyes relieve your mourning Spirits and comfort your Sorrowful Hearts To the Mother I send this short following Advice 1. That you would not so much sorrow that your Son's Body is gone down to the Grave as rejoice that his Soul is gone up to Heaven Not so much mourn that he whom you did bear bring forth and bring up is taken from you as be comforted that God hath taken him to himself As knowing he is better pleased to be where he is and more Happy than if he had continued to be on Earth with you and that he would not be from thence to come again to you And let this make you the less Sorrowful in this World because his Soul is now triumphant in the other which is a better World for I suppose you loved your Son better than to grieve at his Preferment 2. That considering the Greatness of your Age you would clear your Evidences for Heaven and not have them to seek when you should have them to shew nor to get when you should have them to use for your more comfortable Departure that as you are sure your Body must go down to your Son's Body so you might be as sure that your Soul shall go up to his Soul that as he was where you are so you might be with God where he is 3. That you daily remember you are almost at your Journey 's End in a Course of Nature so near the Door of Eternity that you cannot be much longer in Time therefore when you cannot move so speedily in Natural Motion run more swiftly in your Spiritual Race that you might not fall short of the Joy and Crown that is set before you 4. That since your Son now gone from you hath made such competent Provision for you that you need not spend your Breath in asking What shall I eat or what shall I drink or wherewithal shall I be clothed Your Enquiries might be How shall I love God more please him better and be more prepared for my Eternal State Since now you need not cark for Earth take more Care for Heaven 5. That since you have more Benefit of your Sense of Seeing than of Hearing supply the Defect of Hearing by your diligent Reading and the less you can hear Men speak to you in Discoursing the more do you speak to God in Praying and the less Converse you can have with the Creature the more Communion do you desire get and maintain with God To the Rest of you let me be your Remembrancer that ye get a sanctified Improvement of this Breach by Death that God hath made amongst you that ye so mind Temporal as not to forget your Eternal Concerns to watch and be always ready because the Son of Man might come in an Hour that ye think not of to prepare to follow him and others that are gone before to keep up the Power of Godliness in your Hearts and to demonstrate it in your Lives Seriously and believingly to think of another world and every Day you live in this to stand in Time and look into Eternity To be Good and to do Good as he was and did that is taken from you whereof in Part ye have been Eye-witnesses To live Holily that ye might die not only Peacably but also Triumphantly as is his Prayer for you who desires it might be yours for him who is Affectionately Yours To his Power Tho. Doolittle Mugwel-Street April 8. 1698. THE Saints Convoy TO HEAVEN Luke XVI 22. And it came to pass that the Beggar died and was carried by the Angels into Abraham's Bosom SOME think it is not material whether the Discourse of our Lord Jesus concerning the Rich Man and the Beggar be taken as a Parable or an History or composed of both when it is confessed that under this Narration Christ describes the State of the Good and Bad in the other World and asserts the Existence of the Soul after its Separation from the Body and that it immediately passeth to Heaven or Hell before the Resurrection of the Body and general Judgment of the great Day Tho' there was a Disparity between Lazarus spoken of in the Text and our Friend whose Death is the Occasion of this Discourse upon it in regard of their outward Circumstances in this World yet if the latter be a Partaker of Felicity with the former in the other World I might easily be excused for choosing this as my Theme upon this sad but righteous Providence especially when there is no other so express to my Design as this is The Rich Man here spoken of was a voluptuous Sinner who while he lived did live in outward Pomp and when he died was buried in great State The Poor Man was full of Sores and Hungry while he lived and no mention is made of his Funeral when he died The one was Rich on Earth but now a Beggar in Hell The other a Beggar on Earth but now Rich in Heaven The Poor Man on Earth begged for some Crumbs at the Rich Man's Door but he could not obtain them The Rich Man in Hell begged for a Drop of Water but it was denied him Some live and die Poor and in a State of Sin These have their Evil Things here and hereafter too Misery on Earth and more in Hell Some live and die Rich and finally Impenitent These have their Good Things here and their Evil Things hereafter A short Heaven in this World and a long Hell in the next Some live and die Poor but in a State of Grace These have their
of the same Kind As this individual Person Peter as a Man is a rational Creature Therefore every one that is a Man is a rational Creature By which here I mean the same with Animal Rationale in Distinction on from Angels it being nothing to my purpose to debate whether they may be called Rational as well as Intellectual Creatures So this individual Person Abraham was Justified not as a Man but as a believing Man Therefore every Man that is a believing Man is Justified and thus the Apostle draws an Universal concerning all Believers from what was written in the particular Case of Abraham as a Believer For from a Particular as such the Consequence is good to all and every one that is such Which Axiom is commonly allowed In the Matter before us it is certain Holy Angels did not carry Lazarus his Soul to Heaven as a Soul for then they should carry all Souls thither But as it was an Holy Soul and if a Soul as Holy shall by Angels be conducted to Glory then every Soul that is Holy shall be so conveyed also 5. Angels conveying Holy separated Souls to Heaven doth not detract any thing from the Glory of God but doth rather make it the more manifest and is subservient thereunto For Christ is their only Saviour Angels their Carriers Christ is their Commander herein they his Servants to do it Christ by Angels brings Souls to possess that Happiness which so many Angels fell from Christ as Mediator is exalted above those Noble Creatures Christ manifests his constant Love to and Care of the Souls of all Believers till he puts them into the actual Possession of what he hath purchased for them Christ came himself from Heaven to procure it and sends his Angels from Heaven to fetch them to it And this will be made more manifest by considering the useful Service of the Ministration of Angels in conveying Holy Souls into his Presence 1. The Holy Angels are the Guides of separated Souls in their Journey to Heaven It is a long Journey from a dying Bed on Earth to the Heaven of Heavens The one being distant from the other some Millions of Miles and a Way the Soul never went before and to it an unbeaten Path it stands in need of a Guide to direct it in its Way which is well known unto the Angels that have so often gone to and fro from the one to the other Many Passengers in a Ship from hence to the East Indies thro' the vast and wide Ocean will need a Pilot to steer their Course or else might never arrive to their intended and desired Harbour So the Soul that is to pass through the vast Regions of the fluid Air in a longer Voyage in respect of Distance will need some to conduct it that it might not miss its Way It may be it goes out of the Body not knowing whither it is going and how then should it know its Way Therefore God that hath sent his Angels to direct and prosper the Way of his Servants on a Journey from one Place to another upon Earth Gen. 24. 7 40. will much more send his Angels to direct their Souls in their Travel from Earth to Heaven 2. Angels are sent to be the Guard of separated sanctified Souls They are to pass through the Devils Territories who is the Prince of the Power of the Air Eph. 2. 2 3. where are numerous and powerful unclean Spirits which are Principalities and Powers and Spiritual Wickednesses in high Places Eph. 6. 12. These would intercept the Holy Soul in its Journey Home to Heaven but Holy Angels are its Guard to conduct it through the Hosts of Devils and protect it as it passeth along This hath been the frequent Ministration of Angels for the Safety of God's People from their Enemies in this Life As when Jacob was to meet his Brother Esau who did resolve to kill him Gen. 32. 1 2. Jacob went on his Way and the Angel of God met him and he said this is God's Hosts and he called the Name of the Place Mahaniam i.e. Two Hosts or Two Camps the one to go before the other behind him or one on the one side and the other on the other to keep him safe from Danger every way If God send his Angels to guard his Servants in this Life when in Danger of their Enemies will he not much more to defend their separated Souls in their Passage to Heaven when they are to pass through the Air where Devils do swarm especially if these Things be considered First When the Host of Devils that the Soul is to pass through is far more numerous than Esau's Company against Jacob. Secondly When Devils are more implacable against the separated Soul than Esau was against Jacob for he was reconciled to him but Devils never will to Holy Souls Thirdly When Devils are more Powerful to act against the separated Soul on its way than Esau and all his Company were against Jacob when he was on his Way Fourthly When the Danger at the most that God's People are in from Wicked Men is the Life of the Body but without doubt such is the Malice of Devils against holy Souls separated from their Bodies on their way to Heaven that if not defended they would seize them to keep them from Eternal Happiness in Heaven Fifthly When this is the Last Season they shall ever have to make any Attempt upon the Holy separated Soul which when once entered into Heaven's Gates shall be assaulted no more for Ever Tho' the War with Devils in some Respects might be over as soon as the Soul is separated from the Body that it shall be no longer managed by the same Subtilties alluring Temptations Fleshly Enticements evil Suggestions sensible objective Snares yet I conceive in other Respects the War is not ended till the Soul is safely arrived in Heaven but is carried on in a different Manner to what it was in the Body When in the Body he assaulted the Soul not by Violence but Persuasion out of the Body he knows it will be in vain to assault by Persuasion therefore on its Way would seize it by Violence did not God by his Angels powerfully preserve it For as Pharaoh and his Host pursued the Children of Israel when they had escaped out of Egypt to the Red Sea where God opened the Waters to Israel to pass thro' and shut them upon Pharaoh so Devils will persue the Soul to the Gates of Heaven till God open to the Soul and shut them against the Soul's Pursuers For as there are Principalities and Powers of Hell that way-lay the separated Soul so the Principalities and Powers of Heaven are ready to secure it And if the Devil contended with the Archangel and the Archangel with the Devil about the Body of Moses why should we think there is no War betwixt the Principalities of Heaven and Hell about the Soul on its Way to Heaven or that the Soul is not
Hell within me on my way to Hell yet O that it might be a Thousand Years before I enter into it but I wish in vain for this swift Motion will quickly bring me to it 4. The Insultings of the Devils over their Prisoner will aggravate its Misery on the Way to Hell when as they carry it along shall reproach it to this purpose Here is the Fool we took captive at our Pleasure Here is the Soul that had no more Wit than to stop his Ears to the Calls of Mercy to the Offers of Grace to the Tenders of a Saviour to the Commands of God God called him to repent but he would not God commanded him to believe but he did not We persuaded him to sin and he did we enticed him and he consented we suggested and he yielded We have him we have him away with him away with him he is condemned make haste away with him to the Place of Execution We led him with a String we drew him with a single Thread when in the Body whither we listed but now we have him in Chains to drag him to the Place whither he is unwilling to go Come along Oh not so fast Come along make speed Oh! not so swift I shall be there too soon Too soon thou art expected thou art waited for make haste and come away 5. Moreover the Merciless Nature of the Devils will add to the Amazement of the Soul in his Passage to the Place where it shall find no Mercy As the Damn'd in Hell cry out for Mercy for a small Measure of Mercy as may be in a Drop of Water and no Mercy shall be shewn to them so the separated Soul on its Way thither tho' it cry to its Transporters for the least Favour shall find none Might not we suppose it to cry out and say What! Will nothing serve you but my Ruine will nothing please you but my Damnation Will nothing satisfy you but that I be made as miserable as your selves have Pity upon me if ye have any Pity in you have Pity upon me All I have I would give that I may find some Mercy from you Thou silly Soul Thou hast nothing left to offer unto us to spare thee or to shew any Kindness to thee that we should let thee go Death hath stripped thee of all and thou art fallen naked into our Hands But it was thy self and not thy Money we desired Thy Friends have got thy Money and did let thee go but we have gotten thee and will not let thee go Oh miserable Soul that I am Did I serve you so constantly so heartily so chearfully when in my Body and do ye serve me so cruelly so unkindly so unmercifully as soon as I am separated from my Body Is there none to whom I might look for a little Mercy Is there none in whom I might hope for help and Succour in this distressed Case that I am in Let me turn mine Eyes every way if I may see any hope of Help when this Company I am fallen into will afford me none First If I look back to those my Friends that loved me dearly that ministred to me constantly Night and Day while I was with them that parted with me with weeping Eyes with wringing Hands with sorrowful Hearts cannot they relieve me Cannot they give Assistance to me When I was with them they did Comfort me when I was Sick they gave me Cordials when I was in Pain they did turn me hoping I might have Ease when I was afraid to Die they spake Words of Comfort to me But now Woe is me being separated from my Body I am out of their reach I am past their Help I am no more capable of receiving nor they of affording any Benefit unto me They are in Time I am entred into Eternity they are in one World I am now in another and there is no Converse I can have with them and there is no Kindness they can shew to me Besides they might be ignorant of my Case they might not know what Company I am fallen into nor what is the way that I am going Nay they might be deceived thinking I am travelling to Heaven when alas I find I am posting to Hell Supposing the Holy Angels of God are carrying me to Glory and therefore say Our Loss is his Gain While we are left in Trouble he is going to his Eternal Rest and so they do not so much as pity my Case and tho' they are weeping over my dead Body yet they do not Mourn because of the Misery that I am in when they imagine I am on the Way to Happiness tho' I find I know I am sure I am on the Road that leadeth to Eternal Darkness Secondly Tho' these Devils of Hell that seized me are merciless Devils yet the God of Heaven is a merciful God may I look up to him and cry Most Merciful Lord behold my Misery behold my deep Distress behold me if ever now behold me and have Compassion on me See whither this Troop this Host of Internal Spirits are carrying me Stop them oh stop them in their Way or if they will and must to Hell let not me go with them Rescue O rescue me out of their Hands while on the Way for if I enter thro' the Gates of Hell and they be shut upon me there will be no coming back for Ever no Hope no Help for Ever But alas Woe is me I call in vain I Cry in vain my Petition is in vain Devils now can tell me and Conscience now doth tell me it is too late and as they do tell me so I find that now it is too late if I had begged sooner I might have speeded better Mercy once yea often begged of me and I would not accept of Mercy now I beg and cry and call for Mercy and the God of Mercy doth deny me Mercy Mercy hath done with me and Patience hath done with me and Grace will have no more to do with me but Wrath will and Vengeance will and Justice hath and will have to do with me for Ever God is now inexorable his Wrath is now implacable his Anger against me is never to be appeas'd The Adversaries have haled me to the Judge the Judge hath delivered me to these Officers that have their Commission from him to cast me into Prison to which I am now on my way from which I shall never return till I shall pay the uttermost Farthing which will never be The Merciful God hath sealed their Warrant to apprehend me and they have served it upon me and to carry me to the Place of Execution and I am with them upon my Way unto it without all Hope of Reprieve or Pardon Thirdly May I not with better hope look unto Christ that he that is the Way to Heaven might pity me and stop me in my Way to Hell It was he that came down from the highest Heaven to prevent Sinners going down
to the lowest Hell It was he that was Taken Arraigned Accused Condemned and Crucified that Sinners might be released discharged and acquitted from the Guilt and Punishment of Sin It was he that delivered Men that were possessed with Devils rebuked them and cast them out and freed them from their Power O that Christ would Pity me O that he would have Mercy on me O that he would shew some Bowels of Compassion to me now even now before I am actually lodged in the Flames of Hell But this Cry Poor Wretch that I am this calling also is in vain for he did not die to save Finally-impenitent Sinners and cursed I was such an one He did not design to save such Souls that left their Bodies Unbelieving and Unsanctified and yet I did so cursed Caitiff I did so He would have stopped me in my Course and Way of Sin but I would and did go forward and now he will not stop me on my Way to Hell but I must go forwards Fourthly It will be much more vain for me seized by these Evil Angels to look to the Holy Angels of God for Succour and Relief For they are Ministring Spirits for the Heirs of Salvation but I am an Heir of Hell They are his Servants to execute his Will against the Servants of Sin and Satan and such an one I was all the time of my Life of Trial As they stood with flaming Swords which turned every Way to keep fallen Man from the Tree of Life so they stand as set by God with Flaming Swords turning every Way to keep unsanctified Souls from entring any Way into Eternal Blessed Life Nay they are to gather out of his Kingdom such as work Iniquity and to cast them into the Furnace of Fire Fifthly Still will it be in vain for me on my Way to Hell to look to Holy Souls lodged in Heaven as it was for the Rich Man in Torments to look to Abraham and Lazarus in Glory My Friends when I and they did live on Earth did often reprove exhort and counsel me did then pity me and mourn over me because they saw me walk in the Ways of Sin and longed for my Conversion and turning unto God they died before me and were carried by Angels into Abraham's Bosom afterwards I also was separated from my Body and Devils are carrying me to Eternal Torments which they in Heaven do not know or if they do they are so far from pitying of me that they rejoice in the Righteous Judgments of God upon all his implacable Enemies how near soever they were related to them If I then on my Passage to my doleful Home am such a forsaken Soul forsaken of God forsaken of Christ forsaken of all in Heaven and on Earth and am surprized by this Host of Devils there is no hope the Way is bad the End will be worse without End O forlorn forlorn What a forlorn Soul am I I and all my Friends are separated my Body and I am separated my Hopes and I am separated my Body is left to be Meat for Worms and I am taken as a Prey to Devils my Body will be carried by Men to a cold Grave and I am carrying by Devils to an hot Hell exceeding hot where my Pain will be extreme intollerable and eternal Use II. Comfort That Angels are the Convoy of the Soul on its Passage to Glory administers Comfort to all those that are Heirs of Salvation God hath not only prepared such things for us in Heaven which Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard nor can we now conceive how great and Glorious they are set forth by a Kingdom a Crown an Inheritance Mansions in our Father's House a Paradise a City that hath Foundations an House not made with Hands a Weight of Glory Incorruptible Treasures c. But hath also secured our Way unto them by the Ministration of his Angels who are to conduct our separated Souls to the actual Possession of them I shall amplify this for our greater Delight and Joy in the Fore thoughts of it by such Considerations that do by immediate and necessary Consequence flow from the Convoy of Angels receiving the Souls of Believers at their Dissolution wherever they die and transporting them into the immediate glorious Presence of God in the Highest Heavens where when once lodg'd they will be happy for ever 1. The Excellency of their Company from Earth to Heaven 2. Their Safety in their Passage from the one to the other 3. Their Dignity before they are actually glorified in Heaven 4. Their Celerity and speedy Motion from and to such distant Places 5. The Exultancies of Joy both of the Transporters and the Passengers at their Arrival at the Haven of Happiness 1. The Excellency of the Company the gracious separated Soul is immediately received into doth cause abundant Delight and Joy unto it The Difference of the Company it had while in the Body and hath as soon as out of the Body doth presently shew it is got into another State into a New World It had often heard of the Heavenly Principalities and Powers but they never appeared unto it before Angels are such glorious Creatures that in this mortal State we could not without Fear Amazement and Trembling bear their appearing unto us But when the Gracious Soul is out of the Body the Presence Company and Vision of Glorious Angels shall transport it with Joy and fill it with great Delight Tho' we cannot tell the Names of Angels that shall be sent to convey our Souls to Heaven there being but one Proper Name in Sacred Scripture attributed to a Created Angel viz. Gabriel Dan. 8. 16. and 9. 21. Luke 1. 19 26. which signifieth a strong Man of God and might be a common Name to any Angel sent by God upon any special Message for every one is a strong Man of God yet the Titles and Properties ascribed to them all are sufficient Grounds of Satisfaction to us whoever of them shall be commissioned by God to Conduct us to the blessed State above Twice we read of an Archangel 1 Thes 4. 16. Jude V. 9. which is Michael signifying who as God or who is equal to God to be understood of Christ the Son of God the only uncreated Angel for it pleased God to send his Son as his Messenger to declare to Men his Holy Will and is often in Scripture called an Angel and he is that Archangel who is the Head of all Principalities and Powers Col. 2. 20. and all the other are his Servants and Attendants How much the separated Soul being then made perfect in Holiness will be delighted with the Sight and Knowledge of this new Company sent to convey it to Glory we might apprehend by Titles given to them setting forth the excellency of them 1. This Convoy sent for it are Holy Ones In Holiness they were at first created and their Holiness they still retain persevering in it Dan. 4. 13. 17.
by that Power they are indued with from God but also by Commission and Assistance from him and therefore when we read of any Fight and Conflict between the Bad and Holy Angels the Good always overcame because Christ who is that Michael is the Lord General of the Heavenly Host and they fight under his Banner and he that is the Captain of our Salvation is the Captain Leader and Commander in Chief of this Heavenly Army Rev. 12. 7 8. And there was War in Heaven Michael and his Angels fought against the Dragon and the Dragon fought and his Angels and prevailed not neither was there Place sound any more in Heaven 9. And the great Dragon was cast out that old Serpent called the Devil and Satan which deceiveth the whole World he was cast out into the Earth and his Angels were cast out with him Rev. 20. 1. I saw an Angel come down from Heaven having the Key of the Bottomless Pit and a great Chain in his Hand 2. And he laid hold on the Dragon that old Serpent which is the Devil and Satan and bound him a Thousand Years 3. And cast him into the bottomless Pit and set a Seal upon him that he should deceive the Nations no more Thus the Holy Angels are celebrated for their Power being mighty Angels 2 Thes 1. 7. and do excel in Strength Psal 103. 20. Their Power under God is the Soul's Safety on its Way from Earth to Heaven Secondly The Soul by this Convoy is safe because conducted by such knowing Angels Evil Angels though they have lost all that Holiness they were at first created with yet they retain great Measures of Knowledge therefore we read of the Subtilty of the Stratagems and Devices of the Devil yet the Holy Holy Angels are more knowing than they for when Devils are cast out the good Angels do always behold the Face of God in Heaven Mat. 18. 10. So that God revealing his Will to them about any Matter Message or Person they readily know and as readily execute what he reveals to them to be his Will to be done by them As to our present Purpose by God's Revelation to them 1. They know those that are sincerely Holy for they rejoice at their Conversion 2. They know when any Believer is dissolved by Death and when his Soul is separated from his Body else how should they know when to come for it 3. They know where any Believer dies at home or abroad on his Bed or in the Field by Land or Sea else how should they know where to come for it 4. They know the Soul separated which is the Soul of a sanctified Man and which of one unholy else how should they know which to take and which to leave which to carry to Heaven and which to leave to Devils to be carried to Hell and here thro' Divine Revelation they never make any Mistake 5. They know the Way from any part of this World to the blessed World above by their often coming and going and never miss their Way All which laid together shews the Safety of Believers Souls wherever they live wherever they die whoever they be that there is no fear that they should not be found by the ministring Angels or that finding them at Death they should lose their Way to Heaven So that the separated Soul at the first Appearance of Angels to it will see the Love and Care of God concerning it and with admiring Thoughts thereof may say hath God made known to you the Place where I did leave my Body and the very Moment when I parted from it and that I was sincere in Heart to God and gave you charge to come and guide me in my Way unto his Glorious Presence how chearfully will I go with you knowing that by your Power under God I shall not be seized by evil Spirits and by your Skill I shall not lose my Way Thirdly The separated Soul by Angels Ministration is safe because convoyed by such faithful Angels that are always true to their Trust If a Man be on a Journey in Company that is able to protect him and skilful to direct him yet if any in the Company be unfaithful they may betray him but here can be no Danger nor Ground of Fear in respect of this Convoy 1. Else Holy Angels would not be faithful to God the Father in betraying any one Soul chosen by him to Eternal Life 2. Nor to God the Son in losing any whom he hath redeemed and purchased by his most precious Blood 3. Nor to the Holy Spirit of God by dropping any by the Way which by the special Operation of his powerful Grace he hath prepared and made meet for Glory and had given to them the Pledge and Earnest thereof 4. Nor to the Soul committed to their Charge to bring to Heaven for wherein could greater Unfaithfulness to it be shewn than in what concerns its Eternal State 5. Nor to their own Office or Commission to them without fail to conduct such an one to the Happiness of Heaven Such Unfaithfulness is inconsistent with the Perfection and spotless Purity of Holy Angels which being confirmed cannot at any time fall into the least Error or Miscarriage for then would they cease to be Holy Angels What Joy then is this to the separated Soul that hath such a Convoy sent for it as shall not indanger it by Weakness or want of Power by Ignorance or want of Skill in the Way or by Unfaithfulness or want of Fidelity to their Trust O how happy am I on my Way to Happiness How sure am I my Way will be prosperous How certain is it I shall get safely thither Fourthly The gracious separated Soul will be safe because transported by such zealous Angels therefore called Seraphims because they have a burning Zeal in executing all that God gives them a Charge to do Devils are furious envious and malicious and are bent to destroy devour and damn as many as they can by watching by walking to and fro throughout the Earth by tempting and at last by dragging Souls to Hell when separated from their Bodies The Holy Angels are more for God's Glory the Interest of Christ the Good of Souls than Devils are against them for I suppose the Holy Angels do more exceed in Goodness than evil Angels as bad as they are are filled with Wickedness For in Devils there is something Materially Good besides their Being tho' it may be Formally or Circumstantially Evil as much of their Knowledge but in Holy Angels there is nothing that is Materially or Circumstantially Evil. Therefore the Holy separated Soul received into the Company of Holy Angels on its Way to Heaven may delight it self and say While in the Body I was assaulted with Satans Temptations Devils did endeavour to persuade me to sin but whatsoever Violence they may now assault me with they shall no more with any Hopes entice me from my God and the good Company I
am in will defend me from them What Zeal do these Holy ones shew in protecting of me What burning Love do I feel in their Embracements What Indignation and Anger do they discover as I go along against any evil Spirits appearing to endanger me What Assaults the Spiritual Wickednesses have made my Convoy hath secured me from when they did draw near these did beat them back they are repulsed and I surrounded with these go safely on Fifthly The gracious separated Soul will be safe because defended by numerous Angels Whether more Angels revolted than are confirmed is not needful to enquire sure we are there are multitudes of Thousands that did never sin but retain their Integrity Dan. 7. 10. A thousand thousands ministred unto him and ten thousand times ten thousands stood before him Rev. 5. 11. And I beheld and I heard the Voice of many Angels round about the Throne and the Beasts and the Elders and the Number of them was ten thousand times ten thousands and thousands of thousands So many that they are innumerable Heb. 12. 22. How many Angels may be sent to convey one particular Soul is more than I do know But we may be sure of this that a Guard of so many shall be employed as is sufficient to protect it against all the Principalities and Powers of Hell so that the Soul might pass without fear of Danger and say This Number God hath sent will see me safe in Heaven for every one of them is Mighty Powerful every one is Knowing and skilful in the Way and every one is Faithful to his Trust every one is Zealous for God's Glory in my Salvation and mine Eyes being opened I see there is more for me than against me III. The Convoy of Angels shews us the Dignity and Honour that God puts upon the separated Soul Lazarus was much despised slighted and neglected when Body and Soul remained united and whatsoever Contempt his dead Body was exposed to his separated Soul was honoured with the Company of Angels Strange Change one while lying amongst the Dogs and another while carried by Angels It 's said the Romans after their Victories in their Triumphs had their Charriots drawn sometimes with Elephants sometimes with nimble-footed Jennets sometimes with Pyde Horses and Amasis King of Egypt had his Chariot drawn with Four Kings whom he had conquered But the Soul of a Believer is carried in greater Triumph by Angels into Heaven When the King asked Haman what shall be done to the Man whom the King delighteth to Honour he supposing it should be himself said Let the Royal Apparel be brought which the King useth to wear and the Horse that the King rideth upon and the Crown Royal which is set upon his Head and let this Apparel and Horse be delivered to the Hand of one of the King 's most Noble Princes that they may aray the Man withal whom the King delighteth to Honour and bring him on Horseback through the Street of the City and proclaim before him thus shall it be done to the Man whom the King delighteth to Honour Esth 6. 6 to 12. Tho' we cannot see the Soul when it leaves the Body nor the Guard of Angels standing ready to receive it nor hear the Songs of Triumph as they pass along yet we may conceive what is proclaimed if not verbally yet really in the thing done in the Heavenly Host as they pass through the Air Thus shall it be done to the Soul whom the King of Glory delighteth to Honour We may also imagin how the Soul it self is transported with Joy and beats its Part in those Triumphant Songs and is revived more than Jacob's fainting Heart was when his Sons told him all the Words of Joseph and when he saw the Wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him so when the Soul seeth the Chariots that God hath sent to carry it to Jesus is comforted and filled with Admiration saying I have lived hitherto in a strange Land where God did set me to be prepared for a State of Glory to be taught and instructed in Christ's School by his appointed Ordinances to be made meet to be a Partaker of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light I have been a Pilgrim and a Sojourner in the lower World where I dwelt in an Earthly Tabernacle and Cottage of Clay where I looked for a City which hath Foundations whose Maker and Builder is God and now my Father hath sent lo what Glorious Angels he hath sent to fetch me home to possess the Mansion prepared for me in his own House and stately Palace in the highest Heavens I am going to a better Country than ever yet I was in I am on my Way to my Eternal Blessed Home and with what Honour am I conducted thither For The Noblest of God's Creatures are sent by him to fetch me to his Glorious Presence to the Place of Light and Life and Love The Courtiers of Heaven are my Attendants thither These Favourites of the great King are come to lead me to his Palace and to introduce me under Christ into his Presence These Morning Stars are to go before me which make me to rejoice with exceeding great Joy these are to go before me to guide me to the Place where Jesus is not lying in a Manger but sitting on his Throne at the Right Hand of the Majesty on high These that are to God what Gentlemen of the Bed chamber are to Earthly Kings are come down to fetch me up Never had an unbelieving Earthly King such a Life-guard as this nor such Attendants to wait upon him or to minister to him All his Lords and Nobles and Captains are far inferior to these Angels and it is the great God's good Pleasure that it should be done thus to all the Souls whom he delighteth to honour IV. The Celerity and speedy Passage of the separated Soul from Earth to Heaven is evidenced by its being carried by Angels from the one Place to the other Tho' the Distance from this Earth to the highest Heaven is conceived to be Millions of Miles and a further Voyage than from any part in this lower World to another most remote in point of Distance yet the Passage is not so long in respect of time tho' the Way be long between the Term from which and the Term to which the Soul is carried yet it is not long the Soul is passing through the intermediate Distance because it is helped by the spedy Motion of the Angels which that we may the better conceive let us consider 1. The Motion of Angels from Heaven to Earth and back again cannot be but through the Intermediate Distance of the one from the other For the Continuity of Angels Motion is not to be taken only from the Continuity of the Duration while they move but also from the Continuity of the Space through which they remove 2. The Motion of Angels from such distant Extreams as Heaven and Earth cannot be
your self in the Publick Ordinances because of Angels good and bad for when you come to these good and bad Angels come also the Devil to catch the Word from you that you might not be saved but that he might catch and carry your Soul at Death to Hell Good Angels to promote your Conversion now that they may carry your Souls to Heaven hereafter Because of these Holy Angels in the Assembly watch your Carriage shall they see your Eyes rolling after sinful Objects Shall they see you sleeping under the Word or in time of Prayer Will you so grieve those that you hope shall be imployed in carrying your Soul to Heaven Blush more that Angels see you nodding in Duty than that Men see you IV. Tho' Angels shall be so careful of you to carry your separated Soul to Heaven yet be you careful that you now carry nothing to them that is due to God neither your Prayers nor any part of Religious Worship that properly belongs to God Worshipping of Angels is offensive to God and displeasing to them and they refuse to accept it Tho' you were upon your dying Bed you may not pray to them to come and guard you but you may pray to God that he would send them to defend you and carry you to Glory as in another Case Manoah did Judg. 13. 8. Manoah intreated the Lord and said O my Lord let the Man of God which thou didst send come again unto us 9. And God hearkened to the Voice of Manoah and the Angel of God came again 16. The Angel said If thou wilt offer a Burnt Offering thou must offer it to the Lord. V. This is great Encouragement to dying Believers When such an one perceives the approaching of Death that he must get up and ride upon that Pale Horse that will carry him into the other World he might say Farewell Dear Friends Farewell I am going my time is ended my Course is finished I shall be no more with you and when my Soul is departed there is no more that you can do for it Weep not neither be ye grieved I have those that will take care of me when ye cannot God will take Care of me and Christ will take Care of me and the Holy Angels of God will take Care of me I have God's Promise for my Security God's Power for my Protection God's Angels for my Guard The Angel of the Covenant will charge his Angels with me the Messenger of the Covenant will send his Messengers for me The Surety of the Covenant hath undertaken with God for me and for me with God and I shall reap the benefit of his Suretiship and the Blessings of the Covenant for Ever when carried up into Heaven Death will carry me into Eternity and Angels will carry me into a blessed Eternity of Life and Joy with Christ in Glory The Horsemen of Israel are a coming the Chariot is making ready and as Death hastens so do they and will certainly be here as soon as Death if not before Shall I be afraid of Death or Devils or Hell when Angels will meet me at Death's Door and carry me to Heaven's Gates and others let me in to take up my Lodging in Abraham's Bosom This is Ground of support to a Believer on his dying Bed when he must mount the Pale Horse of Death which will carry him into another World that God will charge his Angels to attend and to be read to receive his separated Soul and carry it into the State and Place of Eternal Happiness in the other World This also might alleviate the Grief of surviving Friends which often loads and burdens the Heart because of the Departure of such that while they lived were their Comfort and Delight when they consider the joyful Company of the Holy Angels they have to convoy them to their Eternal Blessed Home their joyful Entertainment there their happy Rest their holy Imployment their inconceivable Joys in the immediate Presence of their Glorious God and Exalted Redemer and the Eternal Spirit and that all this shall be their Happiness to all Eternity It is no blind Charity to conclude that the Soul of this deceased Friend is safely arrived at Heaven and hath his Mansion there when those that knew him best and conversed with him most and had the longest Acquaintance to observe his Conversation can and do affirm that his whole Life was very Exemplary suitable to his Profession and worthy of others Imitation When I was at his Funeral a grave solid and judicious Christian said to me I have known him from his Begining to his End and think that whatsoever migh be said of an Upright Man might be said concerning him He was very diligent in Redeeming his time Improving it in the Duties of his particular and general Calling cautious and watchful that he might not waste nor mispend the Hours of his Life for tho' he had a considerable Estate yet he was as laborious in his Station as if he had not Bread to eat till he had got it by his Hands not from a covetous Desire of Gain which was manifest in that the same Hands that worked for it were as ready to give it as the Necessities of others called for it For to my Knowledge he gave a considerable Allowance for many Years towards the Education of a poor Scholar whom when he heard preach before he died said to me he thought his Money well bestowed and was a Comfort to him that it had been so rightly placed and that he saw such Fruits of what he had therein done He was more than ordinarily ready to promote the Preaching of the Gospel amongst a People that by reason of their low Circumstances were not able to procure it one Instance I remember when a Friend of mine did but mention the Case of such a People in the Country tho' he did not ask him yet before they parted I saw him give several Pounds to be towards the Maintainance of a Preacher for that Year Another special Friend of mine of his intimate Acquaintance told me since his Death that once he desired some Assistance from him for the Relief of a very fit Object of Charity more than ordinary for which purpose he readily beyond his Expectation gave many Pounds After some considerable time intervening the same Person upon another extraordinary Occasion renewed his Request for his Help and he chearfully gave him upon that Account as much as he did for the other Whereupon my Friend told me that such a Free-giver spoiled him for a Beggar for others as to him for after that he could never prevail with himself to ask him any more who was so easily prevailed with to give so liberally He was an earnest desirer of the Welfare of the Souls of others for I know that he hath often bought many Dozens of Books of several Subjects and given them to Poor Persons and Families asking nothing but that they would take them and
Wonders of his Grace in bringing me to this happy State of Life and Light and Love and perfect Rest for Ever 6. From all Discords and Divisions that were amongst believers on their way on Earth to this State in Heaven There they are all of one Mind of one Heart and Way There is no Diversity of Judgment no Alienation of Affection no rash and uncharitable Censures but all filled with Love to God and one another 7. From all ensnaring Allurements of this World These too often did deaden their Affections towards God interrupt their Communion with him and by the World's Smiles were sometimes brought under God's Frowns and when it was best with their Bodies it was worst with their Souls and the more they enjoyed of the World the less their Conversation was in Heaven But there they have got above all worldly Profits all fleshly Pleasures all carnal Joys and shall bathe themselves in those Rivers of Pleasures and be delighted in that fulness of Joy which is in the Presence of their Lord and Saviour to all Eternity 8. From all distracting Cares and disquieting Fears about the want of things necessary to bear their Charges on their Journey while on Earth to the Bosom of their Lord. They shall have no more need of such Cautions Take no thought what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink or wherewithal ye shall be clothed For in that Place and State they shall be hungry no more nor thirst any more nor feel any Want of any such things but shall live without these as Angels in Heaven do 9. From all Troubles and Remorse and Stinging of Conscience Conscience that shall still remain in the Bosom of the Damned shall Eternally torment and gnaw upon them and for very Vexation shall cause them to cry out What Fools were we for short Pleasures of Time to run into these Everlasting Pains What Madness did possess us for small Profits of the World to lose the Enjoyments of all the Happiness of Heaven What Distraction did seize us to come to this filthy loathsom Dungeon to this dark and dismal Prison for the fading Honours of a short and Transitory Life Cursed Caitiffs that we are that did prefer the good Things of our corrupt Flesh before the things that were really good for Body or for Soul Miserable Hell-hounds for so now we are and must for ever be to keep our Sins and lose our Souls to gratify our Lusts and for them to be cast out from the comfortable Presence of the blessed Lord To sell Heaven for a Merrybout to come short of Eternal Joys for an Ale-bench Song and there to drink and swill like Hogs at a Trough and now to lie in tormenting Flames and cannot obtain one Drop of Water tho' a River would not be enough to cool our Tongues But the Saints in Abraham's or rather in their Saviour's Bosom shall have a quiet sedate and rejoicing Conscience in their own that shall refresh and comfort them that they did deny themselves to save themselves that they did venture or sustain the Loss of Life to obtain Eternal Life that they took joyfully the spoiling of their Goods that they might have in Heaven a better and more enduring Substance 10. From all irksom Weariness in Holy Exercises While they are in the Bosom of the Church Militant they are too often weary in doing their Duty when they are not weary of doing of it and the better they do it the more weary they are in doing of it and if they are weary of it it is because they do it no better They are weary of a dull and lazy slothful Heart they are weary of their unbelieving hard and unaffected Heart they are weary of their distracting Thoughts and wandring Minds and roving Affections But the more Life and Liveliness the more activity and exercise of Faith and Love Desire and Delight of Joy and Hope they perform them with the less weary they are of them Much labour seemeth light long time seemeth short and the greatest Pains are pleasant to them and in so doing they find the Spirit is willing when the Flesh is weak The Damned in the Bowels of Hell and in the Devil's Bosom are weary of their Torments of their Pain and Punishment such a Bosom is no Place of Love or Rest and the more they are embraced in the Devil's Arms the more uneasy still they are and wish that he could hug them into nothing and Lamenting say Have our Bosom Sins brought us to such an uneasy Bosom Have our embraced Sins brought us to the Embracements of such cruel and merciless Tormentors We never hug'd our Sins so much but the Devil huggeth us as close We never kept our Sins so fast but the Devil will keep us now as long We are weary we are weary of this Place and Pain more weary than we were of Prayers and Sermons and Sabbaths upon Earth we were weary of them and Death freed us from that Weariness but now we are weary of these Pains which we were weary in praying against and never must be freed from them But when the Soul is carried into Heaven it shall be no more weary of the Praise Delight and Love it shall be imployed in for ever and tho' it shall not rest Day or Night saying Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty yet it shall find sweet and pleasant Rest both Night and Day in sounding unwearied Hallelujahs to the Lord in the Saviour's Bosom Take some Corollaries from what hath been said 1. Let go your Bosom Sins as you would have your Souls carried into Abraham's Bosom Make no Sin your Bosom Friend neither hide it in your Bosom 1. by indulging and cherishing of it as a Mother the Child in her Bosom beware of that Sin which all other Sins are Servants to 2. By defending and pleading for it 3. By withstanding the Reproofs that are given to you for it 4. By pleasing your self in thinking of it 5. By not confessing of it to God who knows the most secret Things in your Bosom 2. Let no Bosom Friend draw you to sin not the Wife or Husband of your Bosom or any as dear to you as your own Soul lest when you are carried from them by Death you be not carried by Angels into Abraham's Bosom 3. Let Christ have a Room in your Bosom now that you might be received into his Bosom hereafter Christ should lie nearest your Heart He that is in the Bosom of the Father is most worthy of the chiefest and choicest Room in your Heart Say and do as the Spouse Cant. 1. 13. A Bundle of Myrrh is my Well beloved unto me he shall lie all Night betwixt my Breasts Some say Myrrh betwixt the Breasts is an excellent Cordial Christ in our Bosom is a reviving Cordial for it is a Pledge that we hereafter shall be in his 4. When the Souls that shall not be carried up
to Heaven shall be dragged down to Hell they shall have the Recompence of all their Wickedness pour'd into their Bosom and of all their Reproaches wherewith they have reproached the Lord. God now saith That then he will not keep Silence but will recompence into their Bosom and will measure their former Works into their Bosom 5. Whatsoever Soul would be carried up to Abraham's Bosom must be laborious in Religion while he is here He must neither hide his Sins nor his Hand in his Bosom not the one from parting from it nor the other from working with it The slothful Man that hideth his Hands in his Bosom and will not so much as bring it to his Mouth again must starve because he will neither work nor eat And he that hideth his Sin in his Bosom and will not so much as bring it to his Mouth Penitently and with Brokenness of Heart to confess his Sin shall be damned for his Sin Angels will carry no Idle Slothful Souls to Heaven Abraham's Bosom is no Place for Loiterers It is those that Fight and Run and Wrestle and Overcome that shall have Repose and Rest in Abraham's Bosom For The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth Violence and the Violent take it by Force III. Observation A gracious Soul separated from the Body is presently carried by Angels into a State of Happiness in Heaven At Death it is not annihilated nor doth it sleep with the Body neither doth it stay in any other supposed Place but is instantly on its Journey to Glory and immediately passeth into the Celestial Paradise The sure Word of God doth assure us of this and if we believe the one we must grant the other since it is so express and full in the asserting of this Doctrine that is so comfortable to sanctified and prepared Souls Designing Brevity in this I shall only alledge a few Texts that do confirm it Luke 23. 43. Jesus said unto him Verily I say unto thee to day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Where note 1. The Asserter Jesus said unto him the penitent dying Thief 2. The Manner of his Assertion Verily I say unto thee A Word of Asseveration commonly used by Christ in Matters of great undoubted Certainty and Moment 3. The Thing Asserted To Day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Where observe 1. The Place spoken of That is Paradise that is the Third Heaven where God doth manifest his Glorious Presence Thus Paul speaking of a Man caught up to the Third Heaven presently subjoins He was caught up into Paradise by Two Words intending one and the same Place 2 Cor. 12. 2 4. 2. Who should be in that Place of Paradise Thou that art now a dying Man Thou that is thy Soul for of his Body it could not be understood 3. With whom the penitent Thief should be in Paradise With Christ Thou that art with me on the Cross shalt be with me in Heaven 4. When his Soul should be with him in Heaven To day To day thou shalt die and to day thou shalt have Eternal Life To day thou shalt expire on the Cross and to day thou shalt have a Crown of Glory in the Highest Heavens The different Pointing of the Words corrupting the Sense is such a bold Attempt that should it be admitted in other Places as the Opposers of the Soul 's immediate passing into Glory sawcily do in this it would be such a mangling of the Scripture that we should be at a Loss to know the Meaning of many plain Texts What need had Christ to speak the Words thus Verily I say unto thee to day Did not he know Christ then spake to him Did not he hear him And did he hear him that Day and could not he tell that Christ spake to him that day except Christ added to Day I say unto thee What need Christ add his asserting Verily to these Words I say unto thee to day Could not the Thief trust his own Ears that he then heard Christ say to him except Christ add Verily I do asâ—ure thee that it is to day that I say this to thee Which is greater Ground of Support and Comfort to a dying Penitent to acquaint him I say unto thee to Day thou shalt be with me in Paradise but I do not tell thee when nor how many Thousand Years hence this shall be thy Happiness or thus Verily I say to thee to day this very Day thou shalt be with me in Paradise It is but a Dream that the Soul shall sleep when a Man dies A Second Text is 2 Cor. 5. 6. Therefore we are always confident knowing that whilst we are at home in the Body we are absent from the Lord Ver. 8. We are confident I say and willing rather to be absent from the Body and to be present with the Lord. Here note 1. While the Soul is in the Body we are in our Earthly Home 2. While the Soul is in its Earthly Home it is absent from its true Home which is in Heaven from the Vision and Fruition of God in Glory 3. When the Soul doth leave its Earthly Home it goeth to its Heavenly Home for when it is absent from the Body it shall be present with the Lord in the Glorious Enjoyment of him to all Eternity 4. The Opposition of these Two is immediate To be present in the Body is to be absent from the Lord To be absent from the Body is to be present with the Lord. 5. The Confidence of the Apostle that there is such a Glorious State which is the reason of our Willingness to leave the Body that from thenceforth we might be with the Lord in Heaven Deny the Souls immediate passing to God in Glory and you take away the Reason of the Choice rather to be absent from the Body than to be present in it The Third Text is Phil. 1. 23. For I am in a Straight betwixt two having a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far better Note 1. The Apostle's Straight Two things were before him to live or die Reasons swaying him sometimes to the one sometimes to the other For the Good of God's Church it would be better for him to live than die Ver. 22. For his own Advantage it would be better for him to die than to live Ver. 21. This was his Straight 2. His own Inclination and vehement Desire in respect to himself that he would chuse rather to depart than to continue upon Earth 3. The Reason of his Desire and Wilingness to depart that he may be with Christ But there would be no Reason in this Reason if by departing he should be nothing the sooner with Christ 4. The Preference of one State before the other or the comparing of the one with the other It is better to die and be with Christ There is an excellent Gradation in the Text It is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 better It is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 far better It