turned out of the straight way to Heaven by such things as 2 Pet. 1.11 The Scriptures have told us before-hand of Sufferings and Tryals and therefore it should be no strange thing to meet with them But it hath also told us and set before us the Glory that shall follow this should swallow up the other and make us endure them easily Hebr. 12.2 and 11.26 2. Hence it is that that is worth looking and seeking after bending all our desires and endeavours to obtain viz. the Happiness and Glory of Heaven for it is Eternal and 2 Cor. 4.18 Eternal things should be the things we look at and after as our scope as the word is our aime mark and designe To lay out our selves about Temporal things and make them our maine business is a great folly Prov. 23.5 Psal 39.6 Men are busie about this and that about many things but there is but one great business Luk. 10.41 42. to provide for Eternity to get and make sure of that good part that shall last for ever and never be taken away from us And 3. With what study earnestness care and seriousness with what intention of mind what Ardency of affâ—ction should we look after Heaven For Eternal Glory and Salvation is a great matter a great object we had not need be slight or negligent about such a thing about a business of Eternal Concernment It is said of Zerxes that Elegant Painter when asked why he spent so much time and labour about what he did when others turned off their work apace that he answered Ego propter Etermitatem pingo I paint for Eternity that that should stand and continue in after times We in a more proper and full sense may say we act for Eternity and therefore we had need be more intense and exact when as we pray for Eternity ask Eternal life of God hear for Eternity follow God for Eternity come to Christ Jesus for Eternal and Everlasting Life How Serious Hearty Affectionate Fervent Intense should those Prayers Duties Comings be Why that is that we are seeking after if in earnest to lay hold on Eternal Life 1 Tim. 6.12 19. Oh with what fear and trembling care and diligence should we pursue that business Come not slightly to Christ in a negligent careless manner or with a piece of thy Heart when thou comest for Eternal Life c. The Salvation Christ holds forth and calls to attend unto and come and follow him for is Great Salvation for it is Eternal Salvation Oh be not negligent about that Hebr. 2.3 and 5.9 how humbly obedient unto him Oh with what an humble Heartiness Affection Seriousness Thankfulness whole heart should a poor sinner come and look to Christ imbrace and cling to him hang on him for deliverance from Eternal Death and for the gift of Eternal Life how precious is that Grace Rom. 5.21 for Rom. 6.23 SERMON IV. 3. IT follows to consider of the degrees of this future Glory as it is enjoyed 1. In Soul after Death 2. Both in Soul and Body at and after the Resurrection and last Judgement In the former state the Saints have a more incompleat though sweet and excellent in the latter a more compleat full and perfect enjoyment of this Glory I shall not speak of the different degrees of Glory in Heaven comparing one Saint with another Though that seems to be a truth that as we see there are dissâ—ring degrees of Grace and Holiness here and God distributes more eminent Gifts and Graces to one than to another not withstanding that the Imputation of Righteousness in Justification be equal to all so there will be in Glory hereafter When God shall Crown his own Graces in his Saints Every one shall not have such a Crown as Paul to whom the Fruits of his Ministry will then add to his Crown and rejoycing 1 Thes 2.19 nor be set next to Christ as some shall be Mat. 20.23 there will not want order in the Heavenly Mansions nor variety mixed with Identity wherein the Lord delights viz. Calvin Instit lib. 3. cap. 25. Sect. 10. and in Mat. 13.43 and 20.1 16. Bucan Loc. com pag. 446. Leigh's Body Divinity pag. 872. But only somewhat of the Glory of the Saints in those two â—â—ates the state of the Soul in its separation from the Body after their re-union which all the Saints that die do pass through Here 1. Consider the Glory and Happiness enjoyed by the Soul in its separate state after death from thence to the Resurrection 2. The Accession or increase or more compleat fulness of Glory that followes upon the re-union of the Soul and Body at and after the Resurrecion 1. The Souls of the Faithful do after death immediatly pass into Glory even that Glory that we have before spoken of The substance whereof they do enjoy in as perfect a degree or in as full a measure as the Soul in its separate state is capable of though there is a further degree and fulness of Glory reserved for the whole man upon re-union of the Soul and Body of which afterward the Soul of a Saint is presently Glorified after death though the Body be not It presently enters into peace Isa 57.2 Rest and Consolation Luk. 16.22 25 Into Blessedness and Glory Revel 14.13 from henceforth from this time from the time of their death and so on forward they are in blessedness and rest no fear of passing through paines of Purgatory for a time as Papists had taught before the Light of the Gospel broke forth The Souls of the Saints departed do enjoy that Heavenly Glory that we have spoken of For 1. They are at Death immediatly made perfect in Grace and Holiness Heb. 12.23 perfectly freed from all sin and endued with all heavenly perfection of mind and will of which what it is we spoke before Death puts an end to the death of sin in the Saint he rests from the Labour and Burden thereof and he is clothed with perfect Holiness fit for that place of Heaven and Heavenly presence of God which he is passing into 2. They enjoy the Beatifical vision and Glorious presence and Fellowship of God and Christ Philip. 1.23 No sooner departed and the union of the Soul and Body dissolved by death but he in his Soul is with Christ 2 Cor. 5 6 8. as soon as absent from the body and that is the Soul departed that is absent from the Body and while absent in its seperate estate If Paul be absent from the Body it is in his Soul which is there and oft in Scripture called man he is present with the Lord. When Stephen falls asleep by death the Lord Jesus receiveth his Spirit or Soul Act. 7.59 so Psal 49.15 Eccles 12.7 3. The Soul departed enjoyes in some way and some degree the Company and Communion of other Souls and Spirits of the Blessed Heb. 12.23 The Soul of Lazarus is with Abraham and so with all the Saints the Children of Abraham that
of their Glory This compleatness of Glory and so the Accession or addition to what they had before at and after the Resurrection we may take up in several particulars 1. They shall then have full Conquest and victory over Death and full deliverance from the Curse The last enemy that shall be destroyed is Death and that is not fully destroyed and swallowed up till the Resurrection 1 Cor. 15.26 54 56 57. Though the Soul dye not yet Death hangs and abides upon the Body and so upon the person and continues to make up a separation between those two Soul and Body which had it not been for sin should never have been parted untill it be raised and shake off its dust and the re-union effected hence the Curse is not fully finally and totally abolish'd to the Saints till the Resurrection For Death is a fruit of the Curse While the Body is turned into and abides in its dust there is somewhat of its Ancient Curse remaining Genes 3.19 It hath some hold of them while the Grave holds the Body But when that is rased and hath shaken off its dust and Corruption and this Corruptible put on Immortality now here is compleat deliverance from the Curse and every Rag and Remnant of it For Christ at his Resurrection had a compleat Victory over the Curse it can hold him under no loâ—ger so hath the Saint Here is now a Redemption of the Body and so of the whole man from the Curse and from all Enemies even the last of them which is Death Rom. 8.23 There is the Redemption of the Soul before i. e. simply in it self considered though Relatively as it stands in relation to the Body and naturally desires Re-union with it so it may be said not to be fully Redeemed that is the person is not fully Redeemed while any part of it lyes under the Curse But now is the Redemption of the Body from Death and Vileness and so now the whole man the person is compleatly Redeemed delivered set free from the whole Curse Hence it is called the day of Redemption Ephes 4.30 Hence when Christ tells us of a full Life that he will give us he tells us of the Resurrection Joh. 6.40 54. He hath not finisht his quickning work his work of giving life till then 2. The Body shall then be Glorified there will be the accession of the Glory of the Body which was not before That part of each Saint till now till the Resurrection was not Glorified but lay in the dust and among the Worms in vileness and debasement But now the Body shall not only be raised up and live and so be freed from death as before but also be carried and adorned with Glory Honour Beauty and Excellency unspeakable be made a Glorious Body Phil. 3.21 An impassible Beautiful Agile Strong Spiritual Body 1 Cor. 15.42 43 44. Of this Glory of the Body what it is we spoke something before touching the Personal perfection of a Glorified Saint I only mention it now as part of the Additional and Compleat Glory that acrew's to the Saints at and after the Resurrection which was not before And this will increase the Joy of the Soul the Glory of the Body will be an addition to the Joy of the Soul and so the Happiness and Glory of the Soul considered extensively i. e. in its relation to and participation with the Body rejoycing in its Joy c. will be greater after the Resurrection than it was before though considered intensively and intrinsically viz. as to the Essential Happiness of the Soul that consists in its vision and fruition of God so it is the same before and after the Resurrection The Adjunctive additional Glory or Joy of the Soul will be increased through the Essence of the Happiness of the same 3. Hence the person the whole person consisting of Soul and Body of each Saint shall then be Glorified or after an Happy Joyfull meeting of those two old friends Soul and Body there will be an enjoyment of compleat Happiness in and by the whole mar It was but a peice of a Saint that was Glorified before but a part though indeed the principal part the Soul but now the whole the entire person for neither the Soul alone nor the Body alone is the person but the entire whole made up of both that is now Glorified And look as the condition of a part is attributed or belongs to an integral whole as if a Leg or an Arm be hurt or wounded we say the man is hurt or wounded so the person may be truly said to be inglorious not Glorified while an Essential part the Body is so Though the Soul be Glorified and so the man in regard of that part yet properly the person is not till both Soul and Body be so Joh. 7.39 not Glorified because his Manhood was not So Mat. 22.31 32. Abraham properly i. e. the person of Abraham does not enjoy God and the good of the Covenant Eternal Life unless his Body be raised Indeed the Soul of Abraham might but not Abraham properly for Abraham is a person consisting of Soul and Body It is properly but the Soul of such a man that is Glorified before the Resurrection But now the man the person is the whole entire man consisting in Soul and Body And Hence 1. There will be an Happy and Joyful meeting or re-union of the Soul and Body this re-union will be mutually Joyful and the Joy of the whole For the Soul of man was naturally made to subsist in a Body hence it is incompleat and imperfect without it it hath not its perfect and compleat manner of subsisting in its separate estate hence it desireth and longeth after re-union with the Body and by re-union it receives though not any Essential yet an Integral perfection And as the parting of these two old friends was sorrowful and contrary to nature or to natural inclination though swallowed up and over-ballanced by that greater good the presence of Christ Phil. 1 23. yet in it self sorrowful and unpleasant unto nature so their meeting again will be wonderful joyful they meeting in a condition of Joy and Bliss When the Soul is in Glory it now wants but one thing to make its Joy compleat viz. To have the Body with it in the same Glory This is now attained and now it is come to its full rest 2. There is now henceforth from the Resurrection and so on to all Eternity an actual plenary enjoyment of Glory and Happiness by the whole man in both the parts of Soul and Body That Glory that was before but in a part is now diffused into the whole And the Soul acts more perfectly in a Glorified Body because more naturally then it did in its seperate estate Indeed now on Earth the Body is a clog to the Soul and hence the seperate Soul hath a fuller and freer enjoyment of Happiness than it can have here But the Glorified Body
are departed this Life Luk. 16.22 Mat. 8.11 The Souls or Spirits of Isaac and Jacob are gathered to their people Genes 35.29 and 49.33 4. It is carried up by the Angels into the third Heaven there to be with Christ untill his second coming Luk. 16.22 with Mat. 8 11. Luk. 23.43 i. e. in his Soul for his Body was detained here on the Earth and thrown into the Grave By Paradise is meant the third Heaven 2 Cor. 12.2 with ver 4. so 2 Cor. 5.1 2. When the Soul goes out of the Tabernacle of this frail Body it enters into the Heavenly house that is Eternal It is not Harbour-less when turned out of all house and Harbour in this lower World The Soul of a Saint being departed out of the Body is with Christ Philip. 1.23 and Christ is in Heaven and there continues till his second coming 1 Pet. 3.22 Act. 3.12 Hence the Soul of a Saint of the Saint departed hath the knowledge and actual active fruition of its own Blessedness is comforted and rejoyced therein and actually drinking in those Pleasuâ—es and Joyes that are in the presence of God Luk. 16.25 Psal 16.11 with 2 Cor. 5.8 compared with which its state on Earth was but a state of absence from him v. 6. and hath an assurance of an Happy re-union with the Body and of all that fulness of Glory that the whole person shall enjoy at the Resurrection for which it waits and longs Rom. 8.23 till it be accomplished it is waited for Psal 16.9 Rev. 6.9 10 11. According to most Interpreters vid. Parens Dutch Diodate in Loc. Calvin opusc pag. 460. Bucan Loc. Com. pag. 447. in that Text is held forth that the Souls of the Saints departed being at present clothed with Robes of Glory do long for their consummate felicity in the full Redemption of the Church c. which shall be at the last Judgement A truth in it self whether the proper intendment of that place or no vid. Brightman in Lâ—c. 2 Tim. 4.8 All the Saints as on Earth so in Heaven do love and long for not with any disquâ—eting Impatience but with an Holy Expectation the appearing of Christ when they shall also appear with him in Glory But as there is an expectation of the future Glory of the Body the whole Person so there is a present enjoyment of Glory and Blessedness by the Soul while the Body is a vile and loathsome Carkass buried under the Clods fed on by the Worms and turned to dust the Soul is Shining and Triumphing in Glory Swimming in fulness of Joy in the presence of Christ and among the Spirits of the Just Hearing and Seeing after its intellectual way those things in Paradise that cannot now be uttered What some of the Saints and Prophets in Scripture have tasted of in raptures and Extasies and Paul in 2 Cor. 12.1 4. for a little see Mr. Norton's Orthodox Evang. pag. 339.341 wherein the Soul abstracted from use of bodily helps and Organs had a more immediate visional Contemplation of Objects presented that and more then that doth the Soul departed enjoy even a perpetual Vision of God and fruition of the Joyes of Heaven without the Body from Death to the Resurrection That conceit that some have had of the Souls sleeping or being in an unsensible unactive condition without the exercise of understanding memory or affections till the Resurrection is fond and foolish and contrary to the plain Testimonies of Scripture before cited which hold forth an actual enjoyment of Glory and Glorious Communion with God immediatly after Death as Well as to the nature of the Soul And was long since largely confuted by Calvin in his Psychopanychia Opuse pag. 449.476 one of the first things he wrote 1. How kind is God to his people that he will not put them off so long as the Resurrection before they enter into this Glory though the Body cannot according to appointed order come at it before yet the Soul shall have possession presently When Death must send the Body to the Grave Heb. 9.27 then he will take the Soul into Heaven and have its company there 2. This may sweeten Death to the Faithful and make them cheerfully yield up their Spirits into the hand of God who stands ready to receive them There is a present object of Glory before them a Joy immediatly to be enjoyed set before them which may make them cheerfully pass into it through the dark entry of Death Though there be a Land and Grave of darkness for the Body which yet is sweetned by the Burial of Christ yet an Inheritance of the Saints â—n light which the Soul shall presently pass into this is that that over-ballances Death and absence from the Body leaving the World even the presence of the Lord being with Christ which is best of all This should make us willing to leave the Body 2 Cor. 5.8 leave the old Crazy Rotten-house of the Body to go into the new building and into the bosome of Christ into Heaven 2 Cor. 5.1 4. And this is presently to be enjoyed you shall presently be with Christ when you leave this Body things remote affect not so much but this is near and just before you as Christ comforted them with that this day Luk. 23.43 The day of your dying is the day of your living in Paradise in Glory The day of your falling into the Earth as to the Body is the day of your ascending and being taken up to Heaven Luk. 9.51 Going to the Grave and going to Heaven they go together to the Faithtful inseparably together and there is more Comfort in the latter than discomfort in the former No sooner dissolved but you are in the Angels Arms to be carried into Christs Bosom even before you can be upon Friends Shoulders to be carried to the Grave The same step whereby you leave the World you go to the Father as Joh. 16.28 You no sooner depart hence but you are with Christ Philip. 1.23 are gathered to him and that Blessed company and people that are with him Genes 35.29 Oh how should this lift up all the Saints above the feat of that that can but kill the Body but pull out the Pins of this old house and dissolve that that is the furthest that all created power can go Luk. 2.4 Mat. 10.28 But Death and all the Instruments of Death are so far from killing the Soul that it lets that but out of Prison and sends it unto Life Eternal 2. Now consider what further Glory shall be added to the Saints for the full compleating and Consummation of their Glory and Happiness at and after the Resurrection upon the re-union of the Soul and Body It is a more incompleat or as some call it an Inchoate enjoyment of Heavenly Glory that the Saints have in their separate estate of their Souls But at the Resurrection of the Body and re-union thereof to the Soul they shall have the compleat fulness and Consummation
Hypocritical persons that are secret adversaries to Truth and Piety as 2 Cor. 11.26 Psal 55.12 13. You shall have no discouraging company in Heaven that will clog and thwart and hinder you in that that is good none to oppose either Truth or Piety but all to joyn with one accord in the serving and Glorifying of God 3. Divisions differences and dissentions among the Godly which the state of Imperfection on earth is lyably to and lamentably cumbred with and trouble and disquietment multiplied thereby but no such thing in Heaven there is but one mind and one mouth in Heaven as there is but one truth not so much as a dissering apprehension among all the thousands and millions of Saints there There we shall fully attain what is exhorted to 1 Cor. 1.10 and prayed for Rom. 15.5 6 7. There that goodly sight is to be seen in perfection Psal 133.1 The state of perfection there implyes and infers this Hebr. 12.23 The Saints while children may wrangle and contend and differ but when grown up to their adult age and to a perfect man they will have more grace than so Ephes 4.13 14. That ignorance weakness and darkness whereby we are oft here mistaken and miss the truth and cannot see the same truth by the same light our knowing in part whence we may be mistaken in part ignorant in part will then be done away and hence perfect union in the truth which is but one 1 Cor. 13.9 10 11 12. Si non amplius in his terris te visurns sum said old Grineus writing to Chytraeus apud Milch Adam pag. 879. ibi tamen conveniemus ubi Luthero cum Luingleo optimè jam convenit Paul and Barnahas Hooper and Ridley Luther and Zuinglius are there fully reconciled and shall never differ or contend more Heaven is full both of peace and truth even of that peace that is knit in the bonds of truth and holiness The griefs and distractions that result from dissentions among the Godly here are there all swallowed up in perfect peace And so all the difficulties and weary travails and oppositions that Christ's Kingdom now conflicts with and must be carried on through are there ended Mans corruptions Satans temptations weakness on every hand cumbers even Gods work with difficulty and obstruction here but no such thing there the Militant state of Christ's Kingdom is then ended and it passeth into a state of victory and rest 4. Bodily ailes sicknesses pains weakness deformities infirmities of what kind soever you shall be freed from all these in the life to come Philip. 3.21 Do you think the body of Christ now glorified knows any pain or grief or weakness as when on earth no more shall the bodies of the Saints in Heaven but be in perfect health in your beauty strength and Glory for ever 1 Cor. 15.42 43. The Resurrection to that life to come will cure the oldest pain aile ache disease lameness that could not be cured here those ailes that you carry to your Graves with you you shall not bring them out of your Graves again you shall rise again but they shall be buried and lost and laid aside for ever nor shall the body be so troublesome as now need so much ado about it and so many shores and props of meat drink sleep cloathing c. You are groaning now under many bodily ailes and evils but then comes a day of Redemption of the body as well as soul actual perfect Redemption of it from all evil Rom. 8.23 5. All other afflictions from the hand of God all the remnants of the Curse that Christ leaveth upon us in this world for our chastisement and correction Rev. 21 4. if it shall be so comparatively i. e. compar'd with the troubles of former times in the more glorious times of the Church Militant much more will it be so absolutely in the glorified estate of the Church-Triumphant While sin is with us as here there will be sorrow but the abolition of sin will abolish sorrow too perfectly No sin and no sorrow neither in Heaven All tears shall be wiped away i. e. all afflictions or troubles that are the cause of tears shall be quite taken away No more of those tears that arise from the various tryals of this weary life wants straits losses crosses in Name Estate Relations Imployments the briars thorns and thistles that grow in every corner of the field of this world Ezek. 26.24 There will need no rod in Heaven not a frown nor a blow nor a stroke of correcting anger there As there is nothing but wrath in Hell so there will be nothing but love in Heaven Here on earth there is a mixture of both yea even to Gods own people while they have sin in them and are full of faults though Children their Father cannot but be angry with them now and then and they need a rod ever and anon Psal 89.32 33. but in Heaven as no sin so no anger no not for chastening there◠the Lord will never knit his brows nor chide or strike never hide his face there be here Soul-afflictive spiritual Agonies from a sense of Gods anger and doubts of his love those also shall cease but they shall live under the smiles of his face and light of his countenance without interruption But thus in that as to fredom from all evil as 2 Cor. 5.4 so sin is swallowed up of grace and holiness the remainders of sin and sorrow that hang about us in this state of Imperfection are utterly swallowed up and abolished by that perfect holiness and perfect happiness that there is and continues for ever 2. Perfect enjoyment of all good It is not a meer negative happiness that the Saints in Heaven partake of viz. a not being miserable an absence of evil but also the positive presence and enjoyment of all good Psal 16.11 Joy is from the presence of good and full joy from the satisfying fulness of all good Under this Head may be comprised those great and glorious things that make up and compleat the positive happiness of the Saints in Heaven and were pointed to in the description As viz. 1. Full fruition or enjoyment of God perfect glorious and full communion with God the God of Glory God Father Son and Holy Ghost This is the main and the essence of the Happiness of Heaven It is not a carnal or sensual thing standing in bodily carnal pleasures and delights as Pagans and Mahometans teach and sensual Spirits dream but spiritual divine and coelestial standing in the enjoyment of God and communion with him This we have some little tast of here but being there in perfection it makes up perfect blessedness for mans blessedness lies in fruition of God the chief Good whom he was made for and in whom is that infinite fulness of all good that is able to satisfie and make happy the soul of man and to be the endless joy thereof It is not Creatures Crowns Kingdoms not a
Souls and Bodies i. e. considering them as they shall be after the Resurrection and last Judgment Consider therefore a little 1. Of the Glory of the Soul 2. Of the Body of a Saint 1. The Glory Felicity and Perfection of the Soul of a Glorified Saint The Soul is lifted up to its full Perfâ—ction Hebr. 12.23 endowed with all those Excellencies and Perfections that are proper to it especially the perfect Restoration of the Image of God and all the good and Excellency that resulteth thence made like unto the Soul of Jesus Christ 1 Joh. 3.2 The most proper and principal subjâ—ct of Heavens Glory is the Soul Hence it 's called the Salvation of our Souls 1 Pet. 1.9 that is the great Vessel that holds the Riches of Glory that are powered in there Rom. 9.23 The Soul of man is capable of more Glory and good than is in all this whole lower world put together all the Pleasures and Treasures of it cannot fill one Soul no not as it s now on earth in its narrow capacity for it shall be far larger when in its Glorified inlarged capacity in Heaven But then it shall be filled full as it can hold All the Excellency that a Created Soul is capable of shall then be put upon it and all the good and Glory its capable of holding poured into it Consider it in those two faculties of the Soul Understanding and Will 1. The Understanding shall be 1. Strengthned and enlarged enabled to see much and far raised and heightned to great quickness and deep Comprehensions of Understanding Isa 11.2 3. So when the spirit of Glory shall rest on the Saints in Heaven the Members of Christ it shall make them of quick and large Understandings yea quick to discerne and conceive of Spiritual objects and things which here we are dull and slow in Some men here on earth in this dark lumpish house of Clay have been of accute understandings quick apprehensions and vast Parts and Abilities what then shall Saints in Heaven be Solomon had a large Understanding that held as many Notions and Conceptions as there are Sands on the Sea-shore 1 King 4.29 And yet saith one viz. Dr. Goodwin on Rom. 8.18 page 56. the Soul of the least Child i. e. that was a Child here for vide Aquinas in supplement Q 81. and Bolton of Heaven page 129. in Heaven that went out of the World happily when but newly come forth of his Mothers Womb exceeds all the knowledge that Solomon had on earth Adam before the Fall had a large and ready Understanding as his so soon naming the Creatures according to their natures shewes But Heaven restores the Saints to Adam's Primitive Perfection and unto more then so All those Defects Wounds and Weaknesses in mans nature and so in his Understanding that came in by sin as fruits or punishments thereof or that import a miserable afflictive Imperfection or that unfit for the fruition of the appointed Glory these are all removed from the Glorified Saint 2. Furnished yea filled and satisfied with all useful desirable and Beatifical knowledge The Glorified Saint shall be abundantly stored and furnished with Knowledge of the Works of God and the admirable rayes and beams of Gods wisdom that shine therein in the frame of his Works of Creation and natures of his Creatures which men now gather up somthing of from Arts and Sciences True Learning will then and there come to and be in its Perfection The clear certain knowledge of all useful Truth will abound in that Heavenly Academy for this will be for the Glory and Honour of God that he may have the Glory of his Works and of his Wisdom therein that it may not be lost and buried as it would be most of it if neveâ— further seen into and minded than it is here Psal 104.24.36 And it is a part of the perfection and excellency of the Rational Creature an attaining of his end who was made to behold the wisdom of God in the World Job 36.24 25. And it was an Excellency he gave to Solomon when he would be kind to him therefore he will not deny it to his Saints in Heaven And our present defect and darkness in this knowledge is a fruit of the fall therefore shall then be removed 2. Of the Word of God and of all the deep Mysteries of Religion the meaning of the Holy Scriptures and of the hardest places therein the solution of the most knotty questions in Divinity the Explication of the most Glorious and ravishing Mysteries of God and Christ of Creation Providence Redemption and Application c. shall then be fully known and understood This is evident for knowledge especially in spiritual things matters of God and of Religion shall then come to its full perfection 1 Cor. 13.9 12. And the beatifical vision compriseth this Mat. 5.8 i. e. they shall see with the understanding as well as enjoy with the whole Soul God in all those discoveries and manifestations of himself that Creature is capable of and consequently in all truths concerning himself all those Divine Truths that make up that discovery Yea I add the mind shall be filled and satisfied with the knowledge and contemplation of those Glorious Truths and Objects unto ravishing Joy and Contentment Here the eye is not satisfied with seeing nor the ear with hearing Eccles 1.8 but then it shall though of so vast a concavity as we see here the mind of man is a vast thing it can take in and swallow down Heaps of Knowledge and yet is greedy after more it can grasp that World in its conception c. Much more large will this Vessel be when widened to its Glorified capacity yet it shall be filled and satisfied Psal 17.15 There is that to be seen and known in God that sufficeth Joh. 14.8 there is enough to suffice an infinite therefore more than enough for a finite understanding Iâ—â—sight of what was to be seen in Solomon and Solomon's Court and hearing of his wisdom was so ravishing and satisfying to the Queen of Sheba 1 King 10.3.8 What then will the fight of the Face and Glory of God in Heaven be The eye of a mans body is but a small thing and the apple of it smaller yet by the help of the Sun it is able to take in and behold half the world the whole Hemisphere at once How much more vast and large will the view and vision and prospect of the eye of the understanding be what vast objects delights and Glories will it take in when it hath the light of the Glory of God in Heaven shining about it yea into it Psal 36.8.9 It will take in great and wonderful discoveries of God and even see his face i. e. have a wonderfull Glorious view and vision of him and of all those clear manifestations of himself which he shall then communicate but how large soever it shall be filled unto full satisfaction Psal 17.15 2. The Will Heart and
Affections shall also be 1. Inlarged or compleatly fitted framed disposed and sanctified to take in that Glory or that Glorious Communion with God that is to be had in Heaven The spirit will be perfect Hebr. 12.23 in this respect i. e. perâ—â—ctly sanctified filled full of holiness and so everlastingly fitted and inlarged for that holy work of Glorifying God that is the work of Heaven alwayes in tune for that never out of frame as you often are here The Image of God upon the Soul shall then be perfectly restored as that part of it which stands in knowledge Colos 3.10 so also that of holiness and righteousness Epes 4.24 which is seated chiefly in the will and affections your Souls shall be top full of Holiness You that now long and cry out for Grace and Holiness for an heart to love God to fear him to delight in him to be inlarged for him you shall then have your desire to the full never feel a weakness or impotency or straitness of heart God-ward more never find your hearts at your left hand but always dextrous in Holy works and inlarged for it then may each Saint say to another as 2 Cor. 6.11 and to God de praesenti as Psal 119.32 I will run c. For thou dost inlarge my heart And especially the affection and Grace of Love that shall be inlarged and flourish there Love to God and to his Saints the perfume of that will fill Heaven Heaven is the place of Love that is the head-grace there alwayes acting never failing 1 Cor. 13.8.13 Those affections that bring pain with them as tormenting fear and grief 1 Joâ— 4.14 and those Actings that imply Imperfection in them or a state of Imperfection accompanying them as prophesie and that inferiour imperfect way and manner of knowledge that we have here and those actings of faith and hope that are proper to this life in contra-distinction to the fight and presence of the good believed and hoped for though the Grace of faith and hope it self or dependance on God in Christ shall continue in Heaven those I say shall cease but Love is alwayes comfortable Philip. 2.1 and the full acting of Love implies perfection 1 Joh. 4.18 the more intensely and strongly Love acts and carries the Soul to God the more perfect we are the strongest acts of faith are under our greatest Imperfections wants and miseries when the good of the promise is wanting Heb. 11.1 And Love is most directly the spirit of Holiness and of actual sweet joyful Communion with God and therefore Love shall eminently continue and flourish in Heaven and be alwayes in fullest act and exercise 2. Filled and satisfied with good the heart of man is a large Vessel the desires have a vast reach even after infinite good This whole World cannot satisfie one heart but then it shall be filled that word full verified Isa 55.2 Brimful of Comfort and Contentment in the fruition of God who is goodness it self infinitely good enough to satisfie the endless reaches of the heart of man You shall then have as much as you would have when the will the desire is opened to the widest it shall be filled Psal 81.10 And whereas Love seeketh nearest Union and fullest Communion with the Beloved If thy Soul love God it would be drawn as near him as may be Cant. 1.4 Why Love shall be satisfied in this respect the Soul shall be as near God as it would be and have him as near as it would have ever loving him and ever loved of him delighting in him and delighted in by him lying in the arms and bosome of his Love Christ and all the faithful his Spouse will then give their Loves Cant. 7.12 each to other ever opening and exchanging hearts And so Joy will then be full Psal 16.11 All the liking affections whereby the will goes out unto embraces and enjoyes good shall then be fully satisfied as Psal 107 9. Jerem. 31.25 Psal 36.8 And for the Soul of man to be closing with and satiated actually satisfied in God the chief and infinite good this is Happiness this is the fruition that is beatifical 2. Consider the Glory of the Body viz. when that shall come to its Glorified estate as it shall do at and after its Resurrection It shall then be Glorified as well as the Soul being made like the Glorious Body of Christ Philip. 3.21 1 Cor. What that is was in some glimpse of it seen in Christs Transfiguration Mat. 17.2 that was a little glimpse and specimen of the future visible Glory of Christ and so of the Saints that shall be like him So Mat. 13.43 Consider but those passages to avoid curiosity here in 1 Cor. 15.42 43 44. It shall be the self same Body for substance but endowed with new and Glorious qualities viz. 1. Incorruption and Immortality it is sown i. e. as here buried in Corruption It is raised in Incorruption so v. 53 54. The Saints Bodies shall not be lyable to any Corruption hurt or decay by sickness pain old-age or death but clothed with Immortality All principle and power of dying being swallowed up 2. Cor. 15.4 To live for ever without liableness to death No fear of dying then when once in that other happy World The King of Terrours never sets foot there Luk. 20.36 Adam might possibly have lived and not dyed but these shall live and cannot die And as not exposed to death so not to any other hurt or aile inward decay or outward violence What abundance of Hurts and Ailes Maimes Accidents as also Inward Diseases now How many Tooles are at work to knock down this Clay-tabernacle but then it shall be so strongly built as to be Impregnable by the assaults of Corruption 2. Glory Splendor and Beauty v. 43. The Body is now a vile thing Philip. 3.21 when under earthly Adams Image especially in its decaying state under Sickness Sores Maimes Rheums Wrinkles c. It is a sorry poor ill-looking deformed pale noisome thing But then the Bodies of the Saints shall be Glorious Beautiful Goodly Amiable and Shining as the Sun whereof that of the shining of Moses his face and of Christ in his Transfiguration was but a little glimpse And far above that of Adam in innocency when neither shame nor deformity was yet known 3. Strength and Power v. 43. Now the Body is a weak fraile feeble thing often unable to perform its needful operations soon wearied tyred with action and at last sinking under its own frailty to the Grave But then Strong Vigorous Lively Healthy freed from all defects and infirmities above weariness and weakness And so from the Imperfection and weakness of Infancy or decrepit Age. All the Saints even such as die Children as Divines most probably conclude shall rise again in full strength and stature such as the flower and vigour of years did or would have given as such as Adam at his Creation was made in Vid. Aquin. Suppl Quaest 81. Bolton
of Heaven page 129. Bucan Lot Com. page 422. 4. Spiritualness v. 44. Not that the Body shall be then turned into a Spirit or lose the nature of a true Body But 1. The Body shall then live as Spirits and Angels do without Meat Drink Sleep and such like External Elementary Bodily supports as we need in this Animal-life being then sustained by the All-preserving All-quickning Spirit of God without the help of such means Mat. 22.30 2. The Body shall be perfectly conformable obedient and subservient to the operations of the Spirit or Soul as also to the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God The ready instrument of the Soul aptly imployed in spiritual work As when the Spirit or Soul serves the Carnal So when the flesh the Body readily serves the Spirit it may well be termed Spiritual Now in this Life the Soul is taken up in serving the Body the greatest part of our time Labour Strength Study is spent in the providing Meat and Clothing and Comforts for the Body and feeding that Eccles 6.7 But then the Body not needing those things shall be wholly serviceable to the Soul The Body shall be no more such a Troublesome Cumbersome thing as now it is needing so much tendance and adoe about it and oft interrupting Spiritual work thereby But then it shall be a more Spiritual and Heavenly peace alwayes free and ready for Soul work for Spiritual Heavenly imployment Your Contemplations Studies Sweet Affections and Communion with God never broken off and interrupted by Eating and Drinking by Dressing and Undressing c. as here they are 3. Activity Agility Lightness Nimbleness and speed in motion may also be implyed in this Spiritualness of the Body Not dull slow heavy-moulded as now but in Agility and Activity more like to Spirits Hence easily made to ascend to meet the Lord in the Aire 1 Thes 4.17 and afterward to go up with him to the third Heaven And able no doubt in a very little time though not properly in an instant to move through those vast spaces and distances of those Heavenly Mansions and from one quarter of the Coelestial World to another 3. The Glorious Company of Saints and Angels is another Additional part of Heavens Glory The fruition of God is the main Essence of it But this is an Accessional Adjunct or Concomitant that is full of Comfort Yea it is a necessary Concomitant for God will be enjoyed by his people in a Communion forever not in a single seperate way but in Conjunction and Society Mat. 8.11 and that Communion will be an help to their enjoyment of God a way and means of their Communion with God When we speak of our Immediate Communion with God in Heaven we are not to understand it absolutely that there shall be no mediums between us and the transcendant Majesty of God for there will be the Humane nature of Christ and the Communion of Saints who in a Coelâ—stial way and manner will be helpful and useful one to another to convey much of God to one another But Immediate compared with what we have here and so as these inferiour instituted means and helps and Glasses that we have here shall he laid aside But the Communion of Saints will then be in its Perfection and fullest Excellency in the Church triumphant And Love Holiness and Communicativeness which is the life of Communion then will flourish 1 Cor. 13.8 You must there enjoy Christ your Head not alone but in fellowship with all his Mystical Body Hence I said in the Description All together they shall have fruition of God All together in the Highest Heaven for evermore Heb. 11.22 23. We now come and are joyned to that body by Mystical Relation but then by way of actual Communion Consider here 1. There will be only true and Blessed Saints together in Heaven no mixture of unsound ones or secret enemies there the Communion will be absolutely pure such as is not to be expected nor no rule allowes us to expect or insist upon in the Church on earth for here there will be a mixture of Corne and Chaffe Wheat and Tears Sheep and Goats good and bad Fish while the World stands But then a perfect separation of Goates from the Sheep and the Latter alone go into the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 25.34 46. 2. There will after the last day be all the Saints together all the Vessels of Glory gathered together the whole Congregation of the Righteous Psal 1.5 the whole general Assembly of the first born All the faithful seed of Abraham which are as the Stars in Heaven and as the Sand on the Sea-shore all that ever were are or shall be of the Elect and saved blessed number and this adds much to the Glory of it We know numerous and great Assemblies here on earth are very solemn and affecting The very faces of many Saints together are quickning each to other Psal 42.4 for a multitude to go and be together in the house of God is no small thing But what an Assembly will then be what an Heart-ravishing Congregation when all the Millions of Glorified Saints shall meet together all their faces shining with the Image of God to praise and Glorifie God and joyning in the same Hallelujah Revel 19.1 2 3. 3. There shall be a knowledge one of another the Saints in Heaven shâ—ll know one another Society without acquaintance is not comfortable this shall not be wanting in that place of Bliss Yea you shall know not only those that were of your acquaintance here but all the faithful even strangers whom you never knew before you shall be able to say as Mr. Bolton speaks this is Abraham Jacob David Paul this was Luther Calvin Bradford c. As may be gathered from the Apostles knowing Moses and Elias whom they had never seen before in that glimpse of Heaven at Christs Transfiguration And from Adams knowing Eve and whence she was at first sight without any humane information of which Argument Luther Discoursed the Evening before his death and thence concludâ—d the thing in hand viz. That we shall know one another in the life to come Melch. Adam in vita Lutheri pag. 154. and all Comfortable knowledge will be then vouchsafed but this is one part of it Yea if it should ask time to come acquainted with every one to be sure there will be time enough there remembering also the quickness and accuteness of understanding memory c. But a Superiour and more immediate way of this knowledge there may well be supposed 4. There will be most sweet Holy and comfortable Converse of the Saints together Though we cannot tell you the particular manner and order of it now it will excel in order as well as otherwise Yet to be sure it will be Precious and Glorious and full of sweetness and Comfort And there will be full time season and opportunity for it at large Moses and Elias were talking together with Christ in
being made a Spiritual Body i. e. perfectly subject and conformable to the Spirit and Noble operations of the Soul It will be an help not an hinderance and so an advantage and incouragement to the Soul and to the whole man in taking in those pleasures that are above As the Souls or the Saints state of subsisting will be more perfect and compleat when re-united so will its operation be The Saint will then with bodily eyes behold the man Christ this is more then he did before with infinite contentation that Job put an Emphasis upon that with those eyes he should see God Job 19.25 26 27. with Bodily Ears hear and Tongue utter forth the Praises of God With and through Bodily senses act upon and take in the Glory of Heavenly objects Christ and the Saints c. this is a great Addition to what was before 4. There shall then be a manifestation of the Glory of the Saints unto the whole World This is an eminent and remarkable accession of Glory that shall be to the Saints at the Resurrection and last Judgment And when the Scriptures extoll the Glory that shall be then it hath special respect unto this The Glory that the Saints have on Earth and also that which they have now in Heaven in their Souls it is a secret and hidden thing from the World they go up and down the World now under a mean outside and look like other men and they do to visible appearance as others do and their Bodies are carried to the Graves as others and turned to the dust And whither their Souls go is not known their Happiness is an unseen thing by any other eye but that of Faith But then it shall be revealed and made manifest to the wonderful Glory of God and to their singular comfort and advancement Rom. 8.18 Now the Saints have only concealed Glory hidden under a cloud of sufferings under the Image of the Earthly Adam which go to the Grave with them but then revealed not only to them in a word and promise but in and upon them in real and visible accomplishment 1 Joh. 3.1 2. Colos 3.3 4. Neither Christ nor Christians do now appear to a blind World as they be but then they shall then their Glory shall be made manifest unto all So 2 Thes 1.10 Vid. Dutch Annot. Consider a little here 1. To whom 2. Of what this manifestation shall then be 1. The Glory of the Saints shall at the last day be manifest to all the World to Men Angels Devils in the most publick open manner as Christs proceedings with them his owning acknowledging acquitting of them shall be publick so as all men shall see and know that these men are Happy men Beloved of God the Brethren of Christ Vessels of Glory and Partakers of the Kingdom In special 1. They shall then be manifested one to another We hope well now of the good state of the dying Saints Friends Relations but then we shall be fully certain when we shall meet them in the Congregation of the Righteous and at the right hand of Christ at the great day and see them finding Mercy of the Lord at that day as 2 Tim. 1.18 when the Parents shall meet the Children and the Friend his Friends Brethren and gracious Acquaintance there among the sheep at Christs Right hand This happily may be known by the Souls departed before in Heaven But most fully and openly then which is the time when every one hath his publick and open Judgment to be seen of all though he had his personal private and particular Judgment before But besides they shall not only know each others state in General but in Particular hear of and behold the Graces and Gracious Actings of the Faithful their Brethren in Christ and all the Gracious dealings of God with them the whole progress of his Love from first to last laid open then in that Revelation-day the day of Judgement 1 Cor. 4.5 this will endear them each to other 2. To all the wicked and Reprobates both Men and Devils To those that have despised opposed Reproached Scorned Persecuted Insulted over them here As it was said of Christ when Judged Abused and Despitefully used Mat. 26.64 So it may be said of Christians hereafter shall the wicked yea those same persons that here abused them see them arrayed in Robes of Glory and sitting on Thrones as their Judges sitting on the Throne with Christ Revel 3.21 For as Christ shall appear so shall the Saints also appear with him in Glory Colos 3.4 The Saints shall Judge wicked Men and Devils and surely they shall see and know and behold them sit as their Judges 1 Cor. 6 2 3. so Luk. 13.18 They that here counted them mad-men Fanatical Frantick Conceited Humoursom Foolish Creatures shall then see that they made the wisest choice c. They did not so much despise them now as they shall admire them then 2 Thes 1.10 2. Of what there will be a manifestation or what in special will then be manifested of and concerning the Saints and their Glory to all the World viz. 1. Their Graces and good Works the service they have done for God both in doing and suffering Eccles 12.14 The good works of the Godly as well as the evil Works of the wicked shall then be laid open 1 Cor. 4.5 i. e. Every good man for what is good so 1 Pet. 1.7 A tryed Faith that hath held out through many tryalls shall then be held up before the World and Commended Praised Honoured by the Lord Jesus which will not be so much the Commendation of themselves as of his own Grace and work in them For all is of him their good works the acts and the fruits of their Graces even such as themselves can hardly tell how to own He will own them and speak of them before all the World Mat. 25.35 40. though they be poor things in themselves and as from them yet as they are the fruit of his Spirit and Grace in them the stamp of his own Image the effects of sincere love to him The poor but childish actings of his children here the things he hath made Gracious Promises to and so he will make much of them and put an honour upon them before the World Mat. 10.32 Luk. 12.8 Revel 3.5 The Lord Jesus will confess acknowledge and own every one of them before all the World and will confess all they have done for him He will say these are they that have continued with me in my Temptations Luk. 22.28 that have preferred a good Conscience before all Riches and Honours that renounced the World to follow me fully that forsook all for me and loved not their Lives to the Death These are my Brethren Sisters Friends Mother that have done the will of my Father Mat. 12.49 50. He will not be ashamed of us then if we be not ashamed of him now 2. Their Crown of Happiness and Glory which the Lord hath laid
joyful then why should not this be so now And if you do hear his voice and come to him at his call you shall hear that blessed word then Joh. 10.27 28. as è contrà Job 21.14 with Mat. 25.41 2. Now add we some Directions to guide and help us in Believing on Christ unto life Everlasting or in coming to Christ to obtain by him Eternal Glory or Salvation 1. Know that you may and ought to come to Christ for Salvation for Eternal Life For what he gives we may take but Rom. 6.23 what he designes in giving himself to us which here is to bring us to Eternal Glory 1 Pet. 5.10 1 Thes 5.9 2 Thes 2.13 14. we may aim at in receiving him and coming to him Christ calls us to him and we may and ought to come to him for all his Benefits And we see this of Glorification and the Consummation thereof in special is part thereof see also Joh. 5.40 1 Tim. 1.16 Act. 16.31 1 Pet. 1.9 We may come to him for our own Salvation i. e. not as seperate from or in oppsition to Gods Glory which cannot be if we understand Salvation aright And that 's a second 2. Be sure you have a right conception of this Glory or Salvation or happiness of Heaven i. e. Look not at it as consisting in external sensual ease and pleasures or freedom from outward evils though an holy and sanctified outward rest and freedom from outward afflictions is a part of the good that is in Heaven but not the main that is but an adjunct But look at the Communion with God Fruition of God and perfect Conformity to his Image as the main thing in it Psal 73.25 2 Cor. 5.8 Psal 17.15 Let Your Hearts and desires be eminently set upon freedom from that great evil of sin which is a choice part of the Happiness of Heaven Heb. 12.23 and fruitton of that highest good the presence of God the fellowship of the Father Son and Holy Ghost in perfect Holiness let this be the mark and top of thy desires Neither desire the end without the way Heaven without the way to it Be willing and desirous by the Grace of Christ to begin thy Heaven here Communion with God here Holy work and holy enjoyments in all the wayes thereof here Psal 27 4 For Heaven is but the perfection of what is here bâ—gun They that begin not Heaven in this World will never find one in that to câ—me And therefore be instant with Christ not only for Grace and Comfort hereafter or at the point of Death c. but for present Grace some beginnings of it at least not limiting to measures nor expecting the sensible fulness of it till after you have waited and sought and been swimming in tears in this World and therefore not quarelling nor being discouraged because of the weakness of Grace at present so much as may keep you following after God for more For present change of Heart and Nature for Grace to enable you in measure to Glorifie God on Earth that so you may be Glorified with him in Heaven 3. Behold Christ Jesus set forth and offered in the Gospel as the Ladder to Heaven or as the only and Glorious way from out of the depth of your sin and misery unto the height of that Eternal Glory If there be an high place or loft before you you cannot gâ—t to it but if a Ladder be set up you can ascend by that As well can our heavy Earthy Bodies fly up to Heaven as our Souls ever get thither of and by themselves alas we have neither wings nor legs of our own to climb Heaven with But Chrâ—st is a Ladder tâ—iâ—her the Antitype of Jacob's Ladder by him we may ascend thither By Christ Jesus as in the Text we may obtain Glory yea he is not a dead passive Ladder only but a living way He hath living Arms and a mighty power to carry uâ— up thither to lift us up through Grace to Glory Joh. 3 13. Ephes 2.5 6. Christ dying rising ascending for us is fit and able to raise us up from death to life in Heaven Christ is a Ladder whose foot reaches low enough by his Incarnatâ—on and Humiliation even as low as our low and mean Condition yea as the dungeon of our Curse and death Gal. 3.13 and hence near and fit for us to step upon to take hold of and whose top reaches high enough even as high as the height of Heavenly Glory Genes 28.12 by his Glorious Deity and Exaltation by the infinite value of his obedience purchasing that Glory for us and by his Ascension possessing it for us and by his mighty power carrying and conducting us to it If you take hold of him and cast your selves on him by Faith he will not only as I said be as a Ladder to sustain you in going up but in the Arms of his active power and Grace he will carry you up to Eternal Glory carry you on his shoulders thither as Luk. 15.5 Joh. 10.18 1 Pet. 1.5 Hence 4. Esteem the Lord Jesus Christ as most precious and Glorious as a suitable and all-sufficient Saviour or Author of Eternal Salvation and gladly imbrace an everlasting match with him with relyance on him to carry you through Grace to this Eternal Glory 1. Seeing and beholding him as the way to Heaven and to the Enjoyment of the love favour and presence of God Joh. 14.4 6. as the Glorious Author purchaser and dispenser of Eternal Salvation Prize him highly prize him and esteem him that is one ingredient of true believing 1 Pet. 2.7 and this point is a marvelous help to it For shall not he be precious and Glorious in our eyes by whom we may obtain such Eternal Glory He that opens Heaven to us even to sinners and shall not all this World be vile and dung in our eyes in comparison of him Psal 73. in follows ver 25. 2. Prizing him take him embrace him in a Conjugal way for thy Lord and Saviour Prophet Priest and King consent to have him for thy Head and Husband for ever and to be his his Spouse Subject Servant Dependant evermore Think not to have the Estate this great Riches of Grace and Glory Eternal Glory without marrying the person the Benefits without Christ himself Having the Son himself you have and shall have Eternal Life 1 Joh. 5.11 12. It is given in and with him Rom. 6.23 And therefore you must take Christ himself if you would have or get a sure Interest in this Glory 3. Taking him rest and relie on him for Salvation or for obtaining this Eternal Glory Relie on his righteousness and obedience to procure and purchase it Heb. 9.12 and to give you a lawful Judicial Title to it Rom. 5.21 that now having in him pleased God and fulfilled the Law you shall live for ever on his Ascension and continual intercession to prepare and maintain a place and room for you in that Glory Joh.
missed of happiness they should not and that it was another sort of people that were accursed and not they Joh. 7.49 Luk. 18.11 12. multitudes have dropt to Hell that lived and died in great expectations of Heaven being deceived some through Haeretical previty some through practical hypocricy of heart and life yea many that have been great professors it may be Preachers of the Truth Mat. 7.21 22 23. Luk. 13.24 25 26. Prov. 14.12 Rom. 2.17 21. Rev. 3.17 Luk. 18.11 12. Paul acts with all diligence in the way of Salvation as being quickned with fear 1 Cor. 9.27 which though he was assured of his Salvation through grace was a just fear in a condition alway viz. in case he should be negligent sensual slight and slothful in running for the prize he might then fall short and be rejected at last as a spurious hypocrite his being a Preacher would not save him The guile and deceitfulness of our hearts the narrowness of the way the manifold Temptations of Satan and the World do make it difficult not to be deceived in that great point Oh what need have we with fear and diligence to labour after a grounded sound assurance of a state of life of utmost care and pains to make our Calling and Election and so our Glorification sure And there is much need to press such matters as these to quicken to this work for the heart is very backward to it and apt to be slight and slothful in it and that is a main reason why so many live without assurance because they neglect and put of the matter and will not be perswaded to set themselves in good earnest about it to take effectual pains to make all sure It is the Lazy Christian that usually lives without assurance Quest What course may we take for the obtaining of this assurance of Eternal Life and Glory Answ For Direction here We have many occasions though not too many to be speaking somewhat of this nature Let me at present propound something 1. By way of means to obtain this 2. By way of tryal or helps to discern and discover the truth and certainty of our title to Heaven 1. For a way of means to obtain this 1. Pray much and earnestly for assurance I speak properly to those that are regenerate or have hopeful beginnings of Grace in them though the things we speak may be of use also unto others to mind them what they are to pursue after Where there wants Faith pray for it but where there is Faith or somewhat of it pray for more of it for growth and exercise and that in special unto full assurance It is Christs own direction to his Disciples Joh. 16.24 If we have not full Joy it is because we have empty slight and thin prayers they that are much in asking shall be much in receiving both Sanctifying and Comforting Grace And oh sweet consideratlon that it is the mind and will of Christ that we should seek and pray for full Joy and Peace in believing so Joh. 15.11 He speaks to us for this and he would have us speak to God for it He would not have you alwayes drooping and complaining nor live a poor scant scrambling beggarly life He would have you have full Joy and abound be rich what are you beggarly and have scâ—râ—e afâ—w rags of broken hopes to cover you Rom. 15.13 Pray for this this is according to his will you shall be welcome to ask it of him 1 Joh. 5.14 15 and that is the way prayer according to his will with faith that he hears such prayers to come to know as v. 13. The Lord would have us not only sip but take full draughts of the water of Life Joh. 7.37 and that by or in a way of asking the same Job 4.10 Prayer takes up what is left us in the promise The Lord hath left you large portions of all Grace Sanctifying and Comforting yea Eternal Glory to be enjoyed fully hereafter and in the assurance hope and Comfort of it here Go and take it up by humble fervent Prayer for it 's the Legacy Christ hath left you Turn all his promises into prayer and desire him to do as he hath said 2 Sam. 7.25 27 28 29. You are thus far sure at least that he hath spoken of such things that he hath to give and that you are bidden pray and seek for them and that he will do them for them that heartily seek them Oh with what sweet hope and incouragement may you pray for these things And prayer is not only a means for the time to come but it oft brings in present incomes of the good prayed for The Bucket of prayer dipt into the well of Salvation or of the waters of life comes up full and that many times unto feeling as well as unto Faith for unto Faith true prayer alwayes does so How often does the Lord sweetly comfort and establish the Soul while the praying for Comfort and stablishment Ps 4.6 7. How oft does David in his Psalms close with Praise when he began with Prayer We have examples in Scripture of extraordinory appearances to Gods Servants while they were praying Dan. 9.20.23 Act. 11.5 and 22.17 18. and much more frequent are more ordinary Communications of Grace and Consolation in Prayer but it must be hearty fervernt importunate Prayer empty lifeless Forms and Customary overly performances do much harden the heart and quench the spirit and do provoke the Lord to withdraw instead of coming near the Soul But 2 Chron. 15.15 Luk. 11.8 9. Hos 12.3 4. 2. Labour after the mortifying and subduing of your special and beloved sin your own iniquity For while that prevails that darkens the sincerity and Efficacy of Grace in the Soul breaks the Peace thereof grieves the Holy Spirit who thence withdraws his Comforting work But when that is subdued and there is a good measure of victory over it and a plain penitent departing from it not only by exchange of one bosome sin into another nor by its bring out of date in regard of the natural disposition of the Body c. but when really mortified made better to the heart the Soul broken from and for it watchful against it improving Christ for Redemption from it that is a plain evidence of the sincerity of Grace Psal 18.21 23. If that master sin be mortified all sin is and where there is true mortification there is true union to Christ by Effectual Calling and a state of Life Eternal Hence the cutting off of the right hand i. e. of the bosom-sin is accompanied with entrance into life that is a thing accompanies Salvation Heb. 6.9 Mark 9.43 47. Hence when the Apostle would raise them up to a Heavenly frame such as might shew them to be indeed risen with Christ He calls on them to mortifie their special Corruptions Colos 3.1 2 3 5. And now when sin is subdued and the Soul is taught to walk with God in his wayes the
shall not be now need of any outward Elements Bread or Wine but the Inward part the Spiritual Communion they shall have it new and fresh in a more lively and better fuller manner then here whence they shall be as men full of new Wine filled with the Springs of Heavenly Affection and Consolation Wine is oft used to express Joy Gladness Comfort Psal 104.15 The Communion between Christ and the Saints in the Coelestial Life will compleat perfect and far transcend that that is but in a weak and mean degree begun in Ordinances here Consider also that the Union and Communion between Christ and the faithful being set forth by that of the Conjugal relation in Scripture our present state is but an Espousal the Consummation of the Marriage is at the day of Judgment thence follows the full enjoyment each of other in Heaven when Christ hath carried his Spouse home to his Fathers house Ineffable Mutual Delight Communion Communication of Secrets and Hearts each to other Joy and Contentment will thence ensue Then will those words be most fully verified Isa 62.4 5. and 54.4 5 8. Zeph. 3.17 Then will the Book of Canticles that Book of Loves between Christ and his Church be understood and fully practised But thus in Heaven you shall have Immediate and full Communion with the Lord Jesus You hear of him now but you shall see him then and be ever with him there was flocking to see him when on earth in his Humiliation Luk. 19.3 4. And the Spiritually minded then saw Glory in him Joh. 14. But what will it be then to see him in Heaven in his Glorified estate And not only to see him as a stranger as a Glorious person But to see and enjoy him as thy Friend as thy Brother Saviour Husband Cant. 5.16 One who sometimes powered out his Heart-blood for thee and will now power out his Heart-love to thee for evermore 3. The Saints shall have full Communion with the Holy Ghost they shall have the Everlasting fulness and presence of the Spirit and so have a fulness of Gifts and Graces of Holiness and Comfort for evermore The Saints have somewhat of the Communion of the Holy Ghost now 2 Cor. 13.14 But they shall have it in perfection then We have but the first fruits of the Spirit but an earnest penny now Rom. 8.23 2 Cor. 1.22 and 5.5 Therefore there is an Harvest the whole sum a fulness of the Spirit that shall be imparted then And as the Holy Spirit is a Spirit of Grace and Comfort now by whose Presence and Assistance we are upheld in both so will he be then only in such a way manner and measure as suits a state of Perfection then he will rest upon you as a Spirit of Glory so hath he done in a great degree on some Martyrs here 1 Pet. 4.14 but there in Perfection on all the Saints Hence the Saints in Heaven having the fulness of the Spirit shall be replenished with all those Excellencies and endowments that are the Effects and fruits of the presence and special operation of the Spirit filled with all the fulness of God As 1. With singular Divine Guifts of knowledge wisdom inlargement of understanding as 1 King 4.29 and utterance For there will be use of utterance in Heaven in Glorious Conference and Converse of the Saints Here are Gifts given for the Kingdom of Grace by the Spirit 1 Cor. 12.4 8 11. But there are Guifts suiting the Kingdom of Glory 2. With all Graces of Holiness or Sanctification those now brought to perfection and kept up in act and exercise Sanctification of the Spirit 2 Thes 2.13 will then be perfect of which further afterward concerning the Glory of the Soul and there will be the constant un-interrupted Presence and Assistance of the Spirit to actuate every Grace to keep it up in its full exercise The heart ever inlarged for God ever fixed and tuned to sing his Praise as Psal 57.7 8. Thy Glory Heart and Tongue shall be ever awake thy Harp ever in Tune then the Spirit of Grace everlastingly filling and quickning thy Heart and holding thee up in Heavenly Spiritual activity and inlargement 3. With abundant Comfort and Consolation The Holy Ghost will then fully do that work of a Comforter and dwell in all the Saints as such Joh. 14.16 in his Choicest and most Glorious Comforting Operations That in Rom. 5.5 will then be fully done Then perfect Assurance and sense of the Love of God without all mixture of doubt or fear or darkness full Assurance shall be wanting to never a Saint in Heaven the meanest shall see the Love of God more clearly than the strongest did here That great question will then be out of question forever The light of Gods Countenance shall be then lifted up and shine upon your souls as a Sun that never sets nor is overcast with clouds The knowledge and sense of that one thing that the Infinite God loves thee with an everlasting love which is more worth than ten thousand thousand worlds shall live in thy heart and be the Life and Joy of thy Soul and fill thee with peace that passeth all understanding The joy of the Holy Ghost that is a manifest and eminent part of our Communion with the Holy Ghost shall then be at its full height which now we have but some tasts and drops of Rom. 14.17 That that Christ hath been so long aiming and driving at will then be attained Joh. 15.11 and 16.24 Their Joy is the Element the Saints in Heaven live in they breath in no other Aire but that the Ocean they swim in It is that they enter and go into Mat. 25.21 23. Joy at once expresses Heaven and Heavenly Glory It is a Mass or Heap of Joy a Region of Joy an Aire and Element of Joy the Joy of the Lord God the Joy of the Holy Ghost into which they are brought and where they breath and live and swim in the fulness thereof for ever Psal 16.11 2. A second thing considerable in the positive Happiness of the Saints in Heaven is their inherent personal subjective the former particular pointeth chiefly to their objâ—ctive Glory though they go together and therâ—fore both there and here somewhat of both Glory or perfection both of Soul and Body This partly makes them capable of that foresaid full enjoyment of God and partly results from it For our present frail weak and distempered faculties are not capable of that Glory and Glorious Communion 1 Cor. 15.50 and 2.9 they must therefore be raised up to an higher state of Perfâ—ction in order thereunto And the enjoyment of that Communion with God continually reflects unspeakable Glory and Happiness inherent Excellencies upon the whole man But hence the person of each Saint is Glorified filled with Glorious Excellency and Perfection both of Soul and Body All that be there are Glorified Persons Rom. 8.17 18 30. Colâ—ss 3.4 Glorious or Glorified they are both in their