heart Isaiah 6. 5. I am a man of unclean lips saith that humble soul so humble Job cries out of the iniquity of his youth Job 13. 26 c. so humble David sighs it out Psalm 51. 3. My sin is ever before me so those many converts Titus 3. 3. For we our selves also were sometimes foolish disobedient deceived serving divers lusts and pleasures living in malice and envy hateful and hating one another but after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards man appeared 2. Though they are to be called to mind it must not be with stupidity of heart but with a broken and bleeding and a contrite heart in the day of our prosperity we are not to forget our former poverty but to consider that we are not worthy of that calling of that Gospel and of that grace tendred to us in the word 3. It must not be done with despondency of mind neither the truth lyeth between two extreams we must not call them so to mind as to discourage us and make us unwilling to come to Christ c. 1. The first Reason why that people in a converted state should often call to mind the sin and misery they were in before conversion because by so doing we shall be provoked to magnifie and admire the riches of Gods grace none in the world do more admire Gods grace and mercy then those that are most sensible of their own sin and misery See 1 Tim. 1. 13. 2. Reason because this will kindle a great deal of pitty and compassion in our souls towards those that remain yet unconverted Titus 3. 2 3. I Paul and thou Titus were sinful as well as they and did serve divers lusts as well as they let us pitty them and help them out of this state of sin and death Reason 3. Because this will make us more watchful and careful Eph. 5. 8. You were sometimes darkness saith he but now are you light in the Lord walk therefore as children of the light 2 Sam. 7. 18. Who am 10 Lord God said King David and what is my house that thou hast brought me hitherto And Saint Paul 1 Tim. 1. 13. remembers himself and leaves it written for others to read that he had been a blasphemer a persecutor and injurious a low meditation for an high Apostle yet profitable to himself and others Whether the Dominion of sin may not be taken away where yet the life of sin remains SIN may live where it doth not reign and dwell where it is not welcom it is true the Scripture doth say they that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts but here the Scripture doth not speak of a total subduing of sin as if every lust and corruption should be quite subdued but only this far to give a deadly blow to sin that sin shall not reign nor bear sway in thy soul as it hath done formerly the dominion of sin is taken away but the life and being of it is continued for a little time As Hagar would dwell with Sarah till she beat her out of doors so will sin dwell with grace till death beat it out of doors there shall be some remainders of sin still in the best of Gods servants but sin shall not reign in their mortal bodies sin may live in a Saint and yet the Saint not live in sin Let us now examine in what cases and with what limitations strength of corruption may consist with strength of grace the resolving of this question is of very much use 1. Though sin be strong yet grace may be strong too in thy soul though thy sin be great if thy sorrow be great too it evidenceth thy grace is so also 1 Chro. 23. 12. 2. If you find a strong opposition against your corruptions though you cannot fully subdue sin yet do you strongly oppose it then there is strength of grace in the soul though there be strong corruptions in the body 3. There is strength of grace where there is strong cries to God against thy sins this argues grace and the strength of grace Deut. 22. 25 26 27. 4. There is strength of grace in that man or woman that is resolved in the strength of Christ to conquer his strong sins or die conquering of them our Lord Christ when two things were set before him either to sin or die he chose death rather then sin and by degrees he works his Spouse to the same mind 5. That strength of grace may be consistent with strength of corruptions I might instance in many precious Saints I will mention one for all the rest and that is in Peter who had not only truth and reality but eminency and strength of grace For though temptations and corruptions did sometimes prevail yet he had strong affections towards Christ he did out-strip many of the Disciples 1. He was the man that of all the Disciples wept most bitterly for his sins Mat. 26. 75. 2. Peter was the first that ran to the Sepulchre to see what was become of Jesus John 20. 5. 3. He was the man who hearing that Christ was risen leapt into the Sea for joy John 21. 7. 4. He was the first man that made the first Sermon and first preached the Gospel after the Ascension of Christ Acts 1. 15. 5. He had that love to Christ as strong as death for he suffered death afterwards for Christ but now although in the cases before mentioned strength of grace may be consistent with strength of corruption yet there are other cases wherein they are altogether inconsistent though there may be strong grace and strong corruption in the soul yet the reign of any one corruption in the soul yet the reign of any one corruption is utterly inconsistent with grace and the strength of it See Rom. 6. 12. 7. 23. And when I say there is a consistency between grace and corruption I would be understood of spiritual and inward corruption viz. of hardness of heart Spiritual pride deadness in duties c. For into gross external open acts of sin strong Christians do seldom fall How far a true Christian may be tainted with errour in Judgement and yet at last be restored Sometimes even Gods own children are even overcome with erroneous opinions One whom the Lord had received into favour might erroneously hold himself bound in conscience to the Legal difference of daies and meats under the Gospel Rom. 14. 1. to the 7. The Apostles themselves erroneously deemed Christ should be a worldly King Mark 10. 37. to 41. And this errour was not cured in them though they were eye witnesses of his passion and resurrection Acts 1. 6. And the Church of Galatia erred grosly in the point of Justification mingling Moses with Christ the works of the Law with Faith in Justification Gal. 3. 4 5 c. by which it doth appear that regenerate persons may for a time be insnared in some errours that are gross and dangerous and
and stand on thy guard having put on all the armour of Christ as a valiant souldier constantly maintain war and thou shalt usually obtain victory resolve in the strength of Christ either to conquer or dye conquering for let no man think to dance and dine with the Devil and afterwards to sit down with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of heaven Let us therefore live in Christ and not in our selves for in our selves there is a body of lust corruption and sin and a Law accusing and condemning but if we live by faith in Christ and in the apprehension of his love laying hold on the life righteousness obedience satisfaction of him whom the pirit cals ours saying Christ is ours and we are Christs and Christ is Gods and thus a believer is blessed only in a righteousness without not with in and all our assurance confidence and comforts are to flow in unto him through a channel of faith and not of works by faith we ought to live above sin infirmities temptations desertions sense reason fears doubts it makes the yoke of Christ easie and sweet it states the soul in the possession of heaven whilst the body remains on earth by faith we can cheeâ—fully part with and suffer deprivation of the sweetest outward comforts and enjoyments and welcome death knowing that we do but exchange the worst place and things for better the Lord Jesus having spoken peace to the soul that he hath paid all his debts for it and that his sins shall be remembred no more now the soul knows it is happy and enjoys the comfort of it 7. Make thy will in time of health and leave all things clear upon both books of shop and conscience that thou mayst have nothing to do but to dye and to meditate upon and to have faith in the precious promises which speak of rest joy peace and perfect happiness which is provided for us in heaven firmly believing that God will after this life give us all those things with himself which he hath promised as certainly as thou hast in thy will given to thy relations such and such things for them to enjoy and so exercise faith in the resurrection of thy body 1 Thes 4. 16. to have a spiritual body 1 Cor. 15. 43 44. to have a glorified body Phil. 3. 21. to have fulness of knowledge Ephes 3. 18 19. to have fulness of joy and pleasure Psal 16. 11. sâ—ch as shall be internal pure full spiritual and eternal where no misery hunger cold nakedness pain grief nor weariness but rest without labour in rest tranquility in tranquility content in contentment joy in joy variety in variety security in security eternity c. thus shalt thou that hast prepared for death aforehand dye sweetly whilst others that put off preparation to the last O what a hurry be they in Oh the anguish that their souls endure they apprehending God angry with them the Devil accusing them earth leaving them heaven refusing them hell claiming them soul and body parting friends weeping and themselves hopeless going they know not whither But to a godly man death is neither strange nor fearful unto him not strange because he dyed dayly not fearful because whilst he lived he was dead and his life was hid with Christ in God to dye then is nothing else but to rest from our labours and to go home to our fathers house unto the City of the living God the heavenly Jerusalem to an innumerable company of Angels to the general assembly and Church of the first born to God the Judge of all and unto the spirits of just men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediator of the New Testament whilst his body is sick his mind is sound for God maketh all his bed in his sickness Psal 41. 3. and as his outward man decayeth the inward man â—renewed day by day when the speech of his tongue saltereth the sighs of his heart speaks lowder unto God when the sight of the eyes faileth the Holy Ghost illuminates him inwardly with abundance of spiritual light sometimes he is saying with Paul I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ Phil. 1. 23. and with David Psalm 42. 2. As the heart panteth after the water brooks so panteth my soul after thee O God when shall come and appear before him come Lord Jesus come quickly So when the appointed time of his dissolution is come knowing that he goeth to his father and redeemer in the peace of a good conscience he saith Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace c. and so surrenders up his soul as it were with his own hands into the hands of his heavenly Father saying with David Into thy hands O Father I commend my soul for thou hast redeemed me O Lord thou God of truth and so saying with Stephen Act. 7. 59. Lord Jesus receive my spirit Thus far of the preparation for death with a taste of the sad condition of one dying out of Christ and the sweet condition of a Christian dying that is a member of Christ that did prepare for death before it came I had once intended here to have spoken to the sad condition of the ungodly after death resurrection and last judgement and also of the blessed condition of all that dye in the faith after death resurrection and last judgement but that will not fallin order here but towards the end of this book when we come to speak of the resurrection of the body and last judgement when Christ shall deliver up his Kingdom to his Father and God shall be all in all I shall proceed now to speak of the second coming of Christ in power and great glory c. The great and terrible day of the Lord is near dawning and the glory of all flesh staining the Kingdom of Christ appearing and the restitution of all things approaching this great Mysterie opened the grounds thereof examined the truth cleared and the ignorance of many in this Mysterie discovered THat very self-same Jesus which was born in Bethlem and suffered at Calvary even he shall come again the same Jesus not another Act. 1. 11. shall so come again as he was taken up viz. Visibly substantially apparently to all yea in the same manner yea it is added as you have seen him that we might not allegorize the matter we are kept to the very manner now for the probation of this truth we have 1. The testimony of all the Prophets 2. We have the testimony of all the Apostles 3. We have the testimony of Angels all bearing witness to this truth 1. We have the testimony of the Prophets see Acts 3. 21. Whom the heavens must receive untill the time of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy Prophets since the the world began but especially the Prophets since Samuel ver 24. yea and all the Prophets from Samuel and those that follow after as many as have spoken
now lye hid shall then be made known Luke 18. 17. and 12. 2. there is nothing covered that shall not then be revealed 1 Cor. 4. 5. He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness Matthew 24. 30. Then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn and mens hearts fail for fear and for looking after those things that are coming on the earth Joel 3. 16. the Lord also shall roar out of Sion and utter his voice from Jerusalem and the heavens and the earth shall shake but the Lord will be the hope of his people Christ shall come terribly and yet seasonably THe day of the Lord is great and terrible who can abide it Joel 2. 11. There hath not been ever the like neither shall there be Joel 2. 2. there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since the creation Dan. 12. 1. Then shall be great tribulation such as was not from the beginning to this day Matthew 24. 21 22. A fire stream shall come forth before him and ten thousands shall be ministring unto him and ten thousand times ten thousand shall stand before him and the judgement shall be set and the books opened See Dan. 7. 10. Jude 14. Yet this coming will be seasonable to all that have an interest in him and did look for him and hasten to his coming and love his appearing for now they shall be like him 1 John 3. 2. Isa 25. 9. and Isa 2. 3 4. Rev. 21. 4. There be four things that Christ hath already done for his flock and five things he is now doing and six things more he will finish when he comes THere are four things that he hath already done viz. 1. He hath taken our nature upon him Heb. 2. 16. 2. He hath taken our sins upon him Isaiah 53. 6. 3. He hath taken the curse due to us upon himsef Gal. 3. 13. 4. He hath fully satisfied Divine justice for us Isa 53. 11. Then there are five things that he is now doing for us viz. 1. He is at the right hand of the Father making interceslion for us Heb. 7. 25. 2. He is teaching us as a Prophet and preserving us as a King and healing us as a Physitian and feeding us as a Shepheard c. 3. He is preparing for the destroying of Antichrist 2 Thes 2. 8. 4. He is making good his promise in pouring out his Spirit 5. He is turning our disunion into union Zeph. 3. 9. Then there be six things more that he will do for us when he comes 1. He will unvail himself and every eye shall see him Rev. 1. 7. 2. He will gather his spiritual Kingdom Psal 50. 5. 3. He will establish his Kingdom on the top of all kingdoms Isa 2. 2. 4. He will restore our judges as at the first and counsellors as at the beginning Isa 1. 26 5. He will make his enemies his footstool Psalm 110. 1. 6. He will make his people the head and not the tail Deut. 28. 13. Dan. 7. 27. Many more things hath Christ done for us many more he is doing and many more will he do when he comes Let the reader take notice these that I have named are but a taste Of the resurrection of the dead at the second coming of Christ THough the resurrection of the dead is above nature and mans corrupt reason yet it is neither against nature noragainst right reason the Scripture proves the resurrection of the dead by many testimonies examples types and reasons c. 1. The resurrection is proved by testimonies Job 19. 25 26. Dan. 12. 2. Hos 13. 14. Mat. 22. 31. and 27. 52. John 5. 28 29. Phil. 3. 21. 1 Thes 4. 2. By example of those that were raised 1 King 17. 22. 2 King 4. 34. 2 King 13. 21. Matthew 9. 25. and 27. 52 53. Luke 7. 14. John 11. 11. Acts. 9. 40. and 20. 10. 3. By types as Aarons rod budding Numb 17. Of the Jews returning from Babylon Ezek. 37. but chiefly of Enoch and Elias Gen. 5. and 2. Kin. 2. 4. This resurrection is also proved by reasons drawn first from the Covenant of God which is not broken by death Mat. 22. 30. But the chief reason is drawn from Christ who is not only the type and example of our resurrection but the beginning also thereof For the Life of the body the Church is from the head There is a first and a second Resurrection 1. THe first Resurrection as most do affirm is a Resurrection from the death of sin to the Life of Righteousness this is a Revocation from a state of death to a state of Life 2. There is a resurrection of the same body that man had in this life Iob 19. 26. The form of this resurrection consisteth in the re-union of body and soul and restoring of the deâ—d to Life and in the suddain change of those that remain upon the earth at his coming c. This resurrection is either of the godly or of the wicked There is a Resurrection to Life and another to condemnation John 5. 29. 1. Of the godly they shall be first raised and then freed not only from corruption and bodily defects but shall be crowned also with Glory 1 Thess 4. 16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of the Arch-Angel and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first Agreeable to this Text is that in Rev. 20. 4 5. I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God which had not worshipped the beast nor his Image neither had received his mark upon their foreheads or in their hands and they lived and raigned with Christ a thousand years Ver. 5. But the rest of the dead lived not again untill the thousand years were finished this is the first resurrection blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second Death hath no power the Apostle Paul speaks to the same thing 1 Cor. 15. 23. But every man in his own order Christ the first fruits afterwards they that are Christs at his Coming 1 Thess 4. 14. For if we believe that Jesus dyed and rose again even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him 1 Cor. 15. 42 43 44. It is sown in corruption it is raysed in incorruption it is sown in dishonour it is raised in Glory it is sown in weakness it is raised in power it is sown a natural body it is raised a spiritual body ver 49. As we have born the Image of the earthly we shall also bear the Image of the Heavenly Adam The bodies of the Elect being thus first raised they shall have most excellent and supernatural qualities I will instance in four 1. As before they shall be raised in power whereby they shall be freed from all wants and weakness and enabled to continue without the use of meat and drink
son and said Father I am not worthy to be called thy son 3. We should keep our Iustification distinct and not go to reason out our Iustification from our Sanctification but we should look to Jesus Christ the Rock upon which a Christian should build his soul 4. We should alwaies keep up and keep distinct our Justification as the spring and way to Sanctification for the fruit of Justification is peace joy boldness and strength to do the will of God all this doth come in from Jesus Christ in a way of believing and not from Sanctification for as we are not to conclude our Justification from any effects of Sanctification so we are not to conclude that apprehension of Justification to be from God which takes us off the means waies and rules of Sanctification therefore although they be distinct in these four forementioned heads yet they agree and go hand in hand in these ensuing things 1. They go together in these he that is justified doth as earnestly desire Sanctification and holiness as he doth heaven and happiness 2. He doth as well desire that is justified by Christs righteousness to chuse Christ as a King to rule over him as a Saviour to save him 3. They go together in this respect also a soul is not content with the apprehension of his Justification unless he finds some measure of and growing up in Sanctification 4. They go together as doth appear by this the man that is truly justified he doth make as much care and conscience to practise holiness as ever he did to get Christs righteousness 5. They go together in this respect also every discovery of Christ and his righteousness to the soul for Justification doth fit and heighten the souls resolution for Sanctification and holiness 6. A man may be said to keep his Justification and Sanctification together when he doth trust his soul in the hands of Christ for salvation and makes it his work to die to the world and to honour Christ in the world 7. When a soul hath found out Christ for his Justification he doth make it his great business to be conformable to him in his conversation Phil. 3. 10. being made conformable to his death Now if any ask 1. Why a soul should keep his Justification and Sanctification distinct in some things 2. Why in other things we should keep them together 3. How a soul should come to keep his Justification and Sanctification distinct and yet to keep them together Then I answer 1. Why a soul should keep them distinct to which I answer 1. Because the Spirit of God is distinct in laying down these things in the Scrptures viz. in exhorting us to come without money and without price and if we walk in darkness and see no light yet to trust and stay our selves upon him because he doth love us freely and pardon us graciously and is found of them that sought him not 2. Because otherwise our souls can never be truly established rooted and built up in him Isaiah 7. 9. Eph. 3. 17. Col. 2. 7. he that doth mix Justification and Sanctification together can never be established 3. We should keep them distinct that so we might give God the whole glory of our Justification and salvation Quest 2. Is why we should in other things keep them together Answ 1. That we might glorifie God before the world its true a soul doth most glorifie God by believing but he doth more glorifie God before the world by his holy conversation Matth. 5. 16. John 15. 8. 2. Because holiness and sanctification is the way in which the Lords people shall be saved I do not say that this is the way by which but the way in which salvation is manifested 2 Pet. 1. 10 11. 3. The next reason why we should keep them together is because thereby we shall stop the mouths of wicked men 1 Peter 2. 15. For so is the will of God that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men 4. We are to keep them together because this is the will of God that all that do profess his name and lay hold on his Mercy should live holily 1 Thes 4. 3 4. For this is the will of God even your sanctification that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and holiness 5. We are to keep up Sanctification as well as Justification because thereby the Lord will stop the mouths of wicked men at the last day saying Come ye blessed of my Father you have done thus and thus for me and mine Matth. 25. 34 35. Quest 3. Is how should a soul come to keep his Justification and Sanctification distinct and yet keep them together Answ 1. Meditate much on the free love of God when we were in our blood he was in his love freely to love us and graciously to justifie us and then in the second place the soul will say within it self shall I sin against him that hath freely justified me No no how can I do this great wickedness and sin against God 2. Dwell much upon those engagements that God hath put upon us in the many great things that he hath done for us Titus 3. 3 4 5. For we our selves were sometimes foolish disobedient deceived serving divers lusts and pleasures living in malice and envy hateful and hating one another but after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared not by works of righteousness which we have done c. Ver. 8. These things I will that thou affirm constantly that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works 3. Think much upon the littleness of our work or services we can do to him and the unspeakable things that he hath done and promised to do for us what a disproportion there is between his mercy to us and our obedience to him the one is like the Ocean Sea the other as a grain of mustard-seed the one infinite the other finite the one as a great mountain that fills the whole earth the other as a Pepper-corn 4. Dwell much upon the great difference there will be between those that make it their work to keep up their Faith and obedience and those that do not at the coming of Christ the one he will bless and make them sit down to meat and will serve them see that blessed place Luke 12. 37. The other hath neither Justification nor Sanctification the Lord will cut them asunder and will appoint them their portion with unbelievers Luke 12. 46. O what remains then but that we labour to distinguish between our Justification and our personal Sanctification The first is quite out of our selves consisting in the imputation of Christs righteousness inherent in him who sits at the right hand of God far above the reach and sphear of sins activity and is therefore perfect and compleat yea the foundation of all blessedness the latter is in our selves and therefore weak and
promises will support a distressed soul and reduce a wandring soul hope in the promises will confirm staggering souls and some undone souls The promises are the Anchor of hope as hope is the Anchor of the soul See Rom. 8. 24. Gal. 5. 5. Tit. 1. 2. 3. Hope hath much in reversion though little in possession hope can see a glimpse of heaven through the thickest cloud hope can see light through darkness life through death smiles through frowns and glory through misery hope holds life and soul the together it holds the soul and the promises togeit holds the soul and heaven together 4. Hope never takes off but puts the soul upon doing and obeying 1 Pet. 1. 3. it gives life and strength to all our duties 1 Cor. 9. 10. 5. Hope will enter into that within the vail Heb. 6. 19. Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul both sure and stedfast which entreth into that within the vail 6. Another property of hope is this it will help a soul to wait patiently upon God for any thing it doth stand in need of Rom. 8. 25. For if we hope for that we see not then do we with patience wait for it Of the encouragements to encourage us to hope in God 1. FIrst this is the way for a Christian to enjoy himfelf and to have God take pleasure in him also Psal 147. 11. The Lord takes pleasure in them that fear him in those that hope in his mercy Psal 33. 18. Behold the eye of the Lordis upon them that fear him upon them that hope in his mercy to deliver their souls from death c. 2. A believers comfort hope joy and confidence should be the same at all times and that for these five unanswerable reasons 1. Because God is unchangeable John 13. 1. 2. Because God ever looks upon his as they are in Christ Gal. 5. 17. Psal 103. 14. 3. Because the hope and comfort of a believer depends not upon his own doings but upon Christs holiness and righteousness 1 Cor. 1. 30 2 Tim. 1. 9. Heb. 13. 8. 4. Because Christ and all true believers in a sense are one 1 Cor. 12. 12 13. Ephes 5. 30. Heb. 2. 11. 5. Because we are not beloved for our own sakes but for Christs sake Mat. 3. 17. compared with Isa 43. 25. Mich. 7. 18 19 20. 6 I might speak of many more encouragements viz. As God doth command us to hope in him and commends us for so doing and blames and threatens us for not hoping in his mercy But if I should speak of every thing distinctly I perceive my book would swell to a greater volumn then I intended Of the distinguishing Characters between a well grounded and a presumptuous hope 1. FIrst the hopes of a regenerate man it is gotten by and grounded upon the word of God and therefore it is called the hope of the Gospel Col. 1. 23. Rom. 15. 4. But now the hopes of wicked men as they are gotten they know not how so neither do they know upon what they are grounded c. 2. True hope is bottomed upon the mercies of God and the merits of Christ and hence it is that Christ is called our hope 1 Tim. 1. 1. Because he is the foundation upon which believers do build all their hopes But now the false and presumptuous hopes of the wicked are built upon their own duties what they have done for themselves Mich. 3. 11. 3. True hope doth as well act for heaven as hope for heaven Psal 37. 3. Trust in the Lord and do good here is trusting and doing put together true hope doth act for heaven as well as hope for heaven But a presumptuous hope that hopes for heaven as its end but never acts holiness as its way to heaven in a word false hope doth hope much and act little Wicked men will hope for salvation but not work out their salvation c. 4. He that hath true hope doth make conscience to keep his heart pure and free both from the love of sin and the dominion of sin 1 John 3. 3. He that hath this hope in him purifieth himself as he is pure that is he doth endeavour so to do at least But now a false hope will hope for heaven though he walk on after the imaginations of his own heart as in Isaiah 51. 10. Thou hast walked in the greatness of thy wicked waies yet sayest thou not there is no hope though they had great sins yet they had great hopes for heaven but this hope is only a presumptuous hope 5. True hope flows from a long and well grounded experience in the waies of God and from an experience of the grace and beauty and love of God to him and from experience of the goodness and mercy and promises of God and also from an experience from his own heart which in some measure is enabled by Christ to withstand temptations subdue corruptions Such experiences as these are inlets to a well grounded hope But now the hopes of wicked men and women are only the results of ignorance deluding and presumptuous hopes without any former experience of the ways of God surely such hopes are vain and empty hopes that will end in miserv Prov. 11. 7. The hope of the wicked shall be cut off and when he dies his expectation shall perish See Job 8. 14. Whose hope shall be cut off and whose trust shall be a spiders Web. See Job 11. 20. Their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost therefore let us take heed that we do not fancie to our selves false hopes of heaven on the one hand and have as much care on the other hand that you do not cast off grounded hopes and say there is no hope and have as much care that you do not harbour in your hearts common and ordinary conceits of this grace of hope for there is the same certainty the same excellency and the same efficacy in this grace of hope as there is in Faith and love First there is the same certainty in it Heb. 6. 11. It is called the full assurance of hope Secondly there is the same excellency in it Tit. 2. 13. It is called a blessed hope and there is also the same efficacy in it for as faith is said to purifie the heart Act. 15. 9. So likewise doth hope 1 John 3. 3. Every man that hath this hope in him doth purifie himself as he is pure Again there is the same difficulty in getting hope as there is in getting Faith for as it is gotten by the word preached so is hope too Col. 1. 23. And if Faith be wrought in us by the power of God as Heb. 12. 2. So is hope likewise wrought in us by the power of the Holy Ghost Rom. 15. 13. That ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost let our faith and hope then â—e in God 1 Pet. 1. 21. and let us not be moved away from the hope of
the Gospel Col. 1. 23. The great Pillar of Marble that must bear up our hope is the promises of God in Christ he that builds his hopes for heaven only upon his own performances and good duties his hope is in vain for this is not the pillar and ground of our hope for when we have done all that we can we must lie down at the feet of Christ and conclude that our best righteousness is but silthy rags and when we have done all that we can we are but unprofitable servants Isa 64. 6. Luke 17. 10. Of Perseverance what it is It is the end that crowns the action it is not enough to begin well unless we end well Mannasseh and Paul began ill ended well Judas and Demas began well but ended ill Double damnation doth attend those that begin in the Spirit and end in the flesh Persevering Saints must work hard in the wilderness before they sit down in Paradice they must make a constant progressin holiness before they enter into happiness 1. That perseverance that is true is a perseverance in holy and spiritual principles it is an abiding in love John 15. 9 10. Col. 1. 23. If ye continue in the Faith grounded and settled and be not removed away from the hope of the Gospel See 1 Tim. 2. 15. Heb. 13. 1. 1 Cor. 13. 13. A persevering Christian doth hold on and hold out to the end Mat. 10. 22. Mat. 24. 12 13. Rev. 2. 10. Be thou faithful unto the Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life 2. It is a perseverance in believing in repenting in mourning in hoping in loving in fear in humility and in patience and self-denyal it is perseverance in grace that doth crown every grace and every gracious soul with the crown of glory at the last Rev. 2. 10. 3. In a word that which the Holy-Ghost calls perseverance hath this ingredient in it it is an abiding in the Word and Doctrine of Christ Iohn 15. 7. 1 Iohn 2. 24. Iohn 8. 31. If ye continue in my Word then are you my Disciples indeed A true Christian doth constantly maintain war and usually obtain victoâ—y he is resolved to conquer or die conquering We read Acts 8. 43. that Paul and Barnabas perswaded the Christians to continue in the grace of God for if we continue not we shall be cut off Rom. 11. 22. Of the gifts of the Spirit and what those best gifts are that Christ gives to his best beloved ones HAving written before of the graces of the Spirit it now follows in order to write something of the gifts of the Spirit for there are many gifts and vertues of the Spirit for every man hath his proper gift of God one after this manner another after that Jam. 1. 17. Rom. 12. 6. having then gifts differing c. 1 Cor. 12. 8. there are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit To one is given a word of wisdom to another a word of knowledge by the same Spirit to another Faith by the same Spirit to another the gift of healing to another the working of miracles to another prophecying to another discerning of Spirits to another divers kind of tongues to another the interpretation of tongues hence it comes to pass that every man is eminent in his gift above others viz. Abraham exceeded Moses in faith Moses exceeded Abraham in meekness and Job exceeded both in patience and Joshua exceeded all three in valour So the Church of the Romans exceeded the Church of the Thessalonians in wisdom and knowledge and the Church of the Thessalonians exceeded the Church of the Romans in Faith and Patience So again Paul he had the gift of utterance and freedom of speech he was accounâ—ed the chief Speaker he was a most eloquent man Now Barnabas did exceed Paul in another gift viz. in comforting those who were in trouble Acts 11. 23 24. and Peter did excell both Paul and Barnabas in another gift viz. in feeding the Lambs Iohn 21. 15 16. Again it is said of Iames and Iohn that they were sons of thunder as having a more powerful gift from God to terrifie and awaken sinners So then every good and perfect gift is from above as we find Iames 1. 17. And as every man hath received the gift so he is to administer the same 1 Pet. 4. 10. For to that end every man hath his proper gift of God one after this manner another after that as we read 1 Cor. 7. 7. And no man is to neglect the gift that is in him 1 Tim. 4. 14. But it is the duty of all to stir up the gift that is in them 2 Tim. 1. 6. Every man hath a gift given him according to the measure of the gift of Christ Eph. 4. 7. and so having gifts differing according to the measure that is given to us whether prophesie let us prophesie according to the proportion of Faith Rom. 12. 6 c. Again we read in 1 Cor. 12. 1 4 8 9 28. concerning spiritual gifts I would not have you ignorant for there are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit for to one is given by the same Spirit the Word of wisdom to another the Word of knowledge to another faith to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit to another prophesie to another discerning of spirits to another divers kinds of tongues to another the interpretation of tongues and all this worketh that one and the self-same spirit Dividing to every man severâ—â—ly as he will Eph. 4. 11 12. And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers Elders and Deacons ver 12. for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ till we all come in the unity of the Faith unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ More particularly let us enquire into this what those best gifts are that Christ gives unto his best beloved ones THere are common gifts that all in common have one as well as another but under this head I shall speak only of those most choice special gifts that he bestows upon his sons and daughters 1. He giveth light to his beloved ones yea he giveth spiritual light which is a mercy of mercies Eph. 5. 14. He gives that light whereby his people not only awake and rise from the dead but he enables them to see sin to be the greatest evil he gives that light that melts the soul that humbles the heart that warms and quickens the soul and quiets the soul and glads the soul A man is not born with heavenly light in his heart as he is born with a tongue in his mouth for till Christ comes and sets up a light in the soul the soul liveth in darkness and lies in darkness yea is darkness in the very abstract Eph. 5. 8. Ye were sometimes darkness but now are ye light in the Lord.
that hath sinned it will cost him more grief sorrow heart-breaking and soul-bleeding before conscience will be satisfied comfort restored evidences cleared and pardon in the court of conscience sealed for God can look sowrly and chide bitterly and strike heavily even where and when he loves dearly a soul may be full of holy affection when it is empty of divine consolation there may be true grace where there is not one drop of comfort nor one dram of joy Of Sin in Sentences MOst men are fallen into sin as if there were no God to punish them no justice to condemn them no hell to torment them That man shall be a slave to sin that will not avoid the occasions of sin It is impossible for that man to get the conquest of sin that plaies and sports with the occasions of sin It is better to be kept from sin then to be cured of sin as it is better to be kept from a disease then to be cured of that disease the greatest sinners shall be the greatest sufferers Sin shall never be our bane if it be our burden sin doth intice us to that which is against Gods holiness as well as against our happiness There is no sin little because there is no little God to sin against There is many a one full of sinful corruption that shews it not for want of occasion but the more grace thrives in the Soul the more sin dies in the soul Sin may break our Communion but not our Union with God Every sin doth put God upon complaining Christ upon bleeding and the spirit upon grieving and so men go on from folly to folly till they be ripe for eternal misery Of doing or practising in Sentences WE should spend our and time pains about that which will make us live happily die comfortably and raign eternally It is not knowing man nor the talking man nor the reading man but the doing man that at last will be found the happiest man Therefore no danger or difficulty should hinder a Christian from his duty for if our knowledge be not turned into practise the more knowledge we have the more miserable shall we be We should be thankfull under mercies faithfull in our places humble under divine appearances and fruitfull under pretious oâ—dinances For he that thinks himself too good to be ruled by Gods word will be found too bad to be owned by God To reward good for evil is divine to reward good for good is humane to reward evil for evil is brutish but to reward evil for good is devilish we are apt to have two eyes to behold our dignity and priviledges and not so much as one eye to see our duty and services Of the Riches Honour and Glory of the world in Sentences A Man may be great and graceless with Pharaoh honourable and damnable with Saul rich and miserable with Dives A man may have enough of this world to sink him but he can never have enough to save him though good Christians have here but little in possession yet they have a glorious kingdom in reversion It is better to be gracious then great inwardly holy then out wardly happy for the best mans honour is as glass bright and brittle and evermore in danger of breaking the things of this life are not so absolutely given us but that God retains still a right to it and an interest in it and may demand it when and how he please Of the Devil and his temptation in Sentences THE Devil aims principally to make us walk sinfully that so we might live uncomfortably If Satan be alwaies roaring we should be alwaies watching for though Satan cannot rob a Christian of his crown yet he will endeavour to spoil him of his comfort It is not Satans tempting but our consenting not his inticing but our yielding that makes temptation sinful Therefore let us not yield to Satans temptations who hath the worst name and the worst nature of all created creatures our carnal security is his opportunity and he that would not be taken with Satans devises let him make present resistance against Satans first motions Of assurance of Salvation in Sentences A Ssurance is a salve for every sore and a remedy for every malady a Christians anchor at sea and his shield at land a staff to support him a sword to defend him and a pavilion to hide him Assurance makes heavy afflictions light and long afflictions short and bitter afflictions sweet God hath made an everlasting separation between sin and peace sin and joy sin and assurance if sin and our souls be one God and our souls must needs be two He that will get assurance must mind his work more then his wages for assurance is heavenlywages that God gives not to loiterers but to the ingenious labourers Though no man merits assurance by his obedience yet God usually crowns obedience with assurance That soul will never attain to any settled assurance of Salvation that builds his hopes upon a sandy foundation We cannot distrust our selves too much nor trust Christ too much It is one thing for God to love a soul and another thing for God to assure that soul of his love A man may be truly holy and yet not have assurance that he shall be eternally happy God writes many a mans name in the book of life and yet not let him have assurance of it till the hour of death assurance is a mercy too good for most mens hearts a crown too weighty for most mens heads It is the best and greatest mercy and therefore God will only give it to his nearest and dearest friends As faith is often attended with unbelief and sincerity with hypocrisie and humility with vain glory so is assurance with fears and doubts Divers knotty questions answered and seeming contradictions in the Scripture reconciled and many Scruples of conscience removed VVE read 1 John 3. 16. we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren Quest In what cases may we hazard or lay down our lives for the brethren Answ 1. A private Christian may adventure his life for publike persons Rom. 16. 3 4. Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helâ—ers in Christ who have for my life laid down their own necks unto whom not only I give thanks but also all the Chruches of the Gentiles 2. A man may warrantably adventure his life if need require for a multitude that they may be preserved from destruction so Moses Exod. 32. 31 32. so Paul Rom. 9. 3. compared with Phil. 2. 17 18. 3. One publike officer may hazzard his life for another of more concernment in the Church as Epaphroditus a Pastor of the Philippians for Paul an Apostle Phil. 2. 30 c. We read in many places of Scripture that it is the duty of every man to believe and we find in other Scriptures that God is the Author of Faith and without him we cannot believe John 5. 40 44. Q. Why doth God promise eternal life to those that
miserable then the beast that perisheth in the ditch for I must go to answer before the Judgement seat of the Righteous judge of heaven and earth where I shall have none to speak for me and I cannot excuse my self my own heart already condemns me I must needs therefore be condemned before his Judgement seat me thinks I hear that doleful sentence Mat. 25. 41. Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his Angels If I should say Lord If I must depart from thy blessed presence then bles me before I go Then he will answer me as in the text Depart ye cursed Lord if I must depart and depart without a blessing and with a curse let me go into some good place no saith the Lord in the same text Depart ye cursed into Hell fire but Lord if I must depart and depart cursed and be cast into Hell fire Let me stay but a little while there then the Lord will answer as in the same text Depart ye cursed into everlasting fire But Lord saith the damned soul if I must depart and depart cursed into everlasting fire Let me have good company there no saith the Lord Depart into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels These shall be thy companions Oh horror to to think Oh grief to consider Oh cursed be the day wherein I was born cursed be the man that shewed my Father saying a child is born unto thee Cursed be the man because he shew me not Oh that my mother might have been my grave How is it that I came forth of the womb to endure these hellish Sorrows and that my daies should thus end with eternal shame And thus he who made earth his Paradise his belly his God his lust his Law and so sowed vanity now he reapeth misery in his prosperity he neglected to serve God in his adversity God refuseth to save him and the Devil whom he served now at at last pays him his wages thus far of the miseries of the soul and body in Death which is but cursedness in part Of the sad Condition and Misery of all out of Christ after death ANd here I shall not say much but only give the Reader a tast of that state and then speak at large to this thing towards the close of this book when we speak of the last Judgment and end of all things Now the misery of the soul after death is either particular or general particular is that which liteth upon the soul immediately as soon as she is separated from the body she is said to stand before the throne of God and so forthwith she is carried by the evil Angels with violence into hell where she is kept as in a prison in everlasting pains and chains under darkness unto the Judgement of the great day but not in that extremity of Torments which she shal receive at the last day there thy lascivious eyes shall be afflicted with sights of ghostly spirits Thy curious ears shall be affrighted with hinous noyse of howling Devils and the gnashing teeth of damned Reprobates thy dainty nose shall be cloyed with noysom stench thy delicate taste shall be pined with intolerable hunger and thy drunken throat shall be parched with nnquenchable thirst thy mind shall be tormented to think how foolishly thou hast lost heaven and gotten hellish pains for momentary riches thou hast lost the eternal treasure and changed heavens felicity for hells fury where thou shalt have punishment without pitty misery without mercy sorrow without succour crying without comfort mischief without measure torment without ease where the worm dyeth not and the fire is never quenched where the wrath of God shall fall upon the soul and body as the flame of fire doth on the Lump of pitch or brimstone in which flame thou shalt ever be burning and never consumed ever dying and never dead ever roaring in the pangs of death and never rid of those pangs this is the second death which every damned Reprobate must suffer so long as God and his Saints shall enjoy bliss and felicity in Heaven for evermore Hitherto of the misery of man in the state of corruption now followeth the means that every one should use to escape this sad condition that they may not go out as the snuff of a candle but lay down their lives in peace in assurance or at least some hope of their salvation A Preparation for death that it may not come upon us before we are ready to dye DEath having something to say to every man in every state and condition it is but reason that all should hearken to the message Now he that desires to live sweetly and die comfortably let him observe these and the like Rules First there are six things to be considered Secondly there are seven things to be practised First of the first there are six things to be considered viz. 1. The fewness of our years moneths weeks and dayes 2. The frailty of our Nature 3. The Many dangers we every day pass through 4. That death is no respecter of persons 5. That death to the godly is but a change of place not of company 6. Consider that death to a Christian is but a house a bed a sleep a rest c. 1. The fewness of our years moneths weeks and dayes here in this life is swifter then a weavers shuttle Job 7. 6. It is a shrub a leaf a reed a rush a grass a smoak a cloud a wind a water a bubble a vapour a shadow a nothing and so at our best estate altogether vanity Psalm 39. 5. Isa 64. 6. Psalm 102. 3. 2 Sam. 14. 14. Jam. 4. 14. 1 Chron. 29. 15. 2. Consider the frailty of our nature Psal 39. 4. Lord make me to know my end and the measure of my dayes what it is that I may know how frail I am such is the swiftness of mans dayes and shortness of mans life and frailty of his nature that the swiftest shortest and frailest things for the most part that we read of are not swift frail and short enough to compare mans life unto mans body is but a magazine and hospital of diseases and diseases are but the messengers or forerunners of death when diseases are in the house then death is at the threshold when sickness is in the chamber death is at the window our body is but a cottage of clay and that so frail and crasie as were it not once or twice every day daubed over it would fall about our ears wheresoever we go we are fain to drag this clod this clay whereas Angels free from the shakles of flesh can move from earth to heaven and from heaven to earth even as swift as can our thoughts Oh that we were as low in heart as condition 3. Consider the many dangers we every day pass through 2 Cor. 11. 26. In perils of waters in perils of Robbers in perils amongst our friends and foes in perils in
the City in perils in the wilderness enticed by Satan allured by the world deceived and cheated by our own heart Oh how wilt thou do to lanch out into the Ocean dost thou know what will become of thee in another world is thy peace made with God is thy person justified art thou in a state of grace art thou born again art thou converted and become as a little child hast thou repented doth thy righteousness exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees if so it is well if not thou shalt never enter into the Kingdom of God John 3. 3. 5. Matthew 18. 3. Luke 13. 5. Mat. 5. 20. 4. Let us consider that death hath something to say to every one of us he is no respecter of persons sometimes he snatcheth away the babe newly born sometimes the child sometimes the young man sometimes the middle age and alwayes the old aged he respects no mans person be he rich or poor high or low strong or weak beloved or hated godly or ungodly wherefore call thy self to account every evening examine what evil hast thou hated this day what vice hast thou stood against this day in what part thou art bettered now then thou wast in the morning Seneca reports of a heathen man that would every night ask himself these questions I have heard of a heathen after his conversion that was tempted to some sin he thrust his finger into the fire saying sin soul if thou canst burn and so overcame the temptation 5. Let us consider that death to a godly man is but a change of place not of company we shall have the company of the same Father Son and Spirit and Saints and all the spirits of just men made perfect a believer in this world is not in his own place therefore oh Christians weigh anchor hoise sail and be gone death to a Christian will put an end to all unprofitable things here we change joy for sorrow health for sickness strength for weakness honour for dishonour plenty for poverty beauty for deformity friends for foes silver for brass gold for copper c. now death puts an end to all these Rev. 21. 4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death nor sorrow neither shall there be any more pain Rev. 14. 13. therefore blessed are the dead that die in the Lord death also doth put a change to our employment our employment in this world doth lye much in praying groaning sighing mourning wrestling and fighting against the world flesh and Devil Ephes 6. 10. But in the world to come our employment will lye in praising and magnifying the Lord Again our enjoyment shall be changed as well as our employment we shall change our unconstant enjoyment for a more constant 1 Thes 4. 17 18. We shall change our dark and obscure enjoyment for a more bright enjoyment 1 Cor. 13. 12. For now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face here we receive grace for grace there we shall receive glory for glory 6. Consider unto what familiar things death is compared and presented to one that is in Christ sometimes it is termed a house Job said I know that thou wilt bring me to death and to the house of all living Job 30. 23. Sometimes it is represented as going to bed Isa 57. 2. Sometimes death is stiled a sleep Dan. 12. 2. What shall I say more death to a wicked man is the king of terrors but Christ came to deliver his flock from the fear of death and the grave is embalmed by Jesus Christ he lay there three dayes c. 2. As in our preparation for death there are the foregoing things to be considered so in the next place there are some things to be practiced and the work we have is two-fold 1. Get a title to Gods love 2. Get assurance that thou hast a title which is or may be done by improving these five things 3. Improve the present opportunity and put not off to the last minute as most do 4. Store up a stock of faith store up a stock of promises and store up a stock of prayers against that day 5. Endeavour so to live every day as if it were thy last day 6. Gather up all thy evidences and spiritual experiences and keep them in mind and heart 7. Make thy will in time of health and leave all things clear upon thy book both in shop and conscience 1. In all thy gettings be sure to get a title to Gods love and then get assurance that thou hast a title the first is done by action the second is done by examination The action or actions are these 1. GIve diligence to make thy calling and election sure 2 Pet. 1. 10. and that a man may so do shorten worldly business and be moderate in the use of worldly pleasures so foolish are we that whilst with much care and labour we go about to make those things certain which are most uncertain we make those things uncertain which might be made most certain he that hath two Irons in the fire at once spoyls one whilst he attends the other See what care most have to make good their titles to settle their inheritances upon their heirs shall we not be as careful to settle our interest to eternal glory if we be quiet now yet the Devil will find a time to try thy evidences for heaven and call our title into question sickness and death are times of weakness to us wherin he like a subtile enemy displayes all his art O consider the misery of doubting persons at their death think upon the anguish that their souls endure they apprehend God angry with them the Devil accusing them earth leaving them heaven refusing them hell claiming them soul and body parting friends weeping and themselves hopeless going they know not whither O then O then let us make our calling and election sure before hand as worldly men get riches in health to cherish them in sickness and as the Bees get hony in summer to feed on in the winter even so should we in time of health get good grounds of assurance that so we might live enjoy and dye in peace and rise in perfection and raign in happiness 2. Get assurance that thou hast a title viz. make a curious narrow impartial diligent search into thy own soul and see what humility what self-denial what sin-abhorrency what love to Christ what delight in his Ordinances what zeal to Gods glory what contempt of the world what desires after the society of the Saints what sympathizing with them in their afflictions and if thou findest any impressions of grace any spiritual work any saving savoury distinguishing operations upon thy heart c. canst thou mourn in secret for open and secret sins dost thou deâ—ire to have sin purged as well as pardoned dost thou leave sin from a right principle to a right end and so through the Spirit mortifie the
dwelleth Righteousness beholding and being filled with the fruition of the glorious presence of God and of the Lamb Jesus Christ in the company of innumerabl Angels and Saints 1 Cor 13. 10. Psal 16. 11. Rev. 3. 21. 2 Pet. 3. 13. Psal 17. 15. 1 Tim. 4. 17. Heb. 12. 22. O what variety of joyes may be considered in the glorification of man in the delights of heavenly mansions and in the blessed society of the Saints but chiefly in the beholding of God the body glorified the soul shall be far more prefect then it was in the state of innocency for in it shall be understanding without error light without darkness wisdom without ignorance reason without obscurity the Lord shall in the sight and hearing of all world pronounce unto his servants Matthew 25. 34. Come ye blessed of my father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world 1. Come ye here is our union and communion with the Trinity 2. Blessed here is our absolution from all sins and our endowments with all happiness 3. Of my father here is the Author from whom proceeds our felicity 4. Inherit here is faith ending in fruition and the promises in possession 5. The Kingdom behold our birth right according to grace 2 Tim. 1. 9. 6. Prepared See Gods fatherly care for his chosen John 14. 2. 7. From the foundation of the world O the free and eternal love of God in Christ having made this introduction let me crave leave of thee reader to speak more particularly of the most glorious state of a Christian in heaven after the sentence of absolution at the last day of judgement and to this point I shall rather lisp then speak being not able to conceive much less to describe that most excellent bliss and eternal wait of glory but we may take a scantling thereof thus the Lord in his word doth set forth to our capacity the glory of our eternal life after death in eight things 1. Their bodies shall shine as the brightness of the Sun 2. The soul shall be far more perfect then it was in the state of innocency 3. Consider the place where we shall be and that is in the third heaven 4. Consider whose presence we shall enjoy Father Son and and holy Spirit Saints and Angels c. 5. In this sâ—ate we shall know one another 6. In this state we shall speak one to another 7. Consider the variety of joy that there shall be in heaven 8. Consider the duration and continuance of this blessed state 1. Their bodies shall shine as the brightness of the Sun in the firmament like the glorious body of Christ The Glory of a thousand Suns made into one will be but as sack-cloath to that wherein Christ shall appear in mans nature he being in the Glory of his Father Mat 16. 27. And we shall be like him 1 John 3. 2. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their father as appears in this Scripture Mat. 13. 43. 2. The soul shall be far more perfect then it was in the state of innocency sor in it shall be understanding without errour Light without darkness wisdom without Ignorance reason without obscurity memory without oblivion the Will also shall be without perversness joy without sorrow pleasure without pain In the slate of innocency there was in man a possibility not to Sin but in the state of Glory there shall be no possibility to sin In a word both body and soul in heaven shall be in such a blessed state that neither our tongue can express it nor our mind conceive it The soul shall be more happy in being present with Jesus Christ in heaven then if it had been present with Adam in the state of innocency Adam was instated only in an earthly paradise but now thou being with Christ art instated in an everlasting Kingdom Again Adam though pleased in a state of innocency yet he was liable to lose that blessed slate and did lose it though he were a perfect creature but by Christ we are instated in a Kingdom that cannot be shaken or lost Again When Adam was made by God in innocency he enjoyed only the society of beasts on the earth and birds of the air but when Christ brings a soul to heaven God the Father Son and holy Ghost Angels and Saints shall be his companions 3. Consider the place where the Saints shall be after the Judgement and that is in the third heaven we read of Saints departed that they see the face of God They that are in the third heaven are in the presence of God the Saints departed are in the third heaven they are in paradise Luke 23. 43. which is the third heaven 2 Cor. 12. 2 4. The place of the blessed is usually known by the name of the third heaven the third heaven is a shining body created immediately of God the throne of his special presence and of the gracious manifestation of his perfections and the habitation of the blessed both Angels and men The whole Region of the air unto the Moon is in Scripture called the first heaven from the Moon to the highest stars inclusively the second heavâ—n That which is above these the place of happiness is the thiâ—d heaven 2 Cor. 12. 2. This third heaven is called a house not made with hands 2 Cor. 5 A City whose makâ—r and builder is God Heb. 11. 10. The City of the living God Hâ—b 12. 22. This is Châ—ists fathers house John 14. 2. Paradise Luke 23 43. Heaven the Heaven of Heavens 1 Kin. 8. 27. The woâ—ld 〈◊〉 this is the great City of the gâ—eat King he measured with the reed twelve thousand â—urloâ—gs the length and the bredth and the height of it are equal Rev. 21. 16. It is the Court of God and Christ wherein are habitations for in numerable company of Saints and Angels John 14. 2. Heb. 12. 22 23 24. This heaven of heavens hath twelve foundations Rev. 21. 14. The matter of the building of the wall of it was of Jasper and the City was pure gold like unto clear glass Rev. 21. 18. the form four square ver 16. Twelve thousand furlongs that is fifteen hundred English miles square the gates are in number twelve made of twelve pearls every several gate was of one pearl ver 21. Situate East West North and South three looking every way ver 13. Having ingraven upon them the names of the twelve Tribes of Israel and twelve Angels for the keepers of them the streets are of pure gold ver 21. It s Temple is God and the Lamb its Light the glory of God and the Lamb its Inhabitants are the Lords people ver 24. It s water a pure river of Life Chap. 22. 1. Its fruits are the fruits of the tree of Life ver 2. In a word there is no place so glorious by creation so beautiful with delectation so rich in possession so comfortable for habitation