wishing for to see Rome Flourishing hear Paul Preaching and behold Christ in the Flesh much more will it be a ravishing sight to behold our glorifyed Redeemer surrounded with myriads of blessed Souls This will be a delectable sight 2. Saints that have injoyed sweet Communion together in this World shall injoy sweeter and perpetual Communion above they that have kept day 's of Fasting and Prayer day 's of Thanksgiving and Conference that have sitten under the same Preaching have sung Psalms together have sat down together at the holy Supper and feasted upon the Fruits of Christ's meritorious Sacrifice shall now drink this Wine new with him in his Fathers Kingdom Oh what communication of Experiences of what they met with in their Passage through this Wilderness into their Coelestial Canaan How will they eccho to each other and say We sat down under his shadow with great delight Song 2.3 and his fruit was sweet to my tast It was sweet then it is sweeter now O the peculiar Acts of distinguishing Grace Why did God chuse us rather then others to be Objects of this transcendent Love We were fed with Manna in the Wilderness now we are come into the Land of Promise we have royal dainties and drink abundantly of these Rivers of Pleasures and bath our Souls in this boundless Sea of satisfying Delights then they will sing with a lowder Eccho then ever Come and hear all ye that fear God and I will declare what he hath done for my Soul Psalm 66.16 I was with my dear Lord in such a corner now I declare his Goodness in the height of Zion 3. Saints that parted sorrowfully with their Relations by Death now meet them again to part no more Death drew a Cloud over our Natural and Christian Friends They disappeared and we saw them again no more but now we are met again in a better place than in our Houses or Temples made with hands We once took mutual content in each other but that was but a shadow a saint resemblance of that we now enjoy the Husband and Wife were heirs together of the grace of life 1 Pet. 3.7 now they are Possessors together of the fulness of that Grace in Glory We prayed wept discoursed together We loved each other in the Flesh but now our spark is become a flame we love one another at another rate The Godly Child will say This is my tender-hearted Mother my prudent pious Father that shed many a Tear for me The Parent shall say This my Child cost me many times a sad heart many a bitter groan he is the Son of my Vows then the Child of my Hopes now the Child of my Joys his miscarriages cost me dear his happiness raiseth my Spirits he caused me to make many an Errand to the Throne of Grace he now raiseth my Spirit into an Extasie of Joy My Prayers are fully heard my Joy is fulfilled in the Enjoyment of God with my dear Relations 4. Souls fully refined from the dregs of Passion and Corruption shall then without such allays injoy each other Alas we cannot discourse together here but some piece of Vanity interposeth it self Our discourses are oft impertinent sometimes unsavory sometimes giving and often taking offence Alas what discords distances dissentions are there among Christians Even Paul and Barnabas may part in a pet Alas what Animosities and Heart-burnings are to be found here in this lower World even among the Saints That we may sadly sigh and say tant aene animis coelestibus irae how comes it to pass that such hellish sulphurous Flames should rise out of heavenly Hearts But now those Flames are quenched now they all unite in an harmonious Melody singing the Song of Moses and of the Lamb now they are perfect of good comfort of one mind 2 Cor. 13.11 they live in peace and the God of love and peace is with them and they are with God They shall never quarrel more O the delectable Melody of this Palm-bearing Company Far beyond the Musick of the Sphears Not one jarring string in all that blessed Consort They have left behind them all their cudgils at the entrance of this Temple of Peace Their Hearts are centred in God and their Loins are streight with each other Luther and Calvin are there perfectly agreed never to contend more 5. Saints shall be perfectly drained from the Converse with vile Persons in this dirty World Here the godly and wicked are mixed It is impossible to forbear some civil Converse with carnal Neighbours for then must we needs go out of the world 1 Cor. 5.10 Even notorious Blasphemers Idolaters Covetous that â—…et and vex the Hearts of the godly But in Heaven there 's none such No unclean thing enters there The godly Soul shall never be vexed with unruly Company more There in a day when the Saints and none but Saints shall be gathered together There shall be no more the Canaanite or Hypocrite in the house of the Lord of hosts Not a prophane Esau Zecha 14.21 or a scoffing Ishmael in that houshold of God among all those innumerable Saints These have left the mad World on Earth sinning or in Hell suffering for ever 6. Godly Ministers and their gracious Converts shall meet together with Joy Oh what reciprocal Joy and transcendent Satisfaction will they take in each other when both he that soweth and he that reapeth shall rejoyce together John 4.36 O saith the glorified Saint yonder is my spiritual Father under whose Ministry I have sate with trembling many a time by astonishing Convictions upon my Conscience when the Law hath thundred wrath against me The same hand hath closed the wound and applyed a plaister of a Gospel-promise to my bleeding Soul Many melting heart scearching Truths have these Ears heard from that Mouth that have come warm to my Heart Blessed be God that ever I saw his Face or heard his Voice The Minister shall be surprized with a transport of Joy when he shall see his spiritual Children begot in the bonds of the Gospel over whom he hath wept many a Tear travelled with Cares and Fears and for whom he hath put up many affectionate Prayers Now he shall see and say his Labour was not in vain in the Lord I must say of these what is our hope or joy or crown of rejoycing are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming for ye are our glory and joy 1 Thess 2.19 20. 7. Christians that have been scattered by Persecution shall now quietly meet and part no more How will they with comfort reflect on the solemn Assemblies sorrowfully broken up by Officers and unruly Bailiffs their Names taken their Persons dragg'd before Magistrates their Houses rifled and themselves hurried to Prison now those days are over and gone no danger of Conventicles or unlawful Assemblies in that upper Region they shall worship God on an Hill in the Mountain of the height
it come not to pass some languish in their Faith others grow presumptuous in their Security If the Devil prevail thus far he will so work ut nihil in Religione certum aut fixam reliqueret that he will leave nothing sure or fixed in Matters of Religion as Calvin saith on this Text yea by this means Men loosen the cords and break the bands that join together the Articles of our Faith yea strike at the foundation Article of the Resurrection Doct. I. Ministers must be Beseechers As they may command in their Masters nam◠so they must beseech as Servants t◠all the Faithful 1 Thes 5.12 1 Thes 4.1 We beseech you and exhort you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ◠we humbly and earnestly desire you as if w◠went down on our knees to you hence 1 The◠2.7 8. We were gentle among you even as a Nurs◠cherisheth her Children Our business is great sinners inexorable we have great need to use the most obliging Terms as though God did beseech Sinners by us to pray them in Christ stead to be reconciled to God 2 Cor. 5.20 Doct. II. All God's Servants are Brethren Be they high or low rich or poor the most eminent Apostle and meanest yea weakest believe they are Brethren they have all one Father God our elder Brother Christ one holy Spirit that animates them all one Covenant of Grace to wrap them up in one heavenly Inheritance that they are Heirs of hence Col. 1.2 To the Saints and faithful Brethren in Christ O what an endearing Relation is this Let us live up to it Doct. III. Christ will certainly come to Judgment It is certain this noble Man is gone into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return to reckon with his Servanrs Luke 19. 12-27 Christ's coming to Judge the Jews was Imago Arrabo Adceptus ultimi the Image and earnest of his last coming described in 1 Thes 4.15 16 17. Doct. IV. The coming of Christ is a most endearing Consideration to believers This is to the Christian as the Harvest is to the Husband-man James 5.7 8. Be ye also patient saith he stablish your Heart for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh O what a glorious Morning will that day be when the Sun of Righteousness will shine once again with help and healing in his Wings Then let the heirs of glory lift up their heads for the day of their Redemption draws nigh Luke 21.28 You cannot intreat them by more strong and obliging Obtestations or Arguments Doct. V. Though Christ 's coming be stopt to the Saints and certain in it self yet the Time is uncertain to us Our Lord saith to his inquisitive Disciples Acts. 1.6 7. It is not for you to know the times and the seasons which the Father hath put in his own Power hence he saith Mat. 24.42 44. Watch therefore be ye also ready for in such an hour as you think not the Son of Man cometh This is a Key that the wise God locks under his Girdle he keeps this Secret inter arcana imperij among the Mysteries of this glorious Empire In discoursing upon this pleasant Subject I shall open these Seven things 1. What this gathering alludes to 2. After what manner they are gathered 3. What is imply'd in this gathering 4. For what End they are gathered 5. How they are gathered to Christ 6. Why will God thus gather them 7. What improvement may be made of it CHAP. II. What 's meant by this gathering together 1. What it alludes to 2. How it is managed and when transacted 1. I Shall briefly explain the Emphasis of this Word what it signifies and the Allusions to something in common view 1. It alludes to an Hospitable Persons taking in Wanderers to lodge them and kindly entertain them So the Word is used Mat. 25.35 I was a stranger and he took me in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ye gathered me Alass God's Children are Strangers and Pilgrims in the Path Heb. 11.13 as Men oft cast them out and they wander about in Sheep-skins and Goats-skins in Deserts Mountains Dens and Caves of the Earth v. 37 38. but their loving Father takes them in and provides them House and Harbour 2 Cor. 5.1 an house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens Lazarus at the rich Man's Gates is taken up into Abraham's bosom a better lodging then the rich Man's stateliest Chamber thus God gathers them 2. It alludes to a Man's gathering a rich Treasure together Gold Silver precious Stones Laying up in store Isa 39.6 as David gathered a prodigious Treasure for building the Temple three thousand talents of gold seven thousand talents of refined silver all manner of precious stones 1 Chron. 29.2 4. Solomon gathered silver and gold and the peculiar treasures of King's Eccl. 2.8 Exod. 19.5 But what are all these to God's treasure Which too calls his peculiar treasure more worth then both the Indies These God hath his time and way to gather up Mat. 3.17 They shall be mine saith the Lord in the day when I make up my jewels God's jewels lie loose and scattered but he will string them and lay them up safe with himself in Heaven 3. This word alludes to congregating together as in a Synagogue for Religious Acts caetus conventus sacer an holy Religious meeting Luke 7.5 He hath built us a Synagogue that 's for Religious worship so the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imports a Religious meeting And we read of a Synagogue of the Libertines Acts 6.9 but this may be called the Synagogue or the Congregation of Licentiates or highest Graduates in Divinity that have in some sense commenced per Saltum and have leapt out of the Church below into the Church triumphant above being highly preferred by their blessed Master 4. The word imports a meeting in an honourable Councel that 's above an ordinary Assembly Mat. 26.3 Then assembled together the chief Priests and Scribes and Elders c. these were the Sanhedrim and sat as Judges upon causes Criminal and Capital 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it signifies not a vulgar or a common meeting but a convention of States to sit upon Life and Death and though that was a wicked meeting to condemn the Son of God yet this glorious Assembly of Saints shall be convened to be Assessors with Christ to judge their Judges 1 Cor. 6.2 Know ye not that the Saints shall judge the World Rev. 1.6 Psalm 45.16 yea Angels All the Saints of God are Kings and Princes in all the Earth Oh what an honourable Jury will there be to applaud the sacred Judicature of our Lord This is the meaning of the Word 2. I must shew the manner means and method how this gathering together is managed or how the Saints come to be gathered together and when 1. Converting Grace gathers Sinners out of the world to God This is initial and preparatory the word in Eph. 1.10 gathering
Country no nor yet to be Retainers hanging about the Court at a distance but approaching into his Presence Jesus Christ is in the immediate Presence of God Saints shall be with him Heb. 9.24 In whose presence is fulness of joy at his right hand are pleasures for ever more Psal 10.11 5. As Friends to a Feast Our Lord called and accounted all his Saints Friends in this World John 15.14 15. and he deales familiarly with them providing for them a Feast of fat things But there will come a day when he will drink this wine new with them in his fathers kingdom Mat. 26.29 O blessed Feast O sweet Society When he will say eat oh friends drink yea drink abundantly O beloved Cant. 5.2 6. As Children are gathered to their Father not only to receive a Blessing but to take full possession of their Inheritance Col. 3.24 knowing that of the Lord ye shall revive the reward of the inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ All God's Son 's are Heirs and then it will be manifest who are Son's Rom. 8.17 1 John 3.2 that 's a blessed Word Rev. 21.7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my Son 7. As Members are gathered to their Heart Eph. 5.30 for we are members of his body of his flesh and of his bones Now alass the Members are oft disjointed from each other and too much distant from the Head but there will come a day when they shall be joined all in one There 's then no discrepancy betwixt Head and Members but they are grown up into him in all things which is the head even Christ Eph. 4.15 16. Thus much for the Relation they have to Christ which is the Reason of this gathering together to him 3. The Frame and Disposition of the Subject There is in every Child of God a kind of natural Propensity which inclines them in a peculiar Manner towards Christ as the Needle towards the Loadstone by which they move and bend Heaven wards Return unto thy rest O my Soul saith David Psal 116.7 As all Creatures move to their center so doth the sincere Soul God-wards and can never be quiet till it be closely joined and cemented to him and that God that hath fixed these innate Principles in the Soul will promote and perfect them Now this Frame and Disposition of a Child of God proceeds 1st From the Conviction of Conscience and Deficiency he finds in other things 2dly From a sensible Experience that the Soul hath of Satisfaction in Christ 1. The Consciences of God's Children are fully satisfyed that all the World cannot give the least ease to their Souls This made Solomon cry out Eccl. 1.2 vanity of vanitieâ—… all is vanity The Christian cries out away with these Toys Worldly Enjoyments are not commensurate to an immortal Soul Mat. 16.26 The Judgment is convinced that the world passeth away and the lust â—hereof 1 John 2.17 All the Splendor of the 〈…〉 ld fades there 's a varity and emptiness in all Sublimaries non est mortale quod opto that 's the Christians Motto I wish not for I am not content with mundane or worldly things I must look beyond the Moon to Heaven for a Felicity I have suck'd the juice of every Flower in this Garden of the World yet my Soul is empty 2. The Christian hath tasted that the Lord is Gracious and this sets him a longing and hungring for more Grace and Incomes from above 1 Pet. 2.23 The Gauls having tasted the sweet Wine of the Grapes that grew in Italy were never at rest till they had conquered the Country So it is with the godly Soul optima demonstratio est à sensibus Sense brings the clearest Evidence especially Spiritual Senses for some Natural Sences may be deceived this I pray saith the Apostle that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment Phil. 1.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in all Sense for the Soul hath its Senses as well as the Body and being sanctifyed and duly exercised Heb. 5.14 they discern betwixt Good and Evil And indeed this is the proper Genius of the new Creature to press forwards and aspire upwards Rom. 8.23 we which have the first fruits of the spirit groan within our selves waiting for the adoption the redemption of our body There are Heaven born Principles laid up in godly Souls that make them sore aloft to injoy God 4. The gathering to Christ includes the Sight Vision and Fruition of Christ the full Injoyment of him Beholding God is properly Fruitive Vision of him Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God Mat. 5.8 This is not of meer Speculation but Fruition if we be dead with Christ we believe that we shall also live with him Rom. 6.8 This is by sight of him and appearing with him in glory Col. 3.4 This blisful sight of Christ is that which makes Heaven for where the King is there is the Court this Glory is in conformity to him and communion with him This is it to be gathered to Christ i. e. to have Christ fully revealed to us the approach to him under dearest Relations the Soul disposed and duly qualified to injoy him and full Vision and Fruition of him If any of these be wanting we cannot in Scripture-Sense be gathered to Christ 6. The next Head is the Reasons why our Lord will thus gather his Saints to Christ at the last day Though I have toucht at some things already that might be improved as Reasons yet I shall add 1. Because this is the good Pleasure of God John 6.39 And this is the Fathers will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up at the last day how tender is God of his Jewels he will gather them and make them up carefully Mat. 3.17 Rom. 6.27 To be sure he will neither keep them out nor cast them out The foundation of God standeth sure having this seal the Lord knoweth and will own them that are his 2 Tim. 2.19 the election must obtain salvation It runs invisibly much under ground Rom. 11.7 but will appear at last in Mansions above 2. Because this is the Fruit of Christ's Purchase 1 Pet. 3.18 For Christ hath once suffered for sins the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God He is the Ladder of Jacob upon whom Elect Souls ascend to Glory This was the End of his reconciling us by his Blood to present us holy unblamable and unreprovable in his sight Col. 1.20 22. our Lord will not lose the Fruits of his dear Purchase Yea he follows it with his Prayer John 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am God always hears him 3. Because of the sanctifying and sealing Work of the Spirit 2 Thes 2.13 God hath chosen you to
salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth observe it Sanctification and Salvation have an inseparable Connexion Saints in the Old Testament and in the New have the same spirit of faith 2 Cor. 4.13 This animates all the Members of Christ running through the Veins of his mystical Body 2 Cor. 1.22 and this is the seal and earnest of our future inheritance Eph. 1.13 14. To be sure God will not lose his Earnest or throw it to Hell 4. Saints shall be gathered together to Christ because they are all wrapt in the same Bond of the Everlasting Covenant it s called the bond of the covenant Ezek. 20.37 And by this Covenant all the Saints become one stick in the Lords hand Ezek. 37.17 Suppose abundance of Twigs be bound up together yet they all make up but one Rod many Stones make but one building many Inhabitants make but one City or Kingdom All Saints are fellow citizens Eph. 2.19 20 21 22. God will not part them either in this or in the other World Sincere and persevering Souls shall all meet before the Throne to sing Hallelujahs with harmonious Melody All the Saints through the World are Children of the same Father God yea they that are of faith are children of Abraham Gal. 3.7 In a Spiritual Sense one houshold of faith Gal. 6.10 fellow heirs of the same body Eph. 3.6 fellow servants Col. 1.7 brethren in Christ faithful brethren Col. 1.2 fellow citizens with the Saints Eph. 2.19 and of the houshold of God Such special Relation calls for this Congregating No doubt they must be gathered together at last CHAP. VII Inferences from this Doctrine of Saints being gathered together THE Improvement I shall make of this Point shall be 1st for Doctrine or information of our Minds and Judgments in these Ten Inferences and Consectaries 1. That God is Omniscent and Omnipotent known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world Acts 15.18 He is infinite in Knowledge and Wisdom that takes account of the meanest Creatures and he is of infinite Power to gather them up these are the Lord's People and his Inheritance which he hath brought out by his mighty power and stretched out arm Deut 9.29 As God brought his Israel out of Egypt so he laid out the same Power in bringing them into Canaan so the same Power that converted Sinners will also save them for they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation 1 Pet. 1.5 2. That Jesus Christ is a compleat Saviour He is able to save to the uttermost Heb. 7.25 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 every way to all intents and purposes Soul and Body in all cases difficulties conditions in all Dispensations Yet it hath a further meaning He is able to save totally finally perfectly and perpetually so as none shall need to come after him to finish what he hath begun yet further He saves so as he shall never cease to be a Saviour to all Eternity For though he finished his suffering Work on Earth and his crowning Work at the great Day of Judgment yet the God-injoying Work shall be by him through the Ages of Eternity as he shall be lookt on as the Authour so he will be the Object of their Happiness and embrace them in the Arms of his Love for evermore 3. That Death is not terrible to a gracious Person It s true to Nature it may well be called the king of terrours Job 18.14 it is a dissolving of this compound Man but it is the shell and cloathing of the Soul that 's laid by an Elementary composition that 's dissolved the Soul is thereby set at liberty and takes its flight into another World a World of Spirits A better State then here Death is but a bridge a portal that opens the Door to Heaven Christ hath unstung Death perfumed the Grave and made it a means of Manumission into the blessed Society of God Angels and Saints thousands better then we are gone who are we to be exempted It s no untrodden Path our best Friends are above let us not be afraid to follow them 4. That Heaven is a capacious place all the Saints in the Old Testament are gone thither and Millions in New-Testament days are mounted to Glory an hundred forty four thousand of all the Tribes of Israel and a great multitude which no man could number Rev. 7.49 Moses and Elias came from Heaven at Christ's Transfiguration Abraham in glory and all his spiritual Off-spring which makes a vast number yet there 's room enough left in those extracted Mansions above How small a point is this habitable World compared with Heaven where there is innumerable company of Angels and spirits of just Men made perfect Heb. 12.22 Yet none refused or kept out that are written in the lambs book of life Heaven is capable of entertaining all the Son 's of God it is a this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 universal Receptacle for all Pilgrims and Strangers here on the Earth Heb. 11.13 5. No unclean thing shall enter Heaven Nothing that defileth no Dogs shall tread on that golden Pavement Rev. 21.27 Chap. 22.15 without are dogs as large as it is wicked graceless Sinners shall not creep or croud into it our Lord keeps the Keys of Paradice in his own Hands he cannot be guilty of an over sight for his Eyes are like a flame of fire Rev. 2.18 none can give him the slip undiscrepâ—bly he knows them that are his and he disowns others For without holiness no Man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 Grace and Glory go hand in hand unconverted Sinners can no sooner enter Heaven continuing so then Devils or damned Souls Persons must be gathered by Conversion or not gathered by Salvation 6. Saints glorified shall retain their Intellection and some kind of Sensation as they shall intuitively see God know as they are known Mat. 5.8 1 Cor. 13 12. discern spiritual Mysteries more clearly then ever So they shall have some kind of sense and feeling from whence come Love Joy Delight for the Soul wants not the exercise of its essential Faculties for want of bodily Organs These opperations of the Soul in Flesh are but imperfect shadows of that Intellection and volition above and so of that excellent Sense and Affections of Love and Joy which we now cannot clearly conceive of here below See this fully in Mr. Baxter's Dying Thoughts page 201. 7. The Saints in Heaven will know one another as the Disciples knew Moses and Elias and those that never saw one anothers Faces in this World shall meet together with great content and this shall be no small part of their Happiness when they shall say there stands holy Enoch righteous Noah grieving Lot believing Abraham upright David patient Job penitent Peter zealous Paul the beloved lovely Disciple John victorious Champions and my glorious Companions for ever And we together are perfected and glorified Oh happy day
Sting of Death is gone it s but a Trap-door to let us into Heaven Thousands are gone before us they are not lost but laid up We shall meet them again O who would be afraid of Death when Jesus Christ hath perfumed the Grave for us Well may a graceless Soul be afraid to die because he knows not what Company he shall converse with in the other World but may fare with Devils and damned Souls but the righteous hath hope in his death Prov. 14.32 and sees Jesus Christ standing with a Crown on his Head and another in his Hand saying Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life Rev. 2.10 Why should we then fear this King of Terrours that 's disarmed it may hiss but cannot sting us 1 Cor. 15.56 57. It may kill us but cannot hurt us See yonder glorified Assembly of the Spirits of Just Men made perfect have conquered Death and are set upon triumphant Thrones 20. This blessed Society of departed Souls shall continue through the Ages of Eternity In this World they met and parted again there was many intermissions in their sweet Communion But now they shall for ever dwell in the House of the Lord and sing praises to the lamb for evermore Rev. 3.12 Such as overcome shall be pillars in the temple of God and shall go no more out They shall never be banished out of this heavenly Paradise This word ever evermore everlasting puts new Life into the glorious Songs of Praise and daily revives their Spirits After ten thousands of Millions of Ages shall the Joy be as fresh as at their first Entrance That River is still running in thy presence is fulness of joy Psal 16.11 at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore Mortality is writ upon all Sublunaries Eternity puts an Accent upon Spirituals There shall be no night there no Clouds no Eclipes of that Glory Rev. 22.5 for the Lord God giveth them light and they shall reign for ever and ever It is recorded of Diagoras that when he saw his three Son 's crowned in one day at the Olympick Games as Victors died away while he was embracing them for joy But though the Saints shall be in a continual Extacy and transport of Joy in beholding their Children in Christ and their godly Christian-Friends yet their Heart-strings shall not break but be inlarged with comfort and perpetuated for evermore Oh what a day will that be when all the Son 's of the Second Adam shall meet together so many pure Spirits defecated from the sordid dregs of Sin and Suffering shall join their Harmonious Musick and Melody in praising our dear Lord whose glorious Perfections we could never extoll What a brave Quire will that make Not a discordant String among them all But as one Eye moves the other rolls when one String is struck the other sounds such a blending sympathy will there be of well-tuned Praises in that heavenly Chorus Ignatius thinks the Sun Moon and Stars made a Quire about the Star that appeared at Christ's Incarnation oh then what an Halcyon-day will that be when the morning stars shall sing together Job â—8 7 and the son 's of God shall shout for joy O what in harmonious Harmony in perfect Symphoâ—… What mutual Love and Delight in each 〈◊〉 Yea they shall Love one another the better for the perfect Love they have to God And bathing their Souls in that fathomless Ocean of divine Love It s true the infinite God is ultimately and objectively the Saints proper delight both here and in Heaven but glorified Bodies united to these blessed Souls and the blissful Society of Angels and Saints will be no small accessories of the Saints Happiness As there will be no Hypocrite there to cool their Charity so there will not be missing the meanest Member of Christ The weak Christian that cryed out my lameness my lameness shall then be strong The dark Soul that rarely got a glimpse of God or a sealing of the Spirit shall walk for ever in the light of God's countenance The grieved Saint shall be now in an Extacy of Joy Not a gracious Soul shall be missing not the least Grace wanting not a Duty lost all secret Prayers Tears Groans shall come to light and be rewarded Psal 56.8 their Tears were bottled their Prayers bookt and now shall be produced Not an Act of Charity though the Left-hand knew not what the Right-hand did much less others but it shall be brought to light before Angels and Men with high Approbation and Commendation Oh who would not be preparing for such a Day Who would not long for it breath after it and freely welcom it Let all the Children of the bride-chamber make themselves ready Luke 12.35 let your loins be girded about and your lights burning Be waking and watchful attend his Motions be glad of his Approaches and gladly welcom the Bridegrooms coming with all his holy Angels and glorified Spirits descending in the Clouds to fetch you home into those Coelestial Mansions to be for ever with the Lord Be not afraid when he saith surely I come quickly let the redeemed of the Lord eccho Amen even so come Lord Jesus Amen so be it FINIS Advertisement These BOOKS are Publish'd by the Reverend Mr. Oliver Heywood M. A. Minister of the Gospel and Sold by Thomas Parkhurst at the Bible and Three-Crowns in Cheapside viz. 1. BAptismal Bonds Renewed being some Meditations on Psal 50.5 2. Closet Prayer a Christians Duty 3. Sure Mercies of David 4. Israels Lamentation after the Lord. 5. The Holy Life and Happy Death of Mr. John Angier Minister formerly at Denton near Manchester 6. Advice to an only Child or excellent Counsel to all young Persons 7. Best Intail a Discourse on 2 Sam. 23.5 8. Family Altar a Discourse on Gen. 35. 2 3. for to Promote the Worship of God in private Families 9. Meetness for Heaven on Colos 1.12 designed for a Funeral Legacy 10. The New Creature on Galations 6.15 lately Publish'd BOOKS written by the Reverend Mr. J. How OF Thoughtfulness for the Morrow With an Appendix concerning the immoderate Desire of Foreknowing Things to come Of Charity in reference to other Mens Sins A Sermon at the Funeral of Mr. Richard Adams M. A. sometime Fellow of Brasen-Nose Colledge in Oxford The Redeemer's Tears wept over lost Souls In a Treatise on Luke 19.41 42. With an Appendix wherein somewhat is occasionally discoursed concerning the Sin against the Holy Ghost and how God is said to will the Salvation of them that perish A Sermon directing what we are to do after a strict enquiry Whether or no we truly love God A Funeral Sermon for Mrs. Esther Sampson the late Wife of Henry Sampson Doctor of Physick The Carnality of Religious Contention In two Sermons preach'd at the Merchants Lecture in Broadstreet A Sermon for Reformation of Manners A Sermon preach't on the Day of Thanksgiving December 2. 1697. to which is prefix'd Dr. Bate's Congratulatory Speech to the KING A Calm and Sober Enquiry concerning the Possibility of a Trinity in the Godhead A Letter to a Friend concerning a Postscript to the Defence of Dr. Sherlock's Notion of the Trinity in Unity relating to the Calm and Sober Enquiry upon the same Subject A View of that part of the late Considerations to H. H. about the Trinity Which concerns the Sober Enquiry on that Subject The Redeemer's Dominion over the Invisible World A Funeral Sermon for Mrs. Hammond A Funeral Sermon for Dr. Will. Bates A Funeral Sermon for Mr. Mat. Mead. BOOKS written by Mr. Flavel 1. THE Fountain of Life open'd or a Display of Christ in his Essential and Mediatorial Glory containing Forty two Sermons on various Texts Wherein the Impetration of our Redemption by Jesus Christ is orderly unfolded as it was begun carried on and finished by his Covenant Transaction mysterious Incarnation solemn Call and Dedication blessed Offices deep Abasement and Supereminent Advancement 2. A Treatise of the Soul of Man wherein the Divine Original excellent and immortal Nature of the Soul are opened its Love and Inclination to the Body with the necessity of its Separation from it consider'd and Improved The Existence Operations and States of separated Souls both in Heaven and Hell immediately after Death asserted discussed and variously applied Divers knotty and difficult Questions about depraved Souls both Philosophical and Theological stated and determined 3. The Method of Grace in bringing home the Eternal Redemption contrived by the Father and accomplished by the Son through the Effectual Application of the Spirit unto God's Elect being the second Part of Gospel Redemption 4. The Divine Conduct or Mystery of Provividence its Being and Efficacy asserted and vindicated All the Methods of Providence in our Course of Life open'd with Directions how to apply and improve them 5. Navigation spiritualiz'd or a new Compass for Seaman consisting of Thirty two Points of pleasant Observations profitable Applications serious Reflections all concluded with so many spiritual Poems c. 6. Husbandry Spiritualiz'd or the Heavenly use of Earthly things 7. A Token for Mourners 8. The Saint indeed or the Great Work of a Christian 9. The Touch-stone of Sincerity or the sign 's of and symptoms of Hypocrisie Being the Second Part of the Saint Indeed All these Nine by John Flavel late Minister at Dartmouth 1. A Funeral Sermon on the Death of Mr. Joseph Barret by John Whitlock Junior to which is added his Holy Life his Evidences Experiences Holy Resolves Divine Meditations and his constant Course of Self-Examination being part of an Exact Diary written by his own Hand 2. The Remains of Mr. Joseph Barret being the Second Part taken out of an Exact Diary written by his own Hand