THE Helmet of Hope Distinguished from the Hope of Hypocrites And Published To prevent the danger of False Hope and to promote the Duty of Living in true Hope of Glory WITH An Appendix of the Grounds of Hope Collected in a Catalogue of Promises and Experiences By A. B. A Minister of the Gospel The Hypocrite with Hope is vainly Fed His Hope 's no Helmet but a Spiders Web. But Converts know it is no Idle Story That Christ within is the true Hope of Glory London Printed by J. A. for Thomas Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers-Chappel And are to be Sold by Obed. Smith at Daventry in Warwickshire 1694. THE EPISTLE TO THE READER Dear Friend THIS little Book now come to thy Hand calls for entertainment both for thy Saviours sake who hath provided Salvation for thee at his own cost and for thy Souls sake which therein is much concerned both in Point of Safety and Comfort Enquire not after the Author but Study the needful Matter it presents unto thee Though it come in a plain Dress without either Top-knot or Ruffles yet it 's Grave and Serious and may contribute much towards both thy Temporal and Eternal welfare It was not designed for Publick Vse when composed but proved so Sweet in the Meditation and so acceptable in the Ministration that thereby I was encouraged to send it abroad to warn the secure World against those false Hopes that lull Sinners asleep in Security And to invite all that meet with it to look after that Helmet that is of so great use for all Souldiers that fight under the Banner of the Captain of our Salvation Christ Jesus And if thou be one of this number and hast any skill in the Spiritual warfare thou wilt in thy own Experience acknowledge the account here given of this piece of our Spiritual Armour Thou art so well acquaintted therewith and finds in thy self the fore-thoughts of Glory made thereby the Joy and Delight of thy Soul That thou wilt see that thou hast met with an old Fellow-Souldier that hath been in many a Battle and still found his Helmet of Hope his Safeguard and so admires and valueth it that he would not part with it for Paris Let me entreat thee to take thy Helmet into thy Hand and compare it with the Helmet here treated of and then Mind the Vse and Advantage of the Helmet of Hope and if it raise in thy Heart high thoughts of this great Grace and more Diligence in the Exercise of it I have obtained my end and Christ his Glory who is the Object Author and offspring of this Hope with whom we Hope to live in Glory Rom. 15.13 Now that the God of Hope may fill thee and me with all Joy and Peace in believing that we may abound in Hope through the Power of the Holy Ghost is the earnest Prayer of Daventry May 21st 1694. Thy Fellow Souldier and Servant AND. BARNET COL 1.27 latter end of the Ver. Christ within the Hope of Glory THere is a vast difference betwixt the Effects of Common Providence and the Fruits of Christs Presence 1. The Effects of Common Providence extend to the just and to the unjust We in this Nation have long lived under the Gospel and hereupon come to be acquainted with the things that belong to our Peace 2 Tim. 1.10 for Life and Immortality are brought to Light by the Gospel And the Light of the Gospel shining so long amongst us by the good Providence of God hath enlightned the understandings of many with the common Notions of Christianity and the Will following the Dictates of the Understanding it hence comes to pass that a visible outward Profession of Religion abounds amongst us And great numbers there are of Professors that walk in a Track of Duty and Conform to the External part of the true Religion and have Hope in themselves that all is well with them and that they shall inherit Glory when all this is but the Effect of Common Providence and they are still of the number of the Foolish Virgins that though Virgins vaunted in their outward Behavior yet had not a Grain of the Oyl of Grace in the Soul 2. The Fruits of Christ his own Presence are enjoyed by few and are the peculiar Priviledges of the Vessels of Honour that Christ hath Redeemed by his Bloody Sacrifice John 17.2 ver 6. These that the Father gave him are they to whom he gives Eternal Life He gave his Life for them and gives himself to them He opens their hearts by his Spirit and comes in and takes up his abode with them And having cast out the strong Man armed and set up his own Kingdom in their Souls that Kingdom that consists not in Word but in Power and ruling in their Hearts by his Grace and Spirit they hereby come to enjoy in themselves sure and certain Hopes of Glory This is called in the Text a Mistery made manifest to the Saints it s a mistery in it self and to all carnal unregenerated Persons but made manifest to the Saints They and none but they understand the meaning of it and know not only who Christ is and what are his Offices and the Benefits thereof but also what it is to have Christ in them and to live in the enjoyment of so great a Blessing And this it is that is the Ground of their Hope of Glory to them God hath made known what is the Riches of the Glory of this Mistery amongst the Gentiles which is Christ in them the Hope of Glory It s the Clause of these Words that I have chose to be the Subject of my ensuing Discourse Christ in you the Hope of Glory Wherein we may note 1. The Characteristical Qualification of the Persons here spoke of viz. Christ within 2. The Consequent Consolation thence arising viz. The Hope of Glory 1. The Characteristical Qualification of the Persons spoken of viz. Christ within this is the Motto of the true Christian and that that denominates him not only a Christian by Name but a Christian indeed A true Nathanael in whom there is no guile a true Israelite one by whom Christ is not only professed but also possessed Christ is formed in him and he conformed to him It s not Christ without that will serve the turn but we must have Christ within living and reigning in our Souls by his Grace and Spirit It s not Christ in Heaven but Christ in the Heart that constitutes us true Christians It s not talking of Christ but entertaining Christ as King Priest and Prophet that we must come up to if we will become true Christians 2. The Consequenâ— Consolation hence arising viz. The Hope of Glory It s Christ in the Soul that puts the Soul in so hopeful a Condition and is the true and main ground of the Souls Hope of Glory And this ground of Hope all such have that have Christ in them I do not say that all
such are assured of Glory but this I say that all such are sure of Glory and ought to live in sure and certain Hope of Glory In this Case Christ himself is the Object and Original of all true Hope of Glory But its Christ in the Soul both in respect of Union and Communion that is the off-spring of this Hope of Glory and Christ in us becomes our Hope of Glory two ways By way of Influence and by way of Evidence 1. By way of Influence as when the Soul comes into the Body it animates it and by its influence causeth such Motions as do assure the Mother that she is quick with Child and may live in Hope of being a glad Mother So when Christ comes into the Soul by his Spirit it so influenceth the Soul and changeth it that thereby the Soul comes to know and understand that it is a member of Christ and an Heir of Glory and therefore lives in sure and certain Hope of Glory 2. By way of Evidence the Spirit of Christ in the Soul is the Souls Evidence for Heaven and as great an Evidence as can be had on this side Heaven Rom. 8.9 Ye are not in the Flesh but in the Spirit if so be the Spirit of God dwell in you Now if any Man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his You see that the Spirit of Christ in the Soul doth Evidence the Souls Interest in Christ and assures it that he is Christs and Christ is his and this Evidence is so Evident that it fills the Soul with Hopes of Glory The Soul thus argues with it self Christ in the Soul is the Souls Hope of Glory Now I find Christ in my Soul and therefore Oh my Soul live thou in sure and certain Hope of Glory Having now divided and unfolded the Words I extract thence these two Doctrines Doct. 1. That every true Christian hath Christ within him Doct. 2. It s Christ within us that is our Hopes of Glory 1. Doct. Every sincere Christian hath Christ within him John 14.20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father and you in me and I in you Gal. 2.20 I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me 1 John 3. last He that keepeth his Commandments dwelleth in him and He in him And hereby we know that he abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given us Rev. 3.20 If any Man hear my Voice and open the Door I will come in to him To prevent mistakes and clear up this great Truth let us enquire how and in what Sense this is to be understood when and in what manner doth Christ take Possession of the Hearts of his Elect why and for what cause and end is it that he abideth in them And how may we know the Spirit of Christ from the Spirit of Antichrist Quest 1. How and in what sense is this Doctrine to be understood Answ 1. Negatively It 's not to be understood of his personal bodily Presence his Body is now a Glorified Body and abideth in Heaven and there is to abide 'till he come to Judgment The Romanist tell us that Sacramental bread is changed into his Body and after Consecration every Wafer is the Body of Christ and is not to be eaten but to be swallowed and upon swallowing it Christ is within them but if Paul had been of their mind he would not have tould us that after Consecration it remains still bread and that it's bread that we eat and not the very body of Christ 1 Cor. 11.26.27 And our senses assure us it is bread we see feel and taste bread and yet they are so senseless as they will not believe their own eyes Nor is it to be understood of the Providential presence of Christ it is true that Christ is with us by the presence of his Providence ordering our affairs and disposing of us and our concerns according to the Councel of his good Will and Pleasure but the In-being here spoken of is of another Nature therefore I answer 2. Affirmatively That it is to be understood of his Spiritual presence viz. that Christ is in his Spouse and in every particular Member that belongs unto him by his Spirit and Grace Rom. 8.9 10. If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none his and if that Christ be in you the body is dead because of sin viz. If by his Spirit he be in you It implies the Mistical union that is betwixt Christ and his Members A Mistery that is too wonderful to be made manifest to Mortals And it signifies to us our dependance upon Chriist for Light and Life What the Soul is to the body that Christ is to the Soul he abides in it by his spirit to supply its needs And is all in all to the Soul And all things else are just nothing to the Soul for they can afford it no satisfaction nor any one supply of its needs Alas what relief can Honour or Riches afford a Christless Soul none at all They oft prove snares to the Soul but never give any succour to it but Christ by his Spirit is in every true Christian and this is his Happiness and his hope of Glory Quest 2. When and in what manner doth Christ take possession of the hearts of his Elect Answ In this great transaction betwixt Christ and the Soul it is certain that Christ himself is the Author and the Spirit his Agent and his Word his usual and ordinary instrument and Faith his appointed method and means and the Work is wholly supernatural But the Modus rei the course and order that the Spirit makes use of in this great affair its intricate and hereby hath occasioned some difference in the apprehensions of the Learned In my weak Judgment they are in the right that distinguish betwixt 1. The qualifying Antecedents or Prerequisites that dispose prepare and fit the Soul for so great a Guest viz. the Grace that Christ by his Spirit conveys into the Soul in order to his entrance called the first preventing Grace this is the seed of Faith and a holy principle of Life Light and Love infused into the Soul as a holy Root and cause of all actual holiness and precedes it and puts the Soul into a capacity to put forth future acts of holiness This initial holiness sanctifies the Soul and halloweth it and makes it meet for the indwelling of the holy Spirit And till the Soul be thus seasoned I cannot see how the Holy Ghost can take up its Habitation in it What Communion can light have with darkness 2. The conveying Concomitants that usher Christ into the Soul and accompany the possession that the Spirit takes of the Soul is called subsequent Grace or the Influence of the Spirit causing the Soul freely to reduce the said seed and principle into Act and when it actually repents and believes through grace received then it is actually justified upon the account of Christ's
great Point Whether we lie under the aforesaid danger or have made our escape out of it the Determination of this depends upon the indwelling of Christ in the Soul Let us then put it to the Question Is Christ in us or no And if we would satisfie our selves herein we must search 1 What Freedoms we enjoy by Christ his in-being in our selves 2 Cor. 3.17 Where the Spirit of God is there is Liberty If Christ be in us by his Spirit he hath set our Souls at Liberty There is a sort of Liberty peculiar to the People of God John 8.36 If the Son make you free ye shall be free indeed This Freedom is Demonstrative that Christ is in us and by his Spirit hath set us free Now there is a twofold Freedom that the Spirit gives to all in whom it dwells viz. Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Spirit 1. Freedom of Speech whereby especially in Secret they are enabled to pour our the desires of their Souls unto the Lord with much enlargedness of Heart I say especially in Secret to distinguish these enlargements from enlargements in Publick Exercises drawn out by outward incouragements A Hypocrite praying in his Family or with the Church whereof he is a Member for Ostentation sake and Affectation of applause puts forth his Parts to the utmost and is oft much enlarged But he is seldom in Closet Prayer and commonly flat and with little Life but the Children of God find their Secret Enlargements exceed their Publick Enlargements It 's in Secret that Christ and his Spouse have the sweetest embraces 2. Freedom of Spirit viz. From the Bondage of Sin and Captivity of Satan Rom. 8.9 Ye are not in the Flesh if the Spirit dwell in you that is ye are not in a Carnal Estate and under the Dominion of the Flesh the Spirit of God is a pure and Powerful Spirit and will overcome the Flesh and keep it in Subjection that though Sin remain yet it doth not Reign It 's a subdued Rebel and kept under by the Spirit yet will be raising up new Rebellions in the Soul The Flesh will be Lusting against the Spirit but in the main the Spirit is the prevailing Principle and doth enable the Soul more and more to die unto Sin and live to Righteousness 2ly What Fellowship we have with Christ in his Ordinances The natural Man hath no Fellowship with Christ in his Ordinances but the Children of God have Men in the State of Nature are Strangers to Communion with God Psal 94.20 Shall the Throne of Iniquity have Fellowship with thee No no They have no Fellowship with thee 1 John 1.6 If we say we have Fellowship with him and walk in darkness we lie Such as have Fellowship with the unfruitful works of Darkness have no Fellowship with Christ But it 's the Priviledge of the Children of God to live in Fellowship with the Trinity 1 John 1.3 Truely our Fellowship is with the Father and the Son It 's an Assertion with an Asseveration Christians are no sooner Effectually called but they are admitted into this Fellowship 1 Cor. 1.9 God is Faithful by whom we were called unto the Fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Christ dwelling in the Soul doth verifie the Truth of this can Christ and a Christian live together and not have Communion together No if Christ be in us there will be Communion betwixt Christ and Us. And this Communion is a Manifestation of his abode in us Now then let us examine our selves hereby do we experimentally know what this Mistery of Communion betwixt Christ and the Soul meaneth Do we feel and find it in our selves Have we a Receptive Participation from God in our selves that Dilates Revives and Refresheth the Soul above what any sensible sublunary thing doth or can do and leaves behind it a relish which raiseth in us a singular Love to and Delight in the Ordinances how Familiarly doth God sometimes carry it towards his People he takes them into his Banquetting-House and his Banner over them is Love he Dandles them upon his Knees embraceth them in the Arms of his Love and speaks comfortably to them sometimes he gives in such a Sense of Sin as makes them weep with Grief and Godly Sorrow and dissolves their Souls into Penitential Tears And sometimes such a sight of Grace and such symptoms of Love as makes them weep for Joy and Solace If it hath been thus with us at any time it proceeds from the influence of the Spirit in us and is demonstrative of the Presence of Christ in our Souls 3ly What first Fruits of the Spirit is there in us A natural Heart is barren ground destitute of the Fruits of the Spirit but when Christ comes into the Soul he changeth the Soil and makes it fruitful And all the good Fruit that it brings forth are the Fruits of the Spirit and discover the State of the Soul and declare the goodness of the Tree Now the Fruits of the Spirit are divided into First-Fruits and After-Fruits Though the Graces of the Spirit are linkt together and are all in semine in the Seed in the Soul of a Child of God yet some of these Seeds spring up before others and are called the First-Fruits of the Spirit Rom. 8.23 We our selves have the first Fruits of the Spirit Though the Spirit it self be the first Fruit of Glory yet here something more must be understood than the Spirit it self because he speaks not of the first Fruit of Glory in the singular number but of the first Fruits of the Spirit in the Plural number and therefore the first Fruits of the Spirit must be understood of such Fruits as the Spirit causes to spring up in the Soul and there make the first visible Appearance such as saving Knowledge Evangelical Repentance Faith and Love These two last include the two first for there is no true Repentance without Faith nor any true Love without Light to discover the Loveliness of the Object Therefore I 'll confine my self at this Time to the two first Fruits of saving Faith in and sincere Love to Christ Jesus our Lord. Let us Examine then 1. Our Faith whether it be saving Faith This is the uniting Grace that knits Christ and the Soul together and all that truely believe shall be saved For saving Faith though it may be shaken yet it cannot be lost and extinguished It 's a spark that never goes out a durable Dye that cannot be washed away And if we have any Faith though in the least Degree that is of a saving Nature then for sure Christ is in us and we may Hope for Glory Now Paul tells us Heb. 11.1 2. what this Faith is he doth not define it but describe it by its Excellency and Efficacy 1. By its Excellency It 's the Substance of things Hoped for The Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a Word of that force that no Language can fully express It 's used in Heb.
behind the Curtain and when he hides his Face you will be troubled Oh what Losses and Sorrow do Christians create to themselves by their Carnal Security Oh resolve against it and take warning from others and walk very circumspectly left Satan get an Advantage against you he that lets down his Watch gives place to the Devil 2. See that you live Chastly 1 Thes 4.12 Walk honestly that is not in the Lust of Concupiscence and the Reason is given in the 7th and 8th Verses God hath not called us to Vncleanness but to Holiness and given us his Holy Spirit And therefore it is not for us to be carnally Minded but to be Chast and Honest and Sober even in the Use of lawful Delights That is a notable Passage in 1 Pet. 4.6 The Gospel was preached to them that are Dead that is to the Martyrs that they may be judged according to Men in the Flesh but live according to God in the Spirit You cannot stop the Mouths of Men they will be Judging and Condemning you and say you are fleshly given and live in Uncleanness but you need not regard their Calumnies as long as you live according to God in the Spirit cleansing your selves from all filthiness both of the Flesh and Spirit 3. See that you live Charitably in Peace and Love 2 Cor. 13.11 Live in Peace and the God of Love and Peace shall be with you It 's great Matter of Lamentation that such as have Christ in them should live so Uncharitably and Contentiously and all through small differences about Words and Gestures and that these Minute things should cause such distances estrangements and unkindnesses amongst them I am sure this ought not so to be Those that are right in the main ought to hold Communion one with another and that in Peace and Love bearing one with another in things wherein they differ Phil. 3.15 16. Rom. 14. begin And it 's certain also that Christ makes it one of the Characters of a true Christian to Love the Brethren 1 John 3.14 And that Love is full of Charity and Kindness and Forbearance and hides many faults And why should there not be a fair Correspondency where there is a vital Inspiration by the self same Spirit 4. See that you live Contentedly Heb. 13.5 Let your Conversation be without Covetousness and be Content with such things as you have q.d. Keep your Hearts free from the Love of the World and the Gares Fears and Discontents that thence arise and be Content with Gods allowance for God is with you and will never leave you nor forsake you if Christ be in and with you by his Spirit then the Comforter is at hand in all sad Cases to Comfort and Support you and this should Still Quiet and Content our Spirits and preserve you from Discontentedness if Christ his Being in the Soul will not Content him surely nothing will do it 2 Cor. 4.8 We are troubled on every side yet not Distressed And how comes this to pass see ver 9 That the Life of Jesus may be manifested in our Body that is that our Lives may be conformable to his Life in submissive Sufferings and that it may be manifest that the Life that we live is the Life of Jesus Christ that he lives in us and that by him we live and that contentedly under all our Calamities 5. See that you live Comfortably and Cheerfully in the Consideration that Christ lives in and with you A Melancholly drooping Life is a great Reflection upon Religion and upon Christ himself and an occasion of stumbling unto many And will you carry it so as if you served a hard Master none have more Reason to live Chearfully and Joyfully than you that have Christ in you the Hope of Glory Such as you are called upon by God himself to rejoice in the Lord always and to be of good Comfort and that under the troubles of the World you need not to be troubled at your troubles but may and ought under your Crosses to Comfort your selves in Christ in your Union with him in your Interest in him and in your Enjoyment of him and that because he is in you Incessantly Intercessively Inseparably and Incumbently He is in you 1. Incessantly in you and alway in you when you perceive it not when he hides his Face and seems to be withdrawn and you conclude be is quite departed from you yet then he is with you John 14.16 The Spirit abideth with you and shall abide with you for ever As a vital principle to preserve and keep you from Apostacy and is not this Comfortable and a sure Hope of Glory 2. Intercessively Christ in Heaven is your Intercessour with God the Father and his Spirit within you is your Intercessour betwixt Christ and your Souls Rom. 8.26 27. The Spirit pleads Christs cause with us and stands up for Christ against the Flesh and it pleads our cause in Prayer with Christ and the Father The Spirit then is in you a Spirit of Prayer and Supplication and the Spirit of Adoption enabling you to go to God boldly as to a reconciled Father in Christ and to pour out your Souls to him It 's Christ his Spirit in you that is the Spring of all your Holy Desires and Motions God-ward And that only that comes from the Spirit in you finds Acceptance with God for the Spirit moves you to ask what is agreeable to Gods Will and with a Submission to his Will And you receive Answers of Prayers in your spirits oft in inward Strength and Consolation from the Spirit of God within you Such as cry down the Spirit of Prayer have need to take heed they do not despite to the Spirit of Grace 3. Inseparably nothing can sever Christ and your Souls John 14.16 The Spirit shall abide with you for ever And Ver. 17. He dwelleth in you and shall be in you he shall be in you in despite of all Opposition All the Devils in Hell cannot with all their Exorcisms cast the Spirit of God out of the Souls of his People Satan may be dispossessed but the Holy Ghost cannot be dispossest He is in you and shall be in you Blessed be God for this Promise he is in you not as a Guest in an Inn to stay but for a Night but as an Inhabitant to abide in you and he will secure his Possession And what a strong Consolation is this once Christs and always Christs If Christ be in you he will never depart from you he may in some Cases withdraw his visible Communion but not his Union And as to Communion he departs in the Souls Apprehension but that is no real departure 4. Incumbently as one in Office to oversee your Souls 1 Pet. 2. last Ye were as Sheep going astray but are now returned to the Shepberd and Bishop of your Souls Christ is the great Archbishop of the Soul and he is no Non-resident but Incumbent in the Soul as a Bishop is in his
who shall deliver me from the body of this Death I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord Rom. 7.24 In all these things we are more then Conquerours through him that loved us Rom. 8.37 Joseph refused to ly with his Mistress saying how can I do this great sin and sin against God Gen. 39.8 We are bound to give thanks to God alway for you Because your faith groweth exceedingly 2 Thes 1.3 The path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more to the perfect day Prov. 4.18 Which Gospel is come unto you as it is in all the world and bringeth forth fruit as it doth also in you Col. 1.6 Tenthly Promises of the Presence of God and of his Spirit Fear not for I am with thee I am thy God I will strengthen thee yea I will help thee yea I will uphold thee Isa 41.10 Fear not O Israel thou art mine when thou passest through the waters I will be with thee they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest thro' the fire thou shalt not be burnt Isa 43. beg Be content with such things as ye have for he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13.5 If a man love me he will keep my words and my father will love him and we will come to him and make our abode with him John 14.23 Turn you at my reproof behold I will pour out my Spirit into you Prov. 1.23 It is convenient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come but if I depart I will send him to you John 16.7 If ye being evil know how to give good Gifts to to your Children how much more shall your heavenly father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him Luke 11.13 I will pray to the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you John 14.16 18. Experiences of the Presence of the Spirit of God Though I walk through the valley of the shaddow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me Psa 23.4 Joseph was sold into Egypt but the Lord was with Joseph and he shewed him mercy Gen. 39.21 Lo I see four men loose walking in the midst of the fire and they have no hurt and the form of the fourth is like the son God Dan. 3.25 Solomon was strengthened in his Kingdom and the Lord his God was with him and magnified him exceedingly 2 Chron. 1.1 Hereby we know that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit 1 John 4.3 God which knoweth the hearts bear them witness viz. the Gentiles giving them his spirit even as he did to us Acts 15.8 The Holy Ghost fell on them which heard the word Acts 10.44 Barnabas was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith Acts 11.24 The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Ghost Acts 13. last Eleventhly Promises of Perseverance I will make an Everlasting Covenant with them that I will not turn away from them to do them good but I will put my fear into their hearts that they shall not depart from me Jer. 32.40 I will give them everlasting Life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand John 10.28 One thing is needful Mary hath chosen the better part which shall never be taken from her Luke 10. last Who will confirm you to the end that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 1.8 I pray God that your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ faithful is he that hath called you who will also do it 1 Thess 5.23 24. The Gifts and calling of God are without repentance Rom. 11.29 Being confident of this thing that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ Phil. 1.6 Experiences of Perseverance The high places were not removed nevertheless Asa his heart was perfect with the Lord all his days 1 King 15.14 I have fought the good fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness 2 Tim. 4.7 8. Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace for I have seen thy salvation Luke 2.29 The house built upon the rock though the rain descended and the flood came and the winds blew yet kept his standing Mat. 7. lat These all dyed in the faith Heb. 11.13 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation 1 Pet. 1.5 I have been young and now am old yet have not seen the righteous forsaken Psal 37.25 My flesh and my heart faileth me but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever Psal 73.26 Twelfthly Promises of the Possession of Heaven Fear not little flock it is your Fathers good will to give a Kingdom Luke 12.32 Eye hath not seen ear hath not heard nor hath it entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Cor. 2.9 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him James 1.12 When the chief shepherd shall appear ye shall receive a Crown of Glory that faideth not way 1 Pet. 5.4 Fear none of these things which thou shalt suffer ye shall have tribulation 10 days be faithful unto death and I will give thee a Crown of Life Rev. 2.10 You have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting Life Rom. 6.22 Of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ Col. 3.24 Experiences of the Possession of Heaven Be ye followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the Promises Heb. 6.12 Lazarus dyed and was carried by the Angels into Abraham's bosom Luke 16.2 Then talked with him two men which were Moses and Elias who appeared in glory Luke 9.30.21 The Spirits of just men made perfect Heb. 12.23 Heaven is called the inheritance of the Saints because they do inherit it Col. 1.12 A Song of Praise THe World 's a toy let me imploy My Soul in higher things Than upon those that create woes And carry cruel Stings My Fears are great Sorrow my Meat And humane Faith is gone On Pilgrimage for in this Age Amongst us there is none Thy faithfulness O God I bless And cannot but admire That Love is cold and yet behold None warm it at this Fire But O my Soul do not condole But Triumph thou in Praise Greatly rejoice with Hearts and Voice Let Joy thy Spirits raise Mind not the Rod rejoice in God That never failed thee Thou knowest this faithful he is And so will ever be Thou hast been Low and