head of a swinish sinner Use 3. Exhort It hath a double aspect 1. To all in General 1. Believe that there is a Crown of Righteousness laid up for all that fight the good fight Some of the Rabbins say that the great dispute between Cain and Abel was about the world to come Abel affirmed a Crown of recompence for the godly Cain denyed it This truth concerning the real Elyzian delights in reversion should be graven upon our hearts as with the point of a diamond Carnal persons look upon the felicities of the other world but as a Platonical idaea or fancy they do not see the Crown with bodily eyes therefore they question it The verity of the soul may as well be questioned because being a spirit it cannot be seen Doubting of Principles is the next way to denying them Let us set our seal to this there is a Crown of Righteousness laid up Where should our Faith rest but upon a Divine Testimony The whole earth hangs upon the word of Gods Power and shall not our Faith hang upon the word of his promise Tit. 1. 2. In hope of eternal life which God who cannot lye hath promised The Saints Crown is purchased by Christs blood Ephes. 1. 14. and Christ will not lose his purchase What was the end of Christs ascension He went up to Heaven not only to invest himself but all believers with Glory as an Husband takes up Land in another Country in the behalf of his Wife What did Christ pray for but that all the Saints might be with him John 17. 24. And what Christ prayed for as he was man he hath power to give as he is God Besides the Lord hath given us the unction of his spirit to prepare us and the earnest of his spirit to assure us of happiness 2 Cor. 1. 21. and he will not lose his earnest so that the Crown of Righteousness shall indubitably be bestowed To question this is to destroy the main Article of our Creed life everlasting Such Atheists as judg the eternal recompences fictions put God to swear against them that they shall never see life 2. Branch Strive for this Crown I have read of those who travel in long Pilgrimages to the holy Land they have hard lodgings and pass through a number of dangers and at the end of their journy pay a large tribute at the Pisan Castle to the Turks and when they come thither they see only a bare sepulchre where it is supposed their Saviour lay Did they take such pains to gratifie their superstitious devotion What Herculean labour then should a Christian undertake in his journy to the true land of promise whereby he shall both see and enjoy his Saviour and not enter into his Sepulchre but Palace and be eternally crowned with the delights of the Jerusalem abo 〈…〉 〈…〉 we but take as much pains for Heaven as others do for the world undoubtedly we might obtain it Phil. 3. 15. Reaching forth unto those things which are before A metaphor taken from Racers that reach their necks forward and strain every limb to lay hold upon the prize let us contend tanquam pro aris focis There are two things requisite for a Christian a watchful eye and a working hand to purpose let us add pursuit What scuffling is there for outward honours Men will wade through blood to a Crown Was there such strife for a corruptible Crown in the Olympian and Isthmean races Sometimes the Crown bestowed upon the Victor was made of Olive sometimes of Mirtle sometimes of Cynamon enclos'd in Gold but still it was corruptible O then how strenuously should we labour for the Garland made of the flowers of Paradise which never fade With what vigour and resolution did Hannibal march over the Alps for the obtaining terrestrial Kingdoms How should we act then ad extremum virium for that Orient Crown which shines ten thousand times brighter than the Sun in its meridian splendour Luther spent three hours a day in Prayer Anna the Prophetess departed not from the Temple but served God with fastings and prayers night and day Luk. 2. 37. The learned Calvin Jewell Perkins were indefatigable in their pursuit after Glory Let us look to this Cloud of Witnesses and bestir our selves ply our Oar double our Files Who would not toyl all day to catch salvation at night when the flesh crys out What a weariness is it Who can endure all this labour say it is worse enduring Hell The labour for Heaven though it seem pungent it is transient the fight is quickly over and then comes the immarcescible Crown 2. It hath a particular aspect to believers 1. Be full of anhelations and longings for this Crown of Righteousness Doth not the banished Prince desire his native Countrey The unwillingness of Christians to go hence shows 1. The weakness of their Faith They question their interest in this excellent glory were their title to Heaven more cleared they would need patience to be content to stay here any longer 2. The weakness of their love Love as Aristotle saith desires Union Did men love Christ as they should they would desire to be united to him in glory St. Paul desired to be dissolved and be with Christ Phil. 1. 23. It was the speech of an holy man on his death-bed My heart is in heaven Lord lead me to that glory which I have seen already as through a glass We are encompassed with a body of sin should not we long to shake off this viper We are combating with Satan should not we be willing to be called out of the bloody field where the bullets of temptation fly so fast that we may receive a victorious Garland We now live far from Court we do rather desire God than enjoy him should not we long to be crowned with the blissful sight of Gods face Though we should be content to stay here to do God service yet we should ambitiously desire to be always sunning our selves in the light ofGods countenance think what it will be to be led into Christs wine-celler to have the kisses of his mouth to smell the Savour of his oyntments to lye in his bosom that bed of love think what it will be to have unstained honour unparallel'd beauty unmixed joy what it will be to tread upon stars to dwell among Cherubims and to feast on those dulcia fercula heavenly delicacies and rarities wherewith God himself is delighted Methinks our souls should be big with longing for these things and we should be put into such a blessed Pathos of desire as Monica who hearing of the joys of Heaven cryed out Quid hic facio What should I do here why is my soul held any longer with this earthen fetter of the flesh would but God give us some Idaea or imperfect glimps of Heavens Glory how should we be ready to fall into a Trance with Peter And being a little recovered out of it what earnest suiters
would we be to be caught up for ever into the Heavenly Paradise 2. You who are the heirs of Glory be exhorted to work with all your might for God Love and serve God more intensly than others who hath laid up such things for you as eye hath not seen nor can it enter into mans heart to conceive 1 Cor. 15. 58. Always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing your labour is not in vain in the Lord immensum gloria calcar habet St. Paul had a spirit of activity for God 1 Cor. 15. 10. I laboured 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more abundantly than they all St. Pauls obedience did not move slowly as the Sun upon the dial but swiftly as the Sun in the firmament whence was this his eye was upon the Crown Henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness The recompence of reward may add wings to duty and oyl to the flame of zeal What are we that God should incircle us with happiness and not others that he should as Jacob cross his hands lay his right hand upon us and his left hand upon others O discriminating grace for ever to be adored how can we serve God enough If there could be tears shed in Heaven it would be for this that we have been so lame in our duty and have brought no more revenues into the Heavenly Exchequer 3. Let this be as Bezoar-stone to revive and bear up your hearts under all your present sufferings Act. 20. 23. Bonds and afflictions abide me Affliction is the Saints diet-drink instead of Roses they are crowned with thorns You may aswell separate weight from lead as sufferings from a Saints life 2 Cor. 9. 8. We are troubled on every side Believers are as a ship that hath the waves beating on both sides but this Text may buoy them up from sinking there is glory which doth succed and exceed all their sufferings The Saints now drink in a wormwood-cup but shortly they shall drink in a spiced cup and tast the same heavenly Nectar as the Angels One days wearing the Coelestial Crown will abundantly pay for all their sufferings Rom. 8. 18. I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us The weight of glory makes affliction light O ye Saints who are the true birds of paradise sing in winter there is glory behind and every suffering will be like a grain put in the scale to make your glory weigh heavier Suffering Saints shall have more Jewels hung upon their Crown 4. Let this be an antidote against the fear of death The day of death is as Seneca calls it aeterni natalis the birth-day of eternity believers are not fully happy till death Death therefore is made a part of the inventory 1 Cor. 3. 22. Death is yours When the mantle of the flesh drops off the soul ascends in a triumphant chariot God hath promised his people a portion but it is not paid them till the day of death 'T is their fathers good pleasure to give them a Kingdom Luk. 12. 32. but they cannot see it till death hath closed their eyes Why then should the Saints be troubled at death indeed I wonder not that the wicked are appal'd and scared at the approach of the King of terror they are in debt to Gods justice and death as Gods Serjeant arrests them and drags them before the Divine Tribunal But why should any of Gods children be under such consternation and have the trembling at the heart What hurt doth death do to them it pulls off their fetters and puts jewels upon them it leads them to gates of Pearl rivers of pleasures Faith gives a title to Heaven death a possession Go forth my soul said Hilarion on his death-bed what fearest thou why should the godly dread their priviledg is a Prince afraid to cross the narrow Seas who is sure to be Crowned assoon as he comes at shore This puts Roses into the pale face of death and makes it look more ruddy and amiable it is aditus ad gloriam it crowns the Saints with all the delights of the Empyraean Heaven I Have done with the Text it remains that I should speak something to the occasion It hath pleased the all-wise God to take to himself lately that reverend and faithful Minister Mr. Henry Stubs whose death we now commemorate The memory of the just is blessed Fulgentius calls a good name the godly mans heir it lives when he is dead This man of God hath left a sweet favour and perfume behind in Gods Church besides his atchievement of humane learning he was enriched with the knowledg of Christ crucified The Graces excell the Muses He was very humble humility is the best garment a Minister can preach in He was one of a thousand for integrity The plainer the Diamond is the richer He was a grave Preacher and did chuse rather to speak solidè than floridè He spake as became the Oracles of God Levity is below the majesty of Preaching He was a painful labourer in Gods Vineyard he preached in season and out of season The souls of people were dearer to him than his life Praying and Preaching was rather his delight than task He was a burning lamp consuming himself to give light to others He preached feelingly he felt those truths in his own soul which he recommended to his Auditors an unconverted Minister is like a Lute making sweet Musick to others but it self is not sensible this elect vessel retained a scent and rellish of those sacred Truths which he poured out to others He lived much by faith and had sweet converse with God all the Saints have Gods heart but some have more of his company He was Exemplary in his deportment he did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ministers by vertue of their calling approach nearer to God Exod. 19. 22. The Elements the higher they are the purer the fire is purer than the air The higher we are by office the holier we should be Quo sublimiores eo sanctiores This blessed person deceased did live as an incarnate Angel I may say of him as Basil of Gregory Nazianzen he thundred in his Doctrine and lightned in his Conversation He was charitable-minded I have been credibly informed that out of that little he had gathered together while he was in his Living he appointed two hundred pounds which he intrusted in the hands of Feoffees to be improved annually for the good of the poor to buy them Bibles He was of a sweet temper never fierce but against sin He was devout towards God affable to his Friends loving to his Relations The Lord honoured his Ministry very much he had a double Crown the souls he converted were his Crown of rejoicing and now he wears a Crown of Righteousness How great a loss hath Glocestershire and London of this eminent Minister It hath been told me that he set apart some time every day to pray for the Church of God he like Moses lay in the breach to turn away wrath we shall soon grow poor if we lose such praying friends During the time of this good mans sickness he was asthmatical and laboured much for breath so that he could not utter himself so freely but what was heard to drop from him was very savoury He said he had fled to the city of refuge and recited that Scripture 2 Tim. 1. 12. I know whom I have believed and I am perswaded he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day I pray God give all who are concerned in this loss wisdom to improve this present stroke and make a living Sermon of their dead Minister He is now voti compos he enjoys the sight of that God whom he so pathetically longed for upon his death-bed He is got into the upper region above all storms His body is returned to dust and his soul to rest He is enclosed in happiness as the word for Crowning imports He is as rich as the Angels though he hath lost his life yet not his Crown FINIS Chryfost * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys. * Galta caput tuetur * Job 8. 14. * Duae tamen supersunt mamillae una fidei altera spes * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ignatius * Lucan * Mat. 4. 10. * Rev. 7. 9. * Certent singuli ut accipiant coronas Cypr. * Si soris hostâ—m non habes domi invenies Livy * Fomes peccati Aug. * Ephes 6. 12. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Tertul. * Damascen * Qnis sanctorum sine certamine coronatus est Hierom. * Gen. 3. 15. * Forti animâ— pugnare deceâ— sub Christi auspiciis vexillo Calv. * Eph. 6. 10. * Erek 36. 2â— * Pax nostra bellum contra daemonem * Tertul. * Non pugnanti sed vincenti dabitur corona Aug. * 2 Tim. 4 10. * Heb. 10. 38. * Non quaruntur in Christianis initia sed finis Hierom. * Domine quod capisti perfice nè in portu naufragium accidas * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ignat. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Rev. 1. 6. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys. * Menochius * In visione Dei ut primi veri amore Dei ut summi boni consistit Corona * August * Premium quod side non attingitur Aug. Use 1. * ubi nec qui torquetur moritur nec qui torquet fatigatur Bern. Flor. * Gen. 50. 1. Heb. 3. 18. * Sen. Herc. Fur. Non est ad astra mollis è terris via * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Mr. Rollock Act. 10. 11. * Sicut testa ovorum quamvis pulchre formata necesse est tamen eam frangi ut inde pullus procedat ita hujus corporis necesse est testam ut status ille sublimior regni coelestis effulgeat Clem Al. * 1. Pet. 5. 5. * Nec propter vitam vivendi perdere causam D. Reyn. * 1 Thes. 2. 19. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
armed with love will go through a Sea and a Wilderness he will dye in Gods service 2. A Christian must get his weapons ready 1. The shield Ephes. 6. 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Above all things taking the shield of faith Epaminondas was not so careful of his life as of his shield A shield is of great use it defends the head it guards the vitals it keeps the arrow from entring into the body the shield of faith defends the heart and beats back the fiery darts of temptation Scena a Roman Soldier did so long resist Ponipy's Army till he had above an hundred darts sticking in his shield Densam portans in pectore sylvam Hold forth the shield of faith and nothing can hurt you 2. The sword Ephes. 6. 17. The sword of the spirit which is the word of God 'T is good for a Soldier to be well skill'd in his weapon the word of God is a weapon to stab lust at the heart 't is observable when the Devil tempted our Saviour he ran to Scripture 't is writen three times Christ wounded the old Serpent with this spiritual weapon And having gotten into this warlike posture a Christian must in arenam descendere enter the lists and fight the good fight of faith In the future life the Saints shall be out of the noise of the Drum and Canon and not one stroke shall be struck more then they shall not appear in their armour but their white robes and with palm-branches in their hands in token of victory but here they must fight the Lords battels and no cessation of arms till death and there is a threefold Regiment they must encounter with 1. The lusts of the flesh which war against their souls 1 Pet. 1. 11. The flesh is a sly intestine enemy and least suspected an enemy got within the walls of the Castle is most dangerous Luther said he feared his own heart more than Pope or Cardinal the heart is the somenter of sin it mints evil thoughts and blows up the coals of fiery passions it is the Trojan horse out of which comes a whole army of lusts And shall not we fight the good fight and discharge with the fire of zeal against this bosom-traytor the flesh The Primitive Christians cryed Ad leonem potius quam lenonem they chose rather to be destroyed by Lyons without than lusts within 2. The second Regiment to be resisted is Satan and the infernal Powers 1 Pet. 5. 8. Your adversary the Devil as a roaring Lyon walketh about He walketh about not as a Pilgrim but a spy that narrowly observes there were lyers in wait for Sampson Judg. 16. 12. Satan like a muskiteer lies in ambush and his design carries death in the front seeking whom he may devour He tempts one man to be drunk another to be unclean he sets Kingdoms a-quarrelling that at last he may devour them like him who sets two cocks of the game to fight that having killed each other he may sup with their carcasses Doth this hellish Goliah come into the field and defie the living God and shall not some spear be lift up against him 1 Pet. 5. 9. Whom resist stedfast in faith 3. The third Regiment Christians must fight against is the inchantments of the world the world is a flattering enemy it kills with embracing worldly things are retinacula spei they hinder our passage to the holy Land they choke good affections as the earth puts out the fire whom the world kisseth it betrayeth Heliogabalus made ponds of sweet water to drown himself and guilded poysons to poyson himself the world destroys millions with her sweet waters of pleasure and her guilded poysons of preferment let us then gird on our Armour and fight valorously Good reason we should fight the fight of Faith because we carry rich treasure about us he who carries a charge of money about him had need be in a fighting posture We carry a precious soul about us if the Cabinet of the body be so curiously wrought and embellished Psal. 139. 15. Then what is the jewel in it The soul is a spark and beam of celestial brightness a blossom of eternity and shall not we by our martial prowess and chivalry defend this treasure to be robbed of the soul is an irreparable loss God saith Chrysostom hath given thee two eyes if thou losest one thou hast another but thou hast but one soul and if thou art robbed of that thou art undone for ever Use 1. Is the Christian life military To blame then are they who have no spiritual Artillery nor do they make one sally out against the Enemy 'T is death to go abroad unarmed People spend time in dressing themselves by the glass and putting on their jewels but do not put on their sacred Armour Job 21. 12. They take the Timbrel and Harp and rejoyce at the sound of the Organ as if they were rather in musick than battel Lycurgus would have no mans name written upon his Tomb but his who dyed manfully in War God writes no mans name in the Book of Life but his who dyes fighting the good fight of faith Use 2. Give battel to Sin and Satan and pursue them with an holy malice and to encourage in the fight let these things be weighed 1. It is certamen praeclarum a good fight 'T is a lawful War Princes may commence a War to invade other mens rights and properties but God hath proclaimed this War against sin Col. 3. 5. Mortifie therefore your members fornication inordinate affection 2. We have a good Captain Jesus Christ is the Captain of our salvation Hebr. 2. 10. If a flock of sheep have a Lyon for their Captain they need not fear the Wolf Christ is the Lyon of the tribe of Judah Revel 5. 5. He not only leads us on in our march but helps us in the fight A Captain may give his Soldier armour but he cannot give him strength Christ animates and strengthens us Isa. 41. 10. He puts his spirit within us and so we are more than conquerors Rom. 8. 37. 3. Our Enemy Satan is beaten in part already Christ hath given him his deaths-wound upon the Cross Col. 2. 15. The Devil may roar against a Child of God but shall not hurt him he could not touch Job's life much less his soul therefore fear not resist the devil and he will fly from you Jam. 4. 7. Satan is a conquered Enemy he knows no march but running away 4. Fighting is the best way to have Peace by sitting still we tempt the Enemy to fall upon us and wound us our peace is preserved by War with Satan he who hath been skirmishing all day may take Davids pillow at night and say in pace enbabo I will lay me down in peace Quest. How may we so fight the good fight as to overcome Answ. 1. Let us fight in the strength of