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
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
blessed meeting 8. The multitudes injoying God in Heaven will be no diminution of their Joy Those thousands of Eyes beholding the Sun do not extenuate its Light For the Acts diminish not the Object no more then the King is less for his Courtiers beholding him The King of Heaven can give content to all the Coelestial Inhabitants Psal 16.11 Chap. 36.9 all the Saints shall bath in this pleasant River and drink abundantly of the fountain of life nor will the different Degrees of Glory beget want or envy in such as have less for every Vessel shall be as full as it can hold The Coelestial Courtiers have all God 1 Cor. 15.28 shall be all in all it is thought that such as had more Grace and had done God more service here shall shine brighter then others from Dan. 12.3 1 Cor. 15.41 But yet there shall be no Emulation nay they shall rather rejoyce in each others Graces and Glory 9. That in Heaven there will be a mutual and reciprocal exchange of Gifts and Graces And this will be no small part of their Comfort O what clasping of Arms What endearedness of Affection What inlettings into each others Hearts As the Sun shineth on the Stars so the Stars shine on each other God doth abundantly irradiate their Souls and they comfort one anothers Not but that there is enough in God to delight them but this is in some respect accumulative The Saints above will look on each others Grace as if it were their own Yea there will be a mutual Aptitude and Disposition to serve each other and contribute to their Felicity 10. The sweet Harmony of Spirits will be inconceivable Melody in Heaven far beyond the Musick of the Sphears they talk of Those blessed Inhabitants shall be filled with the Spirit Love Joy Gal. 5.22 Peace then they shall indeed speak among themselves in Psalms and Hymns and spiritual Songs singing and making Melody in their Hearts to the Lord Eph. 5.18 19. Then they shall with one Mind and one Mouth glorify God Rom. 15.6 Not one jarring String in the heavenly Consort Their Hearts will be centred on God and their Lines streight with each other O blessed day when there will be no jars or wranglings but Luther and Calvin will sweetly agree when Melancthon and Zuinglius will sweetly conspire to celebrate the Praises of our common Lord O sweet and blessed day CHAP. VIII Reprehension and Conviction of Graceless and Gracious Souls 2. ANother Use is of Conviction 1. O such as are Graceless 2. Of Godly Persons 1. Of unconverted graceless Persons 1. Must there be a gathering together oâ— Saints and only Saints what then will becomâ— of Wicked men They are not to be gathered with Saints they cared not for their Company here and they shall not have their Society in the other World 1. Wicked men shall be banished from among the Godly this is no small Punishment He shall set the sheep on the right-hand and thâ— goats on the left Mat. 25.32 33. He shall separate them one from another as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats In this Worlâ— they were mingled together in the same Kingdom City House Assembly and none waâ— able to distinguish them they were taken tâ— be as Devout as the best and they took themselves to be as good as any But now the shall be detected and the rottenness of theâ—… Hearts shall be laid open before themselves â—ngels and Men and they shall be an abhorring â—nto all flesh so says the Evangelical Prophet â—sal 66.24 This will be none of the least of Wicked mens Punishment to see those that â—hey had scorned slighted and censured as â—ot worthy Humane Society to mount up and sit down with Abraham Isaac and Jacob â—n the Kingdom of Heaven and the Children of â—he Kingdom these Church-members to be â—ast out into utter darkness Mat. 8.11 12. O â—ad parting never to meet again How will â—he Wicked wish they had lived in Prisons Poverty and woful straits in this World so â—hey might now go along with them into Glory O that we had spent our time in Prayer Reading Meditation Conference and Works of Mortification as these Holy Souls â—id then had we been happy as these are But now we see our loss We thought your Life madness but now we are convinced of â—ur Folly and the wisdom of your Choice 2. These poor graceless Souls must be for â—ver banished from the Eternal God the Founâ—ain of all Happiness They bid God depart Depart from us for we desire not the knowledge of â—hy ways Job 21.14 If not in so many words yet interpretatively by their Works And now God will say Depart from me ye â—ursed Mat. 25.41 The dreadfullest Word â—n the Bible the most astonishing Sentence that can come out of the Mouth of God or can be heard by the Ears of Men. The enjoyment of God is the Saints Heaven banishment from God is the Wickeds Hell yea thâ— very Hell of Hells the only Venom Sting and Poison of that Infernal Lake They thâ—… are not gathered to God are separated from God and once banished and for ever banish'd they cannot be parted from his Revenging Justice but from his Comfortinâ— Love Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power 2 Thess 1.9 The paiâ— of loss is greater than the pain of sense Oâ— dreadful Case Now poor Sinners will be banished from the Beatifical Presence and shalâ— never more see God or Christ to their Comfort O wretched State Sinners shall theâ— know what the loss of God meaneth They gathered themselves together under Ordinanceâ— but desired not God's Presence in Ordinances more know what Communion with God meant but they shall know what Separation from God now means Where Love ended Wrath begins Fury comes in the room oâ— Mercy Now consider this ye that forget God lest he tear you in pieces and there be none to deliver Psal 50.22 3. Wicked Men shall be bound up together in bundles and cast into the Fire of Hell So saith the Text Mat. 13.30 In the time of harvest I will say to the reapers gather ye together first the Tares and bind them in bundles to burn them And why in bundles Will this be any ease to them in Torments They are wont to say Here Neighbours Fare is good Fare But it will be otherwise there the sight of each other will increase their Torment where they shall reflect upon their Guilt together how they tempted others and were tempted by others to sin thou wast one Instrument to bring me into this Place of Torment O that I had never known thee Now merry Companions will be torturing Company their sweet Meat must have sour Sauce This this is the dreadful consequence of our frantick Frolicks It is thought that this was the reason why the Rich Man was loth his five Brethren should come to him in Hell
Euke 16.28 not for love to them for there 's no such Charity in Hell but Self-love lest their presence should aggravate his Torments Hence is the gnashing of teeth also mentioned Mat. 13.50 for spleen and spight both against themselves and against each other as Communion advanceth the Saints Glory above so Company of old Sinners aggravates the Wicked's misery in Hell 4. It will greatly aggravate Wicked mens Torment to consider that this was their own doing Their destruction is of themselves Hos 13.9 they can challenge none but themselves though they had many Incentives and Temptations Neither the Devil nor Wicked men could ever puâ—… them to Hell against their wills God saith He wills not the death of a Sinner Jesus Chriâ—… expressed his earnest desire of their Salvation by his Death the Spirit came with its lovinâ— motions and impulses Godly Ministers Christian Friends prayed for them took pains witâ— them to save them so that our Lord himselâ— saith Mat. 23.37 O Jerusalem Jerusalem how often would I have gathered thy Children together even as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under heâ— wings and ye would not There was God's gathering time of Mercy but that 's past now there 's a gathering time of Wrath When the Chaff must be burnt iâ— unquenchable fire Mat. 3.12 They mighâ— have been happy but would noâ— They observed lying vanities Jonah 2.8 anâ— forsook their own mercies now there 's no remedy They chose the thing wherein he delighted not and now he will chusâ— their delusions Isa 66.3 4. Alas poor Sinner chuse the Devil's Drudgery here and Goâ— gives them up into his hands to be tormenteâ— for ever and as Christ will gather up his Saint whom he purchased so the Devil will gatheâ— up all his Slaves not one shall escape him the Wicked are gathered by Death to theiâ— Master and to their proper place as it 's said of Judas Acts 1.25 That he wenâ— to his own place that 's Hell Foâ— the wicked shall be turned into Hell and all thâ— Nations that forget God Psal 9.17 O what a vast Assembly will that be Millions Millions of Souls descend down into that Place of Torments Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there be that go in thereat Mat. 7.13 O tremble lest you be found among this greater number of the Sons of men Remember all Mankind have their Faces Hell-wards when they are born The wicked are estranged from the womb they go astray as soon as they be born speaking lyes Psal 58.3 There is none righteous no not one Rom. 3.10 11 12. we are altogether become unprofitable without a saving turn we are all marching Hell-ward and must be gathered together and like Faggots piled up in that Infernal Lake but especially such as have improved the stock of Original Corruption in a course of Profane Swearing Rioting Drunkenness mocking of Religion ridiculing Preciseness condemning the Righteous justifying the Wicked How can such as these expect to be gathered with the Saints in the other World whom they cannot endure in this Surely the Godly and Wicked go contrary ways when they go off the Stage of this World into an Eternal state 2. As Wicked Graceless Persons state is sad and hopeless so continuing so also professed Christians yea real Saints are in some things too saulty and blame-worthy 1. Shall there be a gathering together at last then how unaccountable are those Distances Animosities and Heart-burnings among Christians There is utterly a fault among us How contrary is this to Christian Love so often recommended by Christ and his Apostles Yea our Lord hath made it the Characteristical Note of his Disciples to love one another John 13.35 It was wont to be said of the Primitive Christians by Heathens See how they love one another But alas Brotherly Love doth not continue It hath been declared to the scandal of our Noble Profession That there are Contentions among us 1 Cor. 1.11 Further it hath been said That where strictest Professors fall out they are most implacable Drunkards will sooner be Friends than these Puritans God forbid it should be true God forbid that there should be Debates 2 Cor. 12.20 envyings wraths strifes back bitings whisperings tumults swellings Alas that such unbecoming Fruits of the Flesh should be found among us There hath been too much of this Evil Spirit O let us take heed lest if we bite and devour one another we be not consumed one by another Gal. 5.15 These are the Devil's Artillery whereby he sights and too often prevails to do abundance of mischief and hinder much good For where envy and strife is there is confusion James 3.16 and every evil work How can you think of the Day of meeting one another in Heaven with such peevish Spirits Will you perpetuate your Quarrels into another World Are you Children of Peace that thus Quarrel For shame lay aside your Differences or lay aside your Profession of this Gospel of Peace 2. If the Saints be gathered at last why do they not keep close together in this World What unaccountable Separations do men make from each other upon small Occasions This is a Duty practiced by all the Saints in all Ages the Primitive Christians continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship Acts 2.42 As soon as Paul was converted he assayed to joyn himself to the Disciples Acts 9.26 17.4 and others consorted with Paul and Barnabas Phil. 1.5 The Philippians were in the fellowship of the Gospel from the first day of their Conversion Like will to like It 's Natural for a Child of God to hold close Communion with his Father's Children How comes it to pass then that some that profess themselves Christians keep at a distance Alas have you the same Name Nature and Divine Image and do you not care for their Company How will you like to live with them for ever in Heaven that love not their Society on Earth How comes it to pass that you keep off It 's possible some do it out of modesty they are not worthy to associate with them these are but few Others out of Singularity Retiredness they can find none good enough to whom they think fit to vouchsafe intimate Familiarity Others have a pique against such and such Christians or against the whole Party and most hold off from supine Negligence Carelesness and Oscitancy most men are unconcerned about their Edification How unwilling are some Christians to be drawn to Communion of Saints If it be an Article in their Creed 't is no part of their Practice as though they had never subscribed to it yea there are some that were once forward for this Work of Christian Communion that are now fallen off like those Hebrews that believed of whom the Apostle saith Not forsaking the assembling of our selves together as the manner of some is Heb. 10.25 The Donatists of old and
the Sectaries of late have made dreadful Rents and Schisms in the Church the more Holy Christians are the more Catholick Spirits they have They are most likely to be sensual that needlesly separate themselves yea not having the spirit Jude 19. however they may boast themselves to be more full of the Spirit than others they separate from Well Sirs consider what you do how you prejudice your selves weaken your Brethrens Hands sadden their Hearts yea you weaken the Interest of Religion hereby What Friends shall one Heaven hold you and cannot one Church hold you Do you look for comfort at Christ's second Coming among his Saints and will you not keep by the foot-steps of the flock The Lord awaken you 3. Some Christians make nothing of offendting the Saints of God that they should not offend that 's a dreadful word Mat. 18.6 Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me it were better for him that a mill-stone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea I confess this is spoken of open and violent Persecutors whom our Lord will banish among the pushing Goats But even Christians are too apt to offend one another sometimes by provoking words sometimes by offensive carriages doing that which however it seem indifferent to us yet thereby a Brother stumbleth or is offended or made weak Rom. 14.21 Unadvised walking may hinder much good occasion much evil at least may make sad the hearts of those whose hearts God would not have made sad With what comfort or confidence will you look in the Faces of those whom you have justly offended An eminent Divine saith Mr. Baxter in a Letter before Mr. Burgess's Book of Christian Commemoration if it be my weakness I have much ado to think but some shame with confusion will accompany me when I first meet any there that I have been unkind to or wronged or that will know my faults better than here they did and that I shall ask them forgiveness which will be soon granted being forgiven by Christ However matters will go then it becomes all the Saints to be very choice and chary of the Holiness and Comsort of their Fellow-members on Earth and to say with Paul 1 Cor. 8.13 Wherefore if meat make my brother to offend I will eat no flesh while the world standeth lest I make my brother to offend Happy are they that neither give Offence carelesly nor take Offence causelesly 4. Yet still there 's a great if not greater fault of good People and that is to be too familiar with Wicked Men to comply too far with Sinners to the dishonour of God scandal of Religion and wronging of our own Consciences Paul writes and writes again 1 Cor. 5.9.11 not to keep company with fornicators the word is very emphatical 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not to be mingled with them by intimate familiarity as streams of Water mix together but Christians must be like Oyl that will not mix with Water especially scandalous Professors of the True Religion if such be disorderly Persons Idle Busie-bodies disobedient to the Word sound close-walking Christians must note that man and have no company with him that he may be ashamed 2 Thess 3.11.14 Brand such an one as infamous discover a strangeness in your Carriage to him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that he may turn into himself and consider what may be the cause in him of this your alienation from him Such a Recognition may become a means of his Repentance whereas if you still smile upon him as if you saw nothing amiss in him you do but harden him in sin Yet there 's something worse in your sinful complyance you contract Guilt to your own Souls and are in danger to be infected and so partake of their Sins Rev. 18.4 and of their Plagues How often doth God call Come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness 2 Cor. 6.14.17 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but reprove them rather Eph. 5.11 How often doth David bid Wicked Men depart from him And if they will not be gone he will flee from them as from a Pest-house Psal 26.4 5. I have not sate with vain persons neither will I go in with dissemblers I have hated the Congregation of evil doers and will not sit with the wicked And then prays ver 9. Gather not my soul with sinners Oh Friends tremble to be found among Wicked Men in the Gathering-day CHAP. IX Examination of our Souls whether we shall be gathered with Saints 3 ANother Use is of Tryal Whether we be the Persons that shall be gathered to Christ with the rest of his Saints in that Solemn Day of his Appearing 1. Consider you may know whether you be of that number yea or no assurance is possible attainable God's Children have obtained it 2 Cor. 5.1 For we know that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens We can be well content to forego this tottering Cottage because we are well assured of a Coelestial Palace there we shall lodge with God Christ Angels and glorified Spirits for ever 2. Nor is this Assurance only communicated by Divine Revelation but may be obtained in the diligent use of God's appointed means hearing the Word Prayer Meditation exciting and exercising of Grace holy Warfare and Victory over Temptations Corruptions walking close with God particularly by a Practical Syllogism where the Word of God is the Major Conscience the Minor the Spirit makes the Conclusion Thus such whose Eyes are opened that are turned from darkness to light from the power of Satan to God shall have an inheritance among them that are sanctified Acts 26.18 Then Conscience brings in the Minor I have found my Heart and Life thus changed by Conversion then the holy Spirit brings in the Inference or Conclusion therefore I do groundedly hope I shall obtain the Inheritance of Glory with the rest of the Saints This is called the witnessing of the Spirit with our Spirits that we are the Children of God Rom. 8.16 3. Therefore it is the Duty of all Christians to endeavour after it we are commanded to give diligence to make our calling and election sure 2 Pet. 1.10 We desire saith the Apostle that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope to the End Heb. 6.11 Such as look not after Assurance conscientiously render their spiritual Estate suspicious For it is the Nature of Grace to put the Possessour forwards to Perfection The sincere Christian will be perfecting holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 and press forward to injoy more of God's Presence Let us saith the Apostle draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith Heb. 19.22 4. And oh the advantage and benefit that
Mystical as Members of the same mystical Body Eph. 5.30 or Ecclesiastical These Converts are said to be added to the Church and have mutual external Fellowship Acts 2.41.42 Thus Paul when converted assayed to joyn himself to the Disciples Acts 9.26 Acts 17.4 And others consorted with Paul and Silas and indeed 't is natural for a Child of God to desire yea and delight in the Society of the Saints thence the Apostle mentions the Philippians fellowship in the gospel Phil. 1.5 from the first day until now mark it it was early and permanent A good Man knows not how to go to Heaven alone They must go forth by the foot-steps of the flock Song 1.8 6. and are like a company of horses in Pharaohs chariot So amiable profitable and pleasant is Christian Society 4. Do you lay to Heart the scatterings of Christians Zeph. 3.18 I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn Assembly who are of thee to whom the reproach of it was a burthen This scattering is either by Persecution or Dissention 1st If Enemies prevail and break up the Saints solemn meetings God's poor Children lay it deeply to Heart hence such lamentable complaints and expostulations of God's People Psal 143.4 Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary Isa 64.9 12. This was one Ingredient of Judah's Lamentation that the ways of Zion mourn and God's People did mourn with her Lam. 1.4 7. Such sympathy speaks kindly bowels and moves God's Heart and possibly in this World they may be gathered however in the other Isa 66.10 Rejoyce ye with Jerusalem and be glad with her all ye that love her rejoyce for joy with her all ye that mourn for her Sions Friends shall partake of Sions Comforts 2dly Such as grieve for the Divisions of the Church within her self Judg. 5.15 16. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart great searchings of heart O the sad Contentions and Animosities that have risen up in the Church in all Ages and the pious and peaceable Members thereof have been grievously afflicted therewith Sometimes upon Personal sometimes Doctrinal differencess have rent the Bowels thereof and rent the Hearts of publick-uniting Spirits and they have almost despaired of seeing an End of them in this World till they arrive in the place where Luther and Calvin are made perfect Friends and all the Saints shall be of one Mind Mourners for these Breaches shall be perfectly cured and comforted Isa 51.11 Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return and come with singing unto Zion and everlasting joy shall be upon their head they shall obtain gladness and joy and sorrow and mourning shall flee away 5. Do you follow the Army of Martyrs in bearing your Cross and preparedness to suffer for Christ hâc fitur ad astra This way have all the Saints gone to Heaven this is the established enacted Law of Heaven If any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me Mat. 16.24 Acts 14.22 We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God Heaven is taken by Storm and the gracious Soul is resolved to go through Storms For Persecution and Evangelii genius the common constant Lot of all the Saints 2 Tim. 3.12 All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution Yea but the Christian is not appaled with nor ashamed of the Cross of Christ nay he takes pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in necessities in persecutions in distresses for Christ's sake 2 Cor. 12.10 Nay he glories in the Cross and in the marks of the Lord Jesus Gal. 6.14.17 as much as an Old Soldier in his Wounds received in the Wars As the poor Woman in the Book of Martyrs thought it a piece of Honour and Happiness that her Foot was put in the same Hole of the Stocks wherein Mr. Philpot's had been before So the Christian rejoyceth to follow that blessed Army of Martyrs to Heaven not meerly by an Apish Imitation from a good Conceit they have of them 2 Cor. 4.13 but having the same spirit of Faith they make their Profession and endure Opposition whatever it cost onwards he will though he die in the Conflict he sees a Crown attending him and so gathers strength by every bout yea by every foil as it was said of Rome Roma cladibus animosior that every Battel yea every slaughter of Men made her more couragious So it is with the conflicting Soul none of these things move him Acts 20.24 that startle others but animate him with more Courage in his Christian Warfare and Voyage through this boisterous Sea to the Haven of Rest Is it thus with you 6. Do you daily make Proficiency in Grace Are you marching on in your Christian course adding daily some Cubits to your Spiritual stature There 's no standing still in Heaven's Road non progredi est regredi not to go forward is to go backward Paul saith I press toward the mark for the Prize of the high Calling of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3.14 Nothing would serve him on this side Perfection Ver. 11. He longs after that pitch of Grace he shall attain to in the Resurrection The sincere Christian grows brighter and better as the shining Light Prov. 4.18 that shineth more and more unto the perfect day Where there is Truth there will be Growth Grace is like a Grain of Mustard-Seed the Christian never thinks he hath grown enough he is still perfecting Holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 getting Ground daily of the Body of Death This is their Duty this is their Property this is what the Apostle earnestly prays for 1 Thess 3.12 13. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one towards another and towards all men c. I would saith the Saint be holier than the holiest Saint on Earth Eph 3.8 but judge my self lesser than the least of all Saints O that I were perfectly free from Sin O that my Blossoms of Grace were ripe Fruit O that I could increase with the increase of God! Col. 2.19 2 Thess 1.13 Let my Faith grow exceedingly to full assurance let my Love grow to delight in God my Repentance be more Evangelical my Hope more fixed my Fear more filial my Obedience more universal and all my Graces more lively and my whole Man more conformable to Christ the perfect Pattern of Holiness Oh that I could go from strength to strength Psal 84.7 till in Zion I appear before God 7. What blessed Instinct inclines you Heaven-wards Heavy things move downwards light things upwards every thing moves towards its Center The Church is compared to pillars of Smoak Cant. 3.6 still mounting towards its proper Element John 3.3 So the Christian is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 born from above and naturally inclines to things above
more chearfully will you sing in the height of Zion 14. The Saints that have attended Ordinances with many defects and imperfections will leave them all behind them and attend the Lord without the least defect distraction or imperfection The best of God's Children have a weight hanging on them and a sin that too easily besets them Heb. 12.1 and impedes their Motion and obstructs their Ascent upwards But these shackles shall be shak'd off with the Body never a wandring Thought more to all Eternity Here we weaken the hands one of another Heb. 12.12 by our hands falling down and our feeble knees bodily infirmities oft render the best Services wearisom because the holiest Saints have but a Measure of Affection hence it was that Three of Christ's choicest Disciples slept while Jesus was in his Agony for though the spirit was willing yet the flesh was weak Mat. 26.36 41. Alas Aaron and Hur must hold up Moses hands here the best at some seasons may be out of frame for Duty but in Heaven the Saints shall join hearts and hands without weariness or distraction in singing the high Praises of God in that heavenly Quire and none shall fail his Fellow or fall short of Duty 15. Saints of the meanest stature and standing here shall be compleat and commence the highest degree of Grace in Glory I say not that all the Saints shall have equal Degrees of Glory the Text saith that at the Resurrection 1 Cor. 15.41 42. one star differeth from another star in glory It s true all these heavenly luminaries shall be perfectly joined in one constellation But good Divines think that as there will be Degrees of Torments in Hell so of Joys in Heaven As the Vessels are larger to contain more or as Men have honoured God more here below yet the meanest Saint will be top full of glory For they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and they that turn many unto righteousness as the stars for ever and ever Dan. 12.3 Weak Christians shall no more complain of Defects but he that it feeble in that day shall be as David Zech. 12.8 and the house of David as God as the Angel of the Lord before them There will no more be thence an infant of days Isa 65.20 The meanest Christian will in some respects be equal with the Angels in heaven Mat. 22.30 Children in Grace shall be grown up to be perfect Men Eph. 4.13 to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ 16. Saints at that day shall he raised above the revilings calumnies and slanders of a malicious World and be advanced to the highest Honour In this World every one can throw dirt on God's Children and account them the vilest of Men not worthy to live upon Earth and cry as they against Paul away with such a fellow from the earth for it is not fit that he should live Acts 22.22 But what saith God of such Of whom the world was not worthy Heb. 11.38 No Nicknames shall follow them to Heaven they shall not be there called Puritans Fanaticks Schismaticks Fools nay possibly they shall be honoured among Men when dead and raised to glory Prov. 10.7 14. The memory of the just is blessed The godly above shall honour them though sometimes they thought and spoke slightly of them nay the wicked and damned in Hell shall esteem honourably of them as the Rich Man that thought once Poor Lazarus a fit Embassadour to send to his Rich Brethren on Earth yea it may be wretched Hypocrites on Earth will build the tombs of deceased prophets Luke 16.28 and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous Mat. 23.29 in honour to them whom they or such as they were did once abuse and revile on Earth they will call the dead Saints and canonize them when as they miscal such as they are Hypocrites and no better then Devils God oft turns the Scales and rolls away the Reproach of all his Servants 17. Saints that have exercised Charity and Hospitality and such as received their Bounty shall embrace each other with mutual Alacrity Our Lord affirms it That whosoever gives but a cup of cold water if he hath not a fire to warm it to a little one in the name of a disciple though he may be mistaken verily I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his reward Mat. 10.42 O will the poor Beggar say there 's my loving Benefactor the Debtor will there own his Creditor that forgave him all when he had nothing to pay Mat. 18.26 27. well saith the Free-hearted disburser I do not repent it since I am so richly rewarded this Recompence is above my expectations and contrary to my deserts Strange that I should receive so much for laying out so little this is above Isaac's reaping an hundred Fold How comfortable will that Language of our Lord be when he shall say as in Mat. 25.34 40. Come ye blessed of my father inherit the kingdom prepared for you c. Behold my Deputies in relieving of whom you relieved me I took it as done to my Person what you did to my Members and you shall be glorified together 18. Saints that have wanted many things in this World when they meet above shall want nothing In this World the Body is full of Wants we want necessaries to supply Nature we want food to nourish us cloaths to cover us physick to cure us arrows to defend us sleep to refresh us yet these but supply particular wants and Men ordinarily have dependance one upon another for Supplies But when God's Children get above yet though they shall have sweet Communion with each other yet their Happiness chiefly depends on the Vision and Fruition of God With him is the fountain of life Psal 36.9 Psal 16.11 in in his light they see light in his presence is fulness of joy The Sun doth dart its Beams through the whole Universe God's Presence not Saints makes Heaven The King makes the Court not Courtiers Nothing can satisfy the capacious Soul but God I shall be satisfied saith David when I awake with thy likeness Psal 17.15 That and nothing else gives content Angels and glorified Spirits as Creatures must say it is not in me to satisfy you God alone can Now and never till now the Soul saith I have enough I need no more I have not only tasted but drunk deep of this River of Pleasures yea bathed my Soul in this blessed Ocean of Delights Nor do I surfeit upon these but fresh Springs of joy yield me perpetual contentment 19. All Saints pass through the valley of the shadow of Death to that Glory None exempted but Enock and Elias and those that shall be found alive at the last day It is no strange thing For it is appointed to Men once to die Heb. 9.27 It is the common Lot of Mankind even the best Men The