'T is in the time of peace usually that the world insinuates it self in trouble its emptiness is more easily discerned As believers are crucifyed to the world so the world is crucifyed unto them Gal. 6. 14. They behold the world as that which sin hath brought a curse upon and therefore to be watch't against lest it prove a snare and then they look upon the world with such a kind of eye as the Jewes did upon Christ in his exinanition Isa 53. They see no form nor comliness in it that they should desire it Believers in the evil day beside their hard usage from the world which makes them less to like it have more affecting thoughts of eternity and the world to come and hereupon the things which are temporal grow contemptible and are not counted worth a look 2 Cor. 4. 18. Whilst we look not at the thnigs which are seen but at the things that are not seen and not without reason for the things that are seen are temporal but the things that are not seen are eternal 5. Saints are exercised with sufferings that they may be â—â—â—ted for and long for the inheritance that is above By sufferings they are made conformable to their Head and are perfected and ripened more and more for glory Therefore afflictions are said to work for us a weight of glory Glory is promised to the sufferer for righteousness sake and 't is a righteous thing with God to give rest to them who upon such an account are troubled 2 Thess 1. 7. By trouble they are made meet for rest and the greater the tribulation the glory 't is likely will be the greater to be sure the more welcome When we look round about us and see nothing but matter of grief and sorrow â—will make us look upward to those mansions on high and long to be there where siâ— and suffering will come to a perpetual end In Heaven there will be an eternal calmness and serenity no sons of violence will be there to disturb the Saints in their praises no enemies will be permitted to roar in that Congregation no fear of prison or any other punishment will be there but their joy will be like a full Sea and not ebb any more for ever I am now come to the Application USE I. If he that will be a Saint shall be a Sufferer learn from hence They are far from being Saints who resolve to give out when once it comes to suffering Those are not worthy the name of Disciples who like the Swallow will tarry with Christ all the Summer but when the cold and stormy Winter approaches do use their wings and leave him Our Lord sayes He that loves Father or Mother or life it self more than 〈◊〉 is not worthy of me that is he is not fit to make one of my followers If trouble make you to be offended and go away from Christ 't is a sign you prefer ease and peace and prosperity before him and consequently that you have not the faith unfeigned of Gods Elect. If you did indeed believe Christ would be precious and that even then when he is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence to others 1 Pet. 2. 7. If you did indeed believe you would be of the Apostles mind who counted all things but dung when compared with Christ and esteeming them but dung no wonder if he contentedly suffered the loss of them that his interest in his Lord might be secured Phil. 3. 8. For whom I have suffered the losse of all things and do count them but dung that I may win Christ USE II. If he that will be a Saint shall be a sufferer then 't is but reasonable for every Saint to expect suffering Reckon upon it that troubles will be met with in your way to Heaven none ever arrived to that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fair Haven without being toss't by some tempests He that goes to sea is not so foolish as to think it will be a perpetual calm all his Voyage He that Listâ— himself a Souldier expects somtime or other to be engaged So a Christian should sit down and count the cost Lâ—ke 14. before he embarque with Christ before he list himself under this Captain of salvation And certainly 't will cost some trouble to be Christs follower none ever faithfully served him but his flesh smarted for it though it must also be affirmed that this smart of the outward is usually sweetned with a far greater pleasure in the inner man Our Lord speaks to his Disciples plainly and without a Parable Joh. 16. ult In the world ye shall have tribulation but that their hearts might not be troubled he tells them first In me ye shall have peace And he adds secondly Be of good chear I have overcome the world USE III. If he that will be a Saint shall be a sufferer then 't is the Saints wisdome to prepare for sufferings Evil dayes will come but God hath provâ—ded armour of proof which if you put on you shall be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all to stand I might here enlarge in going over the Christians Armour but I shall only single out some pieces which you must not fail to get and use in a day of suffering and which if used skilfully no force either of evil men or evil Angels shall prevail against you Though no part of the Armour of God be needless yet especially you must take The Shield of Faith The Breast-plate of Love The Helmet of Hope And cry by Prayer for continual help and support from above 1 That you may be arm'd against sufferings take unto you the shield of Faith Yoâ— are in a Battel Men and Devils thrusting sore at you that you may fall What shift can you make without a Shield The Shield is Armour to the other Armour If Faith be strong your other Graces will have the greater vigour and stand you in the greater stead Faith will make you victorious This is the victory sayes the Apostle that overcometh the world even our Faith 1 John 5. 4. And it may truly be said This is also the victory that overcometh the god of this world even our faith faith prevails against both By faith the Worthies of old of whom the world was unworthy went through all their tryals and yet these tryals were very sore They were cruelly mocked and scourged they were stoned they were sawn asunder were tempted were stain with the sword they wandred about in sheep-skins and goat-skins being destitute afflicted tormented Heb. 11. 37. 'T is remarkable that the Holy Ghost in describing their punishments siath they were tempted 'T is likely fair means were used as well as foul promises of preferment as well as threatnings of torment to draw them away from their integrity and this was a sore temptation But faith kept them stedfast and rendred the temptation ineffectual Faith looks to its Author and Finisher the Lord Jesus and sees the world
the stroke and dint of calamities which are invading 2. Fear is a snare Prov. 29. 25. One that fears an arm of flesh will soon be hurried away from God and into almost any unlawful courses which by his carnal and disturbed mind are judged to have a tendency to his preservation Peter fears and denyes Christ and not only so but falls a cursing swearing that he did not know him How is he foiled through fear who before said Though all are offended and forsake thee yet will not I. Cranmer fears and against his Conscience subscribes to Popery and anathematizes the Heresie of Luther and Zuinglius those restorers of the Gospel and of pure and undefiled Religion which had a long time layâ— buryed by the prevailing of Antichrist Spira fears the loosing of his estate the beggering of his wife and children the hazarding of his life and renounces the Protestant Religion but presently was seiz'd upon by the Pangs of despair and to the terrour and astonishment of all about him spake as if he had been in Hell it self even while he was alive Oh therefore be afraid of being afraid if this passion prevail you may quickly fall so foully as to make you weep bitterly if not eternally USE III. I shall conclude with several Antidotes against this sinful and ensnaring fear of sufferings The Antidotes are these 1. One Antidote is a well grounded assurance of the love of God By this love fear will be cast out The Apostle was so far from being afraid that he gloryed in tribulation and the reason was because the love of God that is the sense and perswasion of it was shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost which was given to him Rom. 5. 3 5. When we know that God is ours we may conclude that afflictions troubles and death are ours that evil men and evil Angels too are ours that is working out our good though contrary to their intentions The enemies of believers are but as so many Scullions to scour them and make them look the brighter The assured Christian concludes that greater is he that is in him than he that is in the World and therefore he is undaunted Heark how confidently the Saints of old spake who knew the God of Jacob was theirs and with them Psal 46. 1 2. God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble therefore will we not fear though the earth be removed though the mountains be carryed into the midst of the Seas Give diligence therefore to make your Calling and Election sure bring your Grace to the Touchstone of the Scripture that the truth thereof may be evident pray that the Lord would search you and lead you out of every evil way and that his Spirit may bear witness with your spirits that you are indeed his Children 2 A second Antidote against fear is a clear Conscience A pacified and purified Conscience will make the heart very couragious The Heathen Poet could say Hiâ— murus aâ—aenius esto Nil conscire sibi nulla pallescere culpa Horat. Epist 2. A Brazen Wall is not a greater security than an unspotted conscience And Solomon tells us that a righteous man is bold as a Lion The Apostle Paul when he was pressed out of measure by the weight of troubles above strength insomuch that he despaired even of life was he dismayed No so far from that that he rejoyced This was strange indeed What might be the cause of his gladness when sense being judg his condition was so exceeding doleful Our rejoycing is this sayes he even the testimony of our conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdome but by the grace of God we have had our conversation in the world 2 Cor. 1. 12. Make not therefore especially in troublous times any breach upon conscience by closing with temptations for at that breach fear will assault you 3. A third Antidote against fear is trusting in God David sayes What time I am afraid I will trust in thee Psal 56. 3. There 's the distemper fear and the remedy against it faith in God So Psal 112. 7. He shall not be afraid of evil tydings his heart is fixed What fixes the righteous mans heart Trusting in the Lord. Pray for the increase of faith be well acquainted with the promises wherein God hath said he will be a shield an hiding place a covert a strong Tower a Saviour and these promises will be as food for your faith to live upon and to grow strong by But be sure let your trusting in God be joyned with the doing of good Psal 37. 3. with a desire and design to please him else he will reject your confidence as presumption and you shall not prosper in it 4. A Fourth Antidote against fear iâ— calling upon God David when he was in danger cryes that he may be lead to the Rock that was higher than he when surrounded with enemies he gave himself unto prayer Psal 109. 4. and by this means he got above his fears and terrours He tells us how effectual prayer was Psal 34. 4. I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears The Coneys are a feeble folk but have their dwelling among the Rocks You may learn a great deal of wisdome from those little creatures By Faith and Prayer you should be working your selves further into the Rock of Ages and that Rock you will find impregnable 5. A Fifth Antidote against fear is an heavenly Conversation They who are much above that have their Treasure in that place where neither moth corrupteth nor thief approacheth will not be afraid of prisons of being robb'd of being slain for the Testimony of Jesus Their souls cannot be touched their best riches are durable and out of their enemies reach their adversaries cannot by distraining take away their glory or grace from them and when this life is done they will enter upon that life which is infinitely better They who walk closely with God and whose hearts as an heave-offering are frequently given to him being lifted up in his wayes who every day do take several turns in the City that hath foundations who often think of the glorious prize and what it will be to be perfectly holy and most fully satisfied in the uninterrupted and never ending enjoyment of God such will be indifferent what on earth they meet with they will not be afraid of what man can do since when their enemies do their worst they do their best for when they take away their lives they do but send them thither where they long and groan earnestly to be received and to make their everlasting abode The Apostle informs us That they who mind earthly things are enemies to the Crosse of Christ Phil. 3. 18 19. They feel not its crucifying vertue they are afraid of it they are offended at it but as for himself whose conversation was in heaven and who perpetually from thence was looking for a
of you into prison that ye may be tried The word in the original is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that ye may be tempted Now trial or temâ—tation is sometimes taken in a bad sometimes in a good sense and the text may be understood either way 1. Tryal or temptation may be taken in a bad sense as referred to the Devil Certainly he by imprisoning believers designes to make them weary of their Lords yoak he would fain have them murmure and be impatient under restraint and draw them to some sinful compliance to the wounding of their consciences for the regaining of their liberty He endeavours to make them grow discontented quarrel at the Lords dispensations that their enemies which are vile and the basest of men should yet prosper and themselves in the mean time be exposed to so many hardships and inconveniencies notwithstanding the integrity of their hearts and the unblamableness of their conversations 2. Trial or temptation may be taken in a good sense as referred to Gods permitting the Saints to be thus exercised He hath certainly a wise and gracious and holy end in it 'T is true God cannot be tempted with evil neither tempteth he any man Jam. 1. 13. And yet 't is expresly affirmed that God did tempt Abraham Gen. 20. 1. How shall these two places be reconciled I answer That temptation spoken of by the Apostle James is to be understood concerning drawing away and enticing to wickedness v. 14. of ch 1. And thus God tempteth not he neither infuseth nor excites any sinful inclinations in the heart of man but strictly forbids sin and will severely punish it Thus men are tempted by Satan and especially by their own lusts But that temptation spoken of by Moses is as much as trying or making proof of Abrahams sincerity and thus to tempt is not at all unbecoming or inconsistent with the Lords holinesse and goodness and when he suffers believers to be imprisoned 't is for their tryal that he does it Now here I shall first shew What of the Saints is tryed by imprisonment and sufferings of the like nature Secondly to what end they are thus tryed In the first place What of the Saints is tryed by imprisonment and sufferings of the like nature First their Faith Secondly their Love Thirdly their subjection and obedience 1. Their Faith is tryed They that can loose what they have for Christ it argues a full perswasion that Christ is better than their earthly enjoyments and that they believe there is such a fulness in him as can make up all their losses Such esteem the promises of eternal blessings exceeding great and precious who are resolved to embrace them whatever they fling away besides When in a good Cause we lightly esteem liberty and outward accommodations it shewes we have that faith which is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen Heb. 11. 1. Our faith gives a subsistence to and mightily reallizeth those things which as yet we have only the hopes of enjoying and makes the great things of another world evident though not to be seen or possessed till hereafter Faith is a noble grace it glorifies God exceedingly when a man upon the Lords word will consent to quit all that 's near and dear to him in expectation of a Kingdom and Glory which no man alive ever saw 2. By imprisonment and other sufferings Believers Love is tryed They who can undervalue Liberty and livelyhood and life for the sake of the Son of God may boldly say as Peter did in another case Lord thou knowest all things thou knowest that we love thee 'T is manifest they love the Lord Jesus in sincerity But if when the world and Christ stand in competition we hold to the world and despise the Lord certainly our love is but a painted not a real fire Love is a Grace of an uniting nature The History tells us That the soul of Jonathan was knit to David and he loved him as his own soul and we find that the displeasure which Saul had conceived against David and the danger that Jonathan was in for his affection sake could not cool much less quench his love If we love our Lord our souls will be knit to him and troubles will be so far from dissolving the union that they will cause us to cling the closer and câ—aâ—p the faster about him 2. By imprisonment and sufferings of the like nature there is a tryal made of believers subjection and obedience When they will do for God though presently suffering for God follow this argues they have learned to deny their own wills and taken the Word and will of God as their guide and Rule When they regard the commands of God above the commands of men are awed by the threatnings of God more than the threats of men and dread Gods displeasure more than mans anger this is a demonstration that they have submitted unto Christs Scepter and that the Promise of the Covenant is fulfilled Heb. 8. 10. I will put my Lawes into their minds and write them in their hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people In the second place I am to tell you for what end God will have his Saints thus tryed 1. That the truth of their Grace may be evident and great peace must be the concomitant of that evidence When their gold is tryed in the fire and glisters the more shines the brighter they may be pronounced rich indeed The man that is rich in the World hath no reason to glory in his riches for he is but a beggar in comparison 2. They are tryed that Satan may be silenced He can no longer say that the Saints are mercenary or selfish when self is thus denyed when peace of conscience is preferred before the greatest outward peace and prosperity and so the inheritance above may be secured they put it to the venture what the world can do to them or take from them The Lord may say to Satan and this accuser of the brethren have nothing to reply Hast thou considired my suffering Servants how perfect and upright they be They fear God and eschew evil though by departing from evil they make themselves a prey 3. Believers are tryed that God who upholds them may be honoured The Lord is with them in the furnace he keeps them like the Bush in the midst of the flaming fire unconsumed He shewes his wisdome and grace in so tempering the furnace as that it is both tolerable and also effectual unto their refining The Saints have abundant cause readily to acknowledge that their support in trouble their benefit by trouble and their deliverance out of trouble is wholly to be ascribed unto God and he is glorified by this which is so just an acknowledgment USE I. Of Admonition to unsound Professours Be restless till you are searched and changed so as to have truth in your inward parts else you will never
abide the tryal in the time of temptation your sandy foundations will deceive you your building will fall and great will be the fall of it Mat. 7. 27. You will fall away further from God more fâ—ully into sin more deep into hell and all these falls will be great and dreadful 1. You that are unsound in times of tryal wil fall away further from God Some of you though never brought quite home yet have been almost perswaded have been not far from the Kingdome of Heaven But all this common work if you rest in it will dye away when Christ puts you upon suffering you will forsake him Suffer is an hard word who can bear it And when you leave the Lord you bid farewel to the Father of mercies the God of love and of all grace the Fountain of living waters the Prince of peace the only Saviour Well may I cry out Oh how much folly is there in back-sliding 2. You will fall more foully into sin God may quickly throw the Reins out of his hands upon the neck of corrupted Nature and whither may you be carryed Apostatizing professors often turn most profane they out-run as to riot excess the wretchest hat never pretended to Religion The Conscience that was once awakened if it fall asleep again sleeps more soundly The heart that was once restrain'd from sin that restraint being gone is more eager to commit iniquity than before Nay 't is somtimes observed that backsliding professors 〈◊〉 become cruel persecutors of those wayes which once were forwardly owned by them If this be not the unpardonable sin I am sure it comes to the very brink of it 3. You will fall more deep into Hell at last Christ tells us that the last end of such is worse than their beginning Mat. 12. 45. and that both as to sin and as to punishment How large will be the Vial of wrath to be emptied upon Apostates heads how hot their place in the Lake that burns with fire and brimstone Those that as the Apostle speaks are twice dead pluckt up by the roots Jude 12. The second death will be more terrible to them they will be eternal fewel to a more furious flame The sufferings of the Saints whether imprisonment or death are not worthy to be named the same day with everlasting confinement to outer darkness and suffering in the highest degree and fullest measure eternal damnation Consider this ye hypocrites that are rotten at heart that have God in your mouthes but he is far from your Reins On how long will it be ere you attain to uprightness USE II. Of Encouragement to the Saints when they are exercised with Tryals 1. The Lord hath promised to keep you when you are tryed He may fan and winnow but not a grain of corn shall fall to the ground so as to be lost That Scripture is very observable Rev. 3. 10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth He will keep from the hour of temptation that is from the prevalency of and corruption by temptation in that hour But then you must be sure to keep his Word which is called the Word of his patience because it proposes Christ as an example of patience and layes an injunction upon you to be like him And if you look upon this word as your food as your physick as your treasure as your armour as your heritage I hope you will look upon it as well deserving to be kept by you 2. Your tryals will make you to grow in grace Grace is of that nature that it increases and gathers strength by exercise As the Widdowes Oyl by being drawn out did multiply so Grace is augmented not diminished by being used Hark to the Apostle Rom. 5. 3 4 5. Knowing that tribulation worketh patience not only tryeth patience but worketh patience and patience experience and experience hope and hope maketh not ashamed The righteous by tryals and difficulties are not stopt as discouraged persons but hold on their way nay not only hold on but grow and go stronger and they that have clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger Job 17. 9. 3. After you have endured tryal you shall be own'd and crown'd Jam. 1. 12. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation for when he is tryed he shall receive the Crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him And that Crown when received will make all pains and disgrace and sufferings to be forgotten The Sixth Doctrine The tribulation of Believers will not last alwayes after ten dayes that is a short time a period will be put to it Ye shall have tribulation ten dayes The Holy Ghost reckons by dayes not years and according to the usual manner in Scripture a certain number is put for an uncertain ten dayes for a few dayes The Apostle 2 Cor. 4. 17. calls the troubles of Believers not only light afflictions but affirms they are but for a moment and because they are but for a moment surely much the lighter The Arguments to confirm this Doctrine are these 1. One shall be drawn from the desire in Christ the Head to have his members with him Therefore they shall not long be absent from him and when they are with him no troubles at all shall be their companions Christ in the dayes of his flesh prayed thus Joh. 17. 24. Father I will that those also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world Christ is now gone to his father and he hath prepared Mansions for the Saints and those Mansions â—hall not be long empty Believers groan to â—e cloathed upon with their house which 〈◊〉 from Heaven to be absent from the boâ—y and to be present with the Lord. The Lord Jesus desires and hath prayed for their company Surely it will not be long before those who are so mutually desirous of each other do come together 2. A second Argument shall be drawn from the shortness of the triumph of the Saints adversaries God will quickly cut asunder the cords of the wicked that plow upon Sions back and make long their furrows I have seen saith David the wicked in great power and spreading himself like a green Bay tree yet he passed away and loe he was not yea I sought him but he could not be found His great power which he abuses to oppress and trouble and himself too shall quickly pass away All the glory of the ungodly is as a dream and is chased away as a night vision And when they are laid in the dust and death is feeding on them they can devour the upright no longer And truly the more violent they are the shorter oftentimes is their triumph cruelty doth ripen them a pace for vengeance 3. A
what it is to be faithful Secondly I shall give good and sufficient reason why a Christian should be faithful In the first place I am to shew what it is to be faithful This Apostle does briefly and yet excellently set forth 1 Tim. 1. 18 19. This charge I commit unto thee son Timothy according to the prophesies which went before on thee that by them thou mightest war a good warfare holding Faith and a good Conscience And in holding these we hold all that is worth our care to secure The Epithite Precious is given to Faith 2 Pet. 1. 1. To them who have obtained the precious faith with us And if you would know how precious you have it 1 Pet. 1. 7. Faith is not only said to be as precious as gold but much more precious then gold nay much more precious then gold that perisheth therefore 't is to be held fast Now in holding of Faith these five things are implied We hold fast first the Doctrine Secondly the Object Thirdly the Confidence Fourthly the Life Fifthly the Profession of our faith without wavering 1. He that is faithful holds fast the doctrine of faith The truthes of Christ he looks upon as worth the buying at any rate but nothing shall make him sell them Buy the truth and sell it not said wise Solomon Truth is of God a bright and glorious beam that shines from the Sun of righteousness Truth is a Christians Pilot his Compass he will quickly split on some rock or sink in some sand if this be not heeded the Christian is in a dark place where stumbling blocks and snares are innumerable many and the truth of Christ the doctrine of faith is a light unto his feet and a lamp unto his paths The Church of Pergamus though they welt where Satans seat was yet sayes Christ Rev. 2. 13. Thou holdest fast my name and hast not decayed my Faith that is my doctrine which I delivered to be believed and obeyed Rather then the Gospel should be let go and buried in silence we must venture all for its propagation Even Peace it self we are to endeavour after no further then consistent with truth The Apostle matter'd not what troubles and stir the Gospel occasioned and though Satan and the ungodly did storm at the light they boldly did publish that message which they had a command to deliver 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As long as the Gospel lives and thrives no matter what disturbances are created by its enemies 2. He that is faithful holds fast the Object of Faith Now the Object of faith is said down Joh. 14. 1. Ye believe in God believe also in me sayes Christ to his Disciples 'T is our duty and our safety to cleave unto the onely true God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent A believer keeps his hold of God who is his shield and exceeding great reward who can defend him from evil or turn those evils which he feels to his advantage who can crown him with loving kindness and such mercies as are tender sutable satisfactory and sure Neither will he let go his hold of Jesus Christ who brought him near and keeps him near unto this God who guides him by his spirit who by vertue of his blood and intercession is continually making up the breaches that the believers sinful infirmities do make and who out of his fulness is ready to impart whatever grace in any time of need is necessary 3. He that is faithful holds fast his assurance and confidence of faith Aâ—ter he hath given all diligence to attain assurance he is loth to lose what cost him such pains to get The Apostle prâ—sses this again and again Heb. 3. 6. But Christ as a son over his own house whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and rejoycing of hope firm unto the end And Heb. 10. 5. Cast not away therefore your confidence which hath great recompence of reward Assurance of faith is a mighty support in the evil day The eye of faith when faith is heightned into a full perswasion and confidence will look through the clouds and behold God smiling when men do frown faith will hear God speaking peace in a still voyce when the mouths of men are full of threatnings and furious rebukes Faith will perceive the better substance enduring when earthly goods are taken away But when troubles on earth surround us on every side and we are at uncertainties what will be our lot in the next world When there are fightings without and in reference to our spiritual estate doubts and fears within this will render our condition doleful Oh therefore labour and pray for assurance cherish not any distemper of heart give no place to the Devil for thus doing will feed your fears and strengthen your unbelief 4. He that is faithful holds fast the life of faith As this is the safest so 't is the sweetest life on earth They that walk by sight and not by faith will presently grow faint and weary in the hour of temptation If flesh and blood are consulted with if our murmuring and repining senses are heeded we shall refuse to rowe against the stream and be carryed away with the corruption of the times we live in If Moses had been led by sense his choice and practice would have been contrary to what it was Sense would have prized Honour and so he would have still been called the Son of Pharaohs Daughter Sense would have coveted wealth and delight and so he would have had his heart glewed to the pleasures of sin and the treasures of Egypt But Moses walked by faith and therefore chose to suffer afflictions with the people of God he esteemed it part of his riches to be reproached for Christ for faith continually shewed Him that is invisible and the Recompence of reward to him Heb. 11. 24 25 26 27. So the Apostle walked by faith and professeth Gal. 2. 20. I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me They that live by faith stay themselves upon the promises of sustentation and no weight can sink them they câ—st their burthens and themselves too upon the Lord who being faithful will not suffer them to be tempted above what they are able 5. He that is faithful holds fast the Profession of his faith He heeds that admonition of the Apostle Heb. 10. 25. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering for he is faithful that hath promised He is not asham'd of his Lord Master nay esteems it an honour for his Masters sake to be despised Though the Kings and Rulers of the earth take counsel and set themselves against the Lords Christ yet the faithfuâ— servant will stick to him He is not ashamed to be of that way that is every wherâ— spoken against
Fatling together a little Child shall lead them And the sucking Child shall play on the hole of the Asp and the weaned Child shall put his hand on the Cockatrice Den They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy Mountain But most certainly this peace and concord shall be among the Saints above no biting no devouring one another no diversity of judgments but all will agree in the same truth no alienation of affection for love to the Lord and to one another will be perfect the spirit that lusteth to envy will be cast out selfish ends will carry none aside disputes will be at an end the wounds which divisions have made will be closed How good and pleasant will be that unity when all the Saints will be of one of the right mind 6. The life above will be lead among the most suitable society The Saints will then have bid farewel to Mesâ—ech and the Tents of Kedar they shall no longer dwell among revilers at holiness the openly prophane the scandalous or lifeless professors of Religion no filthy communication or conversation in heaven to vex their righteous souls no contempt of God no provoking the eyes of his glory no cursing swearing pride wantonness to be heard or seen in the heavenly City When they come thither they will say How blessedly unlike is this to that place and company which we came from Glorified spirits innumerable companies of Angels will be their companions these will be glad to see them safely arrived unto rest For if there be joy in heaven at the conversion of a sinner we may very well infer there will be joy likewise at the Saints Coronation 7. That life above will fully answer its end The Saints were formed by the Lord for himself and they will be eternally shewing forth his praise and glory They will never entertain so much as an unbecoming thought of God but to magnifie and extol him will be their everlasting business their hearts and their Harpes will be ever in tune to sound forth his Name Now they do but lisp and stammer out his praises but then how seraphical will their Songs be and they will never be weary of singing Hallelujahs Oh what extasies of joy and love with what ravishment of spirit with what unconceivable raptures of delight will the whole Assembly and Church of the First-born joyn together saying Amen blessing and glory and wisdome and thanksgiving and honour and power and might be unto our God for ever and ever Amen Rev. 7. 12. The triumphant Saints will perfectly answer the design of God in their Creation in their new Creation they will glorifie him for ever who upon them hath bestowed eternal Glory 8. The life above will be an everlasting life Death it self will be destroyed and swallowed up in victory The eternity of the Saints joyes and enjoyments makes them infinitely of the greater value Heaven would be no longer Heaven were they ever to be turned out of it all the sweetness would be imbittered with the thoughts of its period But adored be the riches of mercy the inheritance is said to be incorruptible the Kingdome cannot be moved the Crown of glory fadeth not away the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord Rom. 6. ult Howâ— ye damned spirits your miseries are everlasting you are banished from God and shall never be called back but be unconsumed fewel for unquench able flames Triumph and râ—jâ—yce ye glorified Souls As long as God is he will be your God your portion your reward as long as God is you shall live in his presence and enjoy him Thus you see what what manner of life the Text speaks of In the second place I am to shew upon what score this Life is called a Crown 1. This Crown intimates that the Saints are Conquerours They have run the Race and won the prize they have fought the good fight of Faith and laid hold on eternal life They may truly say super-superamus we are more than conquerours They have being strengthned by him that loveth them conquered the whole World conquered the Principallities and Powers of Hell conquered themselves too their own lusts and passions and affections All other Battels are but petty skirmishes to the spiritual combate mortal men are but inconsiderable enemies compared with fleshly lusts and evil Angels All the Conquerours recorded in History are hardly worth the mentioning with a Christian that endures and overcomes And what is Lawrel to that Crown at last put upon the Christians Head 2. This Crown speaks the honour and dignity whereunto the Saints are advanced Though exceedingly filled with contempt and the scorning of those that are at ease yet even here the Saints are Kings Priests Rev. 1. 5 6. Vnto him that loved us â—nd washed us from our sins in his own blood and hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father to him be Glory and Dominion for ever and ever And when they come to Glory they are actually crown'd then 't is evident the World was not worthy of them and that far better than what the world could bestow is freely given them Heaven is called a Kingdome the Reward a Crown to shew 't is no mean prize the Christian aimes at What is all the height and grandeur on earth to the Kingly dignity put upon believers What are all the Kingdomes of the world and the glory of them to reigning with the Lord for ever The four great Monarchies by the Holy Ghost are compared unto four great Beasts Dan. 7. 3. Surely earthly Crowns are but base and sordid to the heavenly 3. This expression a Crown of life is used to shew that the Crown fades not will never be less bright for wearing 't will never be thrown off 't is a living Crown a Crown of immortality In the next place follow the Arguments to prove the Doctrine that the Saints shall be thus Crowned and they are these 1. One shall be drawn from the Fathers good pleasure This good pleasure Christ declares to the little flocks encouragement Luk. 12. 32. Fear not little Flock 't is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdome And this his counsel is immutable he will do this his pleasure This pleasure he hath plainly signified in his Covenant and Promises wherein Glory as well as Grace is assured and hereby he hath heightned beliâ—vers hopes and expectations and certainly to frustrate them is not consistent with his truth and goodness 2. A second Argument shall be drawn from Christs purchase He hath purchased that possession for his Saints in the next world he hath bought that Crown by his Cross In the New Testament the Lord Jesus hath bequeathed life to them and by the Death of Himself the Testatour this Testament is confirmed Heb. 9. 16. So that this Life is as sure as 't is sure our Lord dyed 3. A third Argument shall be drawn from Christs entring into life and taking