and Repentance but wheÌ„ God throws down the comforts of his Spirit we either begin to leave off duty or at least slacken the strings of our Vial grow remiss in it thou art taken with the mony but God is taken with the musick thou art taken with comfort but God is more taken with thy faith when there is too much sunshine oftentimes there follows a drought in our graces 2. The second thing to support the heart is Things to come are yours it is but staying a while and you shall be brim-full of comfort now a beleever is an heir of this joy let him stay but while he is of age and hee shall bee fully possessed of the joyes of Heaven For the present God leaves a seed of comfort in the heart the seed of God there 's a time shortly coming when we shall have the full flower We shall drink of the fruit of the vine in the Kingdome of Heaven As Paul said of Onesimus Philem. v. 15. For perhaps he therefore departed for a season that thou mightest receive him for ever so I say of the comforts of Gods Spirit they may bee withdrawn for a season that we may have them for ever there 's a time coming when we shall bathe our selves in the rivers of divine pleasure 8. The next duty is If all Christs things are ours then all our things must be Christs this is Lex Talionis justice and equity require it There 's a joynt interest between Christ and a believer Christ saith All mine are thine things present and things to come then the heart of a believer must echo back to Christ Lord whatsoever I have is for thee my parts my estate it was the saying of a reverend Father Lord thou art my all and my all is thine Oh be willing to spend and be spent do and suffer for Christ. 1. Let us to our power advance the Honour and Interest of Jesus Christ Alas what is all that we can do If a King should bestow upon another a Million per annum with this proviso that in lieu of his acknowledgement he should pay a Peppercorn every year to the King what proportion were there between this mans rent and his revenue Alas we are but unprofitable servants all that we can do for Christ is not so much as this peppercorn yet up and be doing Christ hates complements we must not only bow the knee to him but with the Wise men present him with gifts gold frankincense and myrrhe Be not like the sonnes of Belial who brought their King no presents But saith the Christian I am poor and can do little for Christ. Canst thou not make a Deed of gift and bestow thy love upon Christ In the Law he that could not bring a Lamb for an offering if he brought but two Turtle-doves it was sufficient The woman in the Gospel that threw in but her two mites yet it was accepted God is not angry with any man because he hath but one Talent but because he doth not trade it 2. Suffer for Christ be willing to sell all nay to lose all for Christ we may be losers for him we shall never be losers by him if he calls him for our blood let us not deny it we have no such blood to shed for Christ as he hath shed for us It was Luthers saying That in the cause of God he was contâ—nt totius mundi odium impetum sustinere to indure the odium and fury of the whole world Basil affirmes of the Primitive Saints they had so much courage in their sufferings that many of the Heathens seeing their Heroick zeal turned Christians they snatched up torments as so many Crowns Oh think nothing too dear for Christ. We that look for things to come should be wiling to part with things present for Christ. 9. Lastly If all things to come are ours be content to wait for these Great Priviledges it is not incongruous to long for Christs appearing and yet to wait for it you see the glory a beleever shall be invested with but though the Lord gives a great portion he may set a long day for the paiment David had the promise of a Crown but it was long before he came to weare it God will not deny yet he may delay his promise to teach us to wait 't is but a short-spirited faith that cannot waite The husbandman waites for the seed there is a seed of Glory sowne in a beleevers heart waite till it spring up into a harvest Truly it is an hard thing to waite for these things to come so many discouragements from without so many distempers from within that the Christian is willing to be at home therefore we need patience Heb. 10 36. For yee have need of patience But how shall we get it nourish faith ver 35. Cast not away your confidence Patience is nothing else but faith spun out if you would lengthen patience be sure to strengthen faith There 's a great deale of reason why a beleever should be content to wait for Heaven 1. God is faithfull who promiseth Gods Word is security enough to venture upon his Bond is as good as ready money all the world hangs upon the word of his power and cannot our faith hang upon the word of his promise we have his hand and seal nay his Oath 2. While we are waiting God is tuning and fitting us for glory Giving thanks to the Father who hath made us meet for the inheritance Col. 1.12 we must be made meet Perhaps our hearts are not humble enough not patient enough our faith is but in its swadling bands we should be content to wait a while till we have gotten such a vigorous faith as will carry us full-sail to Heaven As there is a fitting of vessels for hell Rom. 9.22 so there is a ripening and a preparing of the vessels of mercy ver 23. A Christian should be willing to wait for glory till he be fit to take his degree 3. While we are waiting our glory is encreasing while wee are laying out for God he is laying up for us 2 Tim. 4.8 If we suffer for God the heavier our Crosse the heavier shall bee our Crown Would a Christian be in the Meridian of glory would he have his robes shine bright let him stay here and do service God will reward us though not for our works yet according to our works the longer We stay for the principall the greater will the interest be 4. Wait for these things to come out of ingenuity The longer a Christian lives the more glory he may bring to God Faith is an ingenuous grace as it hath one eye at the reward so it hath another eye at duty The time of life is the only time we have to work for God Heaven is a place of receiving this of doing Hence the Apostle being enflamed with divine love though he could with all his heart
abroad into the world but the importunity of some friends and principally the many favours received from your Honour when I was in your noble Family and which have been since continued did press upon me yet not without some reluctancy in my own thoughts to commit it to the publick I hope the discourse may be seasonable and doubt not but it will take some impression if it be as a naile fastned by the great Master of Assemblies I have drawn but the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or dark lineaments of that blessed condition which the Saints shall arrive at expect not to see it in its orient colours till God himself give you the Pattern and you shall both see and enjoy it at once The Lord preserve your Ladyship and all those Noble Branches descended from you which is the prayer of From my Study at Stephens Walbrook Feb. 5. 1651. MADAM Your honours most humble and faithful servant THOMAS WATSON THE CONTENTS CHAP. I. THe preface and entring into the words p. 1 2 An Objection answered pag. 3. All things in heaven and earth are a Beleevers p. 6 CHAP. II. Reasons shewing how the Beleever comes to have this rich Charter 1. Because he is an heire of the Covenant p. 7. 2. Because he is so nearly related to Christ who is heire of all p. 10. CHAP. III. The unsealing of the Charter p. 11. Things present are a Beleevers p. 12. Section 1. That Paul and Apollo are his p. 12 13. The first inference p. 15. The second inference p. 17. The third inference p. 18. Section 2. That the world is his p. 24. Section 3. That life is his p. 31. CHAP. IV. The enlarging of the Charter p. 36. Section 1. That remission is a Beleevers priviledge p. 37 How we may know whether this be our priviledge p. 39 40. Section 2. That Regeneration is a beleevers priviledge p. 41. Section 3. That Adoption is a Beleevers priviledge p. 45. Section 4. The inferences drawn from Adoption p. 51. Section 5. The signes of Adoption p. 59. CHAP. V. The second part of the Charter That things to come are a Beleevers p. 63. CHAP. VI. The 12. Priviledges in reversion 1. Death is a Beleevers p. 66. Though death in it self be a privation yet to a childe of God it is a Priviledge p. 67. To whom death is a priviledge p 78 81 CHAP. VII The second Prerogative Royal of a Beleever he shall be carried up by the Angels p. 84. CHAP. VIII The third Prerogative Royal the Beleever shall be with Christ. p. 89 Six priviledges growing out of this 1. Vision p. 92. 2. Union p. 97. 3. Nobility p. 99. 4. Ioy. p. 103. 5. Rest. p. 114. 6. Security p. 118. CHAP. IX The fourth Prerogative Royal the glorious inheritance p. 122. Which hath six Properties 1. Sublimenesse p. 124. 2. Magnificence p. 125. 3. Purity p. 126. 4. Amplitude p. 128. 5. Light p. 130. 6. Permanency p. 131. Concerning the glory of this inheritance foure things superadded 1. It is ponderous p. 135. 2. It is satisfying p. 135 136. 3. Though others have their portion paid out there is never the lesse for us p. 137. 4. The soules of the Elect enter upon possession immediately after death p. 138. That the New creature only is the heir of this new Hierusalem p. 149. CHAP. X. The fifth Prerogative Royal our knowledge shall be cleare p. 153. Five Mysteries God will clear up to us in heaven so far as our humane nature is capable p. 154. 1. The Mystery of the Trinity ibid. 2. The Mystery of the Incarnation p. 155. 3. The Mystery of Scripture p. 159. 4. The Mystery of Providence p. 160. 5. The Mystery of Hearts p 163. CHAP. XI The sixth Prerogative Royal our love shall be perfect p. 165. CHAP. XII The seventh Prerogative Royal the Resurrection of our bodies p. 171. Several Corolaries our Uses drawn from the Resurrection 1. Use. p. 182. 2. Use. p 185. 3. Use. ibid. CHAP. XIII The eighth Prerogative Royal the bodies of the Saints shall be richly enameld with glory p. 187. Five properties of glorified bodies 1. Agility p. 188. 2. Clarity p. 189. 3. Beauty p. 190. 4. Impassibility p. 192. 5. Immortality ibid. CHAP. XIV The ninth Prerogative Royal we shall be as the Angels in heaven p. 194. CHAP. XV. The tenth Prerogative Royal the Vindication of names p. 199. CHAP. XVI The eleventh Prerogative Royal the Saints absolution p. 203. Where is observable 1. The Book of life opened ibid. 2. The blessed sentence p. 204. CHAP. XVII The twelfth Prerogative Royal a publick and honourahle mention of all the good the Saints have done p. 205. CHAP. XVIII Use. 1. Inform. 1. Branch The first inference drawn from the proposition p. 210. CHAP. XIX Inform. 2. Branch The second inference shewing the difference between the godly and the wicked the wicked have all their worst things to come p. 212. The Reprobates black Charter p. 213. CHAP. XX. Use. 2. Tryal Second Use of Tryal shewing how a Christian may know whether he hath any right to the Beleevers priviledges p. 227. That faith gives a title p. 229. The nature of faith opened In its Essentials p. 230. The nature of faith opened In its Consequentials p. 244. A reply to the sinners Objections p. 256. CHAP. XXI The Beleevers Objections answered p. 259. CHAP. XXII The third Use Exhortation 1. Branch Shewing the duties of a Beleever by way of Retaliation 1. Duty Thankfulnesse p. 270. 2. Duty Exemplarinesse of life p. 274. Walk as Christ did upon earth 1. In Sanctity p. 275. 2. In Humility p. 279. 3. In Charity p. 283. 3. Duty Contentation p. 285. 4. Duty Anticipation of heaven p. 288. 5. Duty Chearfulnesse p. 292. 6 Duty Envy not them who have only things present p. 297. 7 Duty Comfort in the want of spiritual comfort p. 299. 8. Duty All our things must be Christs p. 303. 9. Duty Wait for these great things in Reversion p. 306. Use. Exhortation 2. Branch To such as have only things here that they would labour for things to come p. 312 Sublunary things are but 1. Vain p. 313. 2. Uncertaine ibid. 3. Vexing p. 314. 4. Dangerous ibid. Our pursuit should be rather after the portion â—hen a few gifts p. 317. THE CHRISTIANS Charter 1 Cor. 3.21 22 23. For all things are yours whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come all are yours and ye are Christs and Christ is Gods CHAP. I. The Porch or Entrance into the words together with the Proposition HAppinesse is the mark and centre which every man aimes at The next thing that is sought after being is being happy and surely the neerer the soul comes to God who is the fountain of life and peace the nearer it approacheth to happinesse and who so near to God as the Beleever who is mystically one with him he must needs be the happy man And if you
see the miscarriages of many their Covetousnesse their Licentiousnesse had hee no other Bible to read in but the lives of some Professors hee would turne back again and resolve never to be made a Christian. Pudet haec opprobria nobis What a shame is this Did Christ walk thus when hee was upon earth His life was a pattern of Sanctity You that are Professors your sinnes are sinnes of unkindnesse they go nearest to Christs heart Do you live as those who have hope of things to come is Christ preparing Heaven for you and are you preparing Warre against him Is this your kindnesse to your friend O consider how you wound Religion Your sinnes are worse then others A staine in a black cloth is not so easily seen or taken notice of but a spot in a piece of Scarlet every ones eye is upon it The sinnes of wicked men are not so much wondred at they can do no other theirs is a spot in black but a sinne in a Professor this is like a spot in a bright Scarlet every ones eye is upon it this wounds the honour of Religion The deviation of the godly is as odious as the devotion of the prophane Oh that there were such a lustre and majesty of holinesse in the lives of Professors that others might say These look as if they had been with Jesus they live as if they were in Heaven already Aaron must not onely have Bels but Pomegranates which were for savour as the other were for sound It is not enough to discourse of godlinesse or to make a noise by a Profession What are these Bels without the Pomegranates viz. a life that casts a savour in the Church of God 2. Walk as Christ did in Humility His life was a pattern of Humility He was the Heir of Heaven the God-head was in him yet he washeth his Disciples feet Iohn 13.6 He poured water into a Bason and began to wash his Disciples feet and to wipe them with the Towel No wonder it is said that he came in the form of a servant he stands here with his Bason of water and a Towel nay he did not onely humble himself to the Disciples feet but he humbled himself to the death even the death of the cross Phil. 2.8 Tread in this step of Christ be humble the humble Saint looks like a Citizen of heaven Humility is the vail of a Christian Christs Bride never looks more beautifull in his eye than when she hath on this vail Be ye clothed with humility Humility as it hides anothers error so it hides its own graces grace shines brightest thorow the Mask of humility Moses face shined but he wist not that it shined What are all our duties without humility Incense smells sweetest when it is beaten small when the Incense of our duties is beaten small then it sends forth its most fragrant perfume Humility studies its own unworthinesse it looks with one eye upon grace to keep the heart chearful and with the other eye upon sinne to keep it humble Better is that sinne which humbles me then that duty which makes me proud Humility gives all to Christ as Ioab when he had gotten a victory sends for King David that he might carry away the Crown of it So doth the humble Christian when he hath gotten the victory over a corruption he sets the Crown upon the head of Christ if he hath strength to go thorow duties he writes Christ and free grace upon all I laboured more abundantly then they all yet not I but the grace of God which was with me 1 Cor. 15.10 You that look for things above let me tell you the way to ascend is to descend the lower the tree roots the higher it shoots up would you shoot up in glory would you be tall Cedars in the Kingdome of God be deeply rooted in Humility Humility is compar'd by some of the Fathers to a Valley we must walk to heaven thorow this valley of Humility Humility is such a precious Herb as growes not in the garden of Philosophy that is rather Humanity then Humility Humility distinguisheth Christs Spouse from harlots Hypocrites grow in knowledge but not in humility Knowledge puffs up 1 Cor. 8.1 'T is a Metaphor taken from a pair of Bellowes that are blown up and fill'd with winde He that is proud of his knowledge the Devil cares not how much he knows It is observable in the old law that God hated the very resemblance of the sinne of pride he would have no honey mingled in their offering Ye shall burne no leaven nor any honey in any offering of the Lord made by fire Indeed leaven is soure but what is there in honey that should offend why no honey because honey when it is mingled with meale or flower maketh it to rise and swell therefore the people of Israel must mingle no honey in their offering This was to let us see how God hated the resemblance of this sinne of pride Be humble 3. Be like Christ in Charity Christs life was a life of charity he breath'd nothing but love he was full of this sweet perfume as his Person was lovely so was his Disposition he was compos'd all of love his lips dropp'd honey his side dropp'd blood his heart dropp'd love You that expect these glorious things to come live as Christ did live in love Oh that this spice might send out its fragrant smell among Christians We know we are passed from death to life because we love the brethren Dost thou love the Person of Christ and hate the picture He that loves him who doth beget loves him also that is begotten There are two Devils which are not fully cast out of Gods own people The devil of vaine glory and the devil of uncharitablenesse Are we not Fellow-Citizens Doe wee not all expect the same Heaven Nay are we not Brethren which should be a sufficient bond to knit us together in amity We have all the same Father God We are borne of the same Mother the Church we are begotten of the same seed the Word We suck the same brests the Promises Wee feed at the same Board the Table of the Lord We wear the same cloathing the Robe of Christ's Righteousnesse We are partners in the same glory the inheritance of the Saints in light And shall we not love There is indeed a blessed strife when the Saints strive for the faith but this is a strife that consists of unity Striving together for the faith of the Gospel Phil. 1.27 You that look for things to come live suitably to your hopes Walke as Christ did that some of his beams may shine in you and his life may be as it were copied out in yours 3. The third duty is If things to come are a Beleevers be content though you have the lesse of things present Having food and rayment let us be therewith content Oh what a rich estate hath a