Eternal though one would think you should need little perswading Now this is most true and evident Deut. 30.19 if you chuse life you shall live Joh. 3.19 Therefore if they had loved light rather then darkness i. e. chosen light i. e. Christ and all his Grace they should not have been condemned but saved see Prov. 1.29 Isa 56.4 5. Psal 119.30 173. Isa 66.3 4. Every man hath his choice Do you chuse Lust Sin Vanity World you shall have it Do you chuse separation from God to live at a distance and in estrangement from him that will inevitably be your everlasting portion if you continue in that choice But if the Lord give you an heart to chuse Heaven i. e. not meerly as a place of outward ease but of Holy Communion with God and fruition of him rather than Earth If you indeed chuse God and his Fellowship rather than the World Christ and Grace rather than sin then you shall have that Why is there any Body that does not chuse Heaven that would not be saved Yea a great many viz. they that chuse sin Prov. 8.36 and 1.22 That chuse this present World for their Portions 2 Tim. 4.10 That will none of God Psal 81.11 For it is the enjoyment of God that makes Heaven why if you will none of Heaven if you refuse Eternal Glory or the way to it if you care not for Blessedness no wonder if you miss of it and just will be your perdition But oh who come to be so sottish and brutish as to chuse evil before good Earth before Heaven and Death before Life chuse Life and that you may have forever 5. Whither will you turn you if you disobey this Call and neglect this offer of Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus Where will you take up your portion Where will you find any thing Comparable to this or ought that can make you happy if you refuse this Isa 10.3 You will go to the Creature to a vain World to the pleasures profits and preferments of it you will dig in the Earth for a Portion But alas there is no Eternal Glory to be found there is no good here that can make up happiness much less a durable happiness There is no Treasure on Earth but there is a destroyer lies by it Mat. 6.19 There is nothing safe in this World you can lay up nothing where destruction may not find it There is but one safe place to lay up a portion in and that is Heaven You do but lay up for the fire what you lay up on Earth for that will be the last end of all things here 2 Pet. 3.10 When that day of the universal burning of the World comes what a sensible demonstration will it be of the vanity of laying up our portion on Earth and so are all particular burnings of Houses or Towns or Cities in the lesser dayes of Gods Judgements now How many wayes does the Lord proclaim unto men that here is no suitable or durable portion for them to be had on Earth You must to Heaven if you will have any true or lasting Happiness any Eternal Glory There no Moth nor Rust no Fire nor Water no Pirate or Robber comes Make this World your Inne and not your Home and then when it is fired you may leave it without loss the Traveller suffers little or no loss when the Inne where he lodged all night is set on Fire and go home to an Everlasting Habitation Oh men may call the things of this World a Glory as Genes 31.1 but there is nothing here worthy that name or if it be it is not Eternal Glory to be sure it is but a fading fashion that passeth away Look upon the various changes losses destructions wherein the best and goodliest portions in this World do fade and fail and pass away you may write on them Sic transit gloria mundi Why then if you neglect and refuse Heaven and turn to the things below you do but imbrace shadows for substance shells and shews and vain things that cannot profit you and what a madness and folly is that 6 Consider the peril of refusing or disobeying this Call and offer of Salvation or what the issue would be should you neglect it viz. everlasting heaviness misery and damnation If you will not have Heaven you shall have Hell for you must have one of them yea a deeper and hotter Hell because you had the offer of Heaven and refused it The Lord hath brought the matter to this pinch there is but this choice before you either Heaven or Hell either Eternal Glory or Eternal Misery If you refuse the former you shall not escape the latter If you will none of Christ and Grace you shall have sin and be given up to it If you will not have the Fellowship of God you shall have the Company of the Devil and his Angels If you will not hear the voice of the call and promise of the Gospel you shall one day hear that dreadful word Mat. 25.41 Why if this be the choice is it not plain and easie to determine which is to be chosen Shall not thy Soul with fear and trembling groan to God to deliver thee from such a madness and misery as to neglect Heaven and chuse Hell to hate Christ and love death And such a madness it is to disâ—regard the Call of the Gospel the voice of wisdom and to go after the foolish woman whose Guests are in the depths of Hell 7. Remember that we must hear Christs call now in the word and Kingdom of his Grace if ever we would hear his Blessed and Glorious call at the last day unto the immediate actual fruition of Fellowship with him in the Kingdom of his Glory If we would then hear him say come as Mat. 25 34. we must hear and obey that word from him now Come now if you would come then Come now to Christ Jesus and enter into Fellowship with him as God calls you 1 Cor. 1.9 in a way of Faith and Grace if you would then come into his Kingdom and be for ever with him in a way of Glory Are you willing to hear Christ at the last and great day when he shall break out of the Clouds set him down on the Throne of his Glory and call all Nations before him then to say to you Come you Blessed inherit the Kingdom Then you must hear him now who cryes to you in the Gospel Come come unto me that you may have Life and Glory for evermore Luk. 14.17 The same portion for substance that the Saints are called to then you are invited and called to now viz. Fellowship with Christ and participation of all his benefits Peace Grace and Glory there from an Inchoation you pass to the Consummate fruition of them here from a total want to an entire possession of them so at the first believing which is in that regard a greater matter than the other will that word be acceptable and
the love of God and of his people and those two go together 1 Joh. 4.20 and 5.1 Mat. 25.40 45. surely you are not principled for Heaven nor can have any good evidence of your going thither To be for God and for his people should be our All on Earth our whole desire and designe 2 Cor. 5.13 as that shall be our All in Heaven to enjoy Communion with God in the sweet Communion and Feâ—lowship of his Saints that is Heaven and that is the desire and aime of every Gracious Saint on Earth Of our Communion with Angels in Heaven I shall not speak particularly What it is and the manner of it will be known when you come there But as by Christ we are brought into a Fellowship and Coâ—munion with the Holy Elect Angels Hâ—b 12.22 who should else have been forever in Fellowship with Dâ—vils Mat. 25.41 so that Commuâ—â—on will thâ—â— be pâ—â—fâ—ctâ—d and knowâ— fully as it is hâ—râ— initiâ—l imperfâ—ct and but little known As the Saints when Glorified shall in their qualiâ—iâ—s and manner of â—â—â—ing be more like unto the Aâ—gelâ— Mâ—â— 22.30 So will â—hâ—â— then he câ—pâ—ble of moâ—â— Communion with tâ—â—m thâ—n now If there be joy among thâ— Angâ—lâ— wâ—en a sinnâ—r enters into the Kingdom of â—râ—câ— by Repentance Luk. 15.10 what joy wâ—ll then be when all the Saints shall come in the Kingdom of Glory The Angels Mâ—nister to the Saints by the way â—o Heaven Hebr. 1.14 and conduct them thither when thâ—y die Luk. 16.22 with what mutual joy will thâ—y all then be entertain'd there It will thâ—n be known what good Officâ—s the Holy Angels have done for the Saints here both for particular persons and Churches and places in their Ministring â—o and foâ— thâ—m how they have oâ—posed counterminâ—d thâ—â—r 〈◊〉 both Dâ—vils and wicked men what not able services those Courtiers and Curâ—iers of Heaven have been sent from Heaven upon by the Lord Jesus Christ on the behalf of his people into Courts of Princes and other great motions of the wheels of Divine Providence Dan. 10.13.20 Ezek. 1.5 How thâ—y have Guarded Defended Succoured in many dangers being faithfull to their Charge and Trust Psal 91.11 12. and 34.7 They now do us good turns and we know it not But surely all shall be known then as well as tâ—â—se pâ—rfect instances that are set down in Scripture But all to the Glory of God and Christ by whom thâ—y wâ—re imployed And to the further Joy and Comfort of the Faithful in the sense of Love of God who hâ—th so inclined and imployed the Glorious Angâ—ls to do for them And then will Saints and Angels in one Triumphant Society admirably joyn in Praising and Glorifying God for all his wonderful Works and in special for the Mâ—stâ—riâ—s of Christ and Marvels of his Redâ—mption which the Angels are eminently delightâ—d with 1 Pet. 1.12 Ephes 3.10 as â—uk 2.13.14 Oh that ever worms of Dust sinful man should be lift up to the place and state of Angels yea in some respects higher in regard of their nearer Relation to Christ their Head who as 1 Pet. 3.22 fellow Citizens and fellow Courtiers with them in the Heavenly place which was properly their own Habitation Jud. 6. Mat. 22.30 Luk. 2 15. to partake with them in the Beatifical Vision Mat. 18.10 and to bear a part with them in the praises of God Vse A word of Incouragement and Establishment to the people of God and that in the midst of troubles here in this World They need heartning on while here below under Temptations and Tribulations why a sight and thought of Heaven and of the Rest and Recompence there is enough to do it Hebr. 11.25 26. Even when the Interest of Piety and of the truly Pious is laid low in the World and despised among men and they that are for Heaven in earnest are counted a company of Foolish Humoursom Mad Fanatical people why if that be to be foolish to be for Heaven in good earnest and sixed in the way thither i. e. in the way of the Rule not to be turned out of the way by the smiles or frowns of all the World if that be folly be more foolish still as 2 Sam. 6.22 Heaven is the best choice when all is done and it is the truest wisdome to chuse that and not to stick at all the Tribulations that ley in the way The Psalmist begun to think he had made an ill bargain when he was chastened all the day long and the wicked prospered on earth c. But having God for his Portion Psal 17 24.73 And keeping with God in the way of Faith and Obedience that is the way to Heaven fear not all this World nor all the Tribulations thereof Luk. 12.32 Consider 1. All that Satan or the World can do cannot reach to Heaven where your Portion and Treasure lyes Mat. 6.20 They work but upon the earth the troubles about you here are but earthly troubles But your business is in Heaven your hope is laid up in Heaven Colos 1.5 your trade is for Heaven if Christians indeed and that cannot be obstructed by any imbargoes on Earth 2. If God will bring you to Heaven then he will not let you miscarry or be lost in the mid-way If he have called you to Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus then all the Sufferings in the mean while shall not interrupt it Rom. 8.30 nothing can break that Chain v. 31 35 39. nothing in all this World can or shall cut you off from Heaven and Glory or from the Everlasting Love and Fellowship of God to be enjoyed there If that be indeed the choice of your Souls that you refuse all this World and choice Heaven chuse the Fruition of God in Christ for your Portion if you make Moses's chooce Heb. 11.24 26. and Paul's choice 2 Cor. 4.18 and that choice the Lord propounds to every one Mark 10.21 why then Heaven you shall have and God ingages it and hath appointed you to it Heb. 11.16 why then he will not lose you bâ— the way in the Croud of Worldly Temptaâ—â—onâ— or troubles but will keep you and carry you through by his own power 1. Pet. 1.5 â—3 Instead of hindring all things and espeâ—ially the oppositions and troubles of the Truth shall but help you on toward Heaven and further your Glory there 2 Cor. 4.17 Sanctâ—fied Tribulations and Suffering for Christs sake or in obedience to his will they help to greaten your Crown and Reward in Heaven Mat. 5.11 12. they help you with an Evidence for Heaven Rom. 8.17 2 Tim. 2.11 12. 2 Thess 1.4 5. And they help to quicken and drive you on in the way to Heaven to make faster speed thither being Sanctified unto the exercise of Grace and to awake Faith Prayer Weanedness from the World esteem of Heaven more Converse there c. Heb. 11.9 10 13 14 16. Oh what can hurt the people of God whose faces are toward Heaven looking seeking pressing after
understanding the Joy unspeakable and Glorious 1 Pet. 1.8 the ravishing Consolations in the sense of the Love of God which the faithful have at times been feasted with such as in Comparison whereof all the Comforts of the whole World all the Riches Honours Pleasures upon Earth are but a dry Chip such as the surpassing sweetness and Glory whereof cannot be expressed And yet this but a little taste of Heaven as a drop to the Ocean of the same kind indeed with the Glory that is there but as an earnest Penny of a great and Rich Bargain A drop of the Joy of the Holy Ghost excells all the Rivers of Worldly outward sensual Comforts and Joyes which the men of the World swim in Psal 4.6 7. but infinite drops of Worldly Joy together it will not make Heaven but of Spiritual Joy it will but this is but a drop there is an Ocean of such Joy in Heaven which the Saints shall Swim and Bath themselves in to all Eternity 3. The Visible Glory and Peace of the Church that may be enjoyed in this World before the coming of Christ Great things are spoken in Scripture of the Glorious times that are yet to come wherein Jews and Gentiles shall walk together in the Lord and the Church shall enjoy freedom from open enemies and Persecutions Isa 60.18 plenty and purity of Ordinances Ezek. 37.26 Isa 66.21 23. plentiful Effusion of the Spirit and of the Graces thereof Ezek. 39.29 Prevalency and Eminency of Truth Holiness and Peace Joel 3.17 Zephan 3.9 Godly and Gracious Civil Rulers who shall make their business to promote Truth and Holiness the honour of Christ and the welfare of his people Isa 49.23 Rev. 11.15 The special presence of God in all the wayes and means thereof among them Isa 60.19 20. Revel 21.23 And hence Honour and esteem in the sight of all men Isa 62.7 and 25.8 Revel 21.24 Why this condition of the Church will be a little Heaven upon Earth hence conceived to be described by sundry terms taken from the Kingdom of Glory in Heaven Rev. 21. and 22. and there will be much Glory in it Isa 60.1 2 7. But yet it will be far short of Heaven indeed no state of the Church on Earth shall equal the state of the Church in Heaven There will still in the best time on Earth be sin and Imperfection and Temptation and Flesh and Allurements of the World to conflict withall and many particular afflictions too from the hand of God We in this remote Corner of the World have for a long time as may be well conceived enjoyed not a little tast and specimen of this peaceable and flourishing Condition of the Church but yet we find it is not Heaven we find Corruption enough in our own hearts and in one another to keep us in a continual conflict c. In the best estate of the Church on Earth there will be still cause to sigh and groan for the coming of Christ in the day of full Redemption Rev. 22.20 The greatest Glory that ever the Church shall enjoy on Earth before the Coming of Christ to Judgment will in comparison of Heaven be inglorious for that will alwayes be a truth in this world 1 Joh. 3.3 2. But if so much Glory and such great things be to be enjoyed on Earth what then will Heaven be The thought or expectation of Glorious and Happy times on Earth instead of Carnal drawing down our minds it should raise and lift them up thither For all is but an Hansell a Taste a beginning and Inchoation of what will there be Consummate All the pledges and tasts which God does or ever will give his people on Earth they are but to quicken them to press after the prize a full draught and rest that is reserved for them Comp. 3. Consider the great sufferings troubles sorrows and afflictions that the faithful some of them especially have endured in this life those are a little matter as nothing to the future Glory in Heaven there is no Comparison between them which shews that Glory to be exceeding great Rom. 8.18 Paul's Sufferings were very great few have ever gone through more then he did had you seen much more had you felft them you would have thought them exceeding heavy 2 Cor. 11.23 27. and 6.4 5. 1 Cor. 4 9 11 12 13. 2 Tim. 3.11 yet there was no Comparison between the evil and trouble of all these and the Comfort of that Glory this did infinitely over-ballance them they hold no weight against it as the word imports 2 Cor. 4.17 Nâ—t that the affliction in these was light but because the other end of the ballance was exceeding heavy As you know though there be a considerable weight in one Scale yet if you put a far greater in the other as several hundreds against ten or twenty pound weight why the far greater fetches up the other as if it were a light thing a Feather a very nothing Why thus put into one Scale all the Afflictions that ever you felt or have seen others feel about you all Sicknesses Pains Diseases Wearisome nights and dayes thereby such Griefs as those in Job 6.2 3. All the Sufferings of the Martyrs Racks Strappadoes Burnings and exquisite new-devised Torments all the Deaths Stripes Pains Bonds Wants Reproches Afflictions that Paul went through from first to last heap them on altogether in one Scale yet Eternal Glory in Heaven being put into the other Scale it is a weight exceedingly exceeding all this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this speak the exceeding greatness of this Glory that so far so exceeding Hyperbolically weighs down all the Heaviest Afflictions that they are but as a Feather as nothing to it And yet some one of these Afflictions will weigh down all the good and Comfort of this World Let a man have a dangerous Sickness a sore Tormenting pain upon him it imbitters all yea he would willingly part with all he hath though great Riches c. to be freed from it Job 2.4 Mark 5.26 But put them altogether and they will be over-ballanced and weighed down by the Glory of Heaven even as a few Sands by a Mountain Comp. 4. Consider the Excellency and Glory of this lower World and the Cost Riches and stately workmanship that God hath expended and laid out thereupon and upon the entertainment he gives to all his Creatures there in What then is the Glory of the third Heaven and of those upper and Coelestial Mansions Gods own dwelling place And what is the Entertainment that he will give there to the Inhabitants thereof This lower World is but as a stage that is set up for a while to be taken down again It is but as the hovels and out-houses where all sorts of Creatures are kept but Heaven is the Palace the dwelling house of the Great King and appointed to be the everlasting habitation of the Blessed Joh. 14.2 1 King 8.39 43. If you should come to any Great or Wealthy
undervaluing of Heaven not to be willing to fight and strive and travail for it or not to think it worth so doing What shall we stick at a little hardship or danger or difficulty and trouble at the trouble and pains of Praying Meditating or Renouncing our Beloved sweet Lusts and Giant-like Corruptions c. when Eternal Glory is set before us when we are in choice of Heaven the Glory of all Lands that Land flowing not with Milk and Honey only but with fulness of Joy and pleasures forevermore 2. At parting with the World and the good things of it which the Lord calls us to to forsake all we have here if we will have Christ and Heaven Luk. 14.33 26. Though he does not presently call us actually to part withall but only in affection and readiness of mind and in Comparison of Christ But if he should call us actually to part withall we have as by a particular command he did the Rich man Mark 10.21 It were a shame to stick at it You that have good Estates great Possessions If Christ should bâ—d you now presently part with it give it all â—o â—hâ— poor or to the publick so to 〈◊〉 â—â—e Lord does often by his Rules call yâ—â—â—â— do a good deal that way lay it all â—â—â—n at the foot of Christ take your fareâ—ell onâ—â— truly you must do so actually e're long bâ— â—iz when a dying hour comes and it may â—â— sooner Yea indeed a man can do no duty for Christ to purpose nor follow Christ in earnest without the spirit of this and you shall have Treasure in Heaven would you stick at it and say it is an hard saying and go away sorrowful Oh the practice of many proclaims how like they would be to do as the Rich man there did and so to part with Heaven rather then part with Earth Alas if Christ Call not for all but for a little from them he cannot get it though he offer to repay it in Heavenly Teasure more than an hundred or a thousand fold Mark 10.29 30. And so it is a parting with the World for Christ and Heaven to make it subordinate and subservient to our Communion with Christ to Religious duties in their season to daily walking with God and not to be so predominant as hinder and croud out the same but how ordinarily does the world prove mens Master in this respect that when Christ's service attendance upon God and upon Religion and the Worlds service comes in Competition the former is made to give place and crouded out by the latter and the mind and affections so engaged in the World that it cannot tend upon Christ or Heaven But oh the madness here of to set Earth above Heaven Vanity above Eternal Glory or to refuse to part with or deny neglect Earth for Heaven that is a Pebble for Pearl Husks for Bread Dirt for Gold c. 3. At the Cross at Sufferings for Christs sake or from his will at those Tribulations which the Lord hath appointed to meet us and exercise us in our way to the Kingdom of Heaven Act. 14.22 Why the greatest and heaviest Afflâ—ctions that you can meet with in this World are but light think of the worst you can even such as Paul such as the Martyrs endeavoured and the longest are but for a moment compared with Heavens Glory 2 Cor. 4.17 Rom. 8.18 Is it not a shame then to stick at them or shrink from the way to Heaven the way of Faith and a good Conscience or be discouraged in it because of them to be offended with the stony ground at Religion when Tribulation attends it Mat. 23.21 or to baulk any part of the way to Heaven for fear of Tribulation Oh if we be men for Heaven we should be above those things or being moved by them Act. 20.23 24. Who sticks at a Crossing through a Brook or swamp or Miry-place when travailing toward some place of desire or for some desirable end Oh keep Heaven in your eye and then even Moses his choice will not seem an hard choice Heb. 11.24 26. May afflictions help and further thee towards Heaven so all afflictions sactified and patiently endured does and eminently those for Christ then you may rejoyce as Mat. 5.12 SERMON VII Vse 5. OF Exhortation 1. To all to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ It serves to invite perswade and draw us to Christ Jesus to close with him embrace him or believe on him according to the Call and offer of the Gospel seeing by him and by believing on him you shall obtain Eternal Glory This further great benefit is to be had with and by Christ This is part of the Estate and Riches that this great Suitor that makes love to your Souls is possessed of and will impart to all that imbrace him Your believing on him if you believe in truth shall be to Life Everlasting 1 Tim. 1.16 All the Doctrine of Christ his Person Offices Benefits is attractive unto Faith and to improve it that way is a principlal part of our scope in these Discourses and so is this part of it also that we are now upon Every one of his Benefits are full of Argument to perswade us to believâ— on him and so this of Glorification and this part of it viz. the Consummation thereof in future Eternal Glory As we improved other particulars before so let us make a little improvement of this to that which is the great end of the whole Gospel viz. to make Christ sweet to us Glorious in our eyes and to draw us to close with him And this the Text leads us to viz. Hence to lift up the voice of the Call of the Gospel in your Ears and to press you to attend and obey it For God therein Calls us to Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus Look as by Effectual Calling i. e. by obeying and answering the Call of the Gospel we are entred into a state of Eternal Glory so as to be infallibly brought unto it by Christ Jesus So the word the General Call of the Gospel Calls us to come and take to enter upon the possession of this Glory in and with Christ Jesus When the Gospel Calls us to Christ and fellowship with him by believing it Calls us to Eternal Glory Oh then hearken to this Call and obey it That is the Exhortation that we are now to press upon you here before the Lord Luk. 14.17 All things are ready provided in Christ and so this thing Eternal Glory Come in and come home to Christ Jesus Imbrace him withall your hearts receive and possess him and in and with him you shall possess Eternal Glory 1 Joh. 5.11 It is now given you in the promise upon the first day and hour of your true believing And it shall Infallibly be given to you in the accomplishment Attend and obey the Call of the Gospel a Glorious Call it is which Calls unto such Glory and the Lord will by a firm deed a sure
promise presently make over to you both Grace here and Glory hereafter Everlasting Life and Blessedness Isa 55.3 Heb. 5.9 Oh hearken to this word of the Lord this voice of the High-calling of God in Christ Jesus you that have hitherto been stooping down to the dust minding nothing but Earth and Vanity yea running down hill in the way of sin toward the lowest Hell Incline your Ear and hearken to a motion and offer of Eternal Glory in Heaven open your eyes and see the Lord Jesus standing withall Grace and Glory in his hands and inviting to him to let out of your hands i. e. out of your hearts the trifles of the World and take Eternal Glory in and with a Saviour Behold Heaven is opened to you the door stands open before you if once at last you will be perswaded to enter in And you that have believed already sit not by as if this Exhortation did not concern you but oh believe again imbrace Christ again come to him afresh with fresh and new sweetness with more clearness and establishment in believing so you should do at every time he calls you and sets his Glory before you Joh. 2.11 and so at this time this day Renew your Conjugal Imbraces of Christ Jesus and so your lively hope of this Glory Christ delights to be often asking for our hearts and setting himself before us as the attractive object of them and we should delight to be often giving our hearts to him and clasping about him as the only Glorious Lovely hope and rest and portion of our Souls Now for the pursuing of this Exhortation or pressing the Call of the Gospel by this Argument of Eternal Glory to be had and which we are Called to by Christ Jesus Let us a little improve the point and Text before us 1. By way of motive or quickning and perswasive considerations to draw our hearts to Christ Jesus 2. By way of direction and help to guide us in our believing on him 3. By way of Answer to some Objections that tend to beat us from Believing For the first though it is God only can draw and perswade yet he does it by his word and therefore we must apply our selves to speak and hear to listen to such quickning drawing Considerations as the word of the Gospel does suggest and in that way the spirit breaths 1. If the Lord Call thee to Eternal Glory or to come and receive Everlasting Blessedness through Christ then what does he Call thee from or out of Why from a state of Eternal wo and misery which is that that we are naturally in and that belongs to us as sinners and as in our selves considered 1 Pet. 2.9 Colos 1.13 Joh. 5 24. The word of Christ therefore calls thee from Death to Life Oh consider what damnation is about thee yea upon thee considered in thy self and in thy Natural Estate whereby thou lyest under all sin and under all Wrath Temporal Spiritual and Eternal Rom. 6.23 That work thou hast done and that wages Death Eternal Death belongs and is due to thee thou art sinking under the burden of the Curse lying under it as without Christ Gal. 3.10 and it is all upon thee Joh. 3.36 ready every moment to drop into Hell lyable to everlasting seperation from God to hear that doom Mat. 25.41 Seperation from God thou hast the beginning on 't already in the result of the guilt and power of sin in that dead dark and Godless heart of thine and thy estrangement from God thereby and this strongly tends to perfect separation from God and that is Hell as è contra c. Why this should make this word of Salvation this offer of Eternal Life and Call to come to Christ for it wonderful sweet and acceptable Bread in Famine Deliverance in Emminent dangers Life to him that is going down to the pit how precious is it Job 33.22 24. It is to one that is going down to the pit that the Lord speaks this Calling word should not that go to thy heart As thou art going down to Hell the Lord calls thee up to Heaven When that doom is pronounced in Mat. 25.41 and those multitudes going away to Hell suppose thy self among them and that one should then come with a message from God to call thâ—e back again and to invite thee to go up with Christ in Heavenly Glory what a ravishing thing would that be Why then there will be no place for recovery or hope But now such a like thing is really done to thee thou art going down to the Pit among the Uncircumcised posting on in the way to the lowest Hell under the Curse c. And yet behold now the Lord Calls to thee to turn about and accept of a Saviour and of Eternal Life and Salvation in him Thou poor perishing Sinner if thou hast any mind to Salvation it 's offered thee freely in Christ Act. 16.31 Is not this worthy of all acceptation 2. Remember what Glory it is that you are called up unto or that is to be had by Christ Jesus Here reflect upon all the promises all that hath been spoken of the Excellency of Heavenly Glory which is indeed above what Tongue can speak or Heart conceive Blessedness perfect and Everlasting Blessedness freedom from all evil from the worst of Evils sin all sin that deadly and bitter evil that kills thee all the day long the vision and fruition of God that Ocean of goodness compared with which the whole World is but a drop Should the Lord offer you heaps of Gold and Silver and bid you take them freely what flocking would there be and what hearkning would there be to such a proposition should he tell you of Crowns and Kingdoms and make Proposals about them Should a match be offered to thee that should bring with it Riches and Honours and Treasures in abundance how would thy heart spring and leap within thee at the thoughts of it and you would not need much perswading We offer you this I mean the good and Comfort that is in these things and more ten thousand times more as Mic. 2.11 If poor Ministers had Gold and Silver to tell you of they should be hearkned to Why but we have that that is better as much better as the Heaven is higher than the Earth and this we lay before you in the name of our God The Earth and the Glory of it is too low a business to send his Son Jesus to purchase for you and to bless you with or the Gospel to tell you of But Heaven Heaven if you have any mind to that Eternal Glory that is to be had by Christ Jesus and that the High-Calling of God in Christ calls you to Come will you leave the Earth and go up to Heaven will you throw the World at your feet as dung and dust and go up thither into the bosom of God to have the Love of the Father the Grace of the Son the
you are of that number for whom an Inheritance is reserved in Heaven who shall obtain this Eternal Glory That so you may be able to rejoyce in the lively hope and certain Expectation of it as Rom. 5.2 and know as Paul did 2 Cor. 5.1 and 1 Joh. 5.13 This may be known though the fruition of this Glory is reserved for Heaven yet a certain interest in it title to iâ— and the knowledge thereof also is given on Earth Labour after this It is that we are exhorted to by the Apostle 2 Pet. 1.10 If we make sure of Effectual Calling we make sure of this Glory for there is an inseperable Connexion between them To quicken thereunto Consider 1. Great matters cannot be made too sure and in all other matters of great moment common reason and nature teaches men to be diligent to make all sure If Estate or Life be in hazard how sollicitous are men to be upon sure grounds In settling of Earthly Inheritances how careful punctual and exact that no flaw no matter of doubt or danger be left What matter is of so great a weight as the matter of Eternity everlasting Life and Glory Hezekiah when like to die was desirous of a sure evidence that he should live and recover out of his sickness and have his fifteen years time more here 2 King 20.8 How much more sollicitous should we be to be sure of Eternal Life Life through all the dayes and years of Eternity when we were so like to die the second death and therefore to have it confirmed not by miracles but by Scripture signes and evidences in great matters and matters wherein the affection goes out much men will delight to have the assurance and ratification over and over as 1 Sam. 20.16 17. Oh when we are making a Covenant with Christ and he with us about matters of everlasting Life that that is for ever after this life as v. 14 15. we cannot but desire him to speak again yea swear again as he condescends to both Heb. 6.17 18. and Establish his promise to us over and over our love to him and intence desire to be sure of his love should induce to this When Jacobs heart was upon being buried in the Cave of Machpolah in the Land of Canaan which was a type of Heaven and being buried therein of that possession that the faithful take of Heaven when they die when they go to a place of their own properly the Sojourners and strangers while they live in this World He will have Joseph both promise and swear to bury him there and gave charge to all his other sons about it too Gen. 47.29 30 31. and 49.29 32. So Abraham how careful is he to make sure his possession of the Cave of Machpelah Genes 23.17 18 20. He can be content to have never a foot of Land of his own while he lives but he will make sure of a good burying place when he dies i. e. of an happy Estate after death of a portion of the Heavenly Canaan and of being buried in the certain hope as of all the promises of God to be made good to him and his so in special of an happy Resurrection to Eternal Glory that was the meaning of it Oh though you have never so little in this Earth while you live though strangers and pilgrims here yet make sure of Heaven when you die make that one bargain sure and you are happy that you shall have a possession of your own in that better Country even an Heavenly Kingdom 2. We have nothing else sure we had need make sure of this we have no portion certain nothing to trust to if we have not this portion of Eternal Life and Glory There is no certainty of any thing in this World Riches have wings the top of honour is a slippery place life it self is but a vapour All things here lye within the reach of many devourers and destroyers Moth and Rust and Thieves Pirates at Sea and other Sons of violence at Land And what is saved from other Destroyers is but reserved for the fire that must be the end of alâ— the possessions upon Earth 2 Pet. 3.10 All Earthly possessions must turn into a blaze and end in smoak as Genes 19.28 At the great day of Judgment there shall be an universal burning all the Earth on a light fire in particular previous dayes of Judgment here which are tasts and hansells of that the Lord often contends by fire Why if men will not see by the light of the word one would think they should see by the flames of devouring fire though indeed seldom do men see by the latter or by any destroying Judgments that have obstinately refused the light and voice of the former But in it self it is a wonderful help to see and it will be so to them that regard the word the vanity uncertainty and perishing nature of all things here But to be sure our enjoyment of all things in this World at best hangs but upon the twine-thread of our life which there are so many sharp edged tooles Sicknesses Diseases sad Accidents continually ready to cut asunder we are not sure to have it continued one hour longer Had we not need be sure of something when all these things shall fail as Luk. 16.9 Paul knows what he hath to trust to when this World turns him out of doors he hath then an house to hide his head in 2 Cor. 5.1 Oh it is a Comfortable thing when temporal habitations fail to be sure of Eternal ones Imagine you were now to die this moment leaving the World how glad would you be to be sure of Heaven and of a better life Why that must be e're long and you cannot think to be sure of it then in a dying hour if you do not labour to make it sure now in a time of health and peace Wnen David looks over the World and sees the vanity fading uncertainty of all portions of Riches Glory Honour fair Dwellings c. here what a thing is it to him to be sure of a God to receive him into Arms of Love and Mercy when he dies and of an happy waking in the morning of the Resurrection to Eternal Glory Psal 49.6 15. and 73.17 24. when you see men stand in slippery places and one tumbling down after another the Rich tumbling into poverty the Great into Contempt then look to your feet and to your standing what foot hold have you what sure bottom and foundation have you to stand steady upon as Psal 26.11 12 13. The wicked stand in slippery places but the godly that walk with God in integrity stand in an even place The Covenant is sure 2 Sam. 23.5 the state of Grace is a sure standing Rom. 5.2 Psal 20.7 8. indeed in regard of themselves they would fall as soon as any but they have a sure hand to hold them Psal 73.23 24. 3. Should not we make this use of the times we live
sweet evidence that you shall keep an Everlasting Sabbath in Heaven and that you are preparing for that Sabatism that remains for the people of God Heb. 4.9 If strangers to God and prophane hearted on the Sabbath you are not for Heaven 2. In studying and loving and labouring after holiness or in begun Sanctification The perfection of Holiness is the Glory of Heaven but what shall there be perfected is here begun Do you love Holiness and delight in the wayes of it Rom. 7.22 weary of sin v. 24. following after holiness Heb. 12.24 then you shall go to Gods holy dwelling place into Heaven and there be perfectly for ever 3. In Heavenly-mindedness Having the heart there and finding the things thereof thoughts affections Conversations above That wherever it is is a sure mark of an heir of Heaven there is sincerity yea some eminency of Grace where that indeed is Phil. 3.15 17 20 21. as Mat. 6.21 Exhort 2. To Believers especially when comfortably assured of Heaven To improve Heaven and the hope of it while on Earth Make improvement of this happy portion of Eternal Glory which God hath prepar'd and reserved for you in Heaven and now given you in the promise Though we be not yet come to the fruition of it yet that Revelation and hope and certain promise of it that is given to the faithtful now in this life is of great use and may be improved by them unto good purpose sundry wayes As viz. 1. To raise and ennoble their Spirits make them of a truly noble and excellent temper and free them from that baseness that sin hath brought upon the Spirits of men To be born to great things or otherwise in way of promotion thereto as to a great Estate high Honours and a Kingdom especially It does naturally raise and greaten the spirit for great designs delights employments than others are This point should make the Godly of a Princely spirit seeing they are heirs of a Kingdom they should be indeed Israel every one as a Prince of God of a Princely spirit both 1. In regard of Imployment It ill becomes a Prince to be scraping Kennells or dwelling among Scullions in a Kitchen or driving a petty pedling Trade to get a penny c. So the heirs of Heaven should holily disdain to do the Devils drudgery to be Slaves to the World or to a base Lust to cringe and crouch to a Temptation for a little outward advantage to go a beging to the Creatures for a little Comfort or Refreshment as having nothing else to live upon such should be ashamed to be seen in the imployment of sin in the service of Satan or so to follow the World as to be under it or slaves to it 1 Cor. 6.12 Tit. 2.3 They should reign over the World and have dominion over it not be slaves to it 2. In regard of Affection and Delight or what you give your minds unto David when King yea when set apart for that Kingdom did not mind the Ewes great with young as he did when a Shepheard The Country Peasant minds his Cattel and Farm c. But the Prince hath greater and higher marters to mind the Affairs of a Kingdom The heirs of Heaven should not mind Earthly things or to set their hearts upon things below so as to be taken up with them and look no higher than them you may use them as Servants Philip. 1.19 20. Colâ—s 3.1 2. nor give themselves to the base pleasures of the flesh For such to delight in the pleasures of sin fleshly lusts is as if Princes should go among the Swine to eat Swill and Husks or they that have been brought up in Scarlet embrace Dunghills They that have God and Heaven to delight in for them to delight in a lust in the pleasures of the flesh is a shameful baseness and unworthiness Rom. 13.11 14. The nearer we are to Heaven the further we should be from minding the things of the flesh 1 Pet. 2.11 Yea not only vile things as are the things of sin but small things little things such as all the things of this World are too low and mean for the great Heirs of Salvation to set their minds and hearts upon He that is an Heir to thousands or to a Kingdom will he covet a pin or a point or a poor thatched Cottage or stand upon such small matters c. He that is an Heir of Heaven should be of a greater spirit than to thirst after Gold and Silver Honours and Riches in this World these are too low things for him who hath infinitely greater matters to satisfie himself with All that he needs is like a Prince absent in the Country but so much as will carry him home to the Court to his Fathers house there he shall have enough Should such a one care for Luggage for worthless Lumber or for a Load of thick clay 3. In regard of Magnanimity and Courage Great and Noble Spirits do excel in Valour and Courage fit for high Actions and Designes not daunted with danger nor discouraged with difficulties that lye in the way of Great Atchievments and in special Valiant in War So should the high-born heirs of Heaven be more generous and noble-minded than to be daunted with the difficulties and tribulations that lye in the way to the Kingdom Act. 14.22 Not so pusillanimous as to faint in the day of Adversity Prov 24.10 as to give in when the Sons of Anak and the walled Towns are talked of now the Courage of Caleb and Joshua becomes them that are bound for Heaven for that Glory of all Lands and not the faint-heartedness of the rest And to be Valiant in the Wars of the Lord undaunted in the Spiritual warfare to hold on and hold out to the last gasp in conflict with temptations corruptions oppositions and assaults of Earth and Hell become those that are fighting for Heaven and for Eternal Glory there for that Crown that is incorruptible 1 Cor. 9.25 26 27. 2 Tim. 4.7 8. 1 Tim 6.12 Paul is of too great a spirit to be moved with all the sufferings that the whole World can bring upon him Act. 20.23 24. Hee 'l not stir an inch out of his way the way of the Rule for them all those are light things with him 2 Cor. 4.17 18. while his eye and heart is upon Heaven Contemptus à me est romanus favor furor said Luther He can contemn both the favour and fury of all the World Yea this is a holy greatness of spirit becoming those that are in choice of a Kingdom even the Kingdom of Eternal Glory Thus Heaven should raise and ennoble our Spirits Conversing with great objects makes great Spirits We see it dayly that according as the things and objects are great or mean that men converse withall so they are high or low spiriâ—ed Genes 49.9 10 14 15. Judah is for a Kingdom and therefore he hath a Lion-like magnanimity of spirit Isachar is among
his Sheep-coats and Cow-houses and Rural Tents as also Reuben Jugd 5.16 And therefore they are more ignoble Ass-like servile spirited The great things of the World are but seemingly great and therefore it is but a false and shady and spurious greatness of spirit that the great men of the World have But the true Christian how poor soever in this World converses with the things that are indeed great God Christ and Heaven and Eternal Glory Jam. 2.5 and therefore true and genuine greatness of spirit holy magnanimity and bravery is and should be found with him It is a shame foâ— him if the poorest meanest Believer have not more true greatness of spirit humble indeed and nothing in himself but high and mighty in Christ strong in the Lord and in the power of his might then the greatest Nimrods of the World They wrestle not for corruptible Crowns not for a fashion that passâ—th away and that will leave them spiritless and succourless when real distress comes But he hath that that will stand by him and endure through all worldly changes and is a sufficient support against the same even as Heaven is higher then the Earth so should the spirits of true Christians be above that of the World Hence we find among the Martyrs poor mean men women sometimes have had a spirit above their Persecutors when clothed with all Worldly greatness as Act. 6.10 Mat. 10.18 20. and in their greatest sufferings they have been more then Conquerours Rom. 8.35 36 37. Sin hath debased the spirit of man and made it so vile and low that every temptation every Worldly allurement or affrightment overcomes it and tramples upon it But Grace raises the spirit of a Believer who is risen with Christ especially when it grows up to a sight of Glory and lively hope thereof when Faith and Holiness are lively and active it makes a man to be of an excellent spirit above the spirit of the World Dan. 6.3 So far as this Excellent spirit is wanting in Christians so far they are carnal and Earthly and little acquainted with Heaven Oh get thine heart filled with Heaven that will lift it above the Earth and above that Earthliness and baseness and weakness that sin and estrangement from God doth clog it with 2. Improve Heaven and your hope thereof unto Consolation or spiritual Joy and Comfort This use the Lord expects and requires you should make of that hope of Glory hereafter which he gives unto you here Luk. 10.20 Mat. 5.12 Rom. 5.2 1 Thes 4.18 Heaven when actually enjoyed is the fulness of Joy and Comfort Mat. 25.21 Psal 16.11 Luk. 16.25 And while it is but promised and hoped for it is a matter of great Joy and Comfort If any of the faithful live without this Joy they do either discouragedly and sinfully put away or carelesly neglect the portion that God gives them Oh we have too much Earthly but too little Heavenly Joy an Earthly Carnal heart is the reason of that whereby we live below the Condition that God calls to Comfort and Joy is the life of every life whether natural rational or spiritual If a man have no Joy of this life it is a death rather than life No life so full of Comfort as the life of a Christian is or may be Spiritual life hath Glory in the end of it to put Comfort into all the way Oh what happy and Comfortable lives might we live if the fault were not our own when as we have the whole Covenant of Grace and therein a whole Heaven made over to us to rejoyce in God and Christ and his spirit to be our everlasting portion and not only an Interest in him at present but full fruition of him in Heaven made sure to us What though there be tribulations bitterness in the way there is sweetness enough in the end to swallow up all the bitterness thereof and to make it a light thing as 2 Cor. 4.17 and therefore notwithstanding that we may rejoyce more particularly therefore let the fore-thoughts of Heaven be matter of Comfort and Consolation 1. Against the loss of any of the good things of this World one or more some yea or all Heb. 10.34 Though you lose this or that on Earth if you have Heaven you have that that is better and virtually you have it still A better good contemns an inferior good in it For Major continet minus He that hath White-bread enough need not care though he lose a Brown-Loaf He that hath God and Heaven to rejoyce in can lose but little though he should lose all the the Earth He hath the best good and the main still and more enduring a permanent a never-failing good a good that cannot be lost Whatever you lose here you have a portion in Heaven that you cannot lose no spoiler can spoil you of that Mat. 6.20 He cannot lose much whose portion is in Heaven for that cannot be lost and all the rest all the World is but a little an inconsiderable thing Luk. 16.10 11 12. The much the main the true riches and that that is your own your proper portion that is assigned to you by God to have and to hold forever that is whole and safe still They that have great Estates they may bear it to lose a little and not feel it much yea that that would be to another man the loss of his whole Estate he may bear it to lose a little yea should it be all Earthly Comforts that to an ungodly man is his whole Estate it is all that ever he hath he may well wring his hands and waile and take on as one undone But the Godly that hath all the Glory of Heaven all the good of the Covenant of Grace for his own it is but a flea-biting to him but a little nay indeed none of his proper Estate and Portion but Additionalls but thread and Paper cast in over and above Moses can lose and leave all the Glory Wealth and pleasure of the Court of Pharaoh and make no matter of it while he looks to this recompence of reward Heb. 11.24 25 26. 2. Against the fears and dangers of Evils that may befall us in this World and all manner of afflictions therein fears and threatning dangers of what may come is oft no small part of our tryal and affliction But Luk. 12.32 in times of greatest fears this is a quieting thought that there can come nothing that shall keep you from Heaven if you be the Lords Whatever good be taken away it cannot take away Heaven from you whatever evil comes it cannot hinder you from Heaven It cannot separate you from everlasting Communion with nay it shall further you rather thereunto And if so then you may triumph over all things and evil instruments in the World that do or can annoy you Rom. 8.35.37 38 39. If you do or most actually go through some Tribulations and sorrows such as are pinching and painful to the flesh
yet fear them not with any discouraging dismaying fear for they are but a small matter compared with the Glory that follows Rom. 8.18 2 Cor. 4.17 And also you shall be sure to get well through them if you be sure to get to Heaven as every true Believer is then you are sure to get well and safe through all the troubles that ly on this side Heaven If a man in his Journey come to a place of mire or water if he apprehend danger of drowning or of not getting safe through that drâ—ads him but if no danger of that if sure to get well through why the present trouble or hardship of wetting his foot putting thâ—m in the cold water c. he makes nothing of that Why all that are true Believers God hath assured you of this that you shall never come to any bad place to any trouble or tryal in all the way to Heaven but you shall get well through and safe to Heaven at last Isa 43.2 Why then the present trouble of a little hardship and pain to the flesh should be no great trouble to you 1 Pet. 1.4 5 6. But when troubles are in the Earth as they are even to astonishment to this day then should you go up and find Comfort in Heaven If you have Heaven to set against Earth and all Earthly evils you have enough While we tarry below or look only downward or round about us we may sink as Peter on the water But look upward away to Heaven look up stedfastly into Heaven with Stephen and there all is calm and comfortable and speaks more peace and Comfort to the faithful than all the World can speak trouble 3. Against all the difficulties straits and conflicts that lye in the way to Heaven The way indeed is strait and hard to flesh and blood Mat. 7.14 it is full of troubles from the World of temptations from Satan oppositions from the flesh tryalls from God requiring a continual warfare conflict and exercise in all these respects and much pains and care both to get into and keep in the right way It is so way-laid with enemies that you must be fain to fight at every step 1 Tim. 4.6 12. Be it so yet there is that in the end that does infinitely over-ballance all the troubles in the way It is but going through a miry-lane to a wealthy Palace or breaking through a rainy-day to go at the time appointed to take possession of a great Estate who sticks at that We have sometimes mentioned that passage of Chrysostom vid. apud Burroughs on the Excellency of the Soul page 358. great difficulties are rendred small when the matter is exceeding great for which they are gone through Who thinks it much to ride and run through frost and snow mire and water night and day when a Kingdom nay but a private Estate an Inheritance a good sum of Money lyes at stake Men will go through great pains and difficulties and make nothing of it for those things which the World accounts great But they are all trifles to Heaven 1 Cor. 9.25 Remember the greatness of Heaven's Glory that will lessen and lighten 2 Cor. 4.17 yea sweeten all your labour and travail to it Look upon the end when you are pressed with the difficulties of the way so Moses did Heb. 11.26 and Paul did 2 Cor. 4.18 Eternal Glory is worth Travelling for worth Praying for waiting watching for worth sweating suffering striving fighting for and it will quit cost and make amends to the full Israel had good reason to venture through hazards and difficulties and to go on clearly through them all when as Canaan was such an exceeding good Land Numb 14.7 8 9. Psal 106.24 so here But seeing you are called to Eternal Glory travail on cheerily thitherward though it be through hardships and difficulties stick not at them there is that in the end and that promise of certain assistance in the way that is enough to carry you through Heaven will make amends for all 4. Against those spiritual evils and wants that you are here labouring under which of all other are the sorest exercise and saddest discouragement to a gracious heart Heaven will cure them all the very fore-thoughts whereof is full of Comfort 1. Sin and remainders of Corruption that is the great and bitter complaint and vexation of the Saints Rom. 7.24 that they never be free in no duty at no time but still evil is present with them and oft in the prevailings of Corruptions and hurrying impressions of sin make work for bitter repentance And after all means mercies afflictions Prayers yet the indwelling Corruption returnes and appears again c. Why e're long you shall be rid of this troublesome inmate Heaven shall set you free for ever No body of death there none of the old man shall accompany you thither The time is coming oh happy time the very thoughts of it may make you leap for Joy when you shall never have vain thought more never be troubled with corruption more never feel any unsavoury heart more never vexed with temptations more but among the spirits made perfect serving and enjoying God with sin without weariness without interruption and end Heaven was never defiled with sin the Devil did not sin there but in this lower World and was shut out of Heaven for his sin nor ever shall be In that holy place you shall be perfectly holy for ever Hence 2. Heaven will cure the imperfection of Grace which we groan under here having none but the first fruits of the spirit Rom. 8.23 We groan under spiritual imperfections wants weaknesses Grace though begun is is but low and little and weak Hence we are pressed with spiritual wants both of Holiness and Comfort falling short in every thing our attainments poor and defective We are mourning and striving after perfection but reach it not But in Glory Grace will be perfected that is a state of perfection Heb. 12.23 Every Saint will then become to a perfect man Eph. 4.13 no longer a babe and childish rather Carnal than Spiritual as man 1 Cor. 3.1 and 13.9 10 11 12. Oh glorious and happy day when the Image of Christ shall be compleated in us and we shall be fully like him 1 Joh. 3.2 you shall then have that fulness of Grace and spirit which you are now praying and mourning Then will all your Prayers be answered all promises fulfilled to the height and as Josh 23.14 The day is coming when every Grace shall be full grown when there shall be perfect love perfect holiness perfect knowledge perfect unity perfect conformity to the will of God A dram of Grace is more worth than all the World but what will Grace in perfection be when you shall be filled with all the fulness of God as full of God as you can hold or can desire to be Never any more complaints of want or weakness to be sure then there shall be such a time and that
hearts are in the World and upon their Lusts Ezek. 33.31 So the lively Christian goes up to Hâ—aven in his heart though his body be here on Earth But hence despise and dis-affect â—lâ— Earthly in Comparison of Hâ—avenly things that we are said to mind most which we have most affection and spirit for which we lost most If we have any true taste of Heavenly things we cannot but prefer them before all Earthly things whatsoever 2 Cor. 4.18 3. Drive a trade for Heaven Be trading to the Country now By Faith and Prayer coâ—â—rsiâ—â— with God in Christ and receiving dâ—â—â—â—â—g from all Hâ—avenly Grace and Good You have Conversation in Heaven when you trade thither you act as Citizens of Heaven as the word in Philip 3.20 when you have free trade there free Commerce and Intercourse at all times Christ teaches us to be dayly trading Heaven when he teaches us to pray dayly unto God as our Father which is in Heaven to God in Christ as an Heavenly Father an Heavenly Majesty and a fountain of Hâ—avenly good things that hath Heavenly has Spirit Grace Fellowship with himself to give to them that ask him to them that trade with him by Prayer for such things Luk. 11.13 Let the Commodities of Heaven be above all precious to you Buy them at any rate be willing to be at any cost pains labour and hazard for them willing to part with any thing you have in hand in this World for them willing to adventure much as they that trade to Rich Countryes they venture much thither to adventure Estate and Strength and Life and all you have in this World so you may take it up in Heaven and have it repayed you there as every spiritual adventure most surely shall Mark 10.22 30. Mat. 5.11 12. Heb. 11.25 26. and be sensible of Every stoppage between Heaven and your Souls of any interruption of Intercourse between Christ and you when Prayer speeds not when Christ comes not in with his Influences when they hear no good news from Heaven God hides his face and suspends and withdraws his Communications of Grace and Comfort The Saints that are Traders to Heaven are very sensible of such things But this is a part of having our Conversation in Heaven acting as tree men there to have constant trade and Commerce there And this the word in Phil. 3.20 may in a special manner lead unto And Hâ—nce 4. Judge of our condition and of the weal or woe the comfort or discomfort thereof by Heavenly concernments and Considerations As we have more or less of Heavenly benefits and Heavenly incomes so Judge we our Condition to be better or worse That is an act and fruit of Heavenly mindedness so to do It is a meditation of that Holy Martyr Bradford on that Clause the Lords Prayer Our Father which art in Heaven that the Lord would teach us to Judge of his Fatherly love by Heavenly Benefits and not by Earthly and Corporal As it minds us as he also saith that Heaven is our home for it is our Fathers house whither all his Children must at last be gathered so in the mean time to Judge of his Fatherly love rather by Heavenly benefits and blessings than by Earthly and outward for oftentimes the wicked prosper more in the World and have more Worldly benâ—fits than the Children of God so that by this direction in our dayly Prayers the Lord would pull up our minds from Earth and Earthly to Heaven and Heavenly things Bradfords Meditations pag. 21.22 If we shâ—â—lâ— look upon Earthlâ— outward visible and present things how often might the pâ—â—â—â— of God the truly pious be judged to be of all men mâ—st miserable 1 Cor. 15.19 But look upon Heâ—venly and Spiritual Riches and Comforts and upon the fulness thereof that is laid up for them in Heaven and given them in the promise and then you may see them unspeakably happy Jam. 2.5 2 Cor. 4.16 18. If you are the Children of God you are men for Heaven and your Interest lyes there Hence look upon things to go well or ill with you as that Interest is furthered or not This would be of marvelous use were it attended Esteem of your Condition and of Gods dealings with you by your forwardness for Heaven If it be Affliction Tribulation yea manifold sorrows and Exercises if they set you nearer Heaven nearer God and more in his besom those are happy afflictions and you may rejoyce therein Rom. 5.3.4.5 Jam. 1.2.12 2 Cor 4.17 I outward prosperity attend you and the World smile but you are thereby drawn down from Heaven to the Earth further from God and your hearts lost in the World truly you have little cause to rejoyce in that prosperity but to mourn over your selves Heb. 9.1 That is to us the best wind that lyes â—air for Heaven from what quarter soever it comes Those are our best dayes wherein we have most Heavenly Communion with God and are most fitted for Heaven 5. Improve Heaven or Eternal Glory in the World to come and the promise and hopes of it unto diligence faithfulness and fruitfulness in Gods work the work that God sets you to do here upon the Earth so 1 Cor. 15.58 Improve your Talents i. e. all opportunities and abilities gifts graces and means to do good to do service to God for the promoting of the Glory of God and the good of men your selves and others The Consideration of our Masters Joy and of the Glorious reward that will be therein given to all that so do not of debt but of Grace should put us upon it Mat. 25.15 20 21 23. be â—iligent faithful and fruitful in the work of the Lord. Be it 1. Doing work duty and service to God to be done by us whether the work of our General Calling serving God in the whole course of Christianity the whole work of the warefare of Faith and obedience they thoughts of Heaven should quicken us unto that though it be hard work to flesh and blood as hard as fighting 1 Tim. 6.12 2 Tim. 4.7 8. as running in a race 1 Cor 9.24 25. as wrestling Ephes 6.12 or for Heavenly things or the work of our particular Calling place and station wherein God hath set us in Family Church or Common-wealth be Diligent Industrious Faithful and Constant also not byassed by Temptations on the right hand or the left not made unserviceable by discouragement or discontent that is a woful thing when a man suffers the temptations he meets with on every hand here in the World so to disquiet distemper or discourage him as to make him unserviceable and take him off from doing good work not cast into a sleep by sloth and sluggishness be faithful serving God in thy particular course and way so Act. 20.23 24. 2 Tim. 4.78 Or 2. Bearing and suffering work if the Lord call to that as less or more he ever does We must suffer as well as do in this World else we
that little representation of Heaven Mat. 17.3 There will not want orderly Conference and Discourse and speaking one to another among that Heavenly company There you may hear of all the wonderful things that God hath done for his Church in this World yea and for each particular person The story 's of the Experiences of the Saints many of which are now lost and forgotten the Lords admirable variegate Dispensations the embroidered work of Providence when the whole piece shall be made up and finished the curious needle-work thereof the Coat of many Colours that God hath made for his Church and for all his Beloved ones in the varieties of his dealings with them It will then be spreâ—d abroad declared viewed related discoursed of at large Luther in his Comment on Genes 5. Fol. 76. Considering how shortly Moses passeth over the story of those Honourable Fathers before the Flood why that saith he is reserved for another World the last day there will be talk for Heaven then you shall see those Sages shining in Majesty and Glory and then you shall hear of them and from them what they did and what God did by or for or with them or others in their times the particular stories thereof You shall then hear what Seth did Enosh did what Cainan did Jared Enoch Methuselah did and suffered too the stories of which times shall live and be revived in Heaven to the Glory of God and joyful delight of the Saints having also before that been represented at the great day of Judgement the like you may see of other persons and times For God will not lose any of his works nor the Glory of them Psal 104.31 both of Creation and Providence But consider how sweet is the Communion Company and Converse of Gracious Saints here on earth How do your hearts burn in Godly Conference as Luk. 24.32 when you can get in though much adoe to get into it here for worldly matters and unsavory hearts But those that are Savory and Spiritual and Breath much of Christ and Grace in their Speeches what Life and Sweetness do you find therein it may be you smell of their Company a good while after your hearts are somewhat the more Savory for it But what then will the Converse and Company of the Saints in Heaven be when there shall be no sin no defect either in Spâ—akâ—r or Hâ—arers no impertinencies in their speeches â—o unsavoriness every one full of God full of wisdom and holiness c. You will truly say it is good being here when you have not Mâ—ses and Elias only but Christ withall the thousands of his Saints about you as Mat. 17.4 It is a phrase often used of dying Saints in Scripture that they were gathered to their people Genes 25.8 and 35.29 and 49.33 Numb 20.24 Deutr. 32.50 there in the other world in Heaven is the great Congregation gathering together or Assembling of the peoplâ— of God there they meet and come togethâ—r and shall be together forever We think Death takes and rends and carries men away from their people from their Friends Relations Brethren But the Saints by Death are more properly gathered to ther people so the Scripture speaks respecting not this inconsiderable but the other world As the removal of the Travailer from the Inne sâ—parates him indeed from the people i. e. strangers at the Inne but gathers him to his own people at home So Death carries the Saints from a Forreign Coâ—â—â—ry to their home and from strangers in comparison to their own people to â—â—ose that are wholly and only without mixture their own people Heb. 12.23 You must die and go to Hâ—aven if you will câ—me to the great meeting and Congregation of the people of God there is the Center the Country the City where you shall find them all there they shall all meet and live together forever And hence by the way mind one help to know whether you be like to go to Heaven or no men for Heaven viz. Are you for the Company and Communion and inseperable fellowship of the pâ—ople of God the Saints and faithful in Christ is your delight in them Psal 16.3 your love to them 1 Joh. 3.14 18. would you have your lot among them And if there be any person or people that have more of Gods Image upon them Grace and Presence in and with them than others those you are most endeared to Do your hearts cleave to the people of God and to their Holy Communion and Fellowship and Interest desiring to be one of them to stand and fall to rejoyce and mourn to live and die with them Verily you must be gathered to the people of God now if you will be gathered to them then for all that Communion both with God and his people that is perfected in Heaven is begun on Earth you must be their Companions now Psal 119.63 If you will have their company then You must be of them and for them and take your lot among them now and desire to walk in Holy Fellowship with them in all the Ordinances of God if you will be so then Yea though they be under suffering and affliction and contempt in the World you must not let that pull you away or make you stand off from them Heb. 11.25 26. As with Christ so with his people for they go together you must suffer with them if you will reign with thâ—m you must take your lot among them now whether of peace or trouble if you will have a lot among them in Heavenly Glory In the story of the Arrian Persecutions there is a passage of one who was but a Youth a Boy who when a Company of Holy Martyrs were to be put into a Ship and burned together he hastened after to be among them to whom a Seducer said Why hastest thou my prety Child unto Death let them go they are Mad take my Counsâ—l and thou shalt not only have life but great advancement in the Kings Court. To whom the Lad answered you shall not get me from the Fellowship of thâ—se Holy men who bred me up with whom I lived in the fear of God and with whom I desire to die and with whom I trust I shall obtain the Glory to come And so being all put into the Ship they were burned together Oh be with the people of God and cleave to them one arth yea willing at Gods call in any regular way to suffer with them in a suffering condition Think not nay desire not to stand when the people of God fall if you would be with them in Heaven If you Espouse or prefer another Interest the Interest of Estate that you love your Estates better than you love the people of God or their welfare or of ease or of quiet or worldly Greatness before the Interest of the people of God and you will stand at a distance from them for the sake of such things If something else be more predominant in you then
Spiritual Pleasures Psal 16.11 Heaven is called Gods Heavenly Habitation Deut. 26.15 2 Chron. 30.27 Isai 57.15 Hence the inmost part of the Tabernacle and Temple which was a Type of this Heaven was called the Holy of Holies or the most Holy place Heb. 9.8 12 24. It being by the Lords everlasting appointment and choice set apart to be the place of his most Special Gracious Glorious and Holy presence where only Holy work shall be done Prasing Blessing Glorifying God only Holy persons shall come and only the Holy God be seen and enjoyed It is chosen to be the dwelling place of perfect Holiness so perfect as is exclusive of the least sin And hence the very being in this place in Heaven and the sight of it will be a continual means as it was with the Tabernacle and Temple of old whilst instituted Holiness was upon it to raise and keep up the heart in holy affections to God And there will be every thing that may further nothing to hinder Holiness neither sin nor devil ever entred Heaven or shall enter there It is absolutely undefiled 1 Pet. 1.4 And hence none of that Confusion Disorder or Discomfort that results from sin and temptation and makes this Earth a miserable place Heaven is an Holy and so an Happy place 3. It is a place subject to no Change of a Constant incorruptible nature 1 Pet. 1.4 Inconstancy is the name of this lower World being made up of inconstant incorruptible natures The Materials Principles and Composition of it so framed and ordered as to be a stage of mutation of continual Generation and Corruption of perpetual Alteration mixt bodies resolveable into their jarring principles the Elements and the Elements thâ—mseâ—ves capable of being blended disordered and dissolved and thrown into an heap of Confusion their Forms striving and conflictâ—ng on the common stage of the first matter and moving dis-resting each other the more Passive Element is a prey to the more Active And hence this whole lower World is capable of final dissolution and dâ—solation and being turned into a dismal Chaos-like condition a fit place for Hell the last day But the third Heaven never changed since it came out of nothing what it was at once and at first that it alwayes is and will be It 's principles never stood asunder nor can be sundered it is not resolvable into any pre-existant or seperable principles hence uncapable of dissolution or corruption or of any essential Change As it came immediatly out of nothing and was at once perfected by the power of God so unless he should by the same power annihilate it which he will never do It must continue and continue in that perfection forever Hence it is a kin to the nature of Immortal Substances and Spirits and a fit and suitable Habitation for them An everlasting unchangable Habitation for Immortal and Everlasting Inhabitants 2 Cor. 5.1 Hebr. 13.14 Luk. 16.9 Hence also a fit place to lay up and enjoy an everlasting Portion in Mat. 9.19 20. there are causes of Corruption and Destruction natural or violent Intrinsecal or Extrinsâ—cal to every thing on Earth But it is not so in Heaven there is no moth and rust no internal natural Causes of decay no Moth to fret the Garments of Glory no rottenness or Worm that bâ—falls or breeds in the Timber of that Heavenly House nor yet any Thief Devil or wicked man no violent external Cause that can dig through as the word is the Walls of that house the third Heaven or the Pavement or Floor thereof It is of Impregnable Strength and Solidity there are no Chinks Clefts Gaps or Crevises in the Walls of it for solidity or firmness transparency and may stand together Job 37.18 it is impenetrable by the force of Created Nature God keeps the door of Heaven in his own hands he only opens it for Angel or Saint to come out or in no Created force can break or dig through it He alone can rend or cleave the Hâ—avens Isa 64.1 Mark 1.10 This lower World was made but to be a Stage for men to act their parts on for a few Ages and then taken down Hence it stands but on Crazy shows it may and will e're long fall on heaps It is like a Teâ—t or Tabernacle that stands on stakes thrust into the ground But the third Heaven stands on strong unmoved foundations Heb. 11.10 Being made and fitted built by God to be the everlasting settled Rest and dwelling of the Blessed Psal 73.18 Isa 22.23 Oh let this point take off our minds from and raise them above the Earth and shame us for our Earthly-mindedness The Saints are men for a better Country even an Heavenly for a better place Heb. 11.16 a place of rest immutable rest and peace instead of a place of change and motion A place of Holiness instead of a place of sin A place of Glory and Beauty and Caelestial Excellency instead of these dregs of nature that we have here on Earth You are now but in the out-houses the Barn the Hovel where the Swine and Beasts come as well as the Children But then in your Fathers house the Palace it self the best Room God hath in all the Creation Heb. 11.16 Better yea and bigger too Will you be crouded into a Nook a Corner of the earth for your Portion which will one day prove no better than a Nook of Hell when you might have a lot in those Spacious Mansions above What a point a Punctillio is the Earth if you had it all The Saints have greater portions a lot above greater than it all which should make them of great Spirits able to despise this little inconsiderable lower World Oh foolish and low-spirited Sons of men that are scuffling and contending for and about this point of the Earth the Earth beneath like to meer Ants and Pismires crawling on this dust and neglect the great and high things of Heaven as far beyond these things as the Heavens are higher than the Earth that make so much adoe about a little place to stand in under the shed and Hovel of this lower World that will e're long fall about their Ears and are mindless of the vast concernments of Everlasting Habitations If there were no Heaven no better things there we might mind the Earth only and set up our stand there But if there be a Fathers house an Inheritance undefiled c. then men are not come to themselves they are under Spiritual madness that content themselves with Earth and the Husks thereof and seek not a Lot and Portion in Heaven and in the good things thereof Indeed it is not the place alone but the Company the Fellowship of God and all the Saints that makes Heaven so happy a place there the place and its Divine Commodities are inseperable Thus of the matter and substance of the Glory of the Saints in the life to come Now follows 2. The Duration or Continuance of it viz. That it is
are departed this Life Luk. 16.22 Mat. 8.11 The Souls or Spirits of Isaac and Jacob are gathered to their people Genes 35.29 and 49.33 4. It is carried up by the Angels into the third Heaven there to be with Christ untill his second coming Luk. 16.22 with Mat. 8 11. Luk. 23.43 i. e. in his Soul for his Body was detained here on the Earth and thrown into the Grave By Paradise is meant the third Heaven 2 Cor. 12.2 with ver 4. so 2 Cor. 5.1 2. When the Soul goes out of the Tabernacle of this frail Body it enters into the Heavenly house that is Eternal It is not Harbour-less when turned out of all house and Harbour in this lower World The Soul of a Saint being departed out of the Body is with Christ Philip. 1.23 and Christ is in Heaven and there continues till his second coming 1 Pet. 3.22 Act. 3.12 Hence the Soul of a Saint of the Saint departed hath the knowledge and actual active fruition of its own Blessedness is comforted and rejoyced therein and actually drinking in those Pleasuâ—es and Joyes that are in the presence of God Luk. 16.25 Psal 16.11 with 2 Cor. 5.8 compared with which its state on Earth was but a state of absence from him v. 6. and hath an assurance of an Happy re-union with the Body and of all that fulness of Glory that the whole person shall enjoy at the Resurrection for which it waits and longs Rom. 8.23 till it be accomplished it is waited for Psal 16.9 Rev. 6.9 10 11. According to most Interpreters vid. Parens Dutch Diodate in Loc. Calvin opusc pag. 460. Bucan Loc. Com. pag. 447. in that Text is held forth that the Souls of the Saints departed being at present clothed with Robes of Glory do long for their consummate felicity in the full Redemption of the Church c. which shall be at the last Judgement A truth in it self whether the proper intendment of that place or no vid. Brightman in Lâ—c. 2 Tim. 4.8 All the Saints as on Earth so in Heaven do love and long for not with any disquâ—eting Impatience but with an Holy Expectation the appearing of Christ when they shall also appear with him in Glory But as there is an expectation of the future Glory of the Body the whole Person so there is a present enjoyment of Glory and Blessedness by the Soul while the Body is a vile and loathsome Carkass buried under the Clods fed on by the Worms and turned to dust the Soul is Shining and Triumphing in Glory Swimming in fulness of Joy in the presence of Christ and among the Spirits of the Just Hearing and Seeing after its intellectual way those things in Paradise that cannot now be uttered What some of the Saints and Prophets in Scripture have tasted of in raptures and Extasies and Paul in 2 Cor. 12.1 4. for a little see Mr. Norton's Orthodox Evang. pag. 339.341 wherein the Soul abstracted from use of bodily helps and Organs had a more immediate visional Contemplation of Objects presented that and more then that doth the Soul departed enjoy even a perpetual Vision of God and fruition of the Joyes of Heaven without the Body from Death to the Resurrection That conceit that some have had of the Souls sleeping or being in an unsensible unactive condition without the exercise of understanding memory or affections till the Resurrection is fond and foolish and contrary to the plain Testimonies of Scripture before cited which hold forth an actual enjoyment of Glory and Glorious Communion with God immediatly after Death as Well as to the nature of the Soul And was long since largely confuted by Calvin in his Psychopanychia Opuse pag. 449.476 one of the first things he wrote 1. How kind is God to his people that he will not put them off so long as the Resurrection before they enter into this Glory though the Body cannot according to appointed order come at it before yet the Soul shall have possession presently When Death must send the Body to the Grave Heb. 9.27 then he will take the Soul into Heaven and have its company there 2. This may sweeten Death to the Faithful and make them cheerfully yield up their Spirits into the hand of God who stands ready to receive them There is a present object of Glory before them a Joy immediatly to be enjoyed set before them which may make them cheerfully pass into it through the dark entry of Death Though there be a Land and Grave of darkness for the Body which yet is sweetned by the Burial of Christ yet an Inheritance of the Saints â—n light which the Soul shall presently pass into this is that that over-ballances Death and absence from the Body leaving the World even the presence of the Lord being with Christ which is best of all This should make us willing to leave the Body 2 Cor. 5.8 leave the old Crazy Rotten-house of the Body to go into the new building and into the bosome of Christ into Heaven 2 Cor. 5.1 4. And this is presently to be enjoyed you shall presently be with Christ when you leave this Body things remote affect not so much but this is near and just before you as Christ comforted them with that this day Luk. 23.43 The day of your dying is the day of your living in Paradise in Glory The day of your falling into the Earth as to the Body is the day of your ascending and being taken up to Heaven Luk. 9.51 Going to the Grave and going to Heaven they go together to the Faithtful inseparably together and there is more Comfort in the latter than discomfort in the former No sooner dissolved but you are in the Angels Arms to be carried into Christs Bosom even before you can be upon Friends Shoulders to be carried to the Grave The same step whereby you leave the World you go to the Father as Joh. 16.28 You no sooner depart hence but you are with Christ Philip. 1.23 are gathered to him and that Blessed company and people that are with him Genes 35.29 Oh how should this lift up all the Saints above the feat of that that can but kill the Body but pull out the Pins of this old house and dissolve that that is the furthest that all created power can go Luk. 2.4 Mat. 10.28 But Death and all the Instruments of Death are so far from killing the Soul that it lets that but out of Prison and sends it unto Life Eternal 2. Now consider what further Glory shall be added to the Saints for the full compleating and Consummation of their Glory and Happiness at and after the Resurrection upon the re-union of the Soul and Body It is a more incompleat or as some call it an Inchoate enjoyment of Heavenly Glory that the Saints have in their separate estate of their Souls But at the Resurrection of the Body and re-union thereof to the Soul they shall have the compleat fulness and Consummation
capable to obtaâ—n Those little things of the World that lye before you when as the greatest nay all the things of the World are as nothing compared with the Heavenly Portion that is offered you in Christ Jesus And yet this is the Bane of men this is the stumbling stone at which their Souls fall and perish viz. Preferring Earth before Heaven the present God of this World bâ—fore that to come and so taking up their rest here laying out themselves their Spirits and Affections upon present outwaâ—d worldly things with neglect of and so as to have their hearts dryed up toward Heaven and Heavenly things Oh foolish and unwise Oh unspeakable sottishness and unreasonable absurdity to prefer Earth before Heaven or to take up with the Earth when Heaven is set before you To have Affections Spirits for Earth and none for Heaven when Heaven does so infinitely excel What is it most men are running after cleaving to setting up their hearts upon laying out their Spirits and best Affections and utmost endeavours about Is it not somewhat in this World Pleasure or Profit or Honour lust of the Flesh or Eye or Pride of Life Pride of Life 1 Joh. 2.16 i. e. an high and pompous manner of living affectation of height state and costliness in all the things of this life both Apparel Housing-Furniture c. above Place Rank Ability or Sobriety either in unlawful wayes and excesses or at least contentment in the lawful good things and comforts of this Life that is the highest the chiefest good that many seek after rest in and are wholly taken up about And so taken up here as to have no heart for God or Christ or Heaven no mind no affection to those things they are slightly passed over and the other pursued as the maine this present World ingrosses all But behold the Word of God shews us a more excellent Object and Prize to run for a better designe to pursue the Glory and Happiness of another World that is infinitely more excellent more necessary worthy our pains and affections more proper for immortal Souls to be busied about Should you judge by the minds and wayes of most of the Sons of men You would think there were no higher or better thing to be minded than the good of this World But the point shews us that that is better and more excellent What is all the Glory and good of this World to that of the Glory to come It is no more nor so much as a pebble stone to a Pearl or Husks to Bread or Dirt to Gold or Rags to Robes Who would take up with the former when he may have the latter Yea when called as we are continually by the voice of the Gospel to attend and imbrace the latter Remember all the outward good of this World is but Earthly the other is Heavenly But Bodily pleasing and pampering and Painting the outward man the other is Spiritual adorning perfecting and making happy the Soul But Temporal the other is Eternal 2 Cor. 4.18 The one Corruptible the other Incorruptible 1 Cor. 9.25 The one stands in the enjoyment of Creatures and but the lower sort of Creatures neither the other in the enjoyment and frution of the Infinite Creatour God Blessed for evermore How far must the latter needs excell the former Ah this Doctrine should take us off from and lift us above the Earth wean us from the World which is hard to effect the hearts of men are so Carnal There is good there to draw us but the Lord is fain to add many evils troubles here to drive us out and well if both would do Oh weep over our Earthly mind and heart Paul did so and get to Heaven in your Conversation Phil. 3.18.20 Are you of the Redeemed or no Gal. 1.4 Colos 3.12 Good is the Object of the Will and Affections and where choice is of the best good if there be one thing better than another the Will of man would have that it aspires after the best Why here be the things and therefore set your affections upon them and not on these meaner worse and inferior things that are beneath Oh get that sweet evidence of Effectual Calling that you are called out of the World taken off from this World and are men of another World men for Heaven bent upward dâ—claring plainly that you seek another and better Country then this and then you may be sure that God is your God Heb. 11.14 16. and will be your guide to the death that he will guide you by his Counsel and afterward receive you unto Glory SERMON VI. HAving passed through the Explanation of this Doctrine we may briefly add somewhat by way of Reason Why the Lord will give unto his people such great Glory in the World to come only out of the Text and we may rather take notice of some Reasons here because they are pointed to in the Text. Reas 1. From the Grace the rich Grace of God and for the Glory thereof Thâ— God of all Grace will give us this Eternal Glory It is his his Glory in his hands and dispose and he out of the Riches of his Grace will bestow and communicate it though he is the God of all Grace also as he is the Author of all the fruits and works of Grace in us yet the expression leads us to the fountain viz. The Infinite Grace nnd kindness that is in God so Rom. 5.21 It is from Grace as the Efficieâ—t That Grace the exceeding Rich Infinite Grace and kindnâ—ss of God may be forever acknowledged magnified and exalted Ephâ—s 1.3 6. When it shall be shewed and God will set himself to shew what a gift Infinite free Grace goodness kindness bounty can give then this will be the Gift such a thing as would Beggar all men and Angels and all the Riches of ten thousand Worlds they could not all should they Joyn together reach such a Gift as this Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus Rom. 6.23 God only the God of all Grace could give this He only was so rich as to be able to fill and store Heaven with all the Treasures and Riches of Glory that is there prepared and when he hath done to give it freely to his chosen There are Riches of goodness in the Gifts God gives and scatters among men here in this World But those are but little matters and by the By. But in the Gift of Heaven and Heavenly things he will set himself to shew the exceeding Riches of his Grace Ephes 2.6 7. We say how can it be that such wonderful Glory should be bestowed on such worthless worms Why it could not be indeed were it not from exceeding Rich and Infinite Grace Grace i. e. that whereby God freely and plentifully gives to the undeserving Creature and in designe to magnifie that To set all Saints and Angels a wondring at the Riches of God and at the bottomless and boundless depth and breadth of his Grace and Love
in to quicken us to make sure of Heaven May we not get this meat out of the eater this good out of all the evils and troubles that are in the World Is it now a time to walk at peradventures with God to live at uncertainties to hang between Heaven and Earth to be to seek of a resting place when trouble fills the whole Earth When the Lords anger is burning up and down the World and his fury poured out like fire every where and the Rocks thrown down by him Had we not need make sure of his love and be able to say the Lord is good and my strong hold c. Nah. 1.14 15 16. When Hypocrites cannot stand as they cannot before God appearing in his dreadful and devouring wrath hâ—d we not need make sure of sincerity of Gâ—ace Isa 33.14 15 16. You may bear up your head for a time and go up and down carelesâ— but sooner or later one way or other there will come such a devouring fire such an appearence of wrath such dreadful Judgments as no false heart now slight chaffy professor shall be able to stand before Mat. 3.12 He had need have Gold tryed in the fâ—ee Grace that is of Golden solidity and purity Dross and chaffe will not biâ—e the fire that unkindled in the day of Gods Judgments when he takes his Fan into his hand to sever purge out and burn up the Chaffe the hypocrites and sinners in Sion that is mixed with the wheat and found on the floor of the visible Church When Jerusalem's sins are ripe for Judgment and God hath waited his time upon obstinate sinners and despisers of the Gospel as he did on the Jews in and after Christ's time then a threshing and winnowing fanning and to the chaffe a burning time comes Then indeed the Lord will lose never a grain of sound wheat it had need be sound and solid wheat that can bear the tossings of the Fan and the blasts of the wind and not be heaved and driven quite away But chaffy hypocrites and sinners will not be able to stand or abide such a time Amos 9.9 or I will fanne the house of Israel as Corn is fanned tossed in a fanne 10. Oh we had need be sure to be good and sound wheat at such a time be setled strengthned stablished in Grace well built and founded as Peter prayes for them here in Text. To a time of great afflictions Sufferings and Troubles 1 Pet. 5 9 10. in a time when Judgment was begun at the house of God 1 Pet. 4.17 and of fiery tryals v. 12. Oh at such a time it is a suitable and a precious thing to have a lively Inheritance as he begins the Epistle 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5 6. When the Earth looks uncomfortably when the face of things in this lower world hath terrour trouble and blackness in it and was it ever blacker than at this day It is then seasonable to be looking up stedfastly into Heaven and to get a clear sight of the Glory there and of our Interest in it Act. 7.54 55 56. Oh we might make a gaine of all the troubles of the times did we turn them this way to lift up our eyes to Heaven and to awaken our Souls to make sure of a portion there 4. It is a shrewd sign of one that is not like to get to Heaven to be careless of making sure of it For whence is this carelesseness but from taking up with and resting in other portions things of this World and see Jam. 4.4 1 Joh. 2.15 they that take up their portion in the Earth are not like to see Heaven to be sure in that way they never shall from slighting despising and dis-esteeming Heaven for what a man highly prizes and makes his portion his chief good he will be solicitous and studious to make sure of To be careless herein is as much as to say that we make no great matter whether we have or lose it get or miss it It shews one to be a negligent seeker of Heaven and Eternal life for if he were in good earnest he would pursue the matter till he made sure work on 't till the matter were brought to some issue he would seek till he find But it is only the diligent seeker that shall obtain and no other Heb. 11.6 Prov. 8.17 and 13.4 Qui frigide rogat docet nâ—gare The Lord will not pin Heaven upon our sleeves He will make us seek after it in good earnest if ever we have it Rom. 2.7 Luk. 13.24 there may be fits and pangs of carelesseness but God will recover and awaken if he intend mercy They that seek and run to purpose cannot endure to be at uncertainties 1 Cor. 8.26 27 28. uncertainly vid. Dutch Anotat Paul cannot end enduâ—e to run at such a rate that he may be as like to lose as win v. 24. 5. It is sure we were once in the way to Hell we had need to look to it to make sure that we are got into the way to Heaven We lie by nature children of wrath were set down into the World in Hell-path and it may be did for a long time palpably and evidently go on therein even in the broad way that leads to destruction and had we not need be sure and clear that we are got out of that way and state into the way and state of Eternal Life He whose life was never in danger will not be so solicitous But take a Malefactor that was condemned to die if there be any hopes overtures of pardon how careful will he be to have it sure and under all the confirmation that may be We are by nature under a real title to Hell guilty of sin whose wagâ—s is death and by the Curse and Sentence condemned to die and under the power and dominion of sin that was â—â—â—rying us to Hell and would inevitably do it if left to our selves Had we not need look that we have got a real title to Heaven that theâ—e be a reallity in our claime to that An empty broken hope a shaddow an â—hâ—â—oâ—â—â—ncy is not enough to set against a â—â—â—liâ—ys The Câ—rsâ— is real and sin real and our being heirs of Hell real Oh is our pardon real our fellowship with Christ real our title to Heaven real our Regeneration real and certain Joh. 3.3.5 6. It is certain we were flesh are we become spirit new Creatures made spiritual and holy we were born naturally to an Inheritance in Hell are we indeed born again supernaturally to see the kingdom of Heaven 6. Consider that great danger of being deceived here it 's a matter of highest moment to be deceived about everlasting life is a dreadful thing and yet we are wondrous prone and apt to be deceived Mat. 7.13 14. Christ tells the Pharisees that they could not not escape the damnation of Hell Mat. 23.33 and yet they themselves thought that they could not but be heirs of Heaven and that whoever
shall do but a little and but a while Why Heaven should make us cheerfully to suffer for God to go through suffering work whether losses or positive sorrows that the Lord tryes us with here Heb. 11.26 Mat. 5.11 13. Heb. 12.1 2. The Saints have been wont to improve Heaven unto strength and constancy into suffering work 2 Cor. 4.26 17. Rom. 8.18 Heb. 10.34 But to quicken us to our work of what kind soever from the point in hand Consider 1. It is a great shame for those to be idle or negligent and heartless in their work that have such a way to work in as the way to Heaven is and such a reward as lyes at the end of it We serve a good Master who serve the God of all Grace who calls us to his Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus sure we should do any thing for him How hard soever thy work be and how long soever kept tugging at it Heaven will make amends for all There is no proportion between our poor work and that reward And therefore it is not a reward of Justice but of Rich and Princely Grace rewarding that with thousands that is scarce worth a penny You will serve men and work hard it may be at your dayes labour and it is equal you should so do for your penny and shall we stick at serving the Blessed God who sets before us such a recompense of reward as Eternal Glory is Were ever any losers by him either doing or suffering for him No Mark 10.29 33. 2. At the day of Christs appearing none will be more sharply rebuked and ashamed than the Idle slothful Servant Mat. 25.26 27 30. He might say what hurt did I do I did no body any hurt with my talent I did not do mischief with my wit and time and strength Yea but what good did you do what good work did you imploy your self in for the Glory of God and the good of men Sins of omission whereby men can let alone their work this and that should be done but let alone let lye these will be sadly aggravated at that day 3. You have but a little time to do work on Earth compared with the time of your rest in Heaven Our resting time is hereafter Rev. 14.13 but our working time now there will be work in Heaven indeed but work done without toile or sweat or pain as it was with Adam in Innocency as bodily labour the sweet and pleasant work of Glorifying God Now we can do no good work but in the sweat of our browes with much conflict pain and difficulty But though it be so this our painful labour is but for a while for an Hirelings day Job 7.1 2 though you be kept sweating at it you may bide it in the dust and Sun and heat for the short day of this life when after that follows rest Eternal rest and that will be sweet as the rest of the Labouring-man is Psal 104.23 Methinks we should keep close at our work and hold out in it till the evening of this life It is no long summers-summers-day it is but a short a moment any time compar'd with what follows and then you shall go to bed in rest and peace Isa 57.2 It is but a little time you have to work on Earth and you have much work to do for your own Souls for the Name of God for the good of others and therefore you had need be diligent that you may finish in time and not have your work to do when your time is out that you may with Comfort in measure say as Joh. 17.4 4. We shall lose the reward of our work if we do not follow our work to purpose 2 Joh. 8. working by halves is the way to lose all our work i. e. working idly negligently slothfully or working unconstantly and unfaithfully unstedfastly going in and giving over not holding out but falling off from the truth or the wayes and service of God which the Apostle in that place 2 Joh. 8. speaks of and gives warning against this brings a Curse instead of a Blessing or reward Jerem. 48.10 Malach. 1.14 Heb. 10.38 6. Improve Heaven unto fitness for and Comfort in Death Death unto the Saints is their passage from Earth to Heaven from this place of sin and tears into that state of Joy and Bliss and Glory we have been speaking of in their Souls presently Luk. 23.43 and in certain hope of their Bodies Resurrection to the same Glory Hence a real sight and lively hope and taste of Heaven is able to sweeten death how bitter soever unto Nature This chief of Joyes is able to master the King of Terrours and to cause the Believer to Triumph over it 1 Cor. 15.54 57. 2 Cor. 5.1.4 Death is a departing out of if we speak of this life this poor sorry sinfull weary life such a one we say departed this life But it is an entrance into life if we speak of the life to come in Heaven that sweet glorious sinless happiless so it is to a Saint A going out of a smoaky Cottage but an entrance into a Kingdom the Kingdom of our Lord 2 Pet. 1.11 Isa 57.2 It is a going from hence But it is a going to Christ Philip. 1.23 a going from your people and friends here but it is a going and being gathered to their people and Blessed Congregation that is above Genes 49.33 Hence the fore-thoughts and hopes of Heaven should 1. Make the Saints willing to die of readiness and fitness for it in other respects we speak somewhat under the third head not willing to break away from their work before they have done it out of frowardness weariness and discontent or before Gods time be come But willing to go home and to leave all the World and pass through the dark entry of Death that they may go to God go home to Christ in Heaven when ever his time shall be come As a dying Saint said I have but one dark entry to pass through and then I am at my Fathers house Be it that death is a dark entry yet it leads to thy Fathers house Stick not at passing to it through such an entry 2 Cor. 5 8. Be not willing and desirous alwayes to tarry here among sins and temptations and where you are Comparatively absent from the Lord But be willing to be absent from the Body to be Gloriously present with the Lord. Though the Body be a near friend Christ is nearer And your parting with that for a time is in order to an happy meeting Phil. 1.23 while Gods work service and Glory and the good of his people detains him here he is willing to tarry but otherwise desirous to be gone when he looks forward to that that will be the Issue and Consequent of his departure or dissolution viz. The full enjoyment of Christs Company which is better than all the World 2. It should give them Comfort in Death to be looking up stedfastly into Heaven unto