'T is in the time of peace usually that the world insinuates it self in trouble its emptiness is more easily discerned As believers are crucifyed to the world so the world is crucifyed unto them Gal. 6. 14. They behold the world as that which sin hath brought a curse upon and therefore to be watch't against lest it prove a snare and then they look upon the world with such a kind of eye as the Jewes did upon Christ in his exinanition Isa 53. They see no form nor comliness in it that they should desire it Believers in the evil day beside their hard usage from the world which makes them less to like it have more affecting thoughts of eternity and the world to come and hereupon the things which are temporal grow contemptible and are not counted worth a look 2 Cor. 4. 18. Whilst we look not at the thnigs which are seen but at the things that are not seen and not without reason for the things that are seen are temporal but the things that are not seen are eternal 5. Saints are exercised with sufferings that they may be â—â—â—ted for and long for the inheritance that is above By sufferings they are made conformable to their Head and are perfected and ripened more and more for glory Therefore afflictions are said to work for us a weight of glory Glory is promised to the sufferer for righteousness sake and 't is a righteous thing with God to give rest to them who upon such an account are troubled 2 Thess 1. 7. By trouble they are made meet for rest and the greater the tribulation the glory 't is likely will be the greater to be sure the more welcome When we look round about us and see nothing but matter of grief and sorrow â—will make us look upward to those mansions on high and long to be there where siâ— and suffering will come to a perpetual end In Heaven there will be an eternal calmness and serenity no sons of violence will be there to disturb the Saints in their praises no enemies will be permitted to roar in that Congregation no fear of prison or any other punishment will be there but their joy will be like a full Sea and not ebb any more for ever I am now come to the Application USE I. If he that will be a Saint shall be a Sufferer learn from hence They are far from being Saints who resolve to give out when once it comes to suffering Those are not worthy the name of Disciples who like the Swallow will tarry with Christ all the Summer but when the cold and stormy Winter approaches do use their wings and leave him Our Lord sayes He that loves Father or Mother or life it self more than 〈◊〉 is not worthy of me that is he is not fit to make one of my followers If trouble make you to be offended and go away from Christ 't is a sign you prefer ease and peace and prosperity before him and consequently that you have not the faith unfeigned of Gods Elect. If you did indeed believe Christ would be precious and that even then when he is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence to others 1 Pet. 2. 7. If you did indeed believe you would be of the Apostles mind who counted all things but dung when compared with Christ and esteeming them but dung no wonder if he contentedly suffered the loss of them that his interest in his Lord might be secured Phil. 3. 8. For whom I have suffered the losse of all things and do count them but dung that I may win Christ USE II. If he that will be a Saint shall be a sufferer then 't is but reasonable for every Saint to expect suffering Reckon upon it that troubles will be met with in your way to Heaven none ever arrived to that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fair Haven without being toss't by some tempests He that goes to sea is not so foolish as to think it will be a perpetual calm all his Voyage He that Listâ— himself a Souldier expects somtime or other to be engaged So a Christian should sit down and count the cost Lâ—ke 14. before he embarque with Christ before he list himself under this Captain of salvation And certainly 't will cost some trouble to be Christs follower none ever faithfully served him but his flesh smarted for it though it must also be affirmed that this smart of the outward is usually sweetned with a far greater pleasure in the inner man Our Lord speaks to his Disciples plainly and without a Parable Joh. 16. ult In the world ye shall have tribulation but that their hearts might not be troubled he tells them first In me ye shall have peace And he adds secondly Be of good chear I have overcome the world USE III. If he that will be a Saint shall be a sufferer then 't is the Saints wisdome to prepare for sufferings Evil dayes will come but God hath provâ—ded armour of proof which if you put on you shall be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all to stand I might here enlarge in going over the Christians Armour but I shall only single out some pieces which you must not fail to get and use in a day of suffering and which if used skilfully no force either of evil men or evil Angels shall prevail against you Though no part of the Armour of God be needless yet especially you must take The Shield of Faith The Breast-plate of Love The Helmet of Hope And cry by Prayer for continual help and support from above 1 That you may be arm'd against sufferings take unto you the shield of Faith Yoâ— are in a Battel Men and Devils thrusting sore at you that you may fall What shift can you make without a Shield The Shield is Armour to the other Armour If Faith be strong your other Graces will have the greater vigour and stand you in the greater stead Faith will make you victorious This is the victory sayes the Apostle that overcometh the world even our Faith 1 John 5. 4. And it may truly be said This is also the victory that overcometh the god of this world even our faith faith prevails against both By faith the Worthies of old of whom the world was unworthy went through all their tryals and yet these tryals were very sore They were cruelly mocked and scourged they were stoned they were sawn asunder were tempted were stain with the sword they wandred about in sheep-skins and goat-skins being destitute afflicted tormented Heb. 11. 37. 'T is remarkable that the Holy Ghost in describing their punishments siath they were tempted 'T is likely fair means were used as well as foul promises of preferment as well as threatnings of torment to draw them away from their integrity and this was a sore temptation But faith kept them stedfast and rendred the temptation ineffectual Faith looks to its Author and Finisher the Lord Jesus and sees the world
Fatling together a little Child shall lead them And the sucking Child shall play on the hole of the Asp and the weaned Child shall put his hand on the Cockatrice Den They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy Mountain But most certainly this peace and concord shall be among the Saints above no biting no devouring one another no diversity of judgments but all will agree in the same truth no alienation of affection for love to the Lord and to one another will be perfect the spirit that lusteth to envy will be cast out selfish ends will carry none aside disputes will be at an end the wounds which divisions have made will be closed How good and pleasant will be that unity when all the Saints will be of one of the right mind 6. The life above will be lead among the most suitable society The Saints will then have bid farewel to Mesâ—ech and the Tents of Kedar they shall no longer dwell among revilers at holiness the openly prophane the scandalous or lifeless professors of Religion no filthy communication or conversation in heaven to vex their righteous souls no contempt of God no provoking the eyes of his glory no cursing swearing pride wantonness to be heard or seen in the heavenly City When they come thither they will say How blessedly unlike is this to that place and company which we came from Glorified spirits innumerable companies of Angels will be their companions these will be glad to see them safely arrived unto rest For if there be joy in heaven at the conversion of a sinner we may very well infer there will be joy likewise at the Saints Coronation 7. That life above will fully answer its end The Saints were formed by the Lord for himself and they will be eternally shewing forth his praise and glory They will never entertain so much as an unbecoming thought of God but to magnifie and extol him will be their everlasting business their hearts and their Harpes will be ever in tune to sound forth his Name Now they do but lisp and stammer out his praises but then how seraphical will their Songs be and they will never be weary of singing Hallelujahs Oh what extasies of joy and love with what ravishment of spirit with what unconceivable raptures of delight will the whole Assembly and Church of the First-born joyn together saying Amen blessing and glory and wisdome and thanksgiving and honour and power and might be unto our God for ever and ever Amen Rev. 7. 12. The triumphant Saints will perfectly answer the design of God in their Creation in their new Creation they will glorifie him for ever who upon them hath bestowed eternal Glory 8. The life above will be an everlasting life Death it self will be destroyed and swallowed up in victory The eternity of the Saints joyes and enjoyments makes them infinitely of the greater value Heaven would be no longer Heaven were they ever to be turned out of it all the sweetness would be imbittered with the thoughts of its period But adored be the riches of mercy the inheritance is said to be incorruptible the Kingdome cannot be moved the Crown of glory fadeth not away the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord Rom. 6. ult Howâ— ye damned spirits your miseries are everlasting you are banished from God and shall never be called back but be unconsumed fewel for unquench able flames Triumph and râ—jâ—yce ye glorified Souls As long as God is he will be your God your portion your reward as long as God is you shall live in his presence and enjoy him Thus you see what what manner of life the Text speaks of In the second place I am to shew upon what score this Life is called a Crown 1. This Crown intimates that the Saints are Conquerours They have run the Race and won the prize they have fought the good fight of Faith and laid hold on eternal life They may truly say super-superamus we are more than conquerours They have being strengthned by him that loveth them conquered the whole World conquered the Principallities and Powers of Hell conquered themselves too their own lusts and passions and affections All other Battels are but petty skirmishes to the spiritual combate mortal men are but inconsiderable enemies compared with fleshly lusts and evil Angels All the Conquerours recorded in History are hardly worth the mentioning with a Christian that endures and overcomes And what is Lawrel to that Crown at last put upon the Christians Head 2. This Crown speaks the honour and dignity whereunto the Saints are advanced Though exceedingly filled with contempt and the scorning of those that are at ease yet even here the Saints are Kings Priests Rev. 1. 5 6. Vnto him that loved us â—nd washed us from our sins in his own blood and hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father to him be Glory and Dominion for ever and ever And when they come to Glory they are actually crown'd then 't is evident the World was not worthy of them and that far better than what the world could bestow is freely given them Heaven is called a Kingdome the Reward a Crown to shew 't is no mean prize the Christian aimes at What is all the height and grandeur on earth to the Kingly dignity put upon believers What are all the Kingdomes of the world and the glory of them to reigning with the Lord for ever The four great Monarchies by the Holy Ghost are compared unto four great Beasts Dan. 7. 3. Surely earthly Crowns are but base and sordid to the heavenly 3. This expression a Crown of life is used to shew that the Crown fades not will never be less bright for wearing 't will never be thrown off 't is a living Crown a Crown of immortality In the next place follow the Arguments to prove the Doctrine that the Saints shall be thus Crowned and they are these 1. One shall be drawn from the Fathers good pleasure This good pleasure Christ declares to the little flocks encouragement Luk. 12. 32. Fear not little Flock 't is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdome And this his counsel is immutable he will do this his pleasure This pleasure he hath plainly signified in his Covenant and Promises wherein Glory as well as Grace is assured and hereby he hath heightned beliâ—vers hopes and expectations and certainly to frustrate them is not consistent with his truth and goodness 2. A second Argument shall be drawn from Christs purchase He hath purchased that possession for his Saints in the next world he hath bought that Crown by his Cross In the New Testament the Lord Jesus hath bequeathed life to them and by the Death of Himself the Testatour this Testament is confirmed Heb. 9. 16. So that this Life is as sure as 't is sure our Lord dyed 3. A third Argument shall be drawn from Christs entring into life and taking
they are willing to be reproved for sin to be instructed concerning duty they hear they keep the word as well as hear it Prov. 10. 17. He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction So Prov. 6. 23. For the commandment is a Lamp and the Law is light and the reproofs of instruction is the way of life The word of God hath not only a convincing and a converting and an edifying power put 't will put the crown at last upon the head of the faithful therefore the Apostle affirms it able to give the inheritance Act. 20. 32. And now Brethren I commend you to God and to the word of his Grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified 4. They who are Heirs to the Crown of Life do mortifie the deeds of the body by the Spirits help they do it Rom. 8. 13. If ye live after the flesh ye shall dye but if ye through the spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall live The Heirs of life are weary of the body of sin and death therefore they crucifie the flesh with the affections and lusts of 〈◊〉 They mortifie their members on earth fornication uncleanness inordinate affection evil concupiscence covetousness which is idolatry Col. 3. 5. Every sin that they see they look upon with an eye of grief and hatred and strike at it 5. They who are heirs to the Crown of Life have their fruit unto holiness Rom. 6. 22. But now being made free from sin and become the servants of God ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life The pure in heart shall see the Lord Mat. 5. 8. his back parts now his face in glory And truly the holy are only fit to behold the Holy One. Art thou an enemy to holiness Thou art an enemy to thy own life The heirs of life understand that Jerusalem above is an holy City therefore they apply plead the promise of sanctification they cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7. 1. 6. They who are heirs to the Crown of Life persevere to the end they are faithful to the death as the Texâ— speaks they hold fast what they have that none may take their Crown away they not only begin but finish their course and keep the faith and so they receive a Crown of righteousness at the hand of the Lord the righteous Judge USE III. Suffer I beseech you a few words of Exhortation and I shall conclude with them 1. Let the serious and believing consideration of this Crown of life enliven and quicken you to every duty Art thou hearing for a Crown and praying for a Crown and wilt thou hear carelesly and pray coldly Doth not such a Kingdom as heaven is deserve thou shouldst use an holy violence to take it what slothful and dead when such glory is in view Oh strive to enter in at the strait gate that when thou seekest to enter in at Heavens door and cryest Lord Lord open to me entrance may not be denyed 2. Let this Crown of life be made use of to silence Satan to fence thee against temptation When the Devil tells thee of â—ase and gain and pleasure which sin will afford reply Come O thou lying and deceitful spirit put thy â—ase and gain and pleasure into one Ballance of the Sanctuary and I will put the Crown of life and glory into the other and what is sinful â—ase to the Saints rest or the gain of gold to the Saints glory or pleasures for a moment to eternal rejoycing Satan will not know what to say to this but perceiving unlikelyhood of prevailing will flee from you 3. Let this crown of Life loosen your hearts from the world Do not defile and load your selves with thick clay do not stick fast therein when such glory is so certain and near at hand Be not desirous of or content with a portion in this life since you are just entring upon a better Live as strangers and pilgrims on earth declare plainly that you seek a better country then the world hath any 4. Let this crown of Life steel your hearts against sufferings Fear not what enemies can do since the keyes of heaven hang not at their girdle nor glory is given of their pleasure Our Lord set the joy before him so he endured the cross and despised the shame Heb. 12. 2. and if you imitate him you shall at length sit down where he is at the right hand of the throne of God 5. Let this crown of life set you above the fear of dissolution it cannot be enjoyed till you are gone from hence you must dye before you can live the life above Let your death be natural or violent you must not be startled or amazed The Angels are ready to do their office to convey you to paradise Christs arms are open to receive you which are a part of his purchase and his redeemed ones Christ understands what 't is to dye 't is an unusual tryal which you can have experience of but once unusual strength shall be afforded If death were but lookt upon only as a dark passage into the glorious and lightsome inheritance it would be no longer terrible but desireable 6. let this crown of Life make you long for your Lords appearing Oh cry unto him to remove time and dayes out of the way and that the wheels of his chariot may make greater hast Long for the time when the heavens shall break asunder and the fairest of ten thousand shall shew his face through the clouds and sit upon his great white throne to judge the world in righteousness When he comes his reward will be with him Rev. 2 2. 12. Never a Saint shall be seen without a crown at that day And Oh what a spectacle will it be to behold the Head and all the members together every one having on a rich and sparkling diadem The Saints are described to be such as love their Lords appearing And there is reason they should wish for it For when Christ who is their life shall appear then shall they also appear with him in glory FINIS