who shall deliver me from the body of this Death I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord Rom. 7.24 In all these things we are more then Conquerours through him that loved us Rom. 8.37 Joseph refused to ly with his Mistress saying how can I do this great sin and sin against God Gen. 39.8 We are bound to give thanks to God alway for you Because your faith groweth exceedingly 2 Thes 1.3 The path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more to the perfect day Prov. 4.18 Which Gospel is come unto you as it is in all the world and bringeth forth fruit as it doth also in you Col. 1.6 Tenthly Promises of the Presence of God and of his Spirit Fear not for I am with thee I am thy God I will strengthen thee yea I will help thee yea I will uphold thee Isa 41.10 Fear not O Israel thou art mine when thou passest through the waters I will be with thee they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest thro' the fire thou shalt not be burnt Isa 43. beg Be content with such things as ye have for he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13.5 If a man love me he will keep my words and my father will love him and we will come to him and make our abode with him John 14.23 Turn you at my reproof behold I will pour out my Spirit into you Prov. 1.23 It is convenient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come but if I depart I will send him to you John 16.7 If ye being evil know how to give good Gifts to to your Children how much more shall your heavenly father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him Luke 11.13 I will pray to the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you John 14.16 18. Experiences of the Presence of the Spirit of God Though I walk through the valley of the shaddow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me Psa 23.4 Joseph was sold into Egypt but the Lord was with Joseph and he shewed him mercy Gen. 39.21 Lo I see four men loose walking in the midst of the fire and they have no hurt and the form of the fourth is like the son God Dan. 3.25 Solomon was strengthened in his Kingdom and the Lord his God was with him and magnified him exceedingly 2 Chron. 1.1 Hereby we know that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit 1 John 4.3 God which knoweth the hearts bear them witness viz. the Gentiles giving them his spirit even as he did to us Acts 15.8 The Holy Ghost fell on them which heard the word Acts 10.44 Barnabas was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith Acts 11.24 The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Ghost Acts 13. last Eleventhly Promises of Perseverance I will make an Everlasting Covenant with them that I will not turn away from them to do them good but I will put my fear into their hearts that they shall not depart from me Jer. 32.40 I will give them everlasting Life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand John 10.28 One thing is needful Mary hath chosen the better part which shall never be taken from her Luke 10. last Who will confirm you to the end that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 1.8 I pray God that your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ faithful is he that hath called you who will also do it 1 Thess 5.23 24. The Gifts and calling of God are without repentance Rom. 11.29 Being confident of this thing that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ Phil. 1.6 Experiences of Perseverance The high places were not removed nevertheless Asa his heart was perfect with the Lord all his days 1 King 15.14 I have fought the good fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness 2 Tim. 4.7 8. Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace for I have seen thy salvation Luke 2.29 The house built upon the rock though the rain descended and the flood came and the winds blew yet kept his standing Mat. 7. lat These all dyed in the faith Heb. 11.13 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation 1 Pet. 1.5 I have been young and now am old yet have not seen the righteous forsaken Psal 37.25 My flesh and my heart faileth me but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever Psal 73.26 Twelfthly Promises of the Possession of Heaven Fear not little flock it is your Fathers good will to give a Kingdom Luke 12.32 Eye hath not seen ear hath not heard nor hath it entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Cor. 2.9 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him James 1.12 When the chief shepherd shall appear ye shall receive a Crown of Glory that faideth not way 1 Pet. 5.4 Fear none of these things which thou shalt suffer ye shall have tribulation 10 days be faithful unto death and I will give thee a Crown of Life Rev. 2.10 You have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting Life Rom. 6.22 Of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ Col. 3.24 Experiences of the Possession of Heaven Be ye followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the Promises Heb. 6.12 Lazarus dyed and was carried by the Angels into Abraham's bosom Luke 16.2 Then talked with him two men which were Moses and Elias who appeared in glory Luke 9.30.21 The Spirits of just men made perfect Heb. 12.23 Heaven is called the inheritance of the Saints because they do inherit it Col. 1.12 A Song of Praise THe World 's a toy let me imploy My Soul in higher things Than upon those that create woes And carry cruel Stings My Fears are great Sorrow my Meat And humane Faith is gone On Pilgrimage for in this Age Amongst us there is none Thy faithfulness O God I bless And cannot but admire That Love is cold and yet behold None warm it at this Fire But O my Soul do not condole But Triumph thou in Praise Greatly rejoice with Hearts and Voice Let Joy thy Spirits raise Mind not the Rod rejoice in God That never failed thee Thou knowest this faithful he is And so will ever be Thou hast been Low and
THE Helmet of Hope Distinguished from the Hope of Hypocrites And Published To prevent the danger of False Hope and to promote the Duty of Living in true Hope of Glory WITH An Appendix of the Grounds of Hope Collected in a Catalogue of Promises and Experiences By A. B. A Minister of the Gospel The Hypocrite with Hope is vainly Fed His Hope 's no Helmet but a Spiders Web. But Converts know it is no Idle Story That Christ within is the true Hope of Glory London Printed by J. A. for Thomas Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers-Chappel And are to be Sold by Obed. Smith at Daventry in Warwickshire 1694. THE EPISTLE TO THE READER Dear Friend THIS little Book now come to thy Hand calls for entertainment both for thy Saviours sake who hath provided Salvation for thee at his own cost and for thy Souls sake which therein is much concerned both in Point of Safety and Comfort Enquire not after the Author but Study the needful Matter it presents unto thee Though it come in a plain Dress without either Top-knot or Ruffles yet it 's Grave and Serious and may contribute much towards both thy Temporal and Eternal welfare It was not designed for Publick Vse when composed but proved so Sweet in the Meditation and so acceptable in the Ministration that thereby I was encouraged to send it abroad to warn the secure World against those false Hopes that lull Sinners asleep in Security And to invite all that meet with it to look after that Helmet that is of so great use for all Souldiers that fight under the Banner of the Captain of our Salvation Christ Jesus And if thou be one of this number and hast any skill in the Spiritual warfare thou wilt in thy own Experience acknowledge the account here given of this piece of our Spiritual Armour Thou art so well acquaintted therewith and finds in thy self the fore-thoughts of Glory made thereby the Joy and Delight of thy Soul That thou wilt see that thou hast met with an old Fellow-Souldier that hath been in many a Battle and still found his Helmet of Hope his Safeguard and so admires and valueth it that he would not part with it for Paris Let me entreat thee to take thy Helmet into thy Hand and compare it with the Helmet here treated of and then Mind the Vse and Advantage of the Helmet of Hope and if it raise in thy Heart high thoughts of this great Grace and more Diligence in the Exercise of it I have obtained my end and Christ his Glory who is the Object Author and offspring of this Hope with whom we Hope to live in Glory Rom. 15.13 Now that the God of Hope may fill thee and me with all Joy and Peace in believing that we may abound in Hope through the Power of the Holy Ghost is the earnest Prayer of Daventry May 21st 1694. Thy Fellow Souldier and Servant AND. BARNET COL 1.27 latter end of the Ver. Christ within the Hope of Glory THere is a vast difference betwixt the Effects of Common Providence and the Fruits of Christs Presence 1. The Effects of Common Providence extend to the just and to the unjust We in this Nation have long lived under the Gospel and hereupon come to be acquainted with the things that belong to our Peace 2 Tim. 1.10 for Life and Immortality are brought to Light by the Gospel And the Light of the Gospel shining so long amongst us by the good Providence of God hath enlightned the understandings of many with the common Notions of Christianity and the Will following the Dictates of the Understanding it hence comes to pass that a visible outward Profession of Religion abounds amongst us And great numbers there are of Professors that walk in a Track of Duty and Conform to the External part of the true Religion and have Hope in themselves that all is well with them and that they shall inherit Glory when all this is but the Effect of Common Providence and they are still of the number of the Foolish Virgins that though Virgins vaunted in their outward Behavior yet had not a Grain of the Oyl of Grace in the Soul 2. The Fruits of Christ his own Presence are enjoyed by few and are the peculiar Priviledges of the Vessels of Honour that Christ hath Redeemed by his Bloody Sacrifice John 17.2 ver 6. These that the Father gave him are they to whom he gives Eternal Life He gave his Life for them and gives himself to them He opens their hearts by his Spirit and comes in and takes up his abode with them And having cast out the strong Man armed and set up his own Kingdom in their Souls that Kingdom that consists not in Word but in Power and ruling in their Hearts by his Grace and Spirit they hereby come to enjoy in themselves sure and certain Hopes of Glory This is called in the Text a Mistery made manifest to the Saints it s a mistery in it self and to all carnal unregenerated Persons but made manifest to the Saints They and none but they understand the meaning of it and know not only who Christ is and what are his Offices and the Benefits thereof but also what it is to have Christ in them and to live in the enjoyment of so great a Blessing And this it is that is the Ground of their Hope of Glory to them God hath made known what is the Riches of the Glory of this Mistery amongst the Gentiles which is Christ in them the Hope of Glory It s the Clause of these Words that I have chose to be the Subject of my ensuing Discourse Christ in you the Hope of Glory Wherein we may note 1. The Characteristical Qualification of the Persons here spoke of viz. Christ within 2. The Consequent Consolation thence arising viz. The Hope of Glory 1. The Characteristical Qualification of the Persons spoken of viz. Christ within this is the Motto of the true Christian and that that denominates him not only a Christian by Name but a Christian indeed A true Nathanael in whom there is no guile a true Israelite one by whom Christ is not only professed but also possessed Christ is formed in him and he conformed to him It s not Christ without that will serve the turn but we must have Christ within living and reigning in our Souls by his Grace and Spirit It s not Christ in Heaven but Christ in the Heart that constitutes us true Christians It s not talking of Christ but entertaining Christ as King Priest and Prophet that we must come up to if we will become true Christians 2. The Consequenâ— Consolation hence arising viz. The Hope of Glory It s Christ in the Soul that puts the Soul in so hopeful a Condition and is the true and main ground of the Souls Hope of Glory And this ground of Hope all such have that have Christ in them I do not say that all
such are assured of Glory but this I say that all such are sure of Glory and ought to live in sure and certain Hope of Glory In this Case Christ himself is the Object and Original of all true Hope of Glory But its Christ in the Soul both in respect of Union and Communion that is the off-spring of this Hope of Glory and Christ in us becomes our Hope of Glory two ways By way of Influence and by way of Evidence 1. By way of Influence as when the Soul comes into the Body it animates it and by its influence causeth such Motions as do assure the Mother that she is quick with Child and may live in Hope of being a glad Mother So when Christ comes into the Soul by his Spirit it so influenceth the Soul and changeth it that thereby the Soul comes to know and understand that it is a member of Christ and an Heir of Glory and therefore lives in sure and certain Hope of Glory 2. By way of Evidence the Spirit of Christ in the Soul is the Souls Evidence for Heaven and as great an Evidence as can be had on this side Heaven Rom. 8.9 Ye are not in the Flesh but in the Spirit if so be the Spirit of God dwell in you Now if any Man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his You see that the Spirit of Christ in the Soul doth Evidence the Souls Interest in Christ and assures it that he is Christs and Christ is his and this Evidence is so Evident that it fills the Soul with Hopes of Glory The Soul thus argues with it self Christ in the Soul is the Souls Hope of Glory Now I find Christ in my Soul and therefore Oh my Soul live thou in sure and certain Hope of Glory Having now divided and unfolded the Words I extract thence these two Doctrines Doct. 1. That every true Christian hath Christ within him Doct. 2. It s Christ within us that is our Hopes of Glory 1. Doct. Every sincere Christian hath Christ within him John 14.20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father and you in me and I in you Gal. 2.20 I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me 1 John 3. last He that keepeth his Commandments dwelleth in him and He in him And hereby we know that he abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given us Rev. 3.20 If any Man hear my Voice and open the Door I will come in to him To prevent mistakes and clear up this great Truth let us enquire how and in what Sense this is to be understood when and in what manner doth Christ take Possession of the Hearts of his Elect why and for what cause and end is it that he abideth in them And how may we know the Spirit of Christ from the Spirit of Antichrist Quest 1. How and in what sense is this Doctrine to be understood Answ 1. Negatively It 's not to be understood of his personal bodily Presence his Body is now a Glorified Body and abideth in Heaven and there is to abide 'till he come to Judgment The Romanist tell us that Sacramental bread is changed into his Body and after Consecration every Wafer is the Body of Christ and is not to be eaten but to be swallowed and upon swallowing it Christ is within them but if Paul had been of their mind he would not have tould us that after Consecration it remains still bread and that it's bread that we eat and not the very body of Christ 1 Cor. 11.26.27 And our senses assure us it is bread we see feel and taste bread and yet they are so senseless as they will not believe their own eyes Nor is it to be understood of the Providential presence of Christ it is true that Christ is with us by the presence of his Providence ordering our affairs and disposing of us and our concerns according to the Councel of his good Will and Pleasure but the In-being here spoken of is of another Nature therefore I answer 2. Affirmatively That it is to be understood of his Spiritual presence viz. that Christ is in his Spouse and in every particular Member that belongs unto him by his Spirit and Grace Rom. 8.9 10. If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none his and if that Christ be in you the body is dead because of sin viz. If by his Spirit he be in you It implies the Mistical union that is betwixt Christ and his Members A Mistery that is too wonderful to be made manifest to Mortals And it signifies to us our dependance upon Chriist for Light and Life What the Soul is to the body that Christ is to the Soul he abides in it by his spirit to supply its needs And is all in all to the Soul And all things else are just nothing to the Soul for they can afford it no satisfaction nor any one supply of its needs Alas what relief can Honour or Riches afford a Christless Soul none at all They oft prove snares to the Soul but never give any succour to it but Christ by his Spirit is in every true Christian and this is his Happiness and his hope of Glory Quest 2. When and in what manner doth Christ take possession of the hearts of his Elect Answ In this great transaction betwixt Christ and the Soul it is certain that Christ himself is the Author and the Spirit his Agent and his Word his usual and ordinary instrument and Faith his appointed method and means and the Work is wholly supernatural But the Modus rei the course and order that the Spirit makes use of in this great affair its intricate and hereby hath occasioned some difference in the apprehensions of the Learned In my weak Judgment they are in the right that distinguish betwixt 1. The qualifying Antecedents or Prerequisites that dispose prepare and fit the Soul for so great a Guest viz. the Grace that Christ by his Spirit conveys into the Soul in order to his entrance called the first preventing Grace this is the seed of Faith and a holy principle of Life Light and Love infused into the Soul as a holy Root and cause of all actual holiness and precedes it and puts the Soul into a capacity to put forth future acts of holiness This initial holiness sanctifies the Soul and halloweth it and makes it meet for the indwelling of the holy Spirit And till the Soul be thus seasoned I cannot see how the Holy Ghost can take up its Habitation in it What Communion can light have with darkness 2. The conveying Concomitants that usher Christ into the Soul and accompany the possession that the Spirit takes of the Soul is called subsequent Grace or the Influence of the Spirit causing the Soul freely to reduce the said seed and principle into Act and when it actually repents and believes through grace received then it is actually justified upon the account of Christ's
Souls should fallely apply this to themselves and so aggrivate their discouragements I shall first describe the Hypocrite and then lay open the falsness of his Hope That Professor is an Hypocrite that for self-interest conforms to the outward exercises of Christianity and walks in the tract of the duties thereof but is a stranger to the inwards of duty viz. the enjoyment of Christ and the exercise of Grace therein hath no regard to the inward man hath nothing of the Image of Christ in the Soul is wholly carnal and sensual not having the Spirit is altogether destitute of saving Grace And as for his gifts he useth them for by ends to quiet his Conscience to keep up his Name and Credit amongst Christians or to curry favour with some that he hath a dependance upon As for such as labour under a trembling fear of hypocrisie and bewail that partial hypocrisie they find in themselves and fight and pray against it they hereby give such an evidence of their sincerity as declares that they are of the number of true Christians and cannot be ranked amongst Hypocrites and their Fault lies not in hoping but in the weakness of their Hope and oft in rejecting the Hope of Glory But the Hypocrite tho' he be not in a hopeful condition yet he is commonly full of confidence and cherisheth false hope in himself but this Doctrine overthrows his hope Si tollitur causa tollitur effectus Take away the Cause and the Effect ceaseth Now in these the experience of the saving work of Grace in the heart is wanting Christ was never formed in them and therefore there can be no such thing in them as any true Hope of Glory And hence it is the Spirit of God in the Word cries down the hope of the Hypocrite and tells him that it is not to be trusted to but that in vain they hope for Glory Job 8.13 14. The Hypocrites Hope shall perish His trust shall be a Spiders Web Spun out of a false conceit of their own brains and when the besom of destruction comes it fails and proves a Spiders Web for weakness and worth and durance it proves of no value Job 27.8 What is the Hope of the Hypocrite when God taketh away his Soul Then where is his hope Alas he then finds his hope turned into despair and he that hoped for Heaven is cast down into Hell Oh these false Hopes how do they vanish under the greatest needs of the Soul such come before God like men to a Market with Money enough in their Pocket that they took for good but proves counterfeit and will not pass and so they cannot supply any of their need with it So these hopes fails them when they most need them and will not pass for currant their hopes of Glory have not 〈◊〉 grain of good in them they are counterâ—eit Coin away with them 2. To prophane Wretches that live scanâ—alous Lives wallow in wickedness that â—ne would think that they could not pretend 〈◊〉 any hopes of Glory and yet I have met with many of these that feed themselves with hopes of Glory Though these hopes are the Childrens bread yet these Dogs snatch at them and they that are Posting towards Hell will not be brought to see their Danger but think they are going to Heaven Oh you that live prophane Lives and yet hope for Glory hear what is said of your hope Job 11.20 The Hope of the wicked shall be as the giving up of the Ghost that is He that is seized with Death and his Soul ready to expire may as well hope to Live as such hope for Heaven in the State they are in Or their Hope is as the giving up of the Ghost that is as a puff of breath like the last puff of breath that a dying man puffeth when he leaves the World that vanisheth in a moment It 's no more to be regarded no more to be relied upon then such a puff And when the Wicked puff out their last breath their breath and hope will vanish together Then adieu to Breath and adieu to Hope Oh ye that live in notorious Wickedness and yet hope for Mercy from God in this State of Sin at your Death give me leave to expostulate with you a little about your hopes 1. What reason can you give for this hope that is in you what Word of God have you met with to ground your hope on Alas alas that you should take up a hope that hath not one Word of God for its support but much against it in the Scripture Nay let me tell you your hope is false or God himself false in his Word reconcile your hope if you can to these Scriptures Psa 9.17 The wicked shall be turned into Hell Job 19.7 He shall perish for ever like his own Dung Isa 3.11 Wo to the wicked it shall be ill with him for the reward of his hands shall be given him Isa 27.11 He that made them shall not have mercy on them and he that formed them shall shew them no favour Rom. 2.9 Tribulation and Anguish upon every Soul that doth evil 2 Thes 1.7.8.9 The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven ta-Vengance on them that know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ who shall be punished with everlasting Destruction 2. What Right can you claim to Christ and to Salvation by him he is a Saviour of the believer and of none but believers if you say you believe and therefore he is your Saviour then hear what James says to you James 2.18 19 20. Thy Faith is a dead Faith and profits nothing and this he proves thus Faith without works is dead thy Faith is such a Faith and therefore but a dead Faith Obj. This Doctrine tends to despair and leaves a Sinner without Hope and therefore a dangerous Doctrine Answ It 's the Doctrine of the Gospel and tells you that there is no hope for you in a State of Sin and yet there is Hope no Hope and yet Hope No Hope whilst you cleave to your Sins and prefer your Sins before your Salvation And yet Hope if you turn true penitent Believers Ezra 10.2 There is hope in Israel viz. For Sinners in case of Repentance Ezek. 18.30 Turn you from all your Iniquity so Iniquity shall not be your ruin otherwise it will certainly ruin you so that Life and Death are set before you Salvation and Damnation Salvation in case of Repentance but Damnation in case you live and die without true Repentance Now what will ye do in this Case will you be as you are and do as you do then you remain hopeless but if you will turn from all your Sins to God and accept of Salvation by Christ in Gods appointed way then you may live in Hope of Glory Heb. 6.18 Who have fled for Refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us You see there is a Refuge for you to flie to a Present Patent
and Lives in danger you would be concerned and bestir you to save your selves you would cry out for help and be thankful to any one that would tell you how to escape your danger Now in your case your Souls are in Danger and in present Danger and in great Danger and will you not be perswaded to seek to save your selves 2. The Cure prescribed is a proper Cure Christ within is the Cure and this is a suitable Cure Your Disease is inward to wit the Plague of the Heart and outward Applications cannot reach it it calls for an inward Remedy Nay more Christ within is not only a suitable Cure but also a Soveraign Cure that will certainly and infallibly Cure you Yea this is the only Cure all other remedies are vain and insufficient and will you reject such a remedy It 's a remedy of Gods own prescription and cures all that make use of it and will you not use it will you chuse Death before Life Damnation before Salvation Oh then what will you do in the end thereof 3. The Cost of the Cure now offered is discharged and now freely offered It is a Costly Cure the price paid down for it is beyond Value Who can reckon up the value of the Cross of Christ Heb. 2.10 He was made Perfect through sufferings There is a twofold perfection imputed to Christ 1. Perfectio Personae His Person was perfectly qualifyed for his Offices He was perfectly Sanctified and so he was a perfect High-Priest 2. Perfectio Operis the Work of Redemption was consummated by his perfect Obedience and meritorious Sufferings He became a perfect Saviour thereby and perfected the Work of Redemption that he might be a Soveraign Redemy and save to the utmost all such as came to him He made plenary satisfaction to Divine Justice for the Sins of such as he was to Save And it cost him dear to become an infallible Cure for perishing Souls it cost him his Life he parted with his precious Blood he bore the weight of Gods Wrath and underwent the shameful and painful Death of the Cross it cost him many a dreadful Pang and will you sleight so costly a Cure do ye account the Blood of Christ a vain thing hath he been at the cost of the Cure and at so great cost and will you refuse so costly a Cure freely offered can ye put a greater Indignity upon Christ than to tell him to his Face that you account him a Physician of no Value and will have nothing to do with him nor with the Cure he offereth you is this your kindness to such a Friend 4. The Course you take is fatal and deadly You refuse to let Christ into your hearts and bolt the door against him and this will be your ruin if persisted in without Repentance You reject the remedy at your own Peril and your destruction will be of your selves and you will know hereafter what it is to reject your own Salvation Can you that refuse such rich Mercy think to escape Divine Vengance Oh how dreadful are the fore-thoughts of your Condemnation and what then will the Execution be will you not be disswaded from turning your backs upon your Blessed Saviour when he is offering and tendering Salvation to you will ye bring the Blood of Christ and the Blood of your own Souls upon your heads and wilfully run on in Rebellion against Christ 'till the Wrath of the Lord go out against you and there be no remedy then I say of all men you are most miserable It had been better for you you had never been born or had been made Moles instead of Men but I would perswade my self of better things of you and such as accompany Salvation Consider 5. The Change for the better that Christ in the heart will make in you 1 Cor. 6.11 Such were some of you but ye are washed ye are sanctified ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God See here 1. The Agent in this change the Spirit in them 2. The Advantage of the change it was a change for the better that of bad made them good of unclean clean and brought them out of Danger into safety out of a State of Condemnation into a State of Justification out of a State of Sin into a State of Sanctity a blessed Change And Christ in the Heart will make such a Change in you He will change your Hearts and Lives and fit you to live and fit you to dy And let me tell you for your Encouragment that the change will be so Sweet to your selves that you will find such a strange unexpected content and satisfaction in it that you would not be what you now are for a World Little do you know the Comforts that accompany such a change Oh be perswaded to live and you will never repent thereof but enjoy such a Happiness in your self as the World cannot afford 2. You that have Christ in you Be you entreated to live as such as have Christ in you Col. 2.4 As ye have received Christ so walk in him See that your words and works favour of Christ Live not below your selves Is it for such as have Christ in them to mind earthly things and to make a God of the World is it for such as have Christ in them to maintain Pride in their Habiâ—s and Behaviours and to wear the Flags of Lucifer and the Dress of Flora is it for such as have Christ in them to muster up the Spirit of Contention and to cast Squibs one at another are ye not carnal herein and walk as Men as Paul doth Phrase it that is as meer Men that have nothing of the Spirit of Christ in them Is it for such as have Christ in them to manage Religious Exercises carnally and deceitfully To be Time-servers and Men-pleasers and to serve God no further than it will stand with Self-interest Oh Sirs What manner of Persons should you be in all holy Conversation and Godliness 2 Pet. 3.11 How should you strive to conform your selves to Christ and not to the World and to live according to the Laws of Heaven and not according to the vain Customs of wicked Men How should you let others see that Christ within hath changed you and made you Gospel proof that neither Profit Example nor Honour can turn you from the Principles and Precepts of the Gospel if Christ be in you be ye followers of Christ as Dear Children 1. And see that you live Circumspectly Eph. 5.15 See that you walk circumspectly not as Fools but as Wise It will be your Wisdom to keep up your spiritual Watch and to Watch carefully though Christ be in you yet there is much Corruption within you and the Flesh will be Lusting against the Spirit and if it prevail it will grieve the Spirit and occasion it's withdrawings as to Sense and Apprehension and cause Christ to hide his Face from you and to stand
Diocess to rule and govern the same or as a Pilot in a Ship to guide it or as the Soul in the Body to actuate and animate it It 's his Office to Counsel Conduct Confirm and Comfort his People and he is faithful in his Office You see what Comforts you may suck out of this Honycomb Oh Mind them much that you may live comfortably upon them in this bad World Do not pore too much upon your Troubles but oft call to Mind the Comforts that belong to you and live joyfully in Hope of Glory 2. Doct. It is Christ within us that is our Hope of Glory 1 John 5.12 He that hath the Son hath Life and he that hath not the Son hath not Life Vitam gratiae in re Vitam gloriae in spe He that hath Christ hath the Life of Grace in reality and the Life of Glory in Hope In the Doctrinal part for the Information of your Judgments and Illustration of this great Truth I shall give a brief Account of the Glory here spoken of the Hope of Glory and then prove that it 's Christ in us that is our Hope of Glory Quest 1. What Glory is this here spoken of Answ There is the Glory of the World and that is Fading and Transitory And there is the uncreated Glory of the most High and that is incomprehensible And there is the Glory of the Saints in Heaven and that is in Riches invaluable but this is the Glory that I am now to speak of And who can give an account of this so great and amazing Glory A full account cannot be expected yet there is a Glimpse and but a Glimpse thereof given us in the Gospel And as far as it is revealed so far we may endeavour a Discovery And in the Gospel it is set forth in its Properties and Priviledges And of 1. The Properties of this Glory The Term Property if strictly taken is unapt and improper and if you please you may lay it aside and instead thereof put the Praises that are given by God to this Glory It is called an Unsearchable Unchangeable Unconceivable and an Uncorruptible Glory 1. It 's an Unsearchable Glory Job 5.9 God doth great things and unsearchable And his Glorifying such worthless worms as the Children of Men are is one of the great unsearchable things that he doth for the Glory of his great Name Alas where shall we search for a full discovery of the Glory of the Saints in Heaven The Book of Nature and the Book of the Scripture give but a Dim and Dark account of it And were we admitted to take a view in the Court of Heaven and enabled to bear it it might dazle our Eyes and ravish our Hearts but we could not see into its Nature nor search out its Splendour nor utter what we saw of this unsearchable Glory 2. It 's an Unchangeable Glory the Glory of the Sun may be Eclipsed and the Glory of Princes obscured but the Glory of the Saints in Heaven cannot be changed 1 Pet. 1.24 The Glory of Man is as the Flower of Grass That if it be not nipt before ripe yet then it withers and drops off into the Portion of Weeds but the Word of the Lord endureth for ever and the Glory of Heaven is established by an Immutable Irrevocable Decree of the Lord of Hosts 3. It 's an Unconceiveable Glory 1 Cor. 2.9 Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither have entered into the Heart of Man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him The Glory that is prepared in Heaven for the Elect is beyond the reach of a finite Understanding The Saints in Heaven that have Glory in Possession do wonder at their own Glory as not being able to comprehend the Riches of it the least Jewel that belongs to any Crown of Glory is invaluable Oh the difference that is betwixt the Glory of the Crowns of Earthly Kings and the Glory of a Crown of Glory All the Glory of the World united together is but a bauble or a single Chaff if compared to it 4. It 's an Incorruptable Glory 1 Cor. 9.25 They strive for Mastery to obtain a corruptible Crown but we an incorruptible All Worldly Glory is fading this never fades nay this Fading corruptible Body of a Saint must at the Resurrection put on Incorruption and be Glorified according to the Pattern of Christ his Glorious Body Phil. 3. last And both Soul and Body united live for ever in Glory And what an Excellency doth this Word Eternity put upon this Glory to live in Glory for the Term of a whole and long Life is extraordinary But to live in such Glory to all Eternity Oh how Excellent is this Surely the Glory we are speaking of is not to be slighted especially if we further consider 2. The Priviledges of it The Prerogatives of the Crown of Glory are most Rich and Royal Prerogatives Every Crown hath its Prerogatives but the Prerogatives of the Crown of Glory are extraordinary precious Prerogatives and all the Saints enjoy them and that without any encroachment hazard or forfeiture Let us take notice of some of them 1. Great Changes both in the Form and Fashion of the Body and also in the Frame and Faculties of the Soul beyond our present Apprehensions 1 John 3.2 It doth not appear what we shall be viz. Neither by Reason nor Revelation but though this great change that will be made in glorified Saints doth not fully appear either to our Sight or Knowledge yet it appears that it will be such a State of Perfection both of Body and Soul as will make us like our glorified Head and will make us capable of seeing and holding Communion with him We know says he That when Christ shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is And by this it appears that the Body of the Saints must be greatly refined and spiritualized to be fitted for glorified Souls These earthly Tabernacles that now are but Prisons to our Souls and by the straitness of the Organous render the Soul uncapable of putting forth such Operations as their noble Natures are capable of and by their feebleness cannot bear an express of Joy without overcoming the Vital Spirits 1 Cor. 15.54 These Frail Bodies I say will then be made Immortal and Incorruptible and so Active and Powerful as to be able to bear such Impressions as now they are wholly unable to bear And also the natural Faculties of the Soul will be wonderfully enlarged That so in Union with the Body they may be made meet for an Eternity of Praises and for those beatifical Visions which they must alway behold And both Soul and Body then united will be covered with such a Mantle of Glory as will make them not only amiable but as will exceed the Sun in its Splendor Mat. 28.3 It 's said the Angel that appeared at the Resurrection of Christ Had a Countenance like the Lightning
but poor work of it he will be quickly weary of his work it s the Hope of a good Crop that makes the Husbandman Labour hard in Seed time he Plows and Soweth in Hope and its Hope that Spurs him on and encourageth him in his Work So it is the Hope of Glory that carries a Christian through his Work Acts 24.16 Herein do I exercise my self says Paul Wherein was it that he was so diligent in Religious Exercises why it was in Hopes of a joyful Resurrection ver 15. I have Hope towards God of the joyful Resurrection of the Just And in Hope thereof I endeavour to be of that number exercising my self in works of Holiness and Righteousness 1 Cor. 15. last Abound in the Works of the Lord forasmuch as you know that your Labour is not in vain in the Lord q. d. You know your Labour shall be rewarded and live in Hope of Glory and is it for you to Loiter No no your Hopes of Glory is given you to help on your Labour that you may abound in the Works of the Lord. 2. To help us in our Warfare for it fortifies the Soul and is as needful as Arms are for Souldiers We are all Souldiers under Christ the Captain of our Salvation and fight against his Enemies And this Hope is one of our spiritual Weapons It 's our Helmet 1 Thess 5.8 Put on for a helmet the hope of Salvation It hath both the Use and Force of a Helmet As a Helmet saves the Head and Heart and stands betwixt them and danger So our Hope of Glory doth in the time of Temptation stand betwixt the Soul and the danger and put by the strokes of the Temptation When the Soul is assaulted its Answer to the Temptation is No no if I yeild I shall dash my Hope of Glory God hath promised Glory to such as hold out against Temptations and I live in Hope of Glory and prize my Hope of Glory and will not for the Pleasures of Sin that are but for a moment hazzard the loss of this Glory I am Christs Souldier and shall I fight against my own Captain and him with whom I hope to live in Glory away Satan it s not for one that lives in Hope of Glory and finds and feels the sweetness thereof in his own Soul to have any fellowship with the unfruitful works of Darkness 3. To help us in our Wants for it fits us for supplies We are needy Creatures alway in want and God hath made plentiful provision for the supply of our wants if we hope in him and promised such to supply all their need according to his Riches in Glory by Christ Jesus Psa 31. last Be of good Courage and he shall strengthen your hearts all ye that hope in the Lord Though ye be weak and need strengthening and lie under heavey Burthens and want strength to bear them yet be of good Courage God will strengthen your hearts Psal 147 12. The Lord takes pleasure in those that hope in his mercy And are they the Objects of his Delight then surely he will look after them and take notice of their needs and give them seasonable supplies and hear and answer the Prayers that they put up for these supplies Such as pray in hope are sure to speed for hope redownds much to the Glory of God It implies an acknowledment of his faithfulness and alsufficiency and it puts the Soul in a waiting Frame and meets mercy with a thankful Heart and therefore God doth take Pleasure in such and in shewing mercy to such Now lay these things together and you will see both what hope God expects from you and why you are to exercise Hope and of what use this precious Grace is God expects that your hope be of the right kind a still and stedfast Hope a lively and lasting Hope grounded upon the indwelling of Christ in the Soul and his faithfulness in his Promises made to such Souls and such a hope as this is a mighty great help to the Soul both in its Work in its Warfare and in all its Wants And now I proceed to the Proof of the Doctrine 3 Quest How doth it appear that Christ in us is our Hope of Glory Answ Though few mind it yet all shall know at the great Day that this Doctrine is a great Truth and if we will submit our judgments to the Standard of Truth the infallible Word of God it will convince us and clearly inform us that it 's Christ in us that is our Hope of Glory 1. The Provisoes we find in the Acts of Oblivion recorded in the Word exempt all such from mercy as receive not Christ by Faith into their Souls and so excludes them from all Hope of Glory There are Acts of Grace in the Gospel that grant pardon and promise Glory to all penitent Believers that receive Christ by Faith into their Souls and consent and submit to his Scepter And upon these Acts of Grace our Hope of Glory is built as upon a Foundation But these Acts of Grace have Provisoes that exempt out of mercy and favour such as continue in impenitence and unbelief and in disobedience to the Gospel and tell such that it is in vain for them whilst such to Hope for Glory But in that Estate they can expect no mercy for God hath exempted them in the Acts of Grace 1 Cor. 6.9 10. Be not deceived nither fornicators nor Idolaters c. shall inherit the Kingdom of Heaven Glory is promised to some but gross Sinners are exempted The Apostle thus Treats the Corinthians If any amongst you lead wicked Lives and hope to go to Heaven in their Sins be it known to them that they are deceived they do but deceive themselves by thus hoping such shall not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven if they live and dye in their Sins they live and die without an Interest in Christ and shall be shut out of Heaven but if any have been such and are changed and converted from Sin to Christ let such live in Hope of Glory Such as do continue in a State of Sin and are neither Justified nor Sanctified do vainly expect to be Glorified 2. The Promises that we find in the said Acts of Grace and the persons to whom these Promises are made do prove the truth of this Doctrine We find a grant of mercy in the Acts of Grace and Christ promising to Save some from the Wrath to come and to receive them into Glory But who are the Persons concerned in this Grant that are the subjects of this Grace and to whom the Promise is made it is not to all Sinners nor to Sinners as Sinners but to Penitent Sinners to such Sinners and to all such and to none but such as come to Christ in the path of the Promise with penitent Hearts and accept of him upon his own Terms and receive him by Faith into their Souls to dwell with them by his Grace and Spirit and reign
suppress Grace for a time and Satan may give them a Martial fall but the end of the Encounter will be the beating of Satan out of the Field the recovery of the Soul to its pristine Liberty and renewed sweet mutual embraces betwixt Christ and the Soul Cant. 2.8 Behold he cometh leaping upon the Mountains skipping upon the Hills The greatest Mountains cannot keep Christ and his People asunder The Mountains that stand in his way cannot impede his return but drooping Souls shall with admiration behold the return of their beloved returning with speed and joy to the Beloved Habitation of their Souls Jer. 31.20 Is Ephraim my dear son is he a pleasant Child for since I spake against him I do earnestly remember him still therefore my bowels are troubled for him I will surely have mercy upon him saith the Lord. The Sons of God have such an Interest in the heart of their heavenly Father and are so dear to him that though their provocations sometimes occasion his frowns yet still he hath them in remembrance and exerciseth Bowels of Compassion towards them and for their Comfort gives them full assurance of Releif from him Surely I will have Mercy upon him saith the Lord in which words there is 1. An Assertion I will have mercy on him he thâ—â—ks that he is quite cast out of Favour and 〈…〉 to despare of my mercy but this is his mistake I will have mercy upon him his wickedness and unworthiness shall not hinder it I will take away his Sin and have mercy upon his Soul 2. An Asseveration Surely I will do it I do not only say it but will surely do it He doubts of it but he shall be sure of it as sure as if it were done already Oh the gracious Condescention of our God! He knows what unbelieving hearts we have and to encourage us in hoping and believing he backs his Promises with such Confirmations as do put them beyond all doubt and question 2. Vse Of Instruction to three sorts of Persons viz. To such as are wallowing in their Sins to such as are weak in their Faith and Hope and to such as are waiting in Hope for the Glory of Heaven 1. To such as are Wallowing in their Sins Oh all ye that live in Uncleanness Drunkenness Ungodliness and Unrighteousness and Consequently live without Christ and true Hope in the World be Instructed from this Doctrine to take notice of some great Truths that much concern you As 1. Observe the Happiness of such as do Believe and Cordially Embrace the Gospel and change your Thoughts of them You account them simple contemptible People and think that they are more precise than wise but consider is it not better to enjoy Christ in Grace and assured hopes of enjoying him in Glory than to live Vitiously without any regard to Glory I appeal to your own Consciences and desire you to take the answer that your Consciences will give you to this question Whether they are in the better Condition that live under guilt and in constant danger of eternal Death and Damnation or they that by Faith and Repentance are united to and in Communion with their Blessed Redemer and live in sure and certain Hope of Glory 2. Observe the High-way to obtain both the Hope of Glory here and the enjoymâ—nt of Glory hereafter And this you see is not the professing Christ with the Mouth but possessing him in the Heart Not the owning of Christ by the Soul but the admitting Christ into the Soul It 's this that is the appointed way to Glory and to the Hope of Glory and if you fall short of this you will certainly fall short of Glory Alas you talk of living in Hope of Glory and have hopes in your selves but they are false Hopes and pernitious Hopes that make you secure and careless in the midst of the most dreadful Danger and take heed least that Threatning be executed upon you 1 Thes 5.3 When they shall say peace and safety then suddain destruction cometh on them as travel upon a Woman with child and they shall not escape 3. Observe the Hatefulness of the Sin of Unbelief and the reason why there is so much said against it in the Gospel Here lies the vileness of this Sin where it Reigns it vitiates the Heart and keeps Christ and the Soul asunder and so frustrates the Death of Christ to the Soul And this is your Case You are oft told of your Misery and pressed to flie to the City of Refuge but you believe not our Report of your Case but by Unbelief bolt the Door of your Hearts against the Voice of the Gospel and this makes your Case so hopeless Your Unbelief is that which so much endangers your Ruin Did you beileve the account that God himself gives of your Case in his Holy Word you could not feed your selves with these false Hopes that keep you from Repentance 4. Observe the Holiness of this Glory that this Doctrine speaks of and your unmeetness for the same Col. 1.12 Giving thanks to the Father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light This Inheritance is a heavenly Inheritance and the Inheritance of none but Saints and these Saints are made meet for it before they are received into it If then you would be partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints you must be made meet for it Can you imagin that such filthy Hearts as yours are meet for Heaven what should such as you do in Heaven were it possible for such as you to get into Heaven Heaven would be a Hell to you You that are now tyred so much with an hour or two spent in the Service of your Maker how could you brook the Holiness of Heaven and the heavenly Imployments of Saints and Angels 5. Observe the Hopelesness of a Christless Condition The Hopes of Glory are inconsistent with a Christless Condition Such as live without Christ in the World must needs live without Hope of Glory also Ephes 2.12 Ye were without Christ Having no hope and without God in the world I pray you mind what the Lord says of your Condition You say you have Hope but God says that your Condition is a hopeless Condition and that you have not Hope Alas your Hope is no Hope in Gods Account for it is no well-grounded Hope no true Hope It 's presumption and not Hope it 's said Rom. 5.5 Hope maketh not ashamed That is Divine Hope is certain and infallible and doth not shame such as enjoy it by way of Frustration But what shame will your Hope expose you to what confusion will it put you to when it fails and you miss of your vain Glorious Hope how many are there now in Hell that on Earth boasted of their Hopes of Heaven Now shall I beg of you that you would commune with your selves about these things and take them into serious Consideration and press them upon your own Spirits
manner with such Jollities Mirth Musick Dancing Clapping of hands for joy as was never practised amongst sober Christians in expectation of a speedy Midnight Cry and a Transportation to Jerusalem Let me entreat you to look upon them as under a Satanical delusion and have nothing to do with that hope that will certainly end in shame Keep your hope within the compass of the Promises and aspire not to hopes that are of such a Phantastical Nature 2. Confess oft your unworthiness of this great Mercy It 's a high Attainment and it 's a hard matter to keep the Heart low under high Attainments High hopes of Glory are apt to lift up the Heart with high thoughts of it self To have such high hopes and yet to have low Spirits is rare and extraordinary Paul indeed was high in Gifts and high in Grace high in excellencies and high in expectation of Glory and yet low and humble in Spirit do you labour to be like him And to this end mind your unworthiness of the mercy and ascribe all your hopes of Glory to Free Grace You are in danger of Pride in this case watch against it and pray against it and beat down every bubble of Pride that ariseth in your Hearts least you grow High-minded and so provoke God to bereave you of your hope of Glory Rom. 11.20 Be not high-minded but fear Think not highly of your selves but sear least your Hearts should grow haughty and beware of it Pride is a great Sin especially when it is about those things which are freely given us of God for the good of out Souls 3. Confute your causeless and carnal Fears by these your sure and certain Hopes of Glory You are incident in this Life to frauds from men and frowns from God to Sin and Sorrow and to Trials and Temptations and these cause fears yea great and terrible fears Good David was surrounded with them Psal 31.13 Fear was on every side And none are free from these fears Isa 24.17 Fear the pit and the snare are upon thee O Inhabitant of the Earth There is not an Inhabitant upon the Earth but he is sometimes haunted with these fears and these exceedinly discompose and disjoint the Soul and unfit it for the Service of God Now God hath given you Hope of Glory for an Antidote against this Poyson to cure you of your fears imploy your hopes against your fears and confute your fears with your hopes 1. Argue a Minore ad majus from the less to the greater Doth the fear of Hell and Damnation seize you confute it thus he that hath a sure certain Hope of Glory shall enjoy the end of his hope viz. The Salvation of his Soul otherwise this hope were in vain and God hath given me such a hope Away then thou fear it 's not for him that lives in hopes of Glory to torment himself with such needless fears Thus by your Hope cast out your Fears 2. Argue majore ad minus from the greater to the less Rom. 8.32 Shall he not with him freely give us all things hath he given me Christ and the Hope of Glory and shall I fear want no surely he will see to my needs and supply me with all necessaries and what need I more Phil. 4.19 My God shall supply all your wants according to his Riches in Glory by Christ he hath supplied the wants of my Soul and shall I fear want of supplies for my body when I have a promise of the supply of all my need No no as I hope for Glory so will I hope in God for bodily supplies and cast my care upon him that alway hath taken care for my supply 4. Conform your selves to Christ with whom you hope to live in Glory Conform to his Precepts and to his Pattern do his Will on Earth as it 's done in Heaven See that your Hopes of Glory influence your Heart and excite Heavenly-mindedness You that hope to live with Christ in Glory what manner of persons ought ye to be how exact in your daily walk how lively in every Duty how regular in all your actions you should make your hopes of Glory a strong Argument against Sin it 's not for one that hopes to live with Christ in Glory to mind earthly things 1 John 3.3 Every man that hath this hope in himself purifies himself as he is pure He Argues thus with himself Christ is pure and holy and I hope to live with him in Glory and therefore it concerns me above others to shun all uncleanness and to keep my self unspotted from the World 5. Confirm your hope of Glory more and more Strong hopes of Glory would add much strength to your Soul 1. Your patience would be much strengthned by it steady firm and assured hopes of Glory would enable you to possess your souls in Patience under the sadest Circumstances that can befall you 1 Thes 1.3 Remembring your patience of Hope Patience is the product of hope and hope the Mother of patience the stronger your hope the greater your patience Hope therefore must be strengthned for the increase of patience You have need of Patience Heb. 10.36 It 's needful to help you to wait for mercy under long delays of Mercy and to help you to bear adversity without Despondency High Hopes of Glory heigthen Patience and patience easeth the Burden of Oppression 2 Your Praises would be much sweetned by it A Heart filled with Hope of Glory is a joyful heart and Praises God melodiously and joyfully Psal 16.9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoiceth my flesh also shall rest in hope or according to the Hebrew dwell confidently and I hope to enjoy everlasting rest in Glory and this makes my heart glad and my glory rejoyce when with my glory or tongue I glorifie God in trumpeting out his Praise my heart rejoyceth in me Strong hopes fill the heart with strong Consolations Heb. 6.18 and strong Consolations enlarge the heart in Praises Confirmed hope quickens and corroborates the Soul and makes the praises of God very delightful to a Christian 6. Comfort your selves under all Discomforts Disappointments and Discouragements with your hopes of Glory You are sure whilst you are in this envious World to meet with Troubles but be of good Comfort Christ within you and your hope of Glory will support you in your Trouble and animate you under them you need not to be troubled at your troubles they will quickly be over Consider for your Comfort that these Troubles are 1. Passages to Glory Acts. 14.22 We must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of Heaven The way to Glory is a thorny way and you must expect in your Passage Tribulation and much Tribulation and must pass through it Mariners and Merchants pass through many a storm and if they come well home richly laden they think well of the Voyage And though your passage to glory be tempestuous and stormy yet glory will make amends for all 2.