contrived and fitted them for it for as Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God nor Corruption Incorruption so the Lord doth provide his Saints Spiritual and Incorruptible Bodies capable to receive these Spiritual Manifestations of his Glory and of Christ and all the Heavenly Host 1 Cor. 15. read all As this is an Eminent Instance of Eternal Happiness that Believers shall be Cloathed with Spiritual Bodies like that of Christs so it may Minister great Consolation to Afflicted Misers that the time doth not only hasten in which they shall be delivered from Misery but that also they shall have Bodies incapable of any misery The third Eminent instance of this Eternal Happiness is to be admitted into the Fellowship of Christ and all the Heavenly Host that they may be with me where I am Jo. 17.24 It is usual to Strangers to inquire into all the Magnificence of all Countries where they Travel the Queen of Sheba came to see the glory of Solomon Hezekiah shewed to the Ambassadour of the King of Babylon all his Glory Power and Wealth but what 's all the Earthly glory but Poppet shows to the glory of God which is above Human reach and as the greatest Honour Kings can give their Subjects is to admit them into their presence and constant Fellowship so this is the Chief Dignity of Saints that they are admitted into the immidiate presence of God and Christ and that not under a Cloud or Vail of the Flesh as Moses saw God in the Mount and as the Lord appeared in the Camp of Israel and at the Door of the Tabernacle but face to face to behold the fulness of his glory for when we are under the Clog of these Earthly Bodies we cannot behold the Majesty of God but when we are Clothed with these immortal Bodies we shall see as We are seen and know as we are known 1 Cor. 13.9 10 11 12. And as the glory of God himself is sufficient for all admiration and Satisfaction so the sight of the glorious Host of Heaven cannot but be exceeding delightful to see the sufferers for Christ enjoy the reward of their Patience and Faith to him that overcometh will I grant to sit down with me on my Throne even as I overcame and am set down with my Father on his Throne Rev. 3.21 These are they which came out of great Tribulation and have washed their Robes in the Blood of the Lamb therefore are they before the Throne of God and serve him Day and Night in his Temple and he that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell amongst them Rev. 7.14 15. This is the patience of the Saints these are they that keep the Commandments and the Faith of Jesus these sing the Song of Moses Rev. 14.4 12 13. These are the Souls of those who were beheaded for the Name of Jesus and the Word of God Rev. 15. 3 4. ch 19.7 8 9. Rev. 20.4 These are they which were invited and prepared for the Wedding of the Lamb. See the Apostles Description of the Heavenly Society but ye are come unto Mount Sion the City of the living God the Heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable Company of Angels to the General Assembly and Church of the First-born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the Spirits of just Men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant and to the blood of Sprinkling which speaketh better things than the Blood of Abel Heb. 12.22 23 24. As it 's no small part of Eternal Happiness to be admitted into the immediate presence of God so is it to be continued there to all Eternity The greatest favourites have fallen Haman was Hanged and Achitophel Hang'd himself because his Court fell but the Favour of God is for ever he that abideth in the Will of God shall indure for ever 1 Jo. 2.17 his People are all Sealed and Marked they are made Pillars of the Temple of God have his Name on them and can go out no more they are before the Lord Day and Night Rev. 3.12 and dwells with him they are Heirs of all things and can never fall from the Favour of God Rev. 21.7 Fifthly As the Saints of God are Eternally in his presence and so confirmed in their Happy State that they cannot fail so they have all after Pain Sorrow Grief and Trouble wiped off and secured from it they shall Hunger no more nor Thirst any more there shall no Sun light on them nor any Heat for the Lamb shall feed them and lead them unto living Fountains of Water and God shall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes and there shall be no more Death nor Sorrow nor Crying neither shall there be any pain for the former things are passed away This is the Portion of Believers in their Eternally Blessed Estate of all which these improvements may be made First Compare Man in his Estate of Nature and Misery with him in his Estate of Grace and Glory Secondly Believe the promises to Believers Thirdly Be Comforted and rejoyce in the Faith of Salvation promised in the Gospel First Man in his best Estate is altogether Vanity Ecl. 2.11 ch 13. ch 4. ch 5.12 17. Secondly In Relation to Corruption his thoughts are impure all his Thoughts and Imaginations Evil and only Evil continually Gen. 6.15 Mat. 15.19 Thirdly As to performances all our Righteousness are as filthy Rags and Menstruous Garments the whole Head sick the whole Heart faint Is 1.5 6. ch 64.6 Fourthly Heart Deceitful a Body of Death full of all Evil Jer. 17.9 Rom. 7.18 Fifthly Darkness without Light or knowledge of God and his truth or the Redeemer Tit. 3.3 1 Cor. 6.9 Eph. 2.1 2 3 11 12. ch 5.8 This being the Picture of Man in Nature without Grace Let us view him in Christ and renewed First All glorious within Holiness to the Lord Heir of all things all things yours Rev. 21.7 Rom. 8.32 Secondly Made sure a Pillar in the Temple of God go out no more hath Gods Name and City on him his Robes washed in the Blood of the Lamb Rev. 3.12 ch 7.15 16 17. Thirdly Continually in Gods presence God Dwells with them Rev. 3.21 Fourthly Crown'd with Everlasting Happiness and Glory no more Sorrow nor Pain the former things are past away Rev. 21.3 to 8. Secondly Believe Gods promises and rejoyce in them First Is Man lost by Nature and the Heir of Wrath and hath Christ dyed for sinners Eph. 2.3 Rom. 5.6 7 8. Secondly Hath God promised Redemption by his Blood and Eternal Life on Faith in him Jo. 3.16 17 18. Rom. 5.9 Thirdly Hath he said in vain seek ye my Face and live Is 45.19 20. Fourthly Is he in Compliment who is he that walketh in Darkness and hath no Light let him Trust in the Name of the Lord and stay on his God Is 50.10 Fifthly Are his professions of Love and Care a dry and only Complimentive and not Real Is 49.15
God that justifieth who is he that shall condemn It is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who is even at the Right Hand of God making intercession for us Rom. 8.1 33 34. Thirdly Is Christ Jesus that triumphant and glorious Champion With dyed Garments from Bozrah having trode the Wine-press of his Fathers wrath alone for sinners Isa 63.1 2 3. Who hath conquered over Hell and Death for sinners 1 Cor. 15.54 55 56 57. Why should a Believer be afraid and doubtful of his Eternal Salvation in Jesus Christ considering he hath his Promise for it who cannot lye I even I am he that comforteth thee who art thou that thou shouldest be afraid of a Man that shall die and of the Son of Man that shall be made as Grass and forgetteth the Lord thy Maker that hath stretched forth the Heavens and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the Oppressour as if he were ready to destroy and where is the fury of the Oppressour Isa 51.12 13. This one Consideration and Faith in exercise is sufficient to stay the Soul against all discouragements and doubtings Fourthly Is Christ that brightness of the Fathers Glory and express Image of his Person whose Throne is for ever Heb. 1.3 8. Hath he dignified man and abased himself in taking Mans Nature upon him and not the Nature of Angels Heb. 2.16 Art thou amongst men O Christian contemptible as a Worm and no Man looked upon as the abject and of scouring of the Earth as was Christ Psalm 22. Why art thou cast down and disquieted is not Christ thy Eldest Brother hath he taken thy Nature on him for any other end than for thy comfort For that he himself hath suffered being tempted he is able to succour those that are tempted Heb. 2.18 Let therefore thy Condition in the World be never so despicable lay thou hold on Christ as thy Sacrifice be comforted in this Though thou hast lien amongst the Pots yet shalt thou be like a Dove whose Wings are covered with Silver and her Feathers with yellow Gold Psal 68.13 Fifthly Is Christ thy King who hath the Keys of Hell and Death who can bind and no man loose and loose and no man bind Rev. 1.18 What Prison Confinement Restraint or Power can keep thee out of his Hands when his appointed time cometh That he will send his word and heal and loose thee Psalm 107.16 20. Rom. 8.35 38 39. Sixthly Is Christ that bountiful Prince who giveth gifts to Men hath he abased himself to Death to make thee a King John 1.12 art thou in Poverty with Lazarus and in thy own sense and humane appearance thy way is hid from God as in the foregoing place nevertheless remember his power and bounty He setteth the poor on high and maketh them families like a Flock the righteous shall see it and rejoice Psalm 1â—7 41 42. Yea remember his Promise believe and be comforted in it I will give thee the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places Isa 45.3 Prove me now saith the Lord if I will not open thee the Windows of Heaven and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it Mal. 3.10 But above all whereas the Wicked and Rich of this World receive their Consolation in this Life Wo to you that are Rich for you have received your Consolation Luke 6.24 Believers shall be Eternally happy And they shall be mine in that day when I make up my Jewels and I will spare him as a man spareth his own Son that serveth him then shall ye return and discern between the Righteous and the Wicked between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not Mal. 3.17 18. We have seen in the foregoing discourse the happy condition of man in his first Creation and thereafter his unhappy and miserable estate by reason of sin and also and immediately preceeding this discourse the Lords great clemency and free bounty to Man by the Counsel of Heaven from all Eternity in redeeming Man by a Covenant of free Love in Jesus Christ according to that Scripture O Israel thou hast destroyed thy self but in me is thy help Hosea 13. and 9. And as this great Salvation is by a Covenant with Jesus Christ wherein he both undertakes for Man and procures Mercies to Man so there are duties incumbent to man on his part of the Covenant Although Man by his first and original sin as hath been already shewn hath disabled himself that he is capable of no performance in himself nevertheless Jesus Christ his surety undertakes for him and he works and accomplisheth all these works in him These Conditions on Mans part are variously expressed in Scripture Moses under the Law tells the People of Israel their duty towards God And now O Israel what doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to fear the Lord thy God to walk in all his ways and to love him and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul to keep the Commandments of the Lord and his Statutes which I command thee for thy good Deut. 10.22 23. The holy Prophet Micah much to the same purpose he hath shewed thee O Man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly love mercy and walk humbly with thy God Mic. 6.8 The duty of Christians under the Gospel and Believers under the Law are morally the same the holy Apostle gives us in divers places the account of our duties under the Gospel Let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the Flesh and of the Spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord 2 Cor. 7.1 And the same Apostle elsewhere For the Grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all Men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present World Titus 2.11 12. These foregoing and other Scriptures as well in the old as new Testament hold out to us the material and substantial part of our duties or conditions of the new Covenant on mans part although grace and salvation comes freely unto us by the forbearance of God and free love of Jesus Christ as is already shewen nevertheless it is but reasonable and just that such precious mercies should be answered with conditions on Mans part and the rather for that Man hath neither strength power nor capacity in himself to perform But that as the Covenant is free so grace to perform is freely given and obtained by Jesus Christ James 1.17 and all the performances of Christians though never so exact are but the returning to God what we received from him and though we may better our selves by these performances and thereby render our selves more acceptable to God nevertheless we do not at all profit God thereby for what we can do to God in our Service and Worship is but our Duty and brings him no advantage
a Heir of God through Christ Rom. 8.15 17 26. He maketh his Saints Co-partners of his own glory with the Father and placeth them to sit on the Throne with himself and The glory which thou gavest me I have given them that they may be one even as we are one Jo. 17.22 23 24. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me on my Throne even as I overcame and am set down with my Father in his Throne Rev. 3.21 Hence we see how far all the Glory Grandure and Enjoyments of this Life come short to that inheritance in Heaven and expectation of Believers Having thus viewed the emptiness of all these Carnal and Earthly pretentions with the fulness of the Saints inheritance we come now to the answer of these three foregoing Objections Object Frst The Scope of the first being that the Kingdom of Heaven is to be purchased on hard Terms by the loss of all the Comforts and what 's dear in the World and that such Doctrine is Discourageable and inclines Men to to a taking up with and delighting in the pleasures of the Flesh by Solomons advice rather than in the loss thereof anxiously to seek after so hard a bargain as the Kingdom of Heaven Answ In answer to which we must lead the Objector back to the Survey and Consideration of the two things in Competition viz. Worldly Enjoyments and things of eternal Life and when the vanity uncertainty and emptiness of the first is considered and compared with the infinite excellencies and fulness in the last and as Heaven is of more value than Earth so these earthly things must be of less esteem than these Heavenly and seeing in Merchandise and good Husbandry the value of the thing in purchase is considerable beyond the price or in ballance with it in prospect of the advantages that may accrew so that in reason it cannot be pretended that the getting of Heaven in all the glorious excellencies thereof can be a hard bargain though the World under its best pretentions should be given in purchase For what hath a Man profited if he gain the whole World and lose his own Soul Mat. 16.26 Secondly Consider God is the Author of life made Heaven and Earth and disposes of it at his pleasure hath he not then the Terms in his own hand must we cut and carve and make bargains for our selves and of our side only must we have Heaven and Eternal Life on our Terms or on Gods Terms as he have the World to us freely he may make what Terms he pleaseth and if we will not close with God on his Terms we may and must go without the bargain And these are Christs Terms he that taketh not up his Cross Daily and followeth not me is not worthy of me Mat. 10.38 Thirdly This Doctrine of self-denyal Crucifying the Word and Mortification neither doth or should discourage from the purchase of Heaven for that it doth not forbid the use or comfort of the Creature but commands that it be used aright according to the Will of God Whatsoever is sold in the shambles that eat asking no question for Conscience sake the Earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof 1 Cor. 10.25 26. We are not forbid the use but the abuse of the Creature we are Commanded to Crucifie the flesh and the Lusts thereof but we are not commanded to destroy Nature or Despise the Moderate use of the Creatures for our Moderate and Temperate Subsistance but forbidden the Ryoting of the Creatures on our Lusts and though many of Gods People do voluntarily abstain from the abuse and superfluous use of the Creature or that by his Providence the plenty thereof may some time be restrained from them even to streights yet he supplieth that with the Blessing of a Contented Submission and teacheth how to want and how to abound and in every Condition therewith to be content Phi 4.11 12. and leadeth them to a dependance on himself that he will not suffer them to be Tempted above measure but that with every Temptation he will give an outgate that they may be able to bear it 1 Cor. 10.13 And make them wait on the appointed time for the vision in their greatest streights Hab. 2 3. We are not forbid the moderate use of the World for supply of our Necessities as Mortals when used in the fear of God and in Faith of Jesus Christ but we are forbidden placing our Affections on Earthly things when they come in Competition with Christ his Honour and Interest and clog our desires and duties towards God so as not to set his glory before us as the main design in every thing Fourthly Solomons Advice is mistaken as if he he should encourage Men to satiate and delight themselves only in the Pleasures and Enjoyments of the Creature without Dependance on God or to take that of the Creature for their all and not mind future Happiness he only in experience of Humane vanities reproves Mens resting on the Creature as making an Idol thereof and adviseth the moderate use of it without anxiety in reproof of the Worldlings who in the too excessive affection of the Creature take not the free and thankful enjoyment of it but Covetously hoards it up and makes a God of it which he accounts foolishness and warmly reproves resting on Creature delights Eccl. 11.8 9. Object The second Objection is that the Doctrine of Saints sufferings seems contrary to Scripture which in many places promise peace Tranquility and Protection and plenty to the Church and People of God Answ This is easily answered for either these promises are to the Church and People of the Jews all which were conditional on their Obedience and performed to them when in their Duty and afterwards upon their Repentance until their falling off in Crucifying the Lord of Glory however they are still the People of Promise and in his own time he will bring them to his Marvelous light and shew them his Salvation Secondly In no place of Scripture hath the Lord promised a constant Tyde of Temporary Mercies but upon their continuing in Duties and he hath reserved to himself the giving and taking them away at his Will and Pleasure and for his own ends in his Divine Wisdom and no Man can pretend to that Innocence but he must with David and the Church confess in Righteousness hast thou Corrected me less than mine Iniquities do deserve La. 1.18 Cha. 3.39 So we may conclude our wants Afflictions and Chastisements are from the Hands of Justice for Sin Thirdly Although the Lord often brings his best People under sore Afflictions Troubles and Wants as experience of all Ages teach us yet all this is in love and mercy and but for a short time to convince them of and bring them from their sins and to wean their Hearts from the World and to wind them up to himself by Repentance and to draw their Hearts more eagerly after him the Kingdom of God and
Dishonour of God and Destruction of Souls by sin nevertheless Knowledge is so choice a thing that it makes some Men eminent in understanding as much differ from others as Man generally differs from a Bruit so that the Schools of understanding are both courted and desirable Now if the knowledge of the things of this World be so desirable and excellent how much more is the knowledge of God things of God and Eternal Excellency which Nature cannot Fathom and tho' we had all the Books Written and attained to all Human Learning and had all the Host of Heaven and Creation under the Sun to instruct us yet thereby can we not be instructed or learn the Mystery of Mans Redemption or know Regeneration and Newness of Life or power of God in the spirit much less be able to find out the Eternal purpose of God to the souls of Believers or to apprehend that fruition of glory that Believers are intituled unto and shall enjoy Eternally in Heaven wherefore if we must be Wise to eternal Life we must be Fools to this World for according to Solomon The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom Prov. 1.7 So that if any Man lack Wisdom he must ask it of God who giveth to all Men liberally and upbraideth not James 1.5 If the Excellency and Advantage of knowing the perishing shadows of Earthly things lead Mens desire so much after that much more may we be Encouraged to seek after the knowledge of God and of spiritual things First For that in Human knowledge there is no perfection we see in all Ages Countries and Nations one Generation exceedeth the other in knowledge and experience and in one and the same Age one Man far exceeds another in so much that the Wisdom of one is ridiculed by the other Secondly All Human knowledge leaves a Man in this life yea a Man often so Declines in his Intellectuals that his own Life is his Burden and he becomes a Child or Bruit Thirdly Mans knowledge is his Burden because he can attain no satisfaction thereby it having no end or perfection so as all his Life is Anxiety Trouble and Sorrow Witness Solomon Ecl. 2. Chap. 3. all Ecl. 12.12 Fourthly The knowledge of Human things puffeth up and driveth a Man often so above his level that many Learned in Discontent have run into Distraction and strangled themselves but the Sanctified knowledge of God and spiritual things have the quite contrary qualities and effects First Divine knowledge is so choice a thing that the more a Man hath of it he becometh the humbler abaseth himself and adores God the more therefore have I uttered that I understood not I have heard of thee by the Ear but now mine Eye seeth thee wherefore I abhor my self and repent in Dust and Ashes Job 42.3 5 6. Secondly As Human knowledge is a Burden Divine knowledge is a Delight because the more a Man knoweth he humbleth himself the more in sense of his own Vanity and is confirmed in his knowledge because by Divine Wisdom he sees all the steps Coherent and tend to his building up in God and so delights in that knowledge then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord Hosea 6.3 here is Assurance of Attainment which is not in Human knowledge witness such who spend their Time Life and Substance in pursuing after that phanciful Foppery commonly called the Philosophers Stone who for most part dye fools or beggers if not both Thirdly As the knowledge of Human things fail and leave a Man in this Life the knowledge of God and spirituals attend a Man here to his Grave and grows and Conducts him not only to his Grave but also to Heaven Blâ—ssed are the Dead that Dye in the Lord they cease from their Labour and their Works follow them Rev. 14.13 Their knowledge of God in Faith is their Guide and Comfort Christ hath promised to send to his People for their Guide and Comfort the Holy Ghost the Comforter Even the Spirit of Truth which the World receiveth not because it knoweth him not but ye know him and he dwelleth in you and shall be in you I will not leave you I will come to you Jo. 14 16 17. Fourthly As the knowledge of Human things is imperfect and therefore Mens burden and the cause of such Imperfection may be First Gods Wisdom to keep Man from boasting of himself so it may be from the changeableness of Human Objects in reference to times and seasons and also from providential Influence on the Speculative part making it more acute in one Age than in another to shew the absolute Dependance of all Creatures on the Influence of Providence as shall best please God so the Wisdom and Knowledge which is from above and dispensed to Christians on this side of time is also clouded and narrow imperfect and but in part not that the Wisdom of God can be dark but the manifestation thereof may be so said to be in relation to that full fruition after enjoyed for that either Wisdom which is God himself Prov. 8.1 all Thought fit to let out no more of himself to Believers then might be necessary to the Discovery of Carnal and Sinful Vanities and be a guide to lead them to Heaven in longing Appetite after the more Glorious knowledge of himself Or Secondly For that our Crazy and Earthy Vessels as old brittle Bottles were uncapable to receive such inexpressible Communications of himself and these Eternal Mansions of Felicity which are Treasured up in Christ Jesus for the Saints and therefore he allows them no more here than is fit with Comfort to waft them in upon Eternity and then for the further Manifestation of his own glory goodness and wisdom doth exchange our Mortal and vile Bodies of Dust not able to receive such glory into immortal Bodies and then doth manifest himself to the full to the Saints who then shall see not in a shadow only but plainly as they are seen that their glory may be full for we know but in part and prophesie but in part but when that which is perfect is come than that which is in part shall be done away for now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face now I know in part but then shall I know even as I am known 1 Cor. 13 9 to 13. and this is that Mystical Union of the Spirit by which the Saints are made one with God in Christ Jesus in that inexpressible knowledge and sight of God whereby they shall be able to stand in his presence face to face and behold his glory and rejoyce in it The Second Branch of Union with God is Holiness God is essentially Holy and Holiness it self whose Name is Holy Isa 51.45 and can as well be divided from himself as from Holiness so who are one with God must be Holy and to be Holy is to be partakers of the Divine Nature Christ the only begotten Son of God and
no Murderer hath Eternal Life abiding in him 1 Joh. 3.15 Secondly The second branch of Divine Love approved of God to make up the Union of the Saints with God is that laving out the Bowels of charitable assistance in the supply of the Saints necessities like the good Samaritan in the Gospel not only to see and pity his affliction and condition but to support it God is not only a bare Spectator of our misery and maladies but also a healer of all our wounds and is that only Physitian of Israel and hath and applies that balm of Gilead even the Balsom of his own Blood to cure us hereby know we the love of God for us because he laid down his Life for us and we ought to lay down our life for the Brethren 1 John 3.16 But whoso hath this Worlds good and seeth his Brother have need and shutteth up his Bowels of compassion from him how doth the love of God dwell in him 1 John 4.9 If God so loved us we ought also so to love one another Greater Love hath no man than this that a Man lay down his Life for a Friend Joh. 15.13 to 18. The Duty of Christian charity is recommended and commanded as the evidence of Christian sincerity The blessing is to the liberal the liberal Soul shall be made fat and he that watereth shall be watered himself Pr. 11 24 25 26. See the exhortation from Christs own example But ye know the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that tho' he was Rich yet for your sakes he became poor that ye through his Poverty might be Rich and that famous exhortation consider them that are in bonds as being bound with them and such as are in adversity as being your selves in the Body Hebrews 13.3 See how the Apostle James challengeth a naked beholder of the poor naked and indigent If a Brother or Sister be naked and destitute of daily food and one of you say depart in Peace and be you warmed and filled notwithstanding ye give them not these things which are needful what doth it profit Jam. 2.15 16. So that it is not bare profession which makes Love but the fulfilling of the Commandment love thy Neighbour as thy self as Christ loved his Church and laid down his Life for her so ought we also for whom Christ died Hence we see how great is the Priviledge of Believers for whom Christ both died and is risen again and taken possession of Heaven for them and that the Father will love them with the same love with which he loved his only Son before the World was so Believers should not be affraid for Love admits no fear There is no fear in Love for perfect love casteth out fear because fear hath torment he that feareth is not made perfect in Love 1 John 4.18 What quiet and comfort therefore may Believers have who find that love of God constraining them to wait on him by Faith may with David say we will not fear what man can do unto us and with the Apostle if God be with us who can be against us be of good courage for God will strengthen your Hearts Fourthly As the Saints are one with God and Christ 1. In Spirit 2. In Holiness 3. In Love So 4. In Glory which is the highest priviledge imaginable and is clearly held out in the Text And the glory thou hast given me I have given them that they may be One even as we are One. Father I will that they also which thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me John 17.22 24. And as God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son to dye for Sinners so Christ continues his Love that he will have all for whom he died to share of the same glory with himself and this is the highest exaltation and expectation of the Saints contrived by the Wisdom of God and accomplished by the Death and Resurrection of Christ and his being set down at the right hand of Glory for us This superexcellent state of the Saints Glory and Eternal Happiness is branched out in a fivefold consideration First In their blessed Death Secondly Their Spiritual and Immortal Bodies Thirdly Their being admitted into the Presence of God and Host of Heaven Fourthly Their being continued in that state for ever Fifthly All Sorrow Tears and Mourning to be everlastingly done away First Man in his first Creation was made Lord of all Creatures and tho' after his Fall by the Wisdom of God and infinite Love of Jesus Christ was reconciled to God by a new Covenant of Peace nevertheless was continued in a Prison of Clay subjected not only to all Natural weakness sickness cold hunger thirst and other natural infirmities of the Flesh and uneasiness of Life but also while in the body obnoxious to the Temptations of Sin and grief of Soul through the weakness of the Spirit under the clog and coverture of the Flesh as the experience of all Men Witness that this Life is but Labour and Sorrow therefore the Wisdom and Goodness of God and love of Christ Jesus hath so contrived that the Soul a Prisoner to misery and infirmities should have the Chains of Mortality knocked off by Death and be let free to Eternal Life And this is the first step of Saints effectual Happiness The Holy Apostle clearly testifieth that whilst we are in the Body we are absent from the Lord and therefore not only we but the whole Creation groan under these Infirmities and long for the Liberty of the Sons of God even the Redemption of our Bodies and therefore it 's revealed that Death is as it were the opening of the Prison Door to the Prisoners of Hope to set them at liberty from all the miseries of Mortality and Temptations to sin and gives them a free Pass to the Land of Rest Blessed are the Dead thy dye in the Lord they cease from their Labours and their Works follow them Rev. 14.13 And this is a great Consolation to Believers for as Death is the end of all Fleshly pleasures it 's also the end of all sin and Misery so the way of Death and the Grave ought not to be loathsom or irksom to them for that Christ the Captain of our Salvation hath proved both ways and for us led Captivity Captive O Death where is thy Sting O Grave where is thy Victory and the last Enemy is Death who is led Captive by Jesus Christ he will swallow up Death into Victory he will Ransom them from the power of the Grave I will redeem them from Death O Death I will be thy plague O Grave I will be thy Destruction Repentance shall be hid from mine Eyes Hos 13.14 The Second instance of Eternal Happiness is to have Spiritual Bodies The glory of Heaven and presence of God which is Eternal Happiness being designed for the Saints therefore the Lord in his Eternal Wisdom hath