person so he rode in triumph into Heaven sits and shines there at the right hand of God in glory as Head of the Church of all his members that are by faith united to him And they now de jure Ephes 2.6 and de facto hereafter shall sit down with him as a Father he went to prepare and take up Heaven for the children God gave him to be brought unto glory as soon as he has prepared them for it he will receive them that where he is in heaven in glory they may be also Joh. 14.3 There 's both causaelitas efficientis causae exemplaris in the glorification of Christ the head as to the glorifying of his members 2 Cor. 4.14 Joh. 14.19 20. And since he doth all true believers shall shine out in glory Which glory is 1. Christs purchase he bought them for it and it for them and therefore prays for all believers with such boldness and freedom for such a perfect Union with himself as he had with the Father in happiness and glory 1. As God 2. As man in his humane nature united to the Divine and consequently 3. As God-man in both natures united unto one Joh. 17.20 That they all may be one as thou Father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us And the ground of his prayer we have v. 4. because he glorified God on earth by active and passive obedience and finished the whole work God gave him to do in order to their Redemption which is called Ephes 1.14 The redemption of the purchased possession Being a redemption from all sin and misery to an inheritance of life and glory hardly procured bought with his own precious blood 2. 'T is his gift he purchased it upon no other account but this that he lawfully might and he will bestow it on them Joh. 10.28 I give unto them eternal life in happiness and glory And ch 17.22 The glory which thou gavest me I have given them that they may be one even as we are one q.d. By infallible promise I have conveyed it and by my last Will and Testament made it sure unto them upon their believing on me they have jus ad rem and when I am come again they shall have jus in re at their Resurrection I 'le see them take and have actual possession of it 3. Because they are in part sanctified by the Spirit they shall be perfectly glorified their bodies and their fouâ—s much more are the Temple of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 6.19 who is called the living God 2 Cor. 6. Now God the Father will have his children the Son his members the holy Spirit his Temple to be in Heaven which he will beautifie and adorn for the habitation of the ever glorious one God Father Son and Spirit to live and dwell in for ever 2 Cor. 6.17 18. Rev. 21.3 Here in part are they filled with grace inherent righteousness the fruits of it the fruits of the Spirit and shall hereafter be perfectly fill'd with glory as full as humane natures are capable Then shall they shine I had almost said infinitely in glory and should have said so but that I know they will remain creatures I will say infinitely beyond the Sun 'T is but an hyperbole and yet so mean as is far short of adumbrating the greatness of their glory 'T is a known saying of Plato Could Virtue be seen with corporeal eyes 't would appear the most comely beautiful thing in the world His Scholar spake the like of Moral Righteousness What 's Grace in it self the most amiable and glorious thing in the world Psal 45.13 as it shines out of the hearts and lives of gracious persons into the minds of other Saints how great a lustre doth it carry with it Yet though always visible 't is not always seen many things intervening intercept its light Oh how lovely glorious will all the graces of all the Saints appear in Heaven when they shall all be in the flower expanded to the full in their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 full growth and most absolute perfection for such glory is 'T is nothing else but grace in its growth Or all graces blown up by the blessed Spirit to the full and shining out in perfection Saints shall be perfectly renâ—wed after the Image of God whose light and glory mainly consists at least appears in his holiness and righteousness Adam was a glorious creature till he had lost the Image of God his righteousness Righteous persons excel their neighbours 1. They are glorious within being created after Gods Image in righteousness and true holiness 2. They shine as lights in the world holding forth the word of life but Oh how glorious how excellent or how excellently glorious are glorified Saints who are the Temples of the Holy Ghost filled in their capacities enlarged to the utmost with the Divine the Gracious yea the most Glorious Presence of God! They are made perfectly like Christ who is the brightness of the glory of God and the express image of his person Heb. 1.3 i. e. as much after the Image and as perfectly like to the Son of God as is possible for the Almighty to make them to be when he shall try his wisdom and put his last hand to the making of them so But I foresee an Objection which I will anticipate Wherefore should Saints that are sanctified but in part be so perfectly glorified Why 4. Out of Gods grace and favour because they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his Favourites Though we spoke highly of their Gratiae gratis datae yet they are not gratos facientes much less are they facientes gloria dignos and so glorificantes i. e. Graces given to them wrought in them yet as they make them not accepted with God here so not to be glorified by God hereafter 'T is God that accepts them here in the beloved that glorifies them hereafter They are righteous 't is by gracious acceptation they shall be glorious 't will be by gracious Remuneration Holy Austin writes some where to this effect If a man should live and serve the Lord a thousand years he could not by his service of God all that time earn so much as one hour of the glorious reward in Heaven much less an eternity of happiness and glory no Death is the wages of the least sin be it but an omission of duty or a neglect to persevere in it Gal. 3.10 And eternal life in glory in the gift of God through Christ Rom. 6. ult It 's given to the righteous that work righteousness but neither for their being righteous and having righteousness in them nor for their doing of it They both are from free and meer grace much more is the reward Through the same grace it is that an eternal life in Heaven and happiness in glory is the inheritance lot and portion of the righteous i. e. sincere upright Saints according to the Covenant
loved us he was pleased to make us vessels of grace and mercy when he might have made us vessels of wrath That ever the Lord should have thoughts of mercy on such sinful creatures such vile wretches worse than worms or Toads They have poyson in them but no enmity against God Oh that God should give his Christ for us to us and faith in Christ both work it and preserve it in us Yea he was one that lived by faith and he is gone to receive the end of it the salvation of his soul 3 ly He was no Solifidian but being sanctified in part truly righteous 1. Having infused habits of grace and righteousness in him light and love faith and hope inclining him to walk in new obedience and worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing 1. Knowledg without which the heart is not good he knew the grace of God in truth and through grace had treasured up a large stock of saving solid practical experimental knowledg which furnished him with great abilities not only to convince gain-sayers which crept in as new lights of their broaching old errors but wherein he did most delight to give knowledg and discretion to weaker Christians and to illuminate and instruct the righteous Many able Ministers loved to sit at his feet for they received by one Sermon of his those instructions which they could not get by many Books or Sermons of others His heat and zeal for the honour of God and the good of souls was proportioned to his light he was as much a burning as a shining light 2 ly As for his sparkling love he had bowels of compassion for sinners to snatch them out of the flames and for Saints to direct them into the love of Christ of holiness and righteousness I need not speak unto you of his Preaching How oft went he to children of light walking in darkness to cheer and revive them with cordials wherewith the Lord had usually refreshed him This great Physician of souls had great practice and was rarely found out of his study where he was commonly immured five days in the week twelve hours each of those days I will not say as some to make one Sermon I know he had other work there unless gone to visit and relieve his Patients 3. For his Hope he might appeal to God and say with David Lord I have hoped for thy salvation the great and glorious the promised rewards eternal life and glory and so have done thy commandment as the righteous have he had hopes in his death 'T was his longing desire and his hopes were that he should shortly be in that sinless estate in Heaven where there is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the perfection of grace and holiness Hypocrites fancying something they know not what of the glory and happiness of that place I believe sometimes have desires to go to Heaven when they die and hopes they shall go thinking themselves too good for hell and better than many others but sure they would reach and pursue more after holiness and perfection were their desires after and hopes for Heaven real and sincere but as to Mr. Charnock these gracious dispositions inclin'd him 1 ly To love righteousness to cherish countenance and encourage holiness and to hate iniquity to reprove sin where he found it thouâ—h in his dearest friends imitating his Father in Heaven who is not only an all seeing God that espies sin where ever it is but so holy pure and perfect that he hates sin where ever he finds it yet his reproofs never brake the head but heal'd the heart went down smoothly like precious oyl being compounded of such ingredients much Christian meekness prudence compassion love as well as zeal Yea 2. Grace in the heart set his hands at work the work of righteousness made him only mind that work and so much abound in it Should you bring me many eminent Saints choice Ministers yet I believe I may say without adulation Mr. Charnock did labour more than them all I am sure though I do not particularize them his works will be had in remembrance and praise him in the gates So I question not but the Lord did accept him 3 ly As Righteous in his own eye though I say it may be you observed some failings in him That which I wishly looked for and am perswaded I found in him for so far as 't is in man to judg it seemed to me the most sparkling Jewel in the Crown of Glory which he wore upon his head was sincerity he would give God his own himself soul and body a living and an acceptable sacrifice his whole heart his life which he spent in the service of God and of the faith of his people I remember if I mistake not something he reply'd to one that told him If he studied so much 't would cost him his life to this effect Why it cost Christ his life to redeem and save me His time which he husbanded best to that end his Talents Parts Gifts and Graces He was careful to watch over his heart that he knew too well to trust and against spiritual pride 'T was apparent he had frequently been with God in the Mount especially at Sacramâ—nt-seasons when Christ is as it were transfigured lively crucified before his people and looks with a most amiable countenance white and ruddy his face then and after his conversation shone in holâ—nâ—ss yet such was his humility he himself took no notice of it though others did observe it with admiration he would adhere to Christ observe his Ordinances according to his prescription And his main care was always to worship God in spirit and in truth 2 ly As to himself he watched and kept his garments as he kept himself unspotted from the world 3 ly He gave others their due one instance whereof he was a Preacher of Righteousness He or rather Christ in him by the blessed Spirit preached in season and out of season sometimes to such as would not be perswaded But 4 ly Especially to his Flock whether many others came flocking like Doves unto the windows that he might better fulfill this righteousness of his Office He did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which as Plato affirms 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or rather as the Apostle exhorts he did study to be quiet and to mind and do his own business and all his care was to work out the salvation of himself and of his people Indeed not long after he had received light himself when the Lord by his blessing on his endeavours had qualified him for it such such was his love he gave forth light unto others inviting them and saying Come and see Jesus 1. In Southwark where seven or eight in that little time Providence continued him there owned their conversion under God to his Ministry and were the seal and Letters Testimonial thereof Then in the University of Oxford and adjacent parts After in Dublin where it might be said of
all are burning and shining lights 2. They shall shine out here as the Greek word intimates are they under a cloud hereafter they shall break forth shine clearly and gloriously as the light of the Sun doth when on a sudden it breaks out as we think from under a Cloud there 's too much here that darkens and obscures their lustre splendor radiant and shining brightness which then shall be scattered dispel'd driven away and that for ever 1. Alas they are much darkened here by bodily weaknesses and distempers 2. Much more by humane frailties though regenerate they are but men though Saints not glorified remainders of inbred corruption and prevalent temptations much obscure them Paul the chief of the Apostles speaks most of his Infirmities 3. Most of all in the eyes of others by abundance of dirt a world of slanders as false as foul aspersions flung upon them which at present too much Eclipse their light and lustre but will serve then only for the better setting of it off Besides 4. Here they are under the Cross and manifold Afflictions which make many speak and censure hardly of them and yet work together only to purge their filth away and to file off their dross 1 Pet. 1.6 7. For then 3. they shall shine forth as the Sun i. e. 1. With a most full perfect and glorious light such as we are not able to conceive of much less to express 'T is therefore shadowed out by a familiar Metaphor from the Sun which even Children know to be the greatest and the clearest light Here they appear and twinkle now and then like the Stars those lesser lights of Heaven then shall they shine with a far greater an incomparably more glorious light like the Sun it self 2. Nativo lumine with their own light received at their first Creation their Regeneration and from that time encreasing in Grace till it advance to its full growth and perfection in glory The path of the just shineth more and more unto the perfect day Whereas Hypocrites like the Ignes faetui Fire-drakes blaze a little here with an Adventitious light which will evaporate quickly be extinct and dye with them as soon as those gross vapors sumes and exhalations from the Earth whereof they consist are spent and gone whilest the Coast is clear and the Air serene they glister but when the wind and storms arise they go out in a snuff and stench 3. With a perpetual yea an everlasting light The light of the Sun who is the fountain of light and the Eye of the World is constant and cannot be extinguisht unless you could pluck or put it out 2. The place where The Kingdom of their Father that is Mat. 5.16 in Heaven where he sits upon his Throne in Majesty Isa 66.1 So it is 1. a most glorious place God as to his Essential Powerful Providential presence is every where fills Heaven and earth Jer. 23.23 24. Psal 139.8 c. But his most special glorious presence is in Heaven called 2 Cor. 12.1 the third Heaven Whatever Philosophers may opine concerning the number of the Heavens Scripture enumerates them to be three 1. The place betwixt the visible Firmament and the Earth Gen. 1.20 2. Where the Sun Moon and Stars are fixed Gen. 1.14 Psal 19.1 4. The third above all where is Gods Dwelling-place Psal 123.1 and Sion-Colledg the Mansions and Lodgings of Blessed Angels and glorified Saints They have all their name from the Hebrew word which signifies light Some light there is in the Aereal Heaven from the Sun Moon and Stars which makes it comfortable much more in the Sidereal where those glorious lights are set up Infinitely more in the Empyrean where God is light 1 Joh. 1.5 the Sun the fountain of it Jam. 1.17 and dwells in light 2 Tim. 6.16 the sight whereof no creature can endure till glorified and made meet for it so great is the supereminence of the Divine Glory yet here the righteous partaking thereof shall shine forth as the Sun according to the several degrees of Divine light which they receive 2. A most secure place Their several Orbs are so fixed here they shall never fall or be plucked out An Astrologer observed a new Star in Cassiopea others fancy they have seen more but was it ever found that any of the old Stars were extinct and lost but these lower Heavens 2 Pet. 3.10 in the twinkling of an eye shall pass away and be seen no more with a great noise as many famous places the Exchange did in the dreadful Conflagration a ratling noise or like the noise of the wheels of Chariots that run swiftly or of waves in a storm at Sea rushing by us or as Parchment hizzeth when 't is cast into the fire the Firmament that scroll of the Heavens shall be rolled up thrown into the fire and shrivel up with fervent heat and the Sun shall no more set as Poets fancied in Thetis her lap a sea of waters but shall be extinct in an Ocean of fire and so put out then that Heaven wherein righteousness the spirit of the just made perfect Christ and God dwell for ever For 2. It is the highest Heaven far out of the reach of the Prince and all the powers of Darkness and their Comrades the Beast and false Prophet All which accursed crew shall be thrown into the lowermost hell And it is the Kingdom of God Almighty who is able to preserve them The Rabbins do not groundlesly assert that the souls of the righteous in Heaven do adhâ—re unto and hold fast by the right hand of God for ever in that he held the Stars his faithful Ministers and Saints here and can any think you if they would attempt it in Heaven pluck them out 2. It is Psal 24.3 the Lords holy place the Holy of holies where there can be no sin as there was in Paradise or temptation unto sin From eternity God was a Heaven to himself Then with his own hands he created and built Heaven of old Ps 102.25 not that he might be comprehended there but to be a palace for his residence the habitation of his holiness Psal 103.19 and an house for his children to live comfortably in safety Saints of themselves could not it may be would not continue in grace here in glory hereafter but God is not only able to preserve them in glory but their gracious God and Father and he will do it After 3. The time then which carries a double Antithesis in it 1. More generally of time future of eternity I should say to this now this moment of their life here Job 14.1 the few days of Saints are full of trouble Act. 14 22. The clearest Sun-shining day succeeds the darkest night and glorious deliverances of particular Saints and the whole Church after days of most sore affliction at length after that time of trouble such as never was before Dan. 12.1 2. understand it
Arms should be such as that holy Martyr Mr. Hooper had when Installed Bishop of Worcester A Lamb in a Flaming-bush with raies from Heaven shining on it A Lamb for meekness innocency and profitableness in a Bush burning amidst wicked men brambles and thorns set on fire of Hell and burning with malice Yet 1. Sweet influences of Heaven let out upon it he hath the grace and enjoys the consolation of the Blessed Spirit Now Heb. 13.20 21. that you may be truly righteous righteous before God then you will shine forth here 1. With a clear a glorious light such a convincing light as may condemn the world of sinners for their aberrations and shame some Saints out of their deviations from the ways of holiness and righteousness and encourage weaker Christians to make a farther progress in them 2. With your own innate light as true Nathanaels Jews inwardly and not only in outward show and profession as such in whom there is no guile then your conversation will be as the shining light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day Prov. 4.18 3. With a constant durable light in Heaven your light of glory will everlastingly shine before Saints let your light of grace and holiness on earth continually shine before men To quicken you thereunto Consider again and again security of the Coelestial Kingdom the glory of it and the seasonableness of the time when you shall there shine forth in glory as you have heard 1. It 's a most safe and secure place 1. By reason of its height 't is above far out of the reach of scandals such as do offend and do iniquity of all sinners and persecutors be they men or Devils Luther being asked when many were engaged and enraged against him and sought his life Where he thought he might be safe replied either in one corner or other under heaven or in heaven I 'le assure you you will have little content comfort and peace on earth if your hopes and hearts be not much in Heaven and they will never fix on Heaven if your thoughts and affection be not set upon it Every day cast up an eye towards Heaven and by the Telescope of your faith taâ—e the height of it 2. 'T is a most holy place after Saints have been in heaven upon earth had much communion with God and comfort they fall into some sin and such a condition that all their hopes of ever getting to heaven are in a manner lost and gone When God hath once seated you in heaven you need not fear being plucked or falling thence Adam abode not in Paradise Divines think one day some Angels that dwelt in heaven preserving not their original excellency soon left their habitation But God takes his children to his house that they may abide and dwell there for ever 2. Take an exact observation view the glory of it 't is the Kingdom of our Father where he sits in his Majesty in glory 'T is ours our own Inheritance our Father prepared it for us before the foundation of the world Every morning every evening through the perspective of the Word contemplate Heaven some mornings Lords-days at least rise before the Sun look up through the Aereal to the Sidereal Heaven and thus meditate Yonder are the glorious Heavens where God hath pitched a Tabernacle for the Sun that glorious bridegroom comes out of his chamber how doth he smile and rejoice to run his race from the end of the heaven to the ends thereof Through grace I shall hereafter be even in this body more glorious than that Sun There 's another the Empyrean the third heaven the place of residence of the God of glory Thither one day will he take me up to live for ever with himself in glory my Redeemer is already gone thither and sits at his right hand in the glory of the Father Oh the height of that heaven 't is infinitely higher than that inferior heaven whence the Sun comes forth to shine for a while yet a little while and that Sun will be laid aside and set set once for all and be and shine no more when I with blessed Saints and Angels shall be with Christ and God and shine with them in glory to all eternity Oh the height of that heaven 't is infinitely above the reach of Persecutors of all the Devils of all the Damned they will never pluck them thence out of the hands of Jesus the Son of God they can't pluck him out of the right hand of his Father nor his Father from his Throne Oh the holiness of that place And when your thoughts and meditations have made you more spiritual more holy more heavenly and to shine more in grace and holiness that day then at the evening when ye look out of your doors or windows or walk forth behold and think how do those Stars an innumerable company differ in glory yet all glissen What a vaste resplendent body is the Moon each of the Planets all the light they have was imparted to them by the Sun that shined in the day-time all is nothing to the glory of Heaven Oh the holiness of the highest heavens Where all the Stars the Saints that shined as lights in the world shall give forth their light and shine as the Sun and with light and glory imparted from the Lord Jesus the Sun of Righteousness shall shine out in the glory of the Father How incomprehensible even to Saints Angels Christ himself as man must the glory of the Father be that communicates such light to Christ Angels and Saints This bespangled firmament seems glorious 't is not heaven nothing like it not like the floor and pavement of our Fathers house 't is an out-room which shall be pulled down and burnt Above above is the Presence-Chamber I long to see the King in his Beauty in his Palace and will through grace live as a child of God and hold forth the word of life in my conversation 3. Ponder upon the seasonableness of the time not now but 1. at the Resurrection day when sin affliction sorrows shall flee away and so forward an inconceivable tract of time Eternity not measured by the duration of any creature but of the ever-living God shall ye shine out Think then through the disposition of the only wise God some have their Sun-shine others rainy and tempestuous seasons all their days say what though I have been most if not all my days disesteemed yea contemn'd and scorned in the world under many various long and sore afflictions and had small comfort but in suffering with and for Christ This is my lot and portion Hereafter I shall reign with Christ and be glorified My Saviour once said â—o sinners this is your hour and the power of darkness You have your authority by Divine permission and your Father the Devil the Prince of Darkness his Usurpation by your high Court of Justice to extinguish me the Sun of Righteousness the