I do to inherit eternall life O that you ever you that hear me this day would â—ow also come running unto Christ saying What shall we do to partake of these glorious â—hings here revealed Methinks those things â—hould greatly incourage you all old and young â—â—ich and poor now to get an interest in Christ â—ou that are poor and have but little in this world consider there are as great things in â—he world to come for you as for others The â—â—oorest Beggar shall have as great a portion in â—he world to come as the greatest Prince Nothing in this world can satisfie a chils of God â—ll the glory of the world it s but the portion of Reprobate and will a Reprobates portion â—erve you will a Dogs portion satisfie you I â—ccount all things in the world saith the Apoâ—le but as dung Phil. 3.4 There are other â—hings to be sought after See what our Saviour â—aith Mat. 6.33 Seek ye first the king dome of â—eaven and the righteousnesse thereof let that 〈◊〉 your first indeavour Strive to enter in at the strait gate though the passage benever so straâ—â—â—â— yet if it be the way to glory strive to enter 〈◊〉 thereat Consider God hath given you Nâ—â—tures capable of such glorious things as 〈◊〉 are God might have made you bruit Beaâ—â— and then there had been an end of you 〈◊〉 God hath made you creatures capable of 〈◊〉 highest excellency and therefore being of 〈◊〉 a Nature it highly concerns you to seek afâ—â— such things as may give satisfaction to youâ— souls Men live as if they were capable of 〈◊〉 things else but meat and drink and cloaths if there were no higher things which conceâ—â— our souls hereafter The heathens could 〈◊〉 lieve that man was created for greater thing then these here below and if we who have 〈◊〉 great and glorious things revealed to us in 〈◊〉 Gospel shall we neglect the looking after then how just shall our condemnation be For 〈◊〉 shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation Heb. 2.3 I come now to the second Point and that 〈◊〉 this That Christs Ascension was to preparâ—â— place for Believers I go to prepare a place 〈◊〉 you As Christ came down from heaven to 〈◊〉 for sinner so Christ ascended up to Heaven that believing sinners might live with him henâ—â— after Had not Christ ascended into Heaven He had not finisht the work of our redemption and indeed the great support of a Child of God 〈◊〉 yes in his consideration It 's Christ that died yea rather that is risen again and now sits at the right hand of God making intercession for us Rom. 8.34 Father I will saith Christ John 17.24 that those whom thou hast given â—â—me may be with me where I am If Christ be not risen saith the Apostle then is our preaching vain and our Faith is vain and we are yet in our sins But as sureas Christ died so the Apostle proves 1 Cor. 15. that he rose again and ascended up into heaven That 's an excellent Scripture Rom. 4.25 He was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification Our blessed Saviour first appearing to Mary Magdalen after his Resurrection presently sends her to his Disciples with the joyfull news of his Ascension John 20.17 Go to my Brethren and say unto them I ascend to my Father and your Father to my God and your God O how joyfull is the consideration of Christs Ascension to a Child of God Now may a Child of God say he hath a friend in the Court and a friend in the Court we use to say is betcer then a penny in the purse Every Believer hath Christ for his friend in the Court of Heaven and that 's more worth to them then thousands of gold and silver Christ is in heaven pleading the cause for Believers If any man sin saith the Apostle 1 Ioh. 2.2 we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ righteous And it is good for Believers 〈◊〉 Jesus Christ is in heaven pleading their cause wâ—â— God so it is good for them that he is there 〈◊〉 senting and perfuming all their Prayers to 〈◊〉 the Father Whatsoever it is that we want that may do us good Christ is ready to begâ—â— us of His Father Father saith Christ these may friends and for them I have shed my bloâ—â— therefore O Father I will that they may with me to behold my glory That is an excelâ—â— Scripture Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able 〈◊〉 to save to the uttermost those that come unto 〈◊〉 by him seing he ever liveth to make intercesâ—â— for them Is it so then that Christ Ascension was prepare a place for Believers then this short encourage Believers to be willing to do or 〈◊〉 any thing here for Christ What was that made the Saint suffer so joyfully 〈◊〉 Christ was it not this the assurance of God love in Christ to them What was it that 〈◊〉 up Iobs spirit so patiently under all his suffâ—â—ings I know saith he though worms destâ—â— my body yet my Redeemer liveth and I shâ—â—â— see Him with these eyes We know saith the Apostle 2 Cor. 5.1 if our earthly house of this bernaâ—er nalce were dissolved we have a building of Jod an house not made with hands etrnall in the heavens The assurance of heaven will make as willing to do or suffer any thing for Christ There is that in heaven that will abundantly reâ—ompence and make good all our losses on earth O Christians I beseech you consider you can 〈◊〉 either do too much or suffer too much for the getting of heaven The Apostles were as great sufferers for the Kingdom of Heaven as ever any were and yet what account did they make of it We reckon say they that the suffering of this present world are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us Rom. 8.18 If we suffer with Christ we shall also reign with Christ 2 Tim. 2.12 A third point I noted was this That Christ wil come again and receive Believers to Himself The point is clear from the words themselves I will come again and receive you But a little to illustrate the Point I shall endeavour to shew you by Scripture that it is so And secondly how it is so First that it is so that Christ will come again see that positive Scripture in Acts 1.10 And while they looked stedfastly into heaven behold two men stood by them in white apparel which also said Ye men of Galileo why stand ye here gazing up into heaven his same Iesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye haâ—â— seen him go into heaven Here is the point yâ—â— see confirmed by Scripture and that by 〈◊〉 mouths of Angles As sure as Christ is gone heaven and as sure as he now fitteth at Goâ— right hand in Heaven so sure will he come gain at the last day and receive Believers 〈◊〉
like the glorious body of Christ There we shall do the will of God perfectlie In heaven there is no sin nor temptation to sin no not so much as a vain thought or an idle word And as there is no sin so there is no Satan There shall be no more need of Sermons nor Sacraments nor Prayers But the whole work of the Saints in heaven will be to sing Praises and Hallelujahs to God for ever and ever Thirdlie in Heaven there is fulnesse of joy Rivers of pleasures at Gods Right hand and that for evermore Psalm 16.11 And those Rivers of pleasures shall flow in and from the presence of God himself as the Fountain of all those joies which have infinitenesse and eternitie in them without the least dram of sorrow For God shall then wipe away all tears from our eyes and there shall be no more sorrow Rev. 21.4 The Rivers of the Saints joy in Heaven as they are without bank so they are without bottom Our Masters joy will then be so great that we his Servants shall not be able to contain it There is nothing in Heaven but what is matter of joy our Fathers house our Inheâ—â—tance our Kingdome our Crown and Glory our sight of Gods Face That is an excellenâ— speech of David Thou shalt make me saith he full of joy with shy Countenance Heaven is boundlesse yea a bottomlesse Ocean of joy an happinesse the society of blessed Angels at glorified Saints In a word the joies of Heaveâ— far exceeds all the joies that can be thought oâ—â— upon earth Not onely the joy of Marriagâ—â— and the joy of Harvest but also they joy of Faitâ—â— and the joy of Ordinances which are all swaâ—â—lowed up by this great Ocean of joy Nothinâ— can disturb or diminish the joies of the Saints 〈◊〉 Heaven Fourthly as there is fulnesse of joy in Heaven so there is excellency of glory Perfection of glory shall be the Saints Robes In Heaven they shall shine as the Stars for ever and ever Dan. 12.5 In the one and twentieth of the Revelations St. John speaking of the new Jerusalem exactly describes the glory thereof It is Citty whose walls are Jasper and the streâ—â—pure Gold clear as Christal whose foundation are of precious Stones and the gates thereof 〈◊〉 Pearles And if this new Jerusalem the Church of God here below be so glorious how exceeding glorious then is that heavenly Jerusalem which is above Heaven as one saith is the Palace of the King of Glory the Presence chamber of the great God whose Presence it is that makes Heaven to be Heaven There indeed would be no Heaven if God Himself were not there In Heaven God makes His Glory visible both to Saints and Angels Thence it is called a Crown of Glory an eternal weight of Glory Glory shall then and there cover the Saints all over from top to toe both within and without their Souls shall there be made glorious in knowledge wisdom and understanding and their bodies shall be made like the glorious Body of Christ The bodies of the Saints in Heaven shall be free from all necessities of nature as food and raiment sleep and the like In Heaven there shall be no need of these things Secondly in Heaven the bodies of the Saints shall be freed from all natural infirmities and deformities sicknesse diseases pains or such like bodily infirmities There shall be no Cripples no Blinde nor Diseased ones in Heaven Heaven is an healthful Countrie there is no sicknesse nor death no poverty nor disgrace in Heaven Our bodies shall be cloathed in Heaven with life and immortality by Christ Christ will there change our vile bodies and make them like His glorious Body Phil. 2.21 Did Moses face shine when he beheld but the glorie of Gods out-side Did Stephens face shinâ— with Angelicall splendor or brightnesse hoâ—â—â— gloriouslie then shall the glorious bodies of thâ—â— Saints shine when they shall stand before the Lord of Glorie The Saints then shall be aâ—â— the Psalmist expresses it All glorious within their cloathing shall be all wrought gold Thâ—â— glorie which Gods People shall see and enjoy iâ—â— Heaven will infinitely oblidge them to spenâ—â— eternity there Take a little view a foretastâ— as it were of the Saints glorie in Heaven First it is great an exceeding excessive and eternall weight of glory as Saint Paul expresses 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 4.17 The glory of Heaven is the glorâ—â— of glories joy unspeakable and full of glories unuâ—terable and unconceiveable Therefore it called Glory to be revealed Rom. 8.18 Sâ—â— a little the greatnesse of this heavenly glories these two things First the vessels that taâ—â— it Secondly the resemblance that sets it forth The vessels that take in this glorie are the souâ— and bodies of Saints whom the Apostle call Vessels of mercy prepared unto glory First for the soul here in this life The whole worâ—â— is not able to fill or satisfie one souls The soâ—â— is capable of more then the whole world is abâ—â— to give it But the glory of Heaven thâ—â— will fill all the souls of all the Saints brim-full Wâ—â— read of some Saints that they live their full â—aies They had as it were their ballyful of â—his life but in the life to come all the Saints â—hall be filled full of Glory Secondly for â—he bodies of the Saints though they are Vessels of lesse quantity then the soul yet the world 〈◊〉 not able to fill or satisfie the body to the full â—â—s to instance in the Eye and the Ear those â—â—ttle Members of our Bodie We use to say of â—ome that their Eye is bigger then their Belâ—â—le The little Eye at one glance can take into 〈◊〉 more then half the world And what abundance of noise and found will the Ear receive at â—â—nce The Eye is not satisfied as the Wiseman saith Eccles 1.8 with seeing nor the â—â—ar with hearing Those little members of our â—ody are either clogged or tyred out before â—hey can be filled or satisfied with those things â—ut not only the souls but even the bodies of The Saints in Heaven shall be filled top-full of Glory from the crown of their heads to the sole of their feet In Heaven the everlasting doors of our souls shall alwayes stand wide open to receive the glory of Christ in the streams thereof and then shall Christ the King of Glory come in â—nd dwell with them for ever Secondly the greatnesse of the Saints Glory in Heaven may further appear by the resemblances that sets it forth First the glory of Kings upon their Coronation day That greatly sets forth and illustrates the greatnesse of Saints Glory in Heaven For in Heaven Saints shall all be crowned Kings and shâ—â— reign as Kings for ever in Glory They shall herit the Kingdom as our Saviour saith Mâ—â— 25.34 prepared for them from the foundation the World 2. The Glory of the Stars that also resemâ—â— the Glory of the Saints in Heaven One Star fereth from
another in Glory 1 Cor. 15.41 the very bodies of the Saints in heaven shall 〈◊〉 shine all the Glory of all the Stars Yea the 〈◊〉 Glory of the Sun it self which out shiner all Glory of the Stars See what our Saviour saâ—â— Mat. 13.23 Then shall the Righteous shine foâ—â— as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father 3. The Glory of the glorious Angels thâ—â— another resemblance of the Saints in Gloâ—â— the Glory of the Angels that far exeeds all Glory of all the Stars yea and all the Kings Monarchs of the world But the Saints in Hâ—â—ven shall be like unto the very Angels Mâ—â— 22.30 Or as St. Luke hath it Luk 20. Equal to the Angles in Glory 4. The Glory of Christ Himself who is Lâ—â— of Glory that resembles and sets forth the Glâ—â— of the Saints When Christ comes to be gloriâ—â— in his Saints at the last day then shall the Saiâ—â— appear with Christ in Glory Christ is the Gloâ—â— â—f the Saints here and Christ will be the Glory of the Saints hereafter Christ will then put His Glory upon them and they shall shine with the Glory thereof Then they shall be like Him as St. â—â—ohn saith 1 John 3.2 For we shall see him as he is Then the bodies of the Saints which have lien â—â—n the dust shall arise and put on beautifull garâ—â—ents even the Robes of Glory Christ will then change their vile bodies and make them like to â—is glorious body The Saints shall be made conâ—â—mable to Christ in Glory Is not then the Glory of the Saints in Heaven exceeding great You â—â—e it is a King-like a Star-like a Saint-like an â—â—ngel-like yea a Christ-like Glory Secondly the Glory of Heaven is solid subtantial and weighty the Apostle 2 Cor. 4.17 â—â—lls it an exceeding eternall weight of Glory â—â—'s like to precious things as Gold and Crowns â—â—e more weighty they are the more worth is in â—â—em Hence the Original word sighifies both Weight and Glory Whereas on the contrary â—orldly glory that 's light and frothy having no â—â—bstance nor reality in them they are only shadows that appear and then vanish away A fashion as the Apostle calls it 1 Cor. 7.31 that passeth â—way It is like a Picture that hath only shape and colour but no life meer fantasie a sound and no more Thirdly Heavenly Glory that is permanent and durable it is lasting Yea an eveâ—ing glory It is perpetuall it shall never nor decay But worldly honour and glory thâ—â— transitory inconstant perishing and passing way like a feather in the air it is only seen blown away with the wind 1 Pet. 1.24 the glory of man is as the flower of the graâ—â— in the morning it flourishes but in the eveâ—â— it is cut down and withered Fourthly the Glory of Heaven is satisfy and contenting They that enjoy it shall fire no more But for worldly glory they have most of it still desire more but the Sâ—â— in Heaven shall have as much of Glory as 〈◊〉 can hold yes more then their hearts can 〈◊〉 or desire All the Saints in Heaven shall 〈◊〉 We are rich and are full we have all anâ—â— bound 1. In Heaven there is plenty of weaâ—â— peace and safety rest and reward Plenty wealth without want The Treasures of â—â—â—ven cannot be corrupted There is no moth rust nor thieves to steal them away Heaven Treasures can never fail they are like the dows Oyl they increase upon the Saints Tâ—â— are bags that wax not old unsearchable rich Ephes 3 8. The Gold of Glory can never beâ—â— or summed up Secondly in Heaven then plenty of peace without trouble safety with danger triumph without war There all enemies shall cease our bodily enemies shall â—â—e be reconciled unto us And the enemies â—â—ur souls shall be all cast into the lake of fire brimstone In Heaven there is no bloody â—â—n to kill a righteous Abel No luxurious Soâ—â—ites to vex a righteous Lot No Ishmael off No Shimri to curse No Esau to terriâ—â—â— No Rabshekah to rail No Herod to perseâ—â— the people of God No Judas to betray a our In Heaven there is peace not for tearm â—ats but for ever and ever Thirdly in â—â—ven there is plenty of rest without weariness â—e is no work to do but what is pure delight only work of the Saints in Glory will be to 〈◊〉 Praises and Hallelujahs to God for ever and 〈◊〉 Heaven will be a place of ease and rest to wearie There remaineth a rest for the â—â—â—ple of God Heb. 8.9 'T is possible they may â—yred as it were here with doing the work God or wearied with suffering persecutions the sake of Christ But there remaineth a rest them hereafter O what a sweet expression is 〈◊〉 Art thou troubled and turmoil'd here thou it have rest hereafter Blessed are the dead â—â—th die in the Lord said the Spirit they rest â—â—â—m their labours and their works do follow â—â—â—m Rev. 14.13 Fourthly in Heaven there is â—â—nty of reward Do you here suffer for righteousness sake great is your reward in heaven saith our Saviour Mat. 5.10 Do you suffer for Christ here you shall reign with Christ hereafter glory The light afflictions of a Saint here we work for him an exceeding and eternall weigâ—â— of glory hereafter Upon this account our blessed Saviour calls on us to rejoyce in our sufferings Mat. 5.12 Rejoice saith he and be exceeding glade for great is your reward in heaven What we suffer for God we suffer for the Kingdom of God and upon that score the Saints aâ—â— said to be counted worthy of the kingom of Goâ—â— 2 Thes 1.5 The sufferings of this life are nâ—â— worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be in the life to come Do you labour hard heâ—â— for God and his cause do you spend and aâ—â—â— you spent in his service perhaps you may be buâ— poorly requited by men O but consider heaven is a large recompense of everlasting reward It said of Moses Heb. 11. That he chose rather suffer afflictions with the people of God then enjoy the pleasures the seeming pleasures of siâ—â—â— for a season For indeed they are but seeming pleasures which continue but for a season Anâ—â—â— counted the reproach of Christ greater riches themâ—â— all the honours of Egypt For saith the Apostleâ—â— He had respect to the recompense of reward Moses could see glory to come through all the sufferings of this life Heaven is our great Lorâ— and Masters joy where all his faithfull servant shall be received and rewarded to all eternity Fifthly In Heaven there is good company blessed society God and Christ and the holy Spirit Millions of millions of blessed Saints and glorious Angels Then shall the Saints be gathered to their Father yea to their fathers and â—â—iends who are gone to Heaven before them And is it not a happiness think you to be among our friends do you not think that time well â—ent here which you spend in
Christs last SERMON OR The everlasting estate and condition of all men in the World to come Exactly describing the Everlasting Blessed and Happy condition of the Children of God in Glory for ever With the everlasting endlesse and easelesse condition of Wicked Men in the World to come for ever Set forth for the Comfort of the Godly and for the Terror of the Ungodly By a godly able and faithfull Servant of Jesus Christ J. H. Col. 3 4. When Christ who is our life shall appear then shall ye also upon with him in glory Mat. 25.34.41 Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world Depart from me ye Cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels EDINBVRGH Printed by ANDREVV ANDERSON Anno DOM 1664. Courteous Reader THere are lately published some useful and profitable Sermons viz. Christs first Sermon A Key to open Heaven-gate The true Christians Path-way to Heaven The Plain mans Path-way to Heaven Heavens Glory and Hells Horrour The dreadfull Character of a Drunkara There are also severall other small Books needfull to be bought and read viz. Bessie Clarkson of Lanerk The Lady Culrosse Dream The last Good-night The History of Doctor Faustus The History of Fortunatus The History of Roswall and Lillian The History of Guy Earle of Warwick No Jest like a true Jest or The History of Captain Hynd All which with variety of other Stories are to be sold by Andrew Anderson CHRISTS LAST SERMON OR The everlasting estate and condition of all men in the world to come John 14.2 3. In My Fathers House there are many Mansions if it were not so I would have told you I go to prepare a place for you And if I go I will come again and receive you unto my self that where I am there ye may be also OUR blessed Lord and Saviour having in the foregoing Chapter acquainted his Disciples with His departure from them out of this world He comes here in this and the three following Chapters to give them his last fare-well-Sermon and therein He endeavours principally to comfort the sad hearts of His Disciples who were now disconsolate and cast down in the spirits under the sense of so great and sad a losâ— as the losse of their great and only Lord an Master Jesus Christ For whom they had leâ—â— and lost all Christ having acquainted them witâ— His going out of the world they thereupon presently begin to be dejected and cast down at thiâ—â— sad news Lord said they have we left all anâ— followed Thee and wilt thou now leave us shall we now be exposed to the difficultie and dangerous of the wide world No saith our Saviour biâ—â—â— not discouraged let not your hearts be troubled it is for your good that I go away In my Fathers House are many Mansions I go to prepar a place for you And if I go I will come again and receive you You shall be no losers by My going away from you I will surelie make you aâ—â— mends for all your losse There are Mansions of joy in Heaven that will abundantlie counter vail all your wordlie losses If I go away it is for your good for I go to prepare a place for you And though you have not my bodilie presence yet you shall have my spirituall presence I will send you another Comforter that shall abide with you for ever I will not leave you comfortlesse I will come unto you That is by My Spirit to guide you and direct you into all truth and to bear up your hearts under all those troubles and temptations which ye shall meet withall in the world Having thus briefly given you the scope of â—he whole I come now to the words themselves â—â—com whence I raise these four Propositions first that there are mansions of glory in heaven for the people of God hereafter In my Fathers House are many mansions 2. I note from â—ence that Christs ascension was to prepare a place for Believers I go to prepare a place for you 3. That Christ will certainly come again â—â—nd receive Believers to Himself I will come â—gain and receive you 4. and lastly which shall briefly insist upon I note from hence â—hat those mansions of glory prepared by Christ or Believers in Heaven will abundantly recomense and make good all the losses and all the crosses which Believers may meet withall in the world I shall begin with the first of these that there â—re mansions of Glory for Believers hereafter The point is so plain from the words themselves that I shall onely give you a place or two of Scripture in the 84. Psalm vers 11. The Lord will give grace and glory and no good thing will â—e withhold from them that walk uprightly Eye â—ath not seen ear hath not heard neither hath is â—â—ntred into the heart of man to conceive the things which God hath provided for them that love him Cor. 2.9 Come ye blessed saith your Saviour inherit the kingdom prepared for you Mat. 25.34 Severall other Scriptures I might give you bâ—â— I shall proceed to the uses of this usefull poinâ— Is it so then that there are Mansions of Glorâ—â— for the godly hereafter then I note from hencâ— the unspeakable miserie of all wicked men boâ—â—â— here and hereafter Is there glory in heaven fâ—â— Believers What is there then in hell for Unbâ—â—â—lievers if glorie be the portion of the godly whâ—â— will the lot and portion of wicked men bâ—â— The wicked saith Psal 9.17 shall be turmâ—â—â— into hell and all the Nations that forget Goâ—â— Wicked men shall have no part nor portion those glorious Mansions they are prepated onlâ— for the godlie Wicked men may indeed whicâ— shall but further agravate their sorrow behold tâ—â— Saints received by Christ into glorie as Dives bâ—â— held La Zarus in Abrahams bosome but it wâ—â—â— afar off Wicked men may at the last day heâ—â—â— that blessed sentence fo Come ye blessed but the again also they shal hear I and that with a vengeance too that wofull sentence of Go ye cursâ— into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil anâ— his Angels It is impossible for wicked men I meâ— such as live and die in sin unrepented of to entâ— into heaven Know ye not saith the Apostle 1 Coâ— 6.9 that the unrighteous shall not inherit 〈◊〉 Kingdom of God The Evangelist St. John Reâ—â— 20.21 speaking of the world to come which 〈◊〉 foresaw in his heavenlie vision I saw saith he tâ—â— dead small and great stand before God and the Books were opened and another Book was opened which is the Book of Life And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in those Books according to their works All the wayes of men both good and bad are exactlie written down both in the Book of Gods everlasting Rememberance and in the Book of mans own particular Conscience And the sea gave up the dead which were
them out in death Fitting grace for heaven you see is no trifle your eternall estate depends upon it Sinners why do you put off this work as a trisle and why do you put it off till death I dare say that man would never be holy if be could help it that will not be holy till he die he would never have to do with Christ if he could avoid that will not be acquainted with him before he is ready to leave this world when death is fitting the soul for hell then and never till then to be looking after heaven Ah Lord that ever those men should have precious and immortall Souls to damn themselves they that look no after heaven till they come to their death-beds are usually crost in their folly they are then either surprized with infirmities of body and so disinabled to perform so great a work or else surprized in their souls and so unfitted and indisposed to it either they have no strength or no heart to it and so dye in their sins and perish eternally Wicked men would never leave sinning if they did not cease living and that is one reasont to justifie the infinitnesse or everlastingnesse of the punishment of wicked men in hell The damned in hell are under easelesse and endlesse sufferings because they would have sinned alwayes if they had lived alwayes wicked men would have no end of their lives here they would live ever that they might sin ever therefore the Lord giveth them a life not such a one as they would have but such a one as they deserve to have which is indeed a death for ever wicked men shall die eternally for sin because they would have lived eternally in sin In the third place I beseech you note from hence what a blessed thing it is to be a Child of God Is it so that there are mansions of Glory for Believers in Heaven hereafter then Believers are the onely happy Men and Women in the World Were it not for the hopes of Heaven the condition of Gods Children might be sad enough if in this life onely we had hope we were of all men most miserable 1 Cor. 15.19 But the hopes of Gods Children are in the life to come therefore they are of all men most blessed The happinesse of a Child of God is not in what he enjoyes here below but in what he shall enjoy hereafter in Glory The best things of a Child of God are unseen things Whilst we look not saith the Apostle at the things which are seens but a the things Which are not seen For the things which are seen are temporal but the things that are noâ—â— seen are eternall 2 Cor. 4.18 And in 1 Pet. 〈◊〉 3 4. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to His abundance mercy hath begotten us again unto a lived hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the deaâ— To an Inheritance incorruptible and undefiled that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for you who are kept by the power of God through Faith unto Salvation The Apostle here excellentâ—â— sets forth the condition of a Child of God and that in severall Regards First They are bâ— gotten again by Christ to an Inheritance possiblie they may lose all here below for Hâ—â— sake But yet here is the comfort of a Child 〈◊〉 God he is Heir to a great Estate in the neâ—â—â— World There is an Inheritance for him anâ— that is a sure one In six Regards First Iâ—â—â— not a corruptible but an incorruptible one Sâ—â—â— condly it 's an undefiled one And thirdlie it 〈◊〉 a lasting yea an everlasting one it fadeth noâ—â—â— away Fourthly it 's reserved for them tiâ—â— they come to age Gods Children in this life are not at full age therefore they are nor capâ—ble of enjoying so great a happinesss which God will hereafter bestow upon them Fifthlie it reserved for them in a safe place Many moâ—â—â— leave great estates here for their children whiâ—â— they are often cheated of But the Inheritance of Gods Children is reserved by God for them in Heaven where neither Moth doth corrupt nor Theis steals away And lastlie as the Inheritance is reserved for the Children of God so the People of God are preserved for their Inheritance Henven if reserved for them and they are preserved for Heaven They are kept by the mightie power of God through faith unto Salvation Fourthly are there such Mansion of glorie for Believers hereafter then I beseech you try and examine your own souls whether or no ye be in the faith And let me exhort you in the Name of Christ seriouslie to set about the work of Salvation You see what great and glorious things there are laid in store for Gods Children hereafter Then I beseech you labour to get an interest in Christ here that so you may partake of those glorious Mansions hereafter How greatlie should the consideration of these things draw out our hearts in longings and pantings after God When shall I come and appear before God saith David Psalm 42.1 As the Hart panteth after the Water-brooks so panteth my soul after thee O God My soul thirsteth for God for the living God When shall I come and appear before God And if David and such longings after the enjoyment of God in his Ordinances here what desires thought we to have after the full enjoyment God himself in glory hereafter Are there 〈◊〉 mansions of glory to be had hereafter Wâ—â—â— manner of persons ought we to be then in all maner of godlinesse And then lastly If there be such Mansiâ— of glory then let me exhort you all even now this your day to set your hearts at work seeking after those great things of Eterniâ—â— Let every Soul of you thus reason with you selves Are there such glorious things hereafter and am I the man or woman that shall â—â—joy them I remember a story of Gauls wâ—â— having once tasted the sweet Wine of Itaâ—â—â— presently enquired after the Countrie and â—â—ver rested till they had gotten it I have heâ—â— given you as it were a fore-taste of that Hâ—venly Wine which Believers shall drink hereafter in Glory now if you find any sweetneâ—â— in it let not your hearts be at rest till you comâ—â— to the Countrie it self where are Rivers those sweet Pleasures and that for evermore Martyr suffering death one asked him the cauâ—â— why he suffered Saith he in the words of tâ—â—â— Apostle Eye hath not seen ear hath nor heart neither hath it entred into the heart of manâ—â— conceive the things which God hath prepared fâ—â—â— them that love him The naming of whâ—â—â— wrought so effectually on the mans heart that â—e immediately became a Christian and after â—ffered death of His Names sake You have â—ad not onely one but very many Scriptures â—pened to you I beseech you let not all be in â—ain We read in Mark 10.17 how the young â—an came running to Christ saying Good Mater what shall
Himself And then how Christ will come 〈◊〉 shall come in power and great glory Matth. 〈◊〉 30. And secondly He will come suddenâ—â— even as a thief in the night First he shâ—â— come in power irresistible power against sâ—â—ners I beseech you sinners consider you 〈◊〉 not be able to stand when He appears for as 〈◊〉 is all powerfull in himself so will He come atâ—â—ded with an innumerable company of gloriâ—â— Saints and Angels Behold saith Jude 〈◊〉 Lord commeth with ten thousand of His Saiâ—â— to execute judgement upon all and to conviâ—â— all 1 Thes 1.7 8 9. The Lord Jesus shall 〈◊〉 revealed from heaven with his mighty Angles 〈◊〉 flamming fire taking vengeance on them thâ—â— know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Loâ—â— Jesus Christ who shall be punished with everlaâ—â—ing destruction from the presence of the Lord aâ—â— from the glory of His power Though God bâ—â— long suffering towards sinners yet will he noâ—â— always suffer sinners to go unpunished The Soâ—â— of man shall come in His glory all the holy Angels with him Mat. 25.31 And second lie he shal â—ome suddenlie and swiftlie Swiftlie even as the â—â—ightning And suddenlie as a thief in the night 〈◊〉 Pet. 3. Those scoffers there mocked and scofâ—â—ed at the doctrine of Christs comming to judgement But saith the Apostle in the ninth verse Though the Lord be long suffering yet he is not â—â—ack concerning his promise But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night Though sinners may think Christ long yet they shall find him sure The comming of Christ will be sudden to sinners in two respects Sudden in regard of their expectation He will come before they look for Him and sudden in regard of their unpreparednesse Christ will come to sinners before they are ready for Him they will be then to seek for Oyl in their Lamps Christ as one saith though he hath leaden feet yet he hath iron hands though God be long ere he does strike yet when He doth strike He will be sure â—â—o strike home Yet a little while and He that â—â—sh all come will come and will not tarry Now the use which I shall make of this point shall be onely this Will Christ come again and receive Believers then let me exhore you all to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ Would you be received by Christ into glory then I beseech you labour to receive Christ â—nto your souls by believing If Christ do not live in you by faith here you shall never 〈◊〉 with Christ in glory hereafter It is unbeâ—â— that is the soul-damning sin He that believe not is condemned already Iohn 3.18 He that â—â—lieveth shall he saved but he that believeth 〈◊〉 shall be damned Mark 16.16 He that believâ—â— on the Son hath everlasting life But he tâ—â— believeth not the Son shall not see life but 〈◊〉 wrath of God abideth on him John 3. 36. Another Use which I must make of this poiâ—â— might be this To comfort and encourage 〈◊〉 people of God in all their sufferings and lossâ—â— Art thou in poverty Doth the world frown 〈◊〉 thee Are thy afflictions and losses many aâ—â— great Let not your hearts be troubled Châ—â—â— is gone to prepare a place for you and Châ—â— will come again and receive you Therefore 〈◊〉 not discouraged What though you meet wâ—â— many rubs and stops in your way Yet you mâ—â— be sure to get to glory at the last Consider thâ— through many tribulations we must enter iâ—â— the Kingdom of Heaven The fourth and last Observation which I oâ—â— served was this That those Mansions of Gloâ—â— prepared by Christ for Believers in Heaven wâ—â— abundantly recompense and make good all thâ— Losses and all the Crosses which Believers mâ—â— here meet withall in the world Let not yoâ—â— hearts be troubled in my Fathers house are mâ—â— â—â—y mansions Sell all saith our Saviour and follow me thou shalt have treasure in heaven For further prosecution of this usefull Point I shall proceed to handle it first doctrinallie and then Applicatorilie And for the Doctrinal part I shall endeavour to shew you first what those Mansions of glorie are which are laid up for Believers And secondlie what those losses are which Believers may here meet withall And â—â—hen lastly how those Mansions of glorie do make good the losses and crosses which Believers meet with in the world And to begin with the first what those Mansions of glorie are which are â—aid up for Believers in heaven And all that â—â—an be said of this will be but as it were the lighting of a Candle to the Sun For it comes infiâ—â—telie short of the skill either of men or Angels â—â—o expresse as the Apostle saith Eyes hath not â—â—een ear hath not heard neither hath it entred inâ—â— the heart of man to conceive the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Cor. 〈◊〉 9. The glorie of the glorified Saints in heaâ—â—en is so exceeding glorious that it is not posâ—â—ble for all the tongues of men or Angels to exâ—â—ess it But by the way to give you some glimpâ—â—s of this most excellent glorie consider a little â—â—hese following particulars First in heaven we shall have the everlasting â—â—refence of God Himself there we shall see God as He is not by faith but by sight cleaâ—â— and fullie I shall see him saith holy Jâ—â—â— with these eyes Now we see as it were througâ—â— glasse darkly but there we shall see God facâ—â— face We shall see Him as we are seen Thâ—â— and there we shall be ever with the Lord as 〈◊〉 Apostle hath it 1 Thess 4.17 We shall enjoy Gâ—â— in heaven freely and fully without let or inâ—â—ruption Though the Saints may possiblie mâ—â—â— with many and great impediments and him rances in the way unto Heaven yet in Heaâ— there shall be nothing to hinder or interâ—â— their joy It is possible that a Child of Gâ—â—â— may have his skin pulled over his ears as soâ—â— of the Apostles had in their way unto Heaâ—â— yet being gotten into Heaven nothing shall 〈◊〉 lest or trouble them at all What an unspeâ—â—able inconceiveable comfort will it be Chriâ—â—ans to have and enjoy the presence of 〈◊〉 God who is all and hath all and will be eâ—â—lastinglie all in all to His people for ever Whâ—â— having not seen saith the Apostle we sire to love In whom believing we rejoice wâ—â— joy unspeakable and full of glory And if 〈◊〉 fight of Gods presence by faith be so gloriâ— what then will be full fruition and enjâ—â—ment of God Himself be O! unspeakables 〈◊〉 full of glorie A second thing which I would speak to 〈◊〉 indeed I must but speak to it is the perfection of grace that shall be enjoyed in heaven O Christians when ye come to heaven then ye come to full age in heaven The spirits of just men shal be made perfect and the bodies of the Saints shal be made glorious even
the enjoyment â—nd embracements of your friends society whose â—â—ve and favour is altogether inconstant and â—â—angeable you may be taken from them or they from you in a moment O but your friends 〈◊〉 Heaven they are immortall and their love is â—â—changeable they and you shall then and there â—â—ve for ever and enjoy one another and rejoice â—â—ne with another for ever but your dearest â—â—iends on earth must die they must leave you â—â—â—t your joy in Heaven shall no man take from â—â—u In Heaven there is God your Father and Christ your Head and Husband and Saviour there even in his humane nature wherein he â—â—ffered death on the Crosse for you and your â—omforter God the holy Spirit is there yea â—â—d all your friends How mightily do children â—â—â—ng to go home to their fathers house or a wife 〈◊〉 her husband so earnestly should our souls â—â—sire to go to heaven our fathers house to Christ our head and husband where there is good pany only and that to all eternity And then lastly the Glory of Heaven is stant and permanent In Heaven all is safe sure all things continue there fixed and immâ—able Heaven is an Inheritance settled upon Saints for ever and sealed unto them by broad Seal of Christs Blood I have shewed you in part what those â—â—sions of glory are which the Saints shall eâ—â—â— hereafter I come now and I must be brief â—â—ving a little touch on it already to show what those losses and crosses are which Bâ—â—vers may meet withall here below and first the losses which you may meet withall in 〈◊〉 world What are they poor trifles a 〈◊〉 pebble-stones as it were a little earthly tâ—â—â— sure it may be such as is not considerable Sâ—â—â— little what those worldly enjoyments are whâ—â—â— possibly thou mayest lose for Christs sake Fâ—â— thou losest nothing for Christ here but whâ—â— vanity and emptiness broken Cistrens that 〈◊〉 hold no water For as one saith well A wâ—â—full of honours or pleasures cannot satisfie one 〈◊〉 with any solid comfort Thou mayest as soon 〈◊〉 thy Chest with Grace as thy heart with Goâ—â— There is not that in the Creature which 〈◊〉 look for Experience tells us a man may at oâ—â—â— have a house full of Gold and yet a heart fulâ—â—â— sorrow They that enjoy the most of the world cannot say they have enough therefore the losse of it is not considerable not to be comparers with the gain of Heaven Seconly there is nothing thou losest for Heaven but what is the portion of the wicked Woâ—dly comforts are wicked mens portions Yea and â—â—â—s all the portion that ever they shall have either here or hereafter Son remember saith Abraham to Dives being in hell that thou in thy life-time reâ—eivest thy good things They that have their Heaven in this world shall have nothing in Heaven in the world to come Thirdly thou canst â—ose nothing for Christ that can be profitable to â—hee All the outward good things of this life cannot sanctifie nor purchase one dram of saving Grace for thee They may prove share to â—hee or be occasions of sin to you or draw you from Christ as they did the Young-man in the Gospel but they will never drive you to Christ and commonly they that have most of Gold have â—east of Grace or rather no Grace at all And as they cannot sanctifie you so they cannot save you They can neither sheâ—â—er you from the judgements of God here of from the stroke of â—eath Neither can they preserve you from hell hereafter Rich Dives went to hell when poor Lozarus was carried unto Heaven Wordly things cannot purchase Heaven if the whole world would lend you their shoulders thâ—â—â— could not lift you up to Heaven Fourth there is nothing here below that is certain 〈◊〉 things under the Sun are mutable subluâ—â—â— enjoyments more changeable then the Moâ—â—â— inconstant even as the Winde certain onâ—â— in uncertainties And as they are uncertaâ—â—â— so they are corruptible and perishing Châ—â—â— calls them meat that perisheth Joh. 6.27 〈◊〉 things which either moths or rust may consuâ—â— or thieves may steal away from you or they 〈◊〉 be destroyed by fire which if you do posseâ—â— while you live yet you must leave them behâ—â—â— you when you die For as we brought nothâ—â—â— into the World so it is certain we shall carry 〈◊〉 thing out of the world 1 Tim. 6.7 Fifthly outward enjoyments are often vâ—â— troublesome they bring many fears many caâ—â— much sorrow and vexation There is a carâ—â— get and a care to keep riches as the Wise nâ—â—â— faith All is vanity so is it also vexation of â—â—â—rit Worldly comforts they are like Roses thâ—â— have sharp prickles as well as sweet flowers man may have much bitternesse in his least 〈◊〉 comforts here therefore do not think much 〈◊〉 part with all things here below for Christ 〈◊〉 thou shalt be no loser by the bargain Thou shâ—â— receive an hundred fold more in this life and the world to come eternall life Mark 10.30 I come now in the next place in a word to â—ew you what these Crosses are which Believers do oftentimes undergo for the Kingdom of Heavens sake and they are very small and inâ—â—siderable also in respect of the glory that follows The Apostles endured as much tribulations for the Kingdom of heavens sake as possibly â—â—ould be yet what did they think of it We â—â—ckon saith St. Paul that the afflictions of this â—se are not worthy to be compared with the gloly that shall be For first they are but light our light afflictions And as they are light so they are â—â—or short they are but for a moment Our light affliction saith the Apostle which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and â—â—ternall weight of glory Hence it is that the â—â—ints of old were so joyfull in all their tribulations hence they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for the name of Christ I shall come now to shew you how it is that â—ose Mansions of glory in Heaven will make â—ood all our losses and crosses upon earth and his appears further for these reasons For first 〈◊〉 you have heard already the glory of the gloâ—â—fied Saint in heaven is infinite and durable â—nd therefore must needs exceed and make good 〈◊〉 their losses which as you have also heard are â—â—te and uncertain We use to account more of â—ose things which are durable and lasting than those things which are of no certainty Secondly The only yea all the treasures the Saints are laid up in Heaven and what neâ— any care for losing a few triffles so long as thâ— treasure is safe If a man lose a few triffâ—â—â— yet if he have a safe treasury to go to he 〈◊〉 soon make good so small a losse Beloved all tâ—â—â— things you do enjoy here are but triffles but tâ—â—â— things which you shall enjoy hereafter in hâ—â—ven are no lesse then a treasure
a rich trâ—â—sury the store-house of God himself into 〈◊〉 which he hath been treasuring up for his Saiâ— from the foundation of the world I might much larger herein but I will conclude all iâ— word or two of Application Is it so then that those mansions of Glory pâ—â—â— pared by Christ for Believers in Heaven 〈◊〉 abundantly recompense and make good all 〈◊〉 Losses and Crosses which Believers meet with in the World The I beseech you set your fections upon things above and not on things low You see we live in slippery times we caâ— not say that any thing is certain here O thâ— labour to be sure of something hereafter If thâ— canst not keep thy earthly inheritance then bout to get an inheritance in heaven Secondly for I must be brief If there be sâ—â— glorious mansions in heaven then labour to pâ—â—â— pare your souls for heaven But how shall we this may some say I answer These five way 1. Wouldst thou prepare thy self for heavâ—â— be fruitfull then in well doing alwayes abounding in the works of the Lord be sure to get that work done which God sent you into the world to do growing in grace is going to heaven and grace here will make you fit and meet for glory hereafter 2. Would you prepare for heaven labour to purge your selves then from all sin by being unpotted in the world for as Heaven is a place of happiness so it is a place of holiness into which nothing that is unclean can enter it is only the â—ure in heart that shall see God Mat. 5.8 3. Would you prepare for heaven then get â—our selves into a posture of readinesse to leave he world and go to Heaven every day that â—ou may up and be gone when ever death calls â—or you so that when death comes you may â—ave nothing to do but to die Death will not â—ait when he cometh if ye are not fit to die ye â—re not fit for heaven death will not carry that â—oul to heaven that is not ready when he comes â—f you are not ready to die when ever death â—omes let me tell you ye are not fit to live in aâ—other world You know not at what hour Christ â—ay come or send his messenger Death for you â—erefore be alwayes ready for heaven because â—eaven is alwayes ready for you When the â—idegroom came they that had Oil in their â—mps grace in their hearts they went in to the â—â—riage but for those that wanted oil the door was shut against them and they were shut from the marriage-feast They that have laâ—â— without oil profession without grace shall â—ver enter into Heaven 4. Would you prepare for Heaven then your title to Heaven cleared and confirmeâ—â— you what man is there that having purchâ—â— a great Estate that will be so foolish as nâ—â— get a sure title to what he hath purchased 〈◊〉 we are strangers and pilgrims as all our faâ—â— were but heaven that 's our home our counâ— our Fathers House our Inheritance O should we then labour to make that sure to souls and having made that sure labour in the next place to keep up your Evideâ—â—â— First keep your Evidences for Heaven and fair for Satan will endeavour to blot tâ—â— Secondly keep them safe the Devil wiâ—â— them from you if he can and if ye lose Evidences what have you to shew for Heaâ—â—â— If your writings be lost how will you get Inheritance Then whatsoever you do geâ—â—surance of heaven for first assurance of he will take off your hearts from the world rance of those things above will make you â—ing to part with all things here below coâ—â— you in all your tribulations and bear up hearts under all discouragements as it did vids Jobs and Pauls Evidence for Heaven lie warm at your hearts when naturall heaâ—â—â— â—…yes when you lie upon your death beds they â—…ill be a sweet taste to your Souls when you â—eel no taste or comfort in meat or drink assuâ—…ance of Heaven will comfort you when all â—…ings fail you assurance of Heaven will preâ—are you for all changes it will fit you for your â—…eat change Assurance of life eternall will â—…onquer the Grave for you and unsting Death â—…o you it will make you sing yea to triumph â—…n the way to heaven over death and the grave They that have Heaven assured to them have more joy and gladness put into their souls than â—…ll the world besides Assurance of salvation will â—…ngage you to trust God for all things and eviâ—…ence God to your souls it will make you to love â—…nd delight in him fearfull to offend carefull to â—…lease him Thirdly Assurance makes men â—…uspicious of themselves they that are assur'd â—…hat they shall stand will be sure to take heed â—…hat they do not fall they that shall be saved â—…ill labour to work it out with fear Fourthly â—…ssurance makes the soul humble the higher the â—…oul is in assurance the lower it will be in humiâ—…ity But how shall we know that our assurance â—…or heaven is right Take these following Rules 1. Right assurance will make you more holy every man that hath this hope purifies himself as God is pure Right assurance for Heaven will â—…ngage your souls to be holy in all manner of conversation Having therefore these promises dearly beloved cleanse your selves from all thinesse both of the flesh and spirit 2 Cor. 6. 2. Right assurance will make the soul to peâ—vere to the end receiving the end of your faâ— the salvation of your souls But how shall get this assurance 1. By having a godly 〈◊〉 row for sin wrought in thy soul Christ gives 〈◊〉 to none but to the weary 2. Examine your heâ—â— and lives by comparing them with the Word God 3. Assurance is obtained by a holy coâ—stant and carefull use of the Ordinances of Goâ— in joining both the end and the means togethâ—â— it will make you as carefull to use the means confident to expect the end of your faith the â—â—vation of your souls It doth not feed men wâ— vain hopes that they shall escape hell thou they live in sin and go on in the broad way tâ—â— leads to destruction They that would come heaven must be carefull to use the means 〈◊〉 they must walk in that strait and narrow wâ— unto holinesse and righteousnesse which on leads unto life and salvation And lastly is it so then that Godlines is great gâ— yea it is the best gain Hath God made thee gâ—ly The lines are fallen to thee in a pleasant place tâ—â— hast a goodly heritage Psal 16.6 It is enough thâ— hast all though it may be thou hast but little the world yet thou hast a propriety in God Gâ—â— is thine thy portion is Christ he is thy Jesâ—â— thy all Labour then to be conformable to Goâ— godliness is Gods likeness Hath God given you â—…ace God hath done more for you than if he â—…nd given you a thousand worlds Are others â—…ch and art thou poor have others plenty of â—…old and silver and hast thou little or none ar all â—…onsider hath not God given thee that which is finitely better than all the Gold and Riches of â—…he World Faith that is more precious than Gold that perishes Wisdom that is better than â—…bies yea all things that can be thought of are â—…ot comparable to grace If grace be thy portion â—…lory will be thy portion and thou hast more â—…use of content than if thou hadst all the world â—…or thy portion without grace What though oâ—…hers be richer than thee yet thou art better than thers The righteous is more excellent then his neighâ—…r Are others had in honour and art thou deâ—…pised let me tell thee if thou hast the favour of God thou hast more honour then all the world â—…n give Are thy troubles greater nor others conder God seeth them good for thee thou canst or tell how to be without them It is good for me saith David that I have been afflicted They that â—…ave endured the most of afflictions here will be â—…nd to be the happiest people in all the world â—…reafter for through them we enter into glory â—…hrough many tribulations we must enter into the kingâ—…m of heaven Unto which Kingdom the Lord his infinite mercy bring us all Amen FINIS