shall be like unto Jesus Christ in Splendour and Beauty Their Bodies shall be cloathed with glory and Majesty like unto the Body of Jesus Christ As Christ is Glorious and Beautiful so shall the Saints be Glorious and Beautiful and as Christ is fair and comely so shall the Saints be fair and comely and as Christ is pleasant and altogether Lovely so shall the Saints be pleasant and altogether Lovely and there shall be no spot of Deformity in them nor no Infirmity nor Blemish upon them But they shall shine in Beauty like the brightness of the Firmament and exceed the Stars in Lustre and Purity Here 's another Excellent Priviledge and a lovely Branch of heavenly Happiness wonderful to consider of and Marvellous pleasant will it be to enjoy the same It 's counted a great Honour and a high Priviledge amongst the People of the World to be but a little Adorned with Earthly Beauty or to have but a comely Face Garnished with a little Natural Brightness yea many times it is so highly esteemed and counted such a Rare Priviledge as it makes many Persons proud and high-minded Because of their Earthly Beauty and because of a comely Face but alas this is nothing in comparison of that Glory and Beauty which the Saints shall be Adorned withall when they enjoy this Heavenly Kingdom this is not worthy to be named in comparison of that Purity and Comeliness which shall be the Saints Portion in their Fathers Kingdom they shall have greater Honour than to be Adorned with Earthly Beauty and Natural Comeliness for they shall be Adorned with Heavenly Beauty and cloathed with Celestial Majesty yea they shall be Equal unto the Angels for Splendour and like unto Jesus Christ for Glory Therefore sayes the Apostle Phil. 3.20 21. Our Conversation is in Heaven from whence also we look for our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ who shall change our vile Bodies that they may be fashionod like unto his GLORIOUS Body according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself Though now they are vile bodies attended with earthly corruption yet then they shall be precious Bodies attended with Heavenly GLORY though now they are defiled Bodies attended with many Infirmities yet then they shall be Lovely Bodies attended with perfect Purity and mightily Adorned with Excellent Beauty Therefore says Christ Mat. 13.43 Then shall the Righteous SHINE forth as the SUN in the Kingdom of their Father Mark here 's glorious Beauty and wonderful Brightness Here 's Eminent Purity and Heavenly Splendour the Righteous shall Shine like the SUN in the Kingdom of their Father even whilst others are weeping and wailing in a Furnace of Fire Oh what unspeakable Glory and Excellent Majesty is here prepared for poor despised contemptible Creatures Oh! how happy and blessed will all those be that shall be counted worthy of this Kingdom and Glory All the Pleasure and Glory on Earth is not worthy to be compared with one Branch of this Heavenly Happiness All the Honour and Beauty under the Sun is not able to Parrallel the least Glimpse of this Heavenly Glory See one notable Text more for this and so I shall leave this Particular and proceed to another 1 Joh. 3.2 Where the Apostle is giving a short discovery of the Honour and Dignity of the Saints both here and hereafter Beloved saith he now we are the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be Mark Though we have so much Honour and Dignity conferred upon us now at present as to be called the Sons of God and though the Lord is pleased to extend his goodness so far towards us now at present as to make us his Children by the Spirit of Adoption yet it doth not yet appear what we shall be and yet this is such a wonderful Priviledge as it makes the Apostle exceedingly Admire at the Consideration thereof Crying out BEHOLD what MANNER of Love is THIS that we should be called the Sons of God! He was mightily filled with Admiration to consider of this wonderful Dignity but yet for all this it doth not yet appear what we shall be for we know that when he shall appear we shall be LIKE him Mark we shall be like unto Jesus Christ Blessed as he is Blessed Beautiful as he is Beautiful Glorious as he is Glorious Every way Adorned with Heavenly Happiness like unto Jesus Christ This is also another Excellent Priviledge or a fourth Branch of that Happiness which the Saints shall be made partakers of in this Glorious Kingdom Fifthly Another is this 5. They shall have wonderful Glorious Company and blessed Society they shall be continually honoured with Heavenly Company and blessed with Glorious Companions The meanest and worst of their Companions shall be Blessed and glorious Angels Though now it may be they are so much despised by the World as that they are not counted worthy to dwell in the Society of wicked Men yet they are so much honoured by the Lord as that they shall one Day be counted worthy to dwell in the Society of Blessed Angels and THEY shall be their meanest Companions This is another Glorious Priviledge excellent Dignity for the People of God in this Heavenly Kingdom they shall never have cause to complain of their Company nor never have cause to be weary of their Society for their meanest Company shall be glorious Angels and their worst Society shall be Heavenly Spirits And indeed this is a Priviledge which is very acceptable and delightful unto God's People and highly esteemed and much to be desired amongst good men now upon earth I mean godly Society for indeed those that truly fear God do count it a great Priviledge to enjoy the Society of good People and would reckon it a great Happiness to be wholly and altogether freed from evil company that they might alwayes enjoy the Society of godly People Therefore saith David Psal 16.3 My goodness extendeth not only unto thee O Lord but unto thy Saints and excellent ones in whom is all my DELIGHT But now in this Heavenly Kingdom they shall not only have the Society of Saints and enjoy Communion one with another without any mixture of Evil But they shall also enjoy it with God and fellowship with Jesus Christ and have the Society of blessed and glorious Angels Therefore saith the Apostle Heb. 12.22 23. Ye are come unto Mount Sion and unto 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 and to God the Judge of all and to the spirits of just men made perfect Here 's Glorious Company and Heavenly Society here 's pleasant Companions and beautiful Partners here 's honourable Equals and lovely Objects and all to attend the People of God to encrease their Happiness in their Father's Kingdom So that this is also another excellent Priviledge or a fifth Branch of that Happiness
Heavenly Calling by a cheerful continuing in the paths of Holiness Oh! let us take heed that our Actions do not witness against our Words and our Conversations give our Profession the lye But as we bear a Heavenly Profession so let us lead a Heavenly Conversation and let us not suffer our hearts and affections to run out after the things of this Life But if we be risen with Christ let us seek those things which are above and set our Affections there where we profess our Portion is and let us manifest our selves to be Heirs of this Kingdom by our constant continuing in the work of the Kingdom and let us not shame our selves nor disgrace our Royal Profession with doring upon the beggerly things of this World but let us make it appear to the World that we are the Sons of God and Heirs of Heaven by abounding in the fruits of the Spirit and devoting our selves to Heavenly things and let us take heed that we do not defile our selves with any of the works of Darkness nor stain our Heavenly Reputation with wandring in the filthy paths of Iniquity For we that profess our selves to be Heirs of this Glorious Kingdom we must not expect to walk as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their minds and in the lusts of the flesh for if we do we must expect to be rewarded accordingly But we must if we expect a better Reward than others exercise our selves in a better Work than others and we must put off our former Conversation and cast away the old Man with his deeds which is corrupt and be renewed in the Spirit of our Minds and put on the new Man which after God is created in Righteousness true Holiness that so we may adorn our Princely Profession and walk worthy of the Vocation wherewith we are Called For pray consider what an unsuitable thing it would be for a Prince or one that is Heir to an Earthly Kingdom to go up and down in Beggers Apparel and associate himself with the meanest and basest of the People and expose himself to such a contemptible Course of life as to spend his time in the works of drudgery and slavish employment and take up his lodging with Beggers on a dunghil or under a hedge and yet keep up his Princely Profession and proclaim himself to be the Son of a King and Heir to a Kingdom I say it would be accounted a very unsuitable thing and a great dishonour to one of his degree and it would very much stain and diminish his Reputation in the eyes of the World and render him very ridiculous amongst his Friends and Relations How much more would it be an unsuitable thing for us that professe our selves to be the Children of GOD and Princes of HEAVEN and Heirs to an ETERNAL Kingdom if we should suffer the rags of unrighteousness to rest upon us and go along with the wicked in the paths of impurity and exercise our selves in the Devils drudgery and set our affections upon the unprofitable dunghils of this Life take up our lodging here under the hedges of Earthly Vanity Oh! how unsuitable would it be to our Heavenly Profession And how greatly would it derogate from God and diminish the Reputation of Godliness And how unworthy and unfit should we render our selves of such a Glorious Inheritance and we should cause the way of Truth to be mightily abused and manifest our selves to be no better than Hypocrites Therefore now let us endeavour to regulate and order our Conversations aright in the fear of the Lord and to walk circumspectly both in Words and Actions redeeming the time because the dayes are evil and let no corrupt Communication proceed out of our mouths nor no corrupt Actions be seen in our lives but rather let the appearance of Gods Grace unto our Souls teach as to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly and righteously in this present evil World that so we may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing increasing and abounding in the fruits of the Spirit and continuing and persevering in the way of the Lord all the dayes of our lives to the Praise and Glory of him who hath called us to such a Heavenly Glorious unmoveable Kingdom Now the God of Peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great Shepherd of the Sheep through the blood of the Everlasting Covenant make us perfect in every good Work to do his Will working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ our Lord To whom with the Father through the Spirit of Grace be Blessing and Glory Wisdom and Thanksgiving Honour and Power Might Majesty and Dominion now henceforth and for evermore Amen THE END
GODLY ADVERSITY Far better than WICKED PROSPERITY OR The Rage of the Wicked should not Hinder the Race of the Godly Being a few Comfortable Reasons or Encouragements against the Fear and Terrour of Man Very Seasonable Sutable for the Consideration of God's People in this Day of Tryal to Fortifie them against all Troubles and Oppositions whatsoever Together with a Heavenly Discourse concerning the Saints in their Kingdom Wherein is Discovered the Excellency of the Kingdom it self and the Wonderful Glory and Happiness of the Saints in their Heavenly Habitation By Edward Noble an unworthy Servant and Prisoner of Jesus Christ Isa 41.14 Fear not thou Worm Jacob and the few Men of Israel I will help thee saith the Lord. Rev. 2.10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt Suffer Behold the Devil shall cast some of you into Prison that ye may be Tryed And ye shall have Tribulation certain Dayes But be thou Faithful unto Death and thou shalt receive a Crown of Life Matth. 5.10 Blessed are they which are Persecuted for Righteousness sake for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven London Printed by S. Dover in Christophers Alley in Martins near Aldersgatè 1661. To his Dear and much Respected Father according to the flesh FRANCIS NOBLE one of the Lords faithful Servants and Stewards of his Houshold And one of the Right Honourable Society of Saints in the Faith of the GOSPEL Dear and Well-beloved Father NOt only the Bonds of Nature and the knot of Relation betwixt us but also the great Cord of Affection and Christianity hath drawn me forth and induced me to Dedicate these my weak fruits of Labour and Love unto your serious and pious Consideration judging it may be a great Manifestation of my Duty towards you and a signal Token of that tender Love and Respect which your Deserts through Grace calls for at my hands It is not Silver nor Gold Money nor Riches that I have here to present unto you or to accommodate you withal but such as my Heavenly Father hath out of his abundant treasures bestowed upon me It is not Earthly shadows of a Temporal Concernment but Heavenly Substance of a Spiritual Nature Therefore what I have Received I freely and cordially impart unto you hoping it will be an acceptable Token unto you Your Aged Years I Honour and your Gray Hairs I Reverence especially being found in the Path of Righteousness for give me leave to tell you that it's Vertue and Piety that makes Age truly Honourable and Precious more than Treasures of Riches where Godliness is wanting It 's no small Joy unto me when I Consider you not only as my Father in the flesh but also Related to me in the Spirit That there is a nearer Relation betwixt us than what is outward and a more excellent Affinity between us than that of Nature Our Natural Relations are but shadows and husks and of a momentary standing but Spiritual Affinity is a fountain of Joy that abides for ever the former will perish and cease from being but the latter shall continue and never have an end It 's matter of great Rejoycing to me when I Consider how you press forward and persevere in the wayes of God even to your latter dayes and in the midst of Troubles that you are not frighted from the Truth by the frowns of men but still you continue faithful to the Purity of the Gospel notwithstanding the threatning ruine and spoil that attends it Oh! how many have run well in their young dayes and gone on eminently for God in a Day of Prosperity and yet in the time of Persecution or else in the time of old Age have grown weary of God and declined his wayes and Worship and have minded their own ease and Interest more than the Glory of God! But blessed be the Lord it 's otherwise with you it is not length of time that hath diminished your Love to God nor Changes of Providences that hath abated your zeal to the Truth nor Alterations in Church and State that hath altered your Resolutions in the Work and Service of your Heavenly Father Dear Father You have lived to behold sundry and various Dispensations of God and you have seen much of the out-goings and in-comings of the Lord in this Land of our Nativity and you have experienced much of the Power and Goodness of mighty Jehovah in several Conditions both in Prosperity and Adversity in Sickness and in Health yea in the midst of Discouragements you have received Comforts from God and in the midst of Troubles you have received Strength from the Lord You have seen the Churches of Christ flourishing and shining in these Nations and the Enemies thereof confounded and brought to shame Your eyes have beheld what a Wall of Defence the Rock of Ages hath been to his People and how he hath made their Enemies though more and Mightier to become Tributary and Servants to them and how he had placed men fearing God in great Places of Trust and those that followed Vertue and Piety in Places of great Affairs by which means Magistracy became a Terrour to evil-doers a Praise to them that did well and Religion Vertue and Holiness was Countenanced Upheld and Maintained by a face of Authority in these Nations in your dayes But now you have lived to see a mighty Change and a wonderful Alteration another World as it were flowing with sin and Iniquity wherein the Church of Christ is very low poor and contemptible and the Vineyard of our God hath been laid open to ravenous Beasts the Boar out of the Wood hath laid it waste and they have through their Subtilty caused many tall Cedars to fall and by their Power have Crushed and Oppressed the tender Plants and Vines and a great Inundation of Sin and Prophaness over-flows the Nation Well our God is at Work and he will certainly do great things for Sion and will in his due time turn all things to his own Glory and his Peoples great Good and Benefit Whether you may live to see the Redemption of Sion or the Churches flourish again in this Nation I cannot tell But of this I am perswaded That you will one Day enjoy a far better state of Joy and Perfection without mixture or Changableness and therefore as a Cordial to your Soul in this earthly Pilgrimage I have briefly set before you a glimpse of that Glory and Happiness which the Saints shall enjoy in their Father's Kingdom which Portion I doubt not but you can claim an Interest in and I hope you will assuredly enjoy and possess it when the Earth and Heavens shall be no more Indeed Considering your day is drawing to a period and the great Troubles Calamities and Afflictions which you have seen felt and undergone I did judge that I could not present unto you a more serious sutable and seasonable Subject than this And Considering the Troubles of the Day and the Rage of the Adversary I have here drawn
forth a Cord of Encouragement out of the Scriptures of Comfort as a means to Arm and Fortifie our Souls against the Fear and Terrour of Man that we may Chearfully Faithfully stand to the Work of the Lord notwithstanding the great Oppositions which we may meet withal from the Sons of Men. It 's that which I Pen'd in the time of my Restraint and Imprisonment when my Soul was much exercised in the Thoughts of God's Goodness And truly my Soul hath sucked much sweetness out of this Heavenly Fountain and it 's that which hath much Refreshed Comforted and born me up in the midst of my Sufferings and Tryals And I hope it will through the Blessing of God be of the same use unto your Soul If the Lord by this Discourse should make me who is the Fruit of your Body an Instrument of Joy and Comfort to your Soul in this Day of trouble and difficulty I shall think my self largely Requited for my Labour in Writing and shall earnestly desire that God may have the Glory Therefore to that end I shall Commend the following Discourse to the Blessing of God and your serious perusal and Rest Yours by Relation and Affection to serve you as a Son and a Servant in Christ EDW. NOBLE To the Honest and Well-Affected READER Christian READER IF thou art willing to walk in the Paths of Righteousness that thou mayest enjoy Peace and Favour with God Thou must expect to meet with many Troubles and Afslictions Tryals and Temptations in this Earthly Pilgrimage and many Disquietments from the hands of men For here thou art but as a poor Traveller in a strange Countrey subject to be much wronged and abused by the men of this World because thou belongest to another Countrey and canst not Travel with them in the Road of Iniquity insomuch that thy Portion it may be here may seem to be grievous and thy Burden may seem to be heavy Therefore out of tender Love to thy Soul I have here Compounded a Choice Cordial for thee as a means to Comfort and Encourage thee in thy Christian Progress that thou mayest not faint nor be weary in well-doing for this I can assure thee and that by Experience That if thou dost but carry this Heavenly Cordial along with thee upon thy Heart it will make the bitterest Cup of Affliction sweet and pleasant to thee and the greatest Burden of Grief and Misery shall be light and easie unto thy Soul And if thou canst but taste the sweetness of it by Experience upon thy Soul it will make thee think thy self happy though in the midst of Misery and make thee Rejoyce though in the midst of Sorrow and give thee occasion to bless and praise the Name of the Lord for the worst of Dispensations And lest thou shouldst at any time be filled and overcome with slavish Fear under the Consideration of thy Earthly Adversaries and be frighted from the Truth by the frowning Rage of thy Enemies I here present thee with an Excellent Antidote against the Fear and Terrour of Man which is known by Experience to be of a wonderful strengthning Nature and if it be kindly received into thy Soul it will sufficiently Fortifie and Encourage thee against all Oppositions whatsoever and make thee Bold and Couragious for the Cause of God and Crown thee with Victory in Life Eternal So I shall commit both thee and the following Discourse to the Blessing of God desiring thee to Read it Considerately and peruse it in Love that so it may prove as Food to thy Soul and Strength to thy Inward Man to the Praise and Glory of him who hath called thee out of Darkness into his marvellous Light which is the Earnest desire of his Soul who is Thy Faithful Friend and Servant in the Concernments of Jesus Christ EDWARD NOBLE A Strong Motive to faithful Perseverance in the Work of the Kingdome drawn from that Excellent saying of our Lord Jesus Christ recorded in Luk. 12.32 Fear not Little Flock for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom THese Words were spoken by no meaner a Person than Him whom all Christians do freely and readily acknowledge to be the Son of God the Lord of Life and Prince of Peace even Jesus Christ the Righteous And therefore this in the first Place Considered the words themselves do in a special manner loudly Call for and require our more serious and sober Consideration And the Consideration thereof should mightily induce us to be ready and willing to receive and imbrace that Doctrine and Counsel which is comprehended in these Words because they proceeded out of the mouth of so gracious wise and wonderful Counsellor One whom his very Enemies could not but Confess did speak as never man spake Joh. 7.46 And those that were his Followers and had much Experience concerning him do faithfully declare that he had the Words of eternal life Joh. 6.68 Therefore surely these Words must needs be of an excellent nature and of great Concernment unto our Souls if we do but give diligent heed thereunto and without doubt if the Doctrine of this Text were but the Practice of our Lives we should be able to grapple with and get victory over all the Temptations Tryals and Difficulties of this Life and our Conversations would mightily conduce to the Glory of God and to the Eternal well-being of our Souls in the World to come Well but let us come a little closer to the Words themselves and let us see what this blessed Counsellor would have us learn from thence and let us a little examine what Encouragement he will give us to receive his Doctrine In the Words themselves you have Chiefly these Three Things 1. Here is an Exhortation or rather a Dehortation to dehort us from something which ought not to be found amongst us Or more plainly here is an Injunction something enjoyned upon us by way of Duty which is Not to be Afraid Contained in chese words Fear not 2. Here are the Persons included upon whom this Duty is enjoyned and they are the Disciples and Church of Jesus Christ Comprehended in these words Little Flock Fear not Little Flock 3. Here is a great Reason or Encouragement laid down to enforce the Exhortation or to stir us up to put this necessary Duty into Practice and that 's in these words For it 's your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom A Reason sufficient to enforce the Duty and to Ballance alâ— Oppositions whatsoever It is somewhat requisite that I should speak something concerning this word Fear before I come to the Observations of the Text For the better understanding of our Saviour concerning this word Fear if we do but peruse the fore going part of the Chapter it may very clearly be discerned that he chiefly intends the Prohibiting of these two sorts of Fear First Not to be afraid of man nor of any thing that man can do unto us as you may clearly
with Joy in the midst of Troubles How is it possible me thinks for Souls to be dejected and cast down under Afflictions and to turn their backs of God in a day of Adversity if they did but seriously consider of these things For who is he that can harm you if you be followers of that which is Good 1 Pet. 3.13 See also that notable place 2 Cor. 4.16 17. where the Apostles themselves made this consideration a great support to their Souls under all their Troubles For which Cause sayes the Apostle we faint not but though our outward man perish yet our inward man is renewed Day by Day For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and Eternal weight of Glory So that you may see All our Temporal afflictions are but so many Soul Advantages and all our Earthly Lâ—sâ—es will be made up to us in Heavenly Treasure and all our Crosses will but make our Crown of Glory the greater therefore under this Consideration Let 's go forward with Boldness in the way of the Lord and never fear what Man can do unto us Gen. 50.20 Rea. 6. Because if we continue Faithful to God he will give us a Crown of Life and a Kingdom of Glory he will Eminently reward us with an unmoveable Kingdom and with an Incorruptible Inheritance which fadeth not away Though we may for a time be attended with a great many Troubles and Difficulties and may be exposed to many outward Calamities in this Life yet the time will come when we shall be wholly Freed from all Sorrow and Trouble of what Nature soever and shall be filled with unspeakable Joy in the Kingdom of Glory to all Eternity And this is that which may exceedingly Support us under Sufferings and Arm us against the Fear of Man to consider that we who are now Despised and Trampled under Foot and made as the off-scouring of the World shall one Day be Honoured and Dignified with a Crown of Glory and Exalted with Jesus Christ in his Throne and Kingdom Therefore saith the Apostle 2 Tim. 2.12 Compared with Rom. 8.17 If we suffer with him we shall also Reign with him and be Partners together with him in Glory Oh this may mightily encourage us to presevere with Boldness in the Work of the Lord and exceedingly Fortifie us against the Fear of Man and Ballance all Oppositions whatsoever and therefore you shall find our Saviour Christ makes this a grand Reason or Encouragement against Fear in the words of my Text Luke 12.32 Fear not little Flock though you are but Little Mean and Contemptible in the Eyes of the World yet Fear not be not afraid of them which kill the Body and Endeavour like Wolves to destroy you Why what 's the matter that we must so little regard the Terrour of our Adversaries Why here 's the Business For it s your FATHERS good PLEASURE to give you the KINGDOM Therefore seeing we have such a glorious Portion to receive from the hands of our Heavenly Father let 's never be afraid of our Earthly Enemy See also that notable Text Rev. 2.10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt Suffer Behold the Devil shall cast some of you into Prison that ye may be Tryed and ye shall have Tribulation certain Dayes yet notwithstanding Fear none of these things Though the Devil and his Instruments may prevail against thee for a season to Imprison and Persecute thee yet be not afraid but be thou faithful unto death and for thy Encouragement herein I will assure thee thou shalt lose nothing by it for thou shalt certainly receive a Crown of Life and be exalted with me in my Throne and Kingdom Therefore let us have respect unto this Recompence of Reward and chuse rather to suffer Afflictions with the People of God than to enjoy the pleasures of Sin for a season And let 's not be dejected nor cast down nor be afraid of our Adversaries when they reproach and imprison us and deprive us from our Callings and Relations and threaten us with Ruin and Desolation as to our outward man but let us be content and chearful if it be for Christ let them do their worst we shall have satisfaction enough at the day of Account when God makes up his Jewels and calls his People to their Crown and Kingdom For what man is there that would not be content and willing to lose a Penny or two Pence if he were sure to gain a Thousand Pounds by it How much more should we be content and willing to lose any thing of this World for Christ so long as we are sure we shall receive such an Eternal and unspeakable Portion in the World to come For every one that hath forsaken Houses or Brethren or Sisters or Pather or Mother or Wife or Children or Lands for Christ's sake shall receive an hundred fold at the Resurrection of the Just and in the World to come Everlasting Life Mat. 19.29 Therefore saith the Apostle James Chap. 1.12 Blessed is the man that endureth Temptation for when he is tryed he shall receive a Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to those that love him Wherefore we receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved Let us abound in the Work and Service of the Lord and never fear what man can do unto us I shall now come to make a little Use or Application of this Point and so proceed to a third and last Observation Use 1. Well then is it so That the Saints and People of God ought not to be Afraid of the worst that Man can do unto them Then in the first place by way of Caution Let us take heed of being fearful and faint-hearted in the VVork and Cause of God Let 's take heed of neglecting any part of our Duty towards God out of a slavish Fear towards the Threatnings of Man Oh! let us take heed now that we do not Dishonour the Lord and wrong our own Souls by a base fearful unbelieving spirit in this Day of Jacob's Troubles when the Lord shall call us forth to bear a Testimony for his Name and Cause which are so much Blasphemed and Trampled under foot as it is at this day Let us take heed that the Devil do not catch us in the snare of slavish Fear and so hinder us and stop us in our Proceedings for God and in our Resolutions for Christ and cause us to Comply with the Enemies of Godliness and joyn issue with the Workers of Iniquity to the great Dishonour of God and to the encouraging and gladning the hearts of our Enemies and to the wounding and sadning the Souls of those that are truly faithful I say let us take heed of these things lest we shamefully turn our backs of God in a day of Adversity out of a slavish Fear of Suffering from the hands of Men. Oh! we might here lament the Apostacy of abundance of Professors since the Lord hath been pleased
Jerusalem what ever it Costs him Therefore said he in his Answer to his Disciples What mean you to Weep and to Break my heart As much as if he should say what mean you to be thus earnest to hinder me from the Work of the Lord away with all your Entreaties and away with all your Perswasions for I am more afflicted and wounded in heart at the Consideration of your perswasions in this Case than I am at the Consideration of all my Sufferings at Jerusalem For I would have you to think that I am Ready not onely to be Bound but also to Dye at Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord Jesus Oh that this valiant Spirit of Pauls were but Seated and Grounded in the hearts of all Professors at this Day how would it Glorifie God and make his Truth and Gospel shine in the World and mightily amaze and astonish the hearts of our Enemies and exceedingly Engage the Lord to Crown us speedily with Victory and Deliverance Therefore now let us seriously weigh these things and lay them to heart And let us Rouse up our Dull Spirits and be Valiant for God and the more our Adversaries increase in their Rage and Fury against us the more let us increase in our Zeal and Courage for Christ and let us Remember the Lord is with us and for us and if we continue Faithful to him he will never leave us nor forsake us But continually Support us and Comfort us and in his due time deliver us out of all our Troubles and Afflictions Therefore to conclude this point Let us be strong in the Lord and in the Power of his might and take unto our selves the whole Armour of God That we may be able to stand and withstand in this evil Day That so having fought a good Fight and having finished our Course and kept the Faith we may at length receive that Crown of Righteousness and that Eternal weight of Glory which is laid up for all those that love the Appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ I have done with this point of Doctrine and shall now come to the last Branch of the Text wherein is comprehended the third and last Observation which I raised from the words I shall now endeavour to Manage and Prosecute that as the Lord shall direct me Therefore I proceed and say That it is the good pleasure of Almighty God to provide and prepare a Kingdom for his People The Lord hath so much Love and Affection for his People as that he takes Delight and Pleasure in their Glory and Happiness therefore he will be sure to have so much Care and Tender Respect towards them as to provide a Reward for his Flock And their Reward shall be no less than a Crown and Kingdom I say it is the good Pleasure of Almighty God to provide an Eminent Reward for his People yea to prepare a Kingdom for his despised little Flock Fear not little Flock for it 's your Father's good Pleasure to give you the Kingdom Though possibly now they may not be counted worthy of a poor contemptible Cottage by the Men of the World yet the Lord himself will one Day count them worthy of a Crown and Kingdom though now it may be they are not counted fit to have a being in the World yet the LORD will one Day count them fit to have a Being in a Glorious Kingdom though now it may be they are so much despised by the World as that they are not counted worthy to dwell amongst Sinful Men upon Earth yet they are so much honoured by the Lord as that he will one day count them worthy to dwell with Glorious Angels in Heaven though now it may be they are poor and despised and trampled under Foot yet they shall one Day be Rich and Honourable and sit upon Thrones Though now it may be they are cloathed with Reproach and covered with shame yet they shall one Day be cloathed with Majesty and Crown'd with Glory though now it may be they are tossed to and fro and have no certain dwelling place yet they shall one Day enjoy a City which hath Foundations whose Builder and Maker is God Here 's a Glorious Portion laid up in store for the poor despised Flock of Christ Here 's that which will abundantly make them amends for all their Sorrow and Travel in their Earthly Pilgrimage though now possibly they are counted the filth and the off-scouring of the World yet the very poorest and meanest of God's People shall one day be promoted and advanced to an Honourable Kingdom I say a Kingdom shall one Day be the Portion of the poorest and meanest of Gods People yea even those that are the most despised and most abused are no less than Heirs of a Kingdom they have it now in promise and they shall assuredly one Day have it in possession But for the better Confirmation of this Glorious Truth I shall endeavour to give you some Scripture-Testimonies which strongly bear witness thereunto See one in Mat. 25.34 Then shall the King say to them on his right hand which is his little Flock being then Separated from the Goats Come ye Blessed of my Father A Glorious Invitation indeed he doth not onely invite them to come But come ye BLESSED Why what 's the matter Wherein doth their Blessedness consist See the next words and you shall find Inherit the KINGDOM prepared for you from the Foundation of the World Herein doth their Blessedness consist and herein are they Blessed Persons indeed It was the good pleasure of Almighty God to provide and prepare a Kingdom for them now they are called to come and possesse it therefore this is one clear Scripture Testimony to prove the Truth of this Proposition namely That it is the good pleasure of Almighty God to provide and prepare a Kingdom for his People See another in Mat. 5.10 Where our Saviour Christ speaks this Language Blessed are they which are Persecuted for Righteousness sake for theirs is the KINGDOM of Heaven Mark Blessed are they which are PERSECUTED for Righteousness sake Though in a PERSECUTED State yet in a BLESSED State though in troubled Condition yet in a happy Condition Why so How doth it appear that they are Blessed in a Persecuted State Why here 's the business there is a Kingdom-Portion prepared to make them amends for their Suffering-Portion therefore though they may be Persecuted and Reproached and evil spoken of yet their Condition is blessed and happy Because their Reward shall be great in the Kingdom of Heaven Alas now we are but strangers and Pilgrims Travelling towards our Fathers house and we must expect to meet with many Rubs and difficult steps in our Journey we must expect to meet with many Storms and bitter Blasts in our way to Heaven and to climb over many troublesome stiles before we come to the Land of Rest But when we come home to our own Country and Arrive at our continuing City Then we shall
receive a Glorious Portion from the hands of our Heavenly Father which will be no less than a Crown and Kingdom See another Glorious Testimony for the Truth of this Proposition in Luke 22.28 29 30. Says Christ there to his Disciples Ye are they which have continued with me in my Temptations As much as if he should say you are they which have been with me in all my Troubles and have followed me faithfully in all my Sufferings and have Travelled with me in a difficult path and now for your Comfort and Encouragement here 's a promise for you to make you amends for all your Tryals I 'le see that you shall be sufficiently requited for every thing that you have lost in my service Therefore take notice That I appoint unto you a Kingdom even as my Father hath appointed unto me And you shall eat and drink at my Table in my Kingdom and sit upon Thrones Judging the twelve Tribes of Israel Thus you see what Honour and Dignity what Glory and Majesty the poor despised Saints of God shall one Day have conferred upon them and what an Eminent Portion they shall one Day receive from the hands of their Heavenly Father therefore Here they have no continuing City But they seek one to come Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God for he hath prepared for them a City Therefore I shall conclude the proof of this Proposition with that saying of the Apostle Jam. 2.5 where he speaks thus Hearken my beloved Brethren Hath not God chosen the poor of this World rich in Faith and Heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him Though they are poor in this World yet they are rich in Faith and Heirs of a Kingdom and though now it may be they are Branded and Stigmatised with filthy names and called Phanaticks and Schismaticks and Hereticks and the like yet they shall one day appear to be the Jewels of God and all Nations shall call them Blessed in a delightful Land and they shall dwell with God in his heavenly habitation For this we know when our Earthly Tabernacle is dissolved we shall have a Building of God an house not made with hands Eternal in the Heavens Mal. 3.12 2 Cor. 5.1 So much shall suffice for the proof of this Proposition viz. That Gods People shall one Day Receive Possesse and enjoy a Kingdom I shall now come to speak a few words concerning the Excellency of this Kingdom and endeavour to shew you in some measure what manner of Kingdom this will be that shall one Day be the Portion of Gods People First That Kingdom which God will one Day give unto his People It is a Heavenly Kingdom It is not an Earthly corruptible Kingdom Adorned with worldly Vanities But it is a Heavenly Incorruptible Kingdom Adorned with Celestial Majesty It is not a mean contemptible Kingdom attended with Earthly corruption But it is a High and Lofty Kingdom filled with Heavenly Beauty It is not an ordinary Kingdom to be found here upon Earth But it is an Extraordinary Kingdom reserved now in Heaven It is such a Kingdom as all the Kingdoms on Earth and all the Monarchs in the World are not worthy to be compared nor put in the Ballance with it Therefore this is one thing which may in a great measure Demonstrate the Excellency of this Kingdom It is such a Heavenly Portion as that all the Earth is not able to afford such a precious Jewel See what the Scripture sayes concerning this Kingdom in this very particular 2 Tim. 4.18 Sayes the Apostle there The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me unto his HEAVENLY Kingdom Mark he will preserve me not onely unto his Kingdom but unto his HEAVENLY Kingdom An excellent Kingdom of a Heavenly Nature nothing on Earth comparable thereunto Therefore sayes Christ also Mat. 5.3 10 12. Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Blessed are they which are Persecuted for Righteousness sake for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Rejoyce and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in Heaven So that it is not onely a Kingdom but a Kingdom of Heaven it is not onely a Reward but a Reward in Heaven it is not onely a Jerusalem but a Heavenly Jerusalem Heb. 12.22 It is not onely a Country but a Heavenly Country Heb. 11.16 It is not onely a Building but a Building in the Heavens 2 Cor. 5.1 A City which hath Foundations whose Builder and Maker is God Heb. 11.10 So that this is the first thing that bespeaks the Excellency of this Kingdom It is a Heavenly Kingdom A Portion which this World is not able to afford 2. It is a Gloriom Kingdom or a Kingdom of Glory It is not onely a Heavenly Kingdom But a Glorious Heavenly Kingdom or a Heavenly Glorious Kingdom It is not a Kingdom mixt with worldly pollutions but it is a Kingdom filled with Heavenly Glory It is not a vile Kingdom attended with shame and dishonour But it is a pretious Kingdom full of Honour and Glory It is such a Kingdom as all the Kingdoms on Earth are not worthy to be compared with it for Glory and Beauty there 's no Kingdom on Earth so Glorious out it 's mixt with some shame and contempt But the Saints Kingdom is altogether lovely cloathed with Glory and Majesty there is no Kingdom on Earth so Beautiful but it 's mixt with some silthiness and Deformity but the Saints Kingdom is altogether comely full of Spendour and Beauty there is no Kingdom on Earth so pleasant but it 's mixt with some filth and corruption but the Saints Kingdom is altogether pure full of Excellent Brightness Oh the Excellency and Purity of this Kingdom Oh the Glory and Dignity of this Kingdom who is sufficient to expresse the Majesty and Beauty of this Kingdom The tongue of Men and Angels is not able to speak forth the fulness thereof But now to prove That it is such a Glorious Kingdom see first that saying of the Apostle 1 Thes 2.11 12. You know says Paul how we exhorted and charged every one of you That you would walk worthy of God who hath called you unto his Kingdom and GLORY Mark he hath not onely called you to his Kingdom but to his Kingdom and GLORY that is to say to that Glory which is in that Kingdom which plainly shews it is a GLORIOUS Kingdom And further it appears that the greatest Glory and the greatest Excellency that this World can afford is not worthy to be compared with the GLORY of this Kingdom For the Spirit of God in Scripture doth frequently call the greatest Glory and the greatest Honour of this World But vanity and vexation of Spirit and it 's of no Esteem in the account count of God and good Men but the Apostle Paul in this Text Reckons it a great Priviledge and a wonderful happiness to have an Interest in this Kingdom
and GLORY Therefore he strictly charged them to walk worthy or sutable to that great Love of God which had graciously called them to such a GLORIOUS Kingdom And further saith he in another place Rom. 8.18 I Reckon that the Sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the GLORY which shall be revealed There will be such Inestimable Glory revealed in and for the Saints when they enjoy this Kingdom as there is nothing comparable thereunto there is nothing here below worth the naming in comparison thereof Therefore sayes he in another place 2 Cor 4.17 Our Light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and Eternal weight of GLORY So that this is also another thing which doth very much Demonstrate the Excellency of this Kingdom It is not onely a Heavenly Kingdom but a Heavenly Kingdom of GLORY And there is a Crown of Glory in it laid up for all the Little Flock of Christ 1 Pet. 5.1 3 4. verses 3. Lastly It is an unmoveable Kingdom or a Kingdom which cannot be moved It is such a Kingdom as can never be shaken nor moved by all the Powers on Earth nor it can never be thrown down nor destroyed by all the strength in the World All the Force and Violence that men and Devils can use against it can never shake nor move the Foundation of this Kingdom It far exceeds all the Kingdoms on Earth in this particular also For alas all the Kingdoms on Earth are Changeable and Mutable and are very subject to be subdued and destroyed by Power and strength But the Saints Kingdom is Unchangeable and Immutable an Inheritance which fadeth not away Alas the Kingdoms of this World are at no certainty they are often altering and changing in their affairs Sometimes to one thing and sometimes to another sometimes High and sometimes Low sometimes Rich and sometimes Poor sometimes Gaining and sometimes Losing sometimes Peace and sometimes War sometimes Prosperity and sometimes Adversity Alwayes Ebbing and Flowing Rising and Falling Changing and Turning from one thing to another Till many times Kings are even weary of their Kingdoms And again in the Kingdoms of this World things are so Mutable and subject to Change that it 's possible a man may be a King to day and a Beggar to morrow a man may be upon the Throne to day and upon the Dunghil to morrow a man may be in great Honour to day and in great Reproach to morrow yea a man may be a Ruler to day and over-ruled himself to morrow so variable and changable are even the best things of this life By which means all things here below are but vanity and vexation of spirit But now it is not so in the Saints Kingdom it 's altogether Unmovable and Unchangable there 's nothing can alter or change the Excellency of that Kingdom there 's nothing can stain the Glory nor diminish the Beauty of that Kingdom but as it is a Heavenly Kingdom now so it will be a Heavenly Kingdom for EVER and as it is a Glorious Kingdom now so it will be a Glorious Kingdom for Ever and as it is full of Beauty and Majesty now so it will be full of Beauty and Majesty for EVER So that this is also another thing which doth exceedingly proclaim the Excellency of this Kingdom Therefore saith the Apostle Heb. 12.28 Wherefore we receiving a Kingdom which cannot be MOVED let us hold fast Grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with Reverence and godly Fear Mark not only a Kingdom but a Kingdom which CANNOT be MOVED not only a Building but an ETERNAL Building 2 Cor. 5.1 not only a City but a City which hath FOUNDATIONS whose Builder and Maker is God Heb. 11.10 not only an Inheritance but an INCORRUPTIBLE Inheritance which fadeth not away 1 Pet. 1.4 So that these three things seriously considered do exceedingly discover the unspeakable Excellency of that Kingdom which the Saints and People of God shall one day receive for their Reward and Portion First It is a HEAVENLY Kingdom Secondly It is a GLORIOUS Kingdom Thirdly It is an UNMOVABLE Kingdom Which being put together make a HEAVENLY GLORIOUS UNMOVABLE Kingdom An excellent Habitation an appointed Portion a precious Reward for the People of God So much shall suffice concerning the Excellency of this Kingdom it self I shall now come to speak something concerning the Priviledges of God's People in this Kingdom and endeavour to give you a glimpse or a Discovery of that Glory and Happiness which the Saints shall be made partakers of in this Heavenly Glorious Unmovable Kingdom The Happiness and Priviledges of God's People in this Kingdom consist in these two general Heads First A Freedome from all Evill Secondly An Enjoyment of all Good But more particularly First They shall be all Righteous and without Sin they shall be altogether pure and without spot they shall be altogether clean and without Corruption they shall be altogether Holy and without Pollution This is a glorious State and one excellent Priviledge that the Saints shall be made partakers of in this Heavenly Kingdom They shall be wholly freed from Sin and Iniquity and put out of a Capacity of ever Sinning more Oh! this is a blessed Priviledge indeed and much to be desired and longed after Oh! saith many a gracious Soul If I were but altogether free from Sin and Iniquity I should think my self in a happy Condition indeed Oh! If I were but in such a State as that I could never Sin against God what a blessed Condition should I be in But this is such a Condition as cannot be attained on this side the Grave this is such a Priviledge as cannot be found in an Earthly Pilgrimage for alas now we are subject to Sin every day and lyable to fall into Iniquity every hour and many Temptations offer themselves unto us and spread themselves before us and many times occasion us to Sin against the Lord and endanger the destruction of our Souls But now when the Saints enjoy this Kingdom they shall be altogether free from Sin and Iniquity and perfectly Pure and Undefiled before the Lord And all Temptations and all occasions of Sin shall be wholly removed and taken away and they shall never be in a Capacity to Sin any more against the Lord but they shall be all a Tree of Righteousness planted by the pure hand of the Lord And there shall be no more Curse but the Throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it and his Servants shall Reign and serve him for Ever and Ever Revel 22.3 5. See also Revel 14.5 And in their mouth was found no guile for they are WITHOUT FAULT before the Throne of God There 's nothing of GUILT to be laid to their Charge there 's nothing of BLAME to be found amongst them there 's none can accuse them of any FAULT But they are altogether RIGHTEOUS without SIN and they shall inherit the
Land for Ever that God may be Glorified Isa 60.21 This is one great Priviledge and one Branch of that Happiness which the Saints shall be made partakers of in this HEAVENLY Kingdom But Secondly Another is this 2. They shall be wholly freed from all Sorrow and from all Trouble of what nature soever they shall be wholly freed from all manner of Grief and Anguish from all manner of Distress and Misery and they shall never know what belongs to Sorrow any more Alas now we are subject to much Sorrow and Misery to much Trouble and Distress and many distempers of Body and defects of Nature do dayly attend us and several Afflictions are every day ready to seize upon us as Sickness Lameness Blindness Hunger and Cold and many other Troubles and Miseries are every day ready to fall upon the outward man in this life which many times occasion great grief and sorrow of heart and great trouble and perplexity of spirit and great complainings under the burthen of bitter Afflictions But now it is not so in this Heavenly Kingdom for when the Saints receive their Portion there then all Sorrow and Trouble shall quite be removed and all occasions of Grief and Anguish shall be wholly taken away and there shall be no more cause of Complaint under the burthen of any Affliction nor no more cause of Grief under the sence of any Misery for they shall hunger no more neither shall they thirst any more neither shall the Sun light on them nor any heat for the Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne shall feed them and shall lead them into Fountains of living Waters and God shall wipe away all Tears from their eyes and there shall be no more Death nor no more Sorrow nor no more Crying neither shall there be any more Pain for all such things shall be past'd away and shall never have a Being in this Heavenly Kingdom Revel 7.16 17. 21.4 Here 's another excellent Priviledge that the Saints shall be made partakers of in this glorious Kingdom they shall never any more taste of Sorrow nor never any more be acquainted with Grief they shall never any more be troubled with Afflictions nor never any more fall under Distress though now it may be they may be laden with Afflictions and burthened with Misery yet the time will come when Afflictions shall fly away and Misery shall be no more For all Trouble shall be swallowed up in Victory and the Lord God will wipe away Tears from off all Faces and the rebuke of his People shall be wholly taken away for the Lord hath spoken it Isa 25.8 Oh! what an Eminent Priviledge will this be for poor despised Saints to be made partakers of Oh! what a blessed condition will they be in that are subjects of this Glorious Kingdom There is no condition on Earth so happy nor no State in the World so Excellent nor no enjoyment under the Sun worthy to be compared with the least Priviledge in this Heavenly Kingdom there is no condition on Earth so happy but it 's subject to misery there is no condition on Earth so joyful but its subjects to sorrow there is no condition on Earth so pleasant but it is subject to pain but now the Saints in their Kingdom shall be wholly delivered from all their afflictions and shall never know what belongs to Trouble any more They shall be wholly exempted from all their Infirmities and be crowned with Perfection without any change So that this is another Excellent Priviledge or a second Branch of that Happiness which the Saints shall be made partakers of in this Heavenly Kingdom But Thirdly Another is this 3. They shall dwell with God and Christ and see them Face to Face they shall be received into the presence of God and behold his Glory and they shall sit down in the presence of the Lamb and behold his Beauty they shall be so much honoured by God and promoted by Jesus Christ as to be Companions with them in Glory and dwell in their presence continually Here 's another Excellent Priviledge and Emninent Dignity which the Saints shall be made partakers of in this Glorious Kingdom They shall not onely be freed from shame and reproach but they shall also be Crowned with Honour and Dignity Their eyes shall not onely be freed from vain sights and Terrible objects but they shall also be Blessed with Heavenly Visions and Sights of God and dwell in the presence of the Lamb continually It 's counted a great Honour and an Excellent Priviledge amongst the Men of the World to behold the face of an Earthly King or to be admitted into the presence of a great Person But it 's counted more Honour to be one of the Family and DWELL in his Presence and to be a Companion with Him in his Honour and Dignity But now the Saints in their Kingdom shall have tenfold more Honour and Dignity than all this I mean in Reference to this particular besides all the Rest they shall have more Honour than to behold the face of an Earthly King for they shall behold the face of him that is King of Kings and Lord of Lords they shall have more Honour than to be admitted into the presence of a great Man on Earth for they shall be admitted into the presence of a Great God in Heaven And not onely so but they shall be of his Family and DWELL with him and be Companions with him in his Glorious Kingdom Therefore says the Psalmist Psal 140.13 Surely the Righteous shall give thanks unto thy Name The Upright shall DWELL in thy presence Mark it doth not say onely They shall BE in thy presence for a Little Time But they shall ' DWELL in thy presence They shall continue and abide in thy presence as Persons belonged and related to thy House and Family And they shall sit at the Table with Jesus Christ and see his Face and his Name shall be in their Foreheads and they shall be known to be his servants for Ever Revel 22.4 Luke 22.30 Therefore sayes Christ Joh. 14.3 If I go to prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto my Self that where I am THERE Ye may be also So that it seems where the Lord Christ is Exalted there must the Saints be Exalted And where the Lord Christ takes up his habitation there must the Saints be received And they shall dwell in his presence and see him as he is Therefore sayes the Apostle 1 Cor. 13.12 Now we see through a Glass darkly but then we shall see face to face now we know but in part but then we shall know even as also we are known So that this is also another Excellent Priviledge or a third Branch of that Happiness which the Saints shall be made partakers of in this Heavenly Kingdom They shall DWELL in the Presence of the Lord and continually behold the Majesty of God But Fourthly Another is this 4. They
Reward shall be SURE and NEVER be removed Their Joy shall ALWAYES continue and NEVER be taken away But as they are glorious and beautiful at first so they shall be glorious and beautiful for EVER and as they are rich and honourable at first so they shall be rich and honourable for EVER and as they are blessed and happy at first so they shall be blessed and happy for EVER ALWAYES rejoycing in fulness of Glory and praising the Lord to ALL ETERNITY Therefore sayes the Psalmist Psal 16.11 In thy presence is fulness of joy and at thy right hand are pleasures for EVERMORE So also the Prophet Esay in Chap. 61.7 For their shame they shall have double and for confusion they shall rejoyce in their portion they shall inherit the Land for EVER and EVERLASTING Joy shall be unto them Mark Not only Pleasures but Pleasures for EVERMORE not only Joy but EVERLASTING Joy They shall not only have double Glory for all their Shame and a joyful Portion for all their Confusion but it shall be of an EVERLASTING nature and shall continue for EVER There 's nothing shall be able to diminish their Joy nor nothing shall be able to put an end to their Glory for the portion of Righteousness shall be Peace and the effect thereof ASSURANCE for EVER Therefore sayes Christ Mat. 25.46 The wicked shall go into everlasting punishment but the righteous into life ETERNAL Again Whosoever shall leave or lose any thing for the sake of Christ shall be sure to receive a hundred fold and shall inherit EVERLASTING Life Mat. 19.29 They shall not only have a living portion and a plentiful reward for all their losses and crosses in this life but their portion shall be an EVERLASTING Portion and their Reward shall continue for ever and ever Therefore sayes the Apostle Gal. 6.8 He that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap Life EVERLASTING Here 's an Excellent Priviledge and a wonderful Portion here 's a blessed Reward and a happy Inheritance who is able to express the Heavenly happiness of glorified Saints in this eternal and unmoveable Kingdom They shall not only be filled with joy and crowned with glory but they shall so continue for ever and ever and enjoy the same to all ETERNITY So that all these things seriously considered do exceedingly discover the wonderful Happiness which the Saints shall be made partakers of in this heavenly Kingdom of glory Consider all these branches briefly in order together and then judge whether you have not great cause to admire the goodness of God towards his now Despised Saints and People Although indeed all that I have spoken concerning it is but a glimpse as it were of that Glory and Happiness which they shall enjoy when they shall come to receive the fulness of it in their Fathers Kingdom But yet in a Glass behold their Happiness First They shall dwell in a heavenly glorious unmoveable Kingdom Secondly They shall be altogether holy and pure without sin and iniquity Thirdly They shall be wholly freed from all manner of sorrow and trouble of what nature soever Fourthly They shall dwell in the presence of God and of the Lamb and see them face to face and behold their Glory Fifthly They shall have glorious bodies full of splendor and beauty like unto Jesus Christ Sixthly They shall have altogether glorious company and blessed society their meanest companions shall be heavenly Angels Seventhly They shall have fulness of unspeakable joy and be exceedingly crowned with unspeakable happiness Lastly And all this shall be eternal even for ever and ever Oh tast and see that the Lord is gracious blessed are all they that put their trust in him Thus having given you a discovery in some measure of that Glory and Happiness which the Saints shall enjoy in their Fathers Kingdom I shall now come to make a little Use or Application of this comfortable Doctrine and so conclude this Heavenly subject Well then is it so That God is pleased to provide and prepare a Kingdom for his People Then in the next place by way of Discovery this will serve to discover two things to us concerning the People of God First It discovers the excellency of Gods People for if it be so That the Lord hath prepared such an excellent Kingdom for his People and accounts them worthy to enjoy such an excellent Reward Oh! then it must needs be true that the People of God are an excellent People and that they are wonderful high in Gods esteem And if it be so that the People of God shall be crowned with Glory and cloathed with Majesty in a heavenly Kingdom Oh! then it must needs be true that the People of God are a glorious People and wonderful precious in Gods account And if it be true that the People of God shall be counted worthy to dwell in his presence and behold his Glory then it appears that the People of God are an honourable People and wonderful famous in the sight of God Though it may be they are much despised and trampled under foot by the men of this World yet be it known unto all That there 's none in the world so excellent as they And though they are much reproached and branded with shame by the men of the world yet of a truth there is none in the world so glorious as they And though they are counted the filth and the off-scouring of the world by ungodly people yet there is none in the world so honourable as they For pray consider The poorest and meanest of Gods People are Princes of Heaven and they that are most despised are now Heirs of a glorious Kingdom and joint heirs with Jesus Christ It 's counted a great honour and dignity amongst men to be an earthly Prince or an Heir to an earthly Kingdom and he that is Heir to an earthly Crown is counted an excellent Person and worthy of honour and great respect But the meanest of Gods People are far more excellent than he for they are all the Sons and Daughters of the living God and Heirs with Christ to a heavenly Crown and Kingdom And they are so lovely and honourable in the sight of God as that he accounts them his Jewels and esteems them his peculiar Treasure and tenders them as he tenders the Apple of his own Eye This is such an honour and dignity as all the Kings on earth are not able to reach unto nor all the Princes great men under the Sun are not able to claim an interest in such an Excellent Priviledge I mean not by vertue of their earthly power and greatness except they are such as belong to the number of Saints and so invested with glory from Heaven Therefore the meanest Saint in the world is far more excellent and honourable than the greatest Monarch on Earth Therefore sayes David Psal 16.3 My goodness extendeth not unto
thee O Lord but to the Saints that are in the earth and to the EXCELLENT in whom is all my delight But as touching the wicked this is his language concerning THEM Dogs have compassed me about the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me they are altogether become filthy and abominable their POYSON is like the POYSON of a SERPENT they are like the deaf ADDER and the filthy BOAR. Therefore I will not know a wicked person but I will say unto them Depart from me ye evil doers for I will keep the Commandements of my God From hence you may observe That wicked persons though never so great in the eyes of the world are loathsome and abominable persons and very contemptible in the eyes of good men but the meanest Saint is excellent and honourable and very pretious both in the sight of God and in the account of his People Therefore little do the foolish world think what they do when they mock and reproach the People of God And when they strive to persecute and afflict the Saints they little think that the Lord takes it as done unto himself and when they villisie and abuse such as are godly they little think that they are a trampling under foot the Jewels of God and fighting against the Lord Oh! what enmity do such poor souls manifest against the God of Heaven Oh! how contrary and opposite such persons are to the living God For pray consider they hate them but God loves them they reproach them but God honours them they abuse them but God vindicates them they afflict them but God comforts them they frown upon them pronounce them cursed but God smiles upon them and proclaims them blessed they rob and spoyle them and endeavour to deprive them of their earthly being but God takes care of them and satisfies their souls with his goodness and will one day crown them with a heavenly Kingdom Thus the Persecutors of Sion do set themselves against the Lord and oppose the mighty God of Jacob. They count them odious and filthy but God counts them excellent and honourable And all this is their priviledge now in this life before they come to their Crown and Kingdom So that this is the first thing that I gather from this Doctrine of the Kingdom It informs us that the People of God are an Excellent Glorious and Honourable People But Secondly 2. It discovers the Happiness of Gods People The People of God are not only an Excellent People but also a Happy People for if it be so that the Lord hath prepared such a glorious Kingdom for his People and accounts them worthy of such a blessed Reward Oh! then it must needs be true that the People of God are a happy People and wonderful high in the favour of God And if it be so that the People of God shall have fulness of joy and unspeakable glory in a Kingdom eternal Oh! then it appears that the People of God are a blessed People and mightily concerned in the love of the Lord. There 's no condition in the world can make them miserable they are alwayes happy though in the midst of troubles they are alwayes blessed though in the midst of difficulties they are alwayes rich though in the midst of poverty they are alwayes satisfied though in the midst of hunger they have alwayes enough to make them joyful though in the midst of sorrows they have alwayes enough to comfort them though in the midst of discouragements they have alwayes enough to support them though in the midst of weakness they are alwayes at liberty though in the midst of bondage There is nothing in this world can harm them so long as they are followers of that which is good 1 Pet. 3.13 Oh! what a wonderful priviledge is this for travelling Saints to enjoy for Strangers and Pilgrims to partake of before they come at their rest How doth this exceedingly proclaim the happiness of Gods People and the blessed condition of all those that belong to Jesus Christ Oh! how may this comfort and encourage the sorrowful hearts of many suffering Saints and bear up their souls in the midst of Tryals To consider that though the world is their enemy yet still the Lord is their friend And though the World hates them yet still the Lord loves them And though they are deprived it may be from friends and relations yet still they have an interest in God and he is their Father and he is able to make up the loss of any relation And though they may want earthly enjoyments and worldly possessions yet still they are rich in Promises and Heirs of a Kingdom and the Lord hath prepared an everlasting Portion for them Therefore now these things considered doth exceedingly discover the happy condition of Gods People whilst they are here on earth in their Pilgrim-state besides that forementioned glory prepared for them in Heaven for those that can claim an interest in this heavenly Portion are abundantly happy and continually blessed for its an excellent Fountain full of spiritual refreshment and soul-satisfaction in the worst of troubles Therefore you shall find that our Saviour Christ doth abundantly proclaim them blessed under this very consideration Mat. 5. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and say all manner of evil against you falsly for my sake for GREAT is your Reward in HEAVEN So that it seems the consideration of their future Reward in the Kingdom of Heaven is that which proclaims them blessed and happy now upon earth Though in a mourning condition yet in a blessed condition Though in a persecuted state yet in a BLESSED state whatever their condition is yet they are blessed because their Reward is great in the Kingdom of Heaven So that this is the second thing that I gather from this Heavenly Doctrine It informs us that the People of God are a blessed and happy People Thus much for the first Use by way of Discovery But Secondly by way of Examination 2. Use Is it so that the Lord hath prepared a Kingdom for his People Then let US seriously examine whether WE have an Interest in this Kingdom or no Let US search and try whether WE have any thing to do with this Heavenly Portion Or whether WE have any share in this Glorious Reward or no For pray consider seriously what will it profit us to hear of a Glorious Kingdom prepared for the Saints if we have no part nor portion there Or what will it benefit us to hear of the glory and happiness of Saints in the Kingdom of Heaven if it do not belong to us Alas it will avail us nothing to hear of these things nor to talk of these
things except we our selves have an interest in them and can call them ours It will do us little good to hear of the Saints happiness if we our selves are miserable Therefore I say let us take heed and diligently examine how it is with us lest any root of bitterness spring up in our souls and defile us and make us unfit for this Glorious Kingdom for no unclean thing nor no unrighteous person shall ever inherit this Heavenly Kingdom There 's none shall be blessed with the visions of God in the Kingdom of Heaven but such as have clean hands and a pure heart and are cleansed from sin and iniquity There 's none shall receive the Kingdom which cannot be moved but such as serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear There 's none shall dwell in the presence of God in his Heavenly Habitation but such as are humble and upright in conversation There 's none shall be happy in Heaven but such as are holy and heavenly minded on earth for without holiness no man shall see God and to be carnally minded is death but to be spiritually minded is life and peace Therefore let us not flatter our selves with vain fancies nor satisfie our selves with a bare profession of Godliness nor proclaim peace and safety to our selves with sin in our bosoms for if we do we shall be deceived and undone for ever For God cannot be mocked but whatsoever a man soweth that he shall also Reap And his servants ye are to whom you yeeld obedience Therefore sayes Christ Not every one that saith Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doth the will of my Father which is in Heaven Mark Not every one that professeth his Name and calls him Lord but he that lives in obedience to the Will of God There must be a walking with God as well as a talking of God There must be a DOING the Will of God as well as a SPEAKING the Will of God It is not enough to say that Jesus Christ is our Lord but we must make it appear by our actions and by our obedient conversations that he is Lord of our hearts and that he Rules and Reigns in our Souls for there are a great many that can call Jesus Christ Lord Lord with their tongues and yet work iniquity with their hands and intend mischief in their hearts But alas such shall never find acquaintance with God at the last day nor never be entertained nor received into this Heavenly Kingdom For every one that names the Name of Christ must depart from iniquity and abhor that which is evil or else they must expect to be denyed by Christ and to depart out of his presence as workers of iniquity and all their profession will be so far from doing them any good as it will rather rise up in Judgement against them and condemn them at the last day Therefore it highly concerns us all to examine seriously how the case stands with us and to give all diligence to make our Calling and Election sure by an humble walking with God and by a constant persevering in the pure wayes of the Lord lest we should deceive our own souls and miss of his Glorious Reward in this Heavenly Kingdom And if upon Examination we find our selves to be in Gods way standing upon a sure foundation then we may rejoyce in the goodness of God and satisfie our souls at this Heavenly Fountain and so long as we continue faithful to God in purity of soul we may challenge an interest in this Heavenly Portion and call the Kingdom and all its glory ours and all the Promises of God in Christ Jesus are Yea and Amen to us that by them we might be encouraged to continue and persevere in Holiness and Righteousness all the dayes of our lives to the praise and glory of him who hath called us to this Heavenly Kingdom But now give me leave to intermix a word of Caution into this Use of Examination and that is this If upon right Examination we find that we have an interest in this Glorious Kingdom Then let us take heed that we do not turn aside out of the wayes of God and travel again in the paths of iniquity and so lose our interest and be deprived of that Kingdom which once we had a right unto Let us take heed that the Devil do not beguile us with his golden baits of sin and iniquity and so rob us of our Heavenly Portion Let us take heed that we do not fell our Heavenly Birth-right for a little worldly pottage nor change our Heavenly Kingdom for a little earthly profit or worldly advantage I say let us take heed of these things lest there should spring up some Root of Bitterness in our souls and cause us to depart from the living God and grieve his holy Spirit with our evil wayes and give him occasion to swear in his wrath That we shall never enter into this Heavenly Rest for it is not every one that begins well But he that endures to the END shall be saved not every one that follows Jesus Christ for a little season and so leave Him that shall receive the Reward But he that continues and abideth faithful unto DEATH shall receive the Crown of Life it is not every one that begins to fight well that shall obtain the prize But he that overcometh shall inherit all things Therefore let us take heed that we do not grow weary of well doing and so faint before we Reap Neither let us give place to the Devil lest he deprive us of our Eternal Harvest and plunder us of our Heavenly Treasure but let us continue and persevere all our dayes in the work and service of our Heavenly Father and never turn again unto folly for Alas we had better never begin well except we continue so and end well For if after we have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of Jesus Christ we are again intangled therein and overcome then our latter end will be worse than our beginning for it had been better for us never to have KNOWN the way of Righteousness than after we have known it to turn from the holy Commandment delivered unto us 2 Pet. 2.20 21. Therefore now let us take our last leave of every evil work and wholly apply our selves to the work and service of God and make it our meat and drink to do the Will of our Heavenly Father And as the Lord hath called us to a Heavenly Kingdom so let us exercise our selves in heavenly things and be no more in love with the beggerly things of this life but let us alwayes be found acting suitable to our Profession and walking in such wayes as become those that are Heirs of a Glorious Kingdom confessing that we are but Strangers and Pilgrims here on earth having our affections estranged from the things of this world That we may declare plainly that here we have no continuing
City but we seek one to come that so in all things we may dignifie our Heavenly Profession and walk worthy of God who hath called us to his Kingdom and Glory alwayes remembring the counsel of the Apostle Heb. 12.28 Wherefore we receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved let us hold fast Grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear Thus much for the second Use by way of Examination intermixt with a word of Caution But Thirdly by way of Encouragement 3. Use Is it so that the Lord is pleased to provide and prepare such a Glorious Kingdom for his People Oh then this may mightily encourage us to hold out in a time of Tryal and to continue faithful for God in a suffering day Oh! the consideration of this blessed Reward may exceedingly support us under Sufferings and make us valiant for God in a day of Trouble and ballance all oppositions whatsoever for whatever we suffer or undergo for Christ will be nothing in comparison of the Glory that shall be revealed for us in this Heavenly Kingdom whatever we lose for Christ shall be exceedingly rewarded with great advantage whatever difficulties we are exposed unto for God shall be wonderfully requited in this Kingdom of Glory Oh! how may this bear up our souls in Trouble and make us rejoyce under all our sufferings Oh! how may this greatly encourage us to run with patience the Race that is set before us and lightly esteem the storms and styles that lye in our way for consider What can we suffer here that is worth the naming if we compare it with this Recompence of Reward Art thou in Trouble well be content it is but for a while and this Kingdom will ease thee and thou shalt never be in Trouble any more Art thou in Sorrow well endeavour to be cheerful remember in thy Fathers Kingdom there is fulness of Joy and there thou shalt be eternally happy Art thou deprived of worldly possessions and so exposed to hunger and want well be of good cheer still thou art Heir to a Heavenly Kingdom and there thou shalt never hunger any more Art thou in danger of losing thy life for the sake of Christ well be it so part with it freely this Kingdom will make amends for all thou shalt be sure to find it again and be crowned with Life Eternal Oh! who then would part with this Heavenly Kingdom for a little outward ease and bodily advantage which may last but for a day who then would leave and forsake this Eternal Reward to avoid a little temporal Trouble and turn their backs upon a Glorious Kingdom to escape a few light afflictions Who then would change this infinite Portion for a little trifling vanity and sell this eternal Inheritance for that which profiteth not but rather let 's be encouraged to continue faithful in our Testimony for God whatever it may cost us and let 's lift up our heads with Joy and be exceeding cheerful under all our persecuting Troubles for whatever our condition is yet still our Kingdom-Portion remains firm and sure without corruption and can never be taken away from us unless we deprive our selves of it by our sinning against the Lord. You shall find that this very consideration did exceedingly encourage the primitive Christians in the Apostles dayes to hold out with joy under all their sufferings see that notable instance Heb. 10.32 33 34. where the Apostle is putting of them in mind of their former great and grievous sufferings and commending of them for their excellent behaviour under them But call to remembrance sayes the Apostle the former dayes in which after ye were illuminated ye endured a great fight of afflictions partly whilst ye were made a gazing-stock both by reproaches and afflictions and partly whilst ye became companions of them that were so used for ye had compassion of me in my bonds and took joyfully the spoyling of your goods Here was a great storm of afflictions and abundance of sufferings that befel these poor primitive Christians in their journey towards Heaven Here were mockings and reproaches and many other afflictions together with plundering and spoyling of goods and yet they were so far from being discouraged at these things as that they did not only take them patiently but joyfully Why what was the matter that these Christians were so joyful under their sufferings and so much supported and encouraged under all their afflictions why this was the business They knew in themselves that in HEAVEN they had a BETTER and an ENDURING Substance They knew that though they were Losers now yet they should be great Gainers in the Kingdom of Heaven They knew that there was a Reward laid up for them in Heaven which would abundantly make them amends for all their losses and sufferings here They knew that their Portion in Heaven was unmoveable and nothing could spoyl that eternal Inheritance Therefore they did not value the loss of any thing here below so long as they had an interest in such a Heavenly-enduring Substance See also the example of Moses where it is notably laid down for our encouragement under this very consideration Heb. 11.24 25 26. Who when he was come to years refused to be called the son of Pharoah's daughter chusing rather to suffer afflictions with the People of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season Mark He left and forsook all the pleasures of Pharoah's Court and denyed the Princely promotion of Egypt and made a voluntary choice of a suffering path with despised People rather than a pleasant Pasture with honourable Society Esteeming the Reproach of Christ greater Riches than the Treasures of Egypt when he might have enjoyed great honour and dignity in the Court of a King he chused rather shame and reproach in a suffering Wilderness and accounted that the wisest choice and the greatest happiness Why what was the reason of all this what was the matter with Moses that he did so wilfully chuse to suffer afflictions when he might have enâ—oyed his pleasure and content himself with shame and reproach when he might have enjoyed great honour and dignity Why here was the busifiness FOR sayes the Text he had respect unto the RECOMPENCE of REWARD He had such a love to the Kingdom of Heaven that he did not value the Treasures of Egypt he had such an eye to the Reward in heaven that he did not matter the pleasures on earth for he knew and did believe that all things should work together for his good and great advantage and that he should be abundantly requited in this Heavenly Kingdom Therefore so long as he kept up his interest there he had more comfort in suffering afflictions than he could have had in the enjoyment of all the world without it for the least Branch of this Heavenly Happiness is better worth than all the pleasures under the Sun Therefore the consideration of this Heavenly Reward did make him deny
his earthly Glory and Dignity and did mightily bear up his soul in the midst of sufferings Yea further let me tell you this very Consideration was a great support even unto our Saviour Christ himself under all his afflictions and a great comfort to him in all his sufferings therefore we are exhorted to consider his example and to make him our pattern in this very particular Heb. 12.2 3. where the Apostle bids us Look unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our Faith who for the JOY that was set before him endured the Cross and despised the shame and is now set down at the right hand of the Throne of God Mark The JOY that was set before him and the Crown that was laid up for him was that which did exceedingly bear up his Soul to endure the Cross and carry him forth to despise the Shame for he knew that though he was attended with sorrows here on Earth yet there was joy enough in Heaven to make him amends for all And though he was now cloathed with shame and reproach yet he should shortly be cloathed with Glory and Majesty in his Fathers Kingdom and for his Cross he should receive a Heavenly Crown Therefore he willingly bore the Cross and patiently underwent the Reproach knowing that this Glorious Reward would largely requite him for all his Troubles Therefore sayes the Apostle Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds When we are surrounded with Sorrow and compassed about with Troubles let 's remember our Heavenly Portion where we shall have fulness of joy and pleasures for ever and when we are attended with crosses and several calamities then let 's remember our Crown of Glory reserved for us in our Fathers Kingdom Let us in all things consider the example of Jesus Christ and be sure to follow his steps and then we shall be sure to partake of the same encouragement and be in a better capacity to run with patience the Race that is set before us Thus much for the third Use by way of Encouragement But Fourthly by way of Exhortation this may serve to exhort us to three things First Seeing it is so That the Lord hath so much tender love and respect for his People as to provide and prepare a Kingdom for them Oh! then let us be exhorted to increase and abound in our love one towards another Let us be sure to continue stedfast in Brotherly Love and to abound in Christian charity one towards another as becomes the Elect of God for if the Lord himself have such Bowels of Love and Affection for them as to honour them with a Crown and Kingdom how much more should we have Bowels of Love and affection one towards another for whom this Kingdom is provided And if the Lord himself tender his People as the Apple of his Eye and count them worthy of Eternal Glory Oh! how may this engage us to be tender one towards another and count one another worthy of respect and love yea it may engage us to manifest abundance of tender love and cordial affection even to the meanest and poorest of the Lords People yea though they be never so contemptible in the eyes of the World and never so mean and low in their earthly stations yet let us be tender towards them and embrace them in love and let us account them honourable and esteem them lovely for they are all Heirs of a Glorious Kingdom and they are all the dearly Beloved of the Lord Therefore this may engage us to love one another and this may engage us to be exceeding careful of each others welfare Therefore sayes the Apostle 1 Joh. 4.11 Beloved if God so loved us how ought we to love one another If the Lord himself hath so much love for us as to make us heirs of life and glory how should this enjoyn us to endeavour to exceed in our love one towards another and to abound in our affections towards all Saints Oh! let us take heed of slighting and contemning one another and let us take heed of scorning and setting at nought even the very poorest and meanest of Gods Jewels But let all those that truly fear the Lord be dear and precious to us though they are never so vile and ridiculous in the account of the World for they are all lovely in the sight of God and they are all precious in the eyes of the Lord and we are all his Children by faith in Jesus Christ therefore let us live in unity and love like Brethren Let us get and maintain an affection suitable to our Spiritual Relation and be sure to discharge a tender duty one towards another for we are all Children of one Father and we are all fed from one Fountain and we all belong to one Family and we are all Heirs to one Kingdom Therefore let us take heed of dividing in our Love and of difference in Affection seeing we are all one in Spiritual Relation and all concern'd in one Portion and seeing we are all travelling towards one Country and all journying towards one Land Oh! let us take heed that we do not quarrel and fall out by the way but rather let us like honest Travellers love and pitty one another and comfort and encourage one another and bear one anothers burden and help one another forward in our progress towards Heaven that so we may manifest our selves to be the Children of God and the Disciples of Christ by our love and affection one towards another and that we may make it appear to the world that we are living Christians by our love to Christians and that we are Born of God by our love to his Begotten for sayes the Apostle 1 Joh. 3.14 We know that we have passed from Death to Life because we love the Brethren for he that loveth not his Brother abideth in Death Mark He that hath not love and affection towards his Christian Brethren it is an evident sign that he is in a state of Death and that he is very unfit to stand as a Member in the Church of Christ for he is of no more use there than a rotten Branch in a fruitful Tree or a wooden legg in a mans Body which stands only for an outward shew but hath no life in it to refresh the Body and if all the members of the Body should be afflicted with grief yet still that would feel no pain nor would not at all be sensible of the Bodies sufferings and the reason is because it 's a dead member and wants the life that maintains and feeds the Body even so it is with a professed Christian that wants love to his Brethren he can hear of the afflictions of his Brethren and not at all be troubled and he can understand that his Brethren are in great want and misery and have no sympathy nor fellow-feeling with them in their condition and the reason is because he is
a dead member and wants that spiritual life that feeds and maintains the power of Godliness in the Soul for if he be acquainted with the Spiritual Birth and if his Soul be alive for God he cannot be without love to his Brethren Therefore sayes the Apostle in another place Beloved let us love one another for love is of God and every one that loveth his Brother is Born of God and is acquainted with the Lord. Therefore let this Doctrine of the Kingdom perswade us to continue and abound in this fruit of the Spirit and seeing we profess our selves to be all Partners in one Kingdom let us be all Partners together in Love and Affection Thus much for the first word of Exhortation But again Secondly 2. If it be so that the Lord hath provided and prepared a Kingdom for his People and will one day Crown them with Eternal Glory Oh! then let us be exhorted to bless and praise the Lord for his goodness towards us and to magnifie his Glorious Name for this his unspeakable Love Oh! the exceeding Riches of his Grace in this very particular doth mightily engage us to celebrate his praise to the utmost of our power both in word and action Oh! how are we bound to set forth his Glory and to magnifie his Mercy and to speak well of his Goodness for this his tender respect to his People yea all his Attributes shines and shews themselves beautifully in the accomplishment of this our great and wonderful Priviledge and loudly calls for a thankful Return at our hands Oh! how are we engaged to the Lord for his Goodness and how are we bound to praise him for his rich Grace To consider that we even such poor Creatures as we even when we were in a lost perishing state lay polluted in our Blood in an undone Condition that then the Lord should vouchsafe to cast his Eye upon us and pitty us and manifest his Love and Goodness so far unto our Souls as to find out a way for our Recovery and to bring about our Redemption by the death of his own Son and to put us into a capacity of Salvation that we might be honoured with the Dignity of Adoption and enabled to call him Father through faith in his only Begotten That so we might be partakers of a Heavenly Glorious and Unmoveable Kingdom Oh! what unspeakable Love and excellent Kindness is this Oh! what rich Grace and infinite Mercy is here extended to our Souls How do we stand engaged to the Lord for his infinite Goodness Pray let 's consider how it is in natural Cases If in case that we were poor and miserable and wanted relief and comfort for our outward Man and could not tell where nor which way to find any succour And now if a rich Man that hath fulness about him should take our Condition into consideration and meerly out of Love and Pitty towards us should hand forth Relief and Comfort to us and plentifully supply all our Wants and put us into a happy Condition and after all this make us Heirs of a Rich Inheritance Oh! how should we be engaged to esteem such a Courtesie as this And how should we be engaged to prize such a wonderful Kindness Oh! how would this bind us to acknowledge his Love and draw forth our hearts with thankfulness towards him Or else if we did not almost every one would be ready to condemn us for our Ingratitude And besides we should even give our Friend just occasion to cast us out of his favour and take our Inheritance from us Well but now the Lord hath done abundance more for us than all this and he hath extended his Love towards us in a wonderful manner even beyond comparison yea he hath done that for us that all the men in the World and all the Angels in Heaven could never have done by their greatest power and he hath provided and prepared such a Rich and Glorious Portion for us as all the World is not comparable thereunto Oh! then consider how are we bound to prize and esteem this infinite Kindness of God and thankfully to acknowledge his unspeakable Love And how are we bound to bless the Lord for his Goodness and to shew forth the Praises of him who hath thus called us out of Darkness into his marvellous Light Therefore seeing the Lord hath been so much enlarged in his Love and Goodness towards us Oh! let us endeavour to be enlarged in our thankfulness towards him lest we give him occasion to withdraw his Love from us for our gross Ingratitude and deprive us of our Portion for our ill improvement of his great Love Therefore you shall find that the Apostle himself makes this use of this very particular 1 Pet. 1.3 4. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant Mercy hath Begotten us again unto a lively hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Dead to an Inheritance incorruptible and undefiled which fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for us Mark The consideration of Gods Goodness manifested in our hope of Glory and the consideration of our reserved Inheritance is that which doth here occasion him to bless and praise the Lord and exceedingly draws forth his spirit with thankfulness towards him and causeth him to acknowledge and admire his abundant Mercy towards us who hath Begotten us to a lively hope of such a Heavenly Inheritance Therefore saith the Apostle Paul Col. 1.12 13. We do not cease to give thanks unto the Father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light who hath delivered us from the power of Darkness and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son Oh! therefore let the consideration of our Heavenly Portion dwell upon our hearts and exceedingly draw forth our souls with thankfulness towards our Heavenly Father and let us mightily endeavour to set forth the Praise and Glory of him who hath provided and prepared such an Excellent Kingdom for his People Thus much for the second word of Exhortation I shall now come to the Third and last word of Exhortation and so conclude 3. Seeing the Lord hath provided and prepared such a Glorious and Heavenly Kingdom for his People Oh! then let all those that professe an Interest in this Kingdom walk worthy of God who hath called us to such a Glorious Inheritance Let the consideration thereof mightily engage us to a Holy and a Heavenly Conversation Oh! let us be sure to walk suitably and answerably to such an Honourable and Heavenly Profession as becomes those that are Heirs of a Kingdom and as becomes those that have an Interest in such an unspeakable Portion Oh! let 's consider what a Glorious Profession we bear and what a Heavenly work we are called unto and let us be sure to walk so as that we may honour our Profession with a suitable Conversation and answer the end of our