see in vers 4. And I say unto you My Friends Be not afraid of them that kill the Body and afterwards can do no more For the Lord Jesus Christ know right well that his Disciples would be exceedingly hated by the World and that they would meet with implacable Enemies and Adversaries which would oppose them with great force and cruelty in their journey towards Heaven Now as a means to Establish them in the Truth and to arm and fortifie them against the terrour of these implacable Opposites he spreads several Considerations before them from vers 4. to vers 13. And at length sums up all into this Exhortation and Encouragement Fear not little Flock for it 's your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom Secondly By Fear in this Text is intended thus much viz. That we must not be afraid of wanting Wordly things relating to the outward Man as Food and Raiment or any thing that may be convenient and necessary for us for many times the World proves such a snare and such a clogge to Christians as that it fetters and intangles them so as they cannot run with patience the Race that is set before them and is ready many times to pull them back again into Egypt when they are Travelling towards Canaan And to make them with Demas forsake the Communion of Saints in the wayes of God and to close in with their Affections to the Transitory things of this present World And many times Christians are very much filled with Fears and Cares and Perplexities of Spirit upon the account of this World fearing that Holiness and Purity being to much opposed by the World will tend too much to Poverty And if they continue and persevere in that Path they shall not be able to find Temporal Subsistance And so under that Consideration they are incident many times to corrupt themselves and close in with any thing for Profit and Advantage Therefore it is the great Care of our Saviour Christ to arm and fortifie them against this kind of Fear also As you may read at large from vers 13. to the words of my Text and there he comes to fasten his Concluding Injunction and backs it with a very Glorious Encouragement Fear not what ye shall do for Food and Raiment do but you continue faithful in your Duty towards God and to be sure he will continue faithful in his Mercies towards you and whatever Crosses and Losses you may sustain in this World yet be of good chear keep on your way the time will come when you shall largely be made amends for all when you shall receive a hundred fold for every particular lofs For it 's your Pather's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom The Words being chus Opened and Explained I shall now come to deduct something from them by way of Doctrinal Observation hoping it may through the Blessing of God be of some use unto our Souls Observ 1. That Christ's Flock is but a little Flock A Mean Contemptible Despised little Flock Little in comparison of that great Multitude which runs the contrary way Mean and Contemptible in the eyes of the World in comparison of the many Mighty and the many Noble which belongs to the Prince of this world There are but few will come and abide in the Fold of Jesus because he will not grant his Flock Liberty to feed upon the fat Pastures of worldly Pleasures nor glut themselves with Sin and Iniquity There are a great many that will run freely and swiftly into the Path of Iniquity but there are but a few that will run so freely into the high-way of Holiness and continue in the Paths of Righteousness Again there are a great many that will take abundance of Care how they may make themselves Rich and how they may grow Great in the World but there are but a few that will take so much Care how they may please the Lord or how they may make themselves Rich in Faith and good Works that so they may be great in the Kingdom of Heaven And again There are a great many that follow the Devi in the broad-way to Destruction but there are but a few that follow Jesus Christ in the narrow-way to Salvation For strait is the Gate and narrow is the Way which leadeth unto Life and few there be that find it And again many are Called but few are Chosen So that it seems Christ's Flock is but Little and the Children of Election are but few Well But what 's the Reason that Christ's Flock is so Little And what is the Reason that there are so few runs the narrow-way to Salvation What is the Reason or Cause may some say why so few are saved I shall therefore through the Assistance of God offer to your Consideration some few Reasons or Grounds why I judge so few belong to the Flock of Christ First Negatively What is not the Reason I do not believe that the Cause lyes at all in God but altogether in Man It is not because God hath determined or absolutely Decreed that no more should be saved as some weakly imagine for God desires not the Death of a Sinner nor delights in the Destruction of any man but rather Grieves and Mourns over Persons for their Iniquities and for destroying themselves and is troubled and sorrowful that they will not turn unto him that they might be saved Psal 81.13 Jer. 4.14 compared with Chap. 13.27 and 44.4 Luk. 19.41 42 c. So that it 's clear from all these Scriptures together with many more which might be given That it is not because God hath absolutely Decreed before the Foundation of the World that no more should be Holy and partake of Salvation for he is not willing that any should perish but that ALL should come to the knowledge of the Truth and be saved Neither is it because Christ Died for no more and so they want a Saviour for this is most certain That Christ Died for All 1 Tim. 2.6 Heb. 10.10 for EVERY Man Heb. 2.9 for the VVorld Joh. 3.16 4.42 yea for the whole VVorld â— Joh 2.2 Therefore glad Tydings is to be Preached to every Creature and all are Commanded to Repent and Believe the Gospel so that it cannot be because Christ Died for no more for Christ Died as well for those that deny him and for those that perish as for those that believe in him and are saved 2 Pet. 2.1 1 Cor. 8.11 Neither is it because God with-holds the Means of Salvation from any man for God affords sufficiency of Means to all People for their Salvation and puts every one into a Capacity to perform that which he requires at their hands and God never did nor never will Condemn any for that which they could not do but alwayes for that which they would not do Psal 81.11 Luk. 13.34 Joh. 5.40 Therefore it is not because God with-holds the Means of Salvation from any for he never Requires that from any
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
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
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
which the Saints shall be made partakers of in this Heavenly Kingdom Sixthly Another is this 6. They shall have fulness of unspeakable Joy and fulness of Glory and Happiness they shall be exceedingly filled with Gladness and wonderfully crowned with Pleasure they shall not only be freed from Sorrow and Trouble but they shall also be filled with Joy and Rejoycing they shall not only be freed from Pain and Misery but they shall also be filled with Delight and Pleasures they shall not only be freed from Grief and exempted from Misery but they shall also be exceedingly filled with Comfort and crowned with Happiness they shall have Beauty for Ashes Joy for Sorrow Pleasure for Pain Glory for Shame Honour and Dignity for Reproach and Contempt the garment of Praise for the spirit of Heaviness that every way they may be crowned with sulness of Joy and unspeakable Glory according to that saying of the Psalmist In thy Presence is PULNESSE of Joy and at thy right hand are Pleasures for evermore Oh! the excellent Priviledge and wonderful Happiness of God's People Oh! how blessed are all those that shall be counted worthy to enter into this Glorious Kingdom Who is able to express the Happiness of Heavenly Subjects Therefore saith the Psalmist Psal 31.19 Oh! how great is thy Goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee which thou hast wrought for them that trust in him Mark what unspeakable language the Psalmist makes use of in these words he is not able to express the great Provisions that the Lord hath laid up in store for his Saints Therefore saith he Oh! how great is thy Goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee He wants a tongue to express it and therefore his heart admires it See also a notable saying of the Apostle 1 Cor. 2.9 where it is thus written Eye hath not seen nor Ear hath not heard neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive the things which God hath prepared for them that love him Mark Here 's wonderful things prepared here 's unspeakable Glory provided Eye hath not seen saith the Apostle the things which God hath prepared and yet the Eye of man hath seen many glorious things and hath beheld many wonderful Objects and eminent shews full of Delight and Pleasure but yet the Eye of man hath not seen SUCH Things as God hath prepared for his People But further Ear hath not heard yet what wonderful strange and excellent things hath been reported to the Ears of man Yea the Ear many times may hear that which the Eye never hath seen but yet the Ear never heard of such Things as the Lord hath laid up for his SAINTS But yet further Neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive Yet what unspeakable things may the heart of man conceive to it self What glorious and excellent things may possibly enter into the Imaginations of the heart Yea the heart may fancy to it self things which are impossible to be and things which cannot be uttered the heart may conceive that which the Eye never saw nor the Ear never heard out yet the Heart of man cannot conceive SUCH Things as the Lord hath provided prepared and laid up in store for them that love him The tongue of men and Angels are not able to express the FULNES of that Joy the GREATNES of that Glory the incomparable Happiness of Saints in their Kingdom All the Joy and Pleasures on Earth are but Sorrow and Misery in comparison of this Heavenly Joy in the Saints Kingdom All the Glory on Earth is but Shame and Contempt in comparison of the Saints Glory in Heaven All the Happiness that can be enjoyed under the Sun is but Vanity and Trouble in comparison of the sweet and heavenly Happiness in the Kingdom of Glory Oh! how may this rejoyce and make glad the spirits of Saints to consider of their Portion in their Father's Kingdom Oh! how may this ravish and strengthen the hearts of Gods People to think of their Fathers love that he should extend his grace and goodness so far towards his Children as to make them Heirs of a Glorious Kingdom and crown them with unspeakable Joy and Happiness So that this is another Excellent Priviledge or a sixth branch of that Happiness which the Saints shall enjoy in their Fathers Kingdome But Seventhly and Lastly 7. That which is the main thing of all and that which is most remarkable is this All this Glory and Happiness and all this Joy and Blessedness will be ETERNAL and shall continue even for ever and ever They shall alwayes be glorious and never know an end of their heavenly Beauty They shall always be blessed and never know an end of their Happiness They shall alwayes be joyful and NEVER know an end of Gladness They shall alwayes be rich and honourable and NEVER know an end of their Excellent Dignity They shall alwayes abound in fulness of Joy and never know an end of their unspeakable Plenty This is that which doth eminently and chiefly demonstrate the Excellent Happiness of the Saints in the Kingdom of Glory for if they were to enjoy never so much Glory and Happiness and never so much Joy and Blessedness yet if this were to continue but for a short time or a little while then indeed it would not be altogether so much worth the prizing but the Glory and Happiness of the Saints in this heavenly Kingdom is not onely for a little time but for ever and ever as their Happiness begins so it shall continue and NEVER have an end as they shall be pure and without sin at first so they shall be pure and without sin for EVER as they shall be freed from sorrow and trouble at first so they shall be freed from sorrow and trouble for EVER as they shall dwell with God and Christ at first so they shall dwell with God and Christ for EVER and enjoy the society of glorious Angels to all Eternity There 's nothing can alter nor change the affairs in this Kingdom nor nothing can bring the Glory of the Saints to an end Oh what an incomparable Priviledge is this where is there such a durable habitation in this world or where is there such a resting-place on earth Alas if the glory of the world do chance to mile upon a person at present and riches and honours do seem to encrease all is so vain and uncertain that there 's no confidence to be put in their lasting The world may soon shew a frowning countenance again and quickly turn its own glory into shame and contempt and quickly turn riches and plenty into poverty and want and all may quickly make themselves wings and vanish away and so procure great trouble and vexation of spirit But now in this Kingdom ALL their Happiness and all their Priviledges are ETERNAL and shall NEVER have an end Their Perfection shall be ALWAYES compleat and NEVER be diminished Their
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
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
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
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