They shall everlastingly be drinking down and Bathing themselves in those Rivers of Love that have been running down from Everlasting and from the well-spring of Election have issued forth in the whole Dispensation of Christ From the Father they were given to Christ Joh. 17.6 To him they shall then be presented Heb. 2.13 Jude 24. and by Christ brought into the nearest Union and Communion with him that possible can be Joh. 17.21 22 26. The Scripture speaks much of the Fathers Love 2 Cor. 13.13 1 Joh. 16.27 Rom. 8.39 And that often antecedent to the sending of Christ and all benefits by him as the original and fountain thereof Joh. 3.16 1 Joh. 4.8 9 10. Ephes 3.3 6. Tit. 3.4 6. This will then be seen and enjoyed in the fullest manner and measure according to the capacity of glorified Saints God the Father will be letting forth and pouring out his love into the souls of the Saints shedding it abroad in greater measures than now Rom. 5.5 and they drinking down the sweetness thereof for evermore beholding and tasting what manner of love that is which here they can see and conceive but a little of 1 Joh. 3.1 2. and as Ephes 3.18 19. They also making returns of love unto him and sweetest ebullitions thereof loving God then actually with all the heart soul strength and mind as is commanded This loving communion with God the Father or communion with him in love shall the Saints enjoy in Heaven in the fullest manner for evermore 2. The Son of God who is incarnate the Lord Jesus Christ who is Man as well as God his face shall be seen and his company enjoyed by the Saints in Heaven in a peculiar and most immediate manner you shall see the man Christ with bodily eyes as Job 19.27 you shall ascend to him then and be with him enjoy his immediate company and communion see him face to face Job 19.25 26 27. Philip. 1.23 2 Cor. 5.8 1 Thes 4.17 1 Joh. 3.2 You shall hear him speak to you and discourse of the great things of God each word of whose lips will be more sweet than ten thousands of Gold and Silver you shall behold him pouring forth himself and his love yea the love of God to you and the discoveries and communications of his grace and goodness through the lips and expressions of a man you shall then have full communion with the man Christ Jesus that everlasting Mediator between God and Man Why the company of a good man a loving friend a gracious Saint here that breaths much of Christ how sweet is it What then is the company of Christ himself who is full of grace and truth and that with the fulness of an head to derive like Grace and so now like Glory to all his members For as he is the meritorious and dispensing cause so also the exemplary cause as of all Grace here so of Glory hereafter as Joh. 1.16 so you shall have Glory for Glory Glory in your measure like unto his Glory the Glory that he shines with in Heaven you must share in it and have you shall have the same Glory for kind and nature though for measure and degree not equal but he will still have the preheminence Joh. 17.22 Rom. 8.29 1 Joh. 3.2 you shall live in the same Heaven with him Joh. 14.3 partake of the same love of the Father Joh. 17.23 drink of the same pleasures live the same life of holiness and happiness reign with him in the same Kingdom Rom. 8.17 Rev. 3.21 Be thrown into the same Ocean of Joy though Vessels of different quantity will take in different measures and so difference in degrees between the Saints themselves much more between the Saints and Christ Yea probably the Saints in Heaven may have Communion with Christ in the Acts of Grace as here in this life they have Communion with him in the habits of Grace i. e. that the same Actings the same Contemplations Tasts Apprehensions Ebullitions of heart the same springing of Love Joy Delight and sweet Affection that the man Christ hath shall run through Heaven and be in their measure communicated to all the Saints there For Glory properly stands in and results from the lively Acting of Grace and therefore Communion in Glory may import Communion in the Acts of Grace c. But however to be sure they shall be like him 1 Joh. 3.2 And bear his Glorious Heavenly Image there 1 Cor. 15.48 49. Like him in Soul Pure Heavenly Holy inlarged in Love to God and to his Glory as he is and like him in body too Phil. 3.21 And enjoy his Blessed Converse and Company What the particular Imployment and manner of Converse of the man Christ with and among the Saints in Heaven will be we cannot now tell you you shall know it when you come there to be sure it will be most Holy excellent and Glorious and full of mutual joy and delight I may suggest this meditation Look what Christ did in Converse with his Disciples after his Resurrection when he was then entred into a Glorified estate he then opened to them the Scriptures so as their hearts burnt within them Luk. 24.27 32 44 45. And spake of things of the Kingdom of God Act. 13. Then indeed but in order to the carrying on of the Kingdom of Grace and in such a measure as suited that end But why may we not think that he will then in Heaven in such a manner and measure as suites the Kingdom of Glory expound the Scriptures lay open the depths of the Book of God and the Mysteries of Divinity those fully and clearly that were here known but in a little part and other points that were not known at all the wonders of Law and Gospel of the Word and Works of God the depths and knowledge of Wisdom But especially the depths of Love and Grace the things that tend to the praise of the Glory of Gods Grace the great end of all his dealings with his people Ephes 1.6 those will he open and lay forth in a glorious manner And oh the burnings and flames and sparkling Impressions of Seraphical Affections that all the Saints about him will then be filled with Never such a Preacher and never such Hearers for Attention and Affection no Sleeping no Dulness no Weariness as there will be In a word Ordinances then shall cease but the quintessence and extract of all Ordinances shall be then enjoyed that power and Glory of God that beauty of the Lord be seen in the Sanctuary of Heaven that here were but glimpses through Glasses Mat. 26.29 Glorious and sweet Communion do the Saints here enjoy with Christ at a Sacrament in that Ordinance of the Lords Supper But in Heaven in the Kingdom of his Father he will as I may say celebrate that Sacrament i. e. give them the quintessence comfort and Communion of it in another manner in new fresh and immediate Communications of his Grace and sweetness There
Affections shall also be 1. Inlarged or compleatly fitted framed disposed and sanctified to take in that Glory or that Glorious Communion with God that is to be had in Heaven The spirit will be perfect Hebr. 12.23 in this respect i. e. perâ—â—ctly sanctified filled full of holiness and so everlastingly fitted and inlarged for that holy work of Glorifying God that is the work of Heaven alwayes in tune for that never out of frame as you often are here The Image of God upon the Soul shall then be perfectly restored as that part of it which stands in knowledge Colos 3.10 so also that of holiness and righteousness Epes 4.24 which is seated chiefly in the will and affections your Souls shall be top full of Holiness You that now long and cry out for Grace and Holiness for an heart to love God to fear him to delight in him to be inlarged for him you shall then have your desire to the full never feel a weakness or impotency or straitness of heart God-ward more never find your hearts at your left hand but always dextrous in Holy works and inlarged for it then may each Saint say to another as 2 Cor. 6.11 and to God de praesenti as Psal 119.32 I will run c. For thou dost inlarge my heart And especially the affection and Grace of Love that shall be inlarged and flourish there Love to God and to his Saints the perfume of that will fill Heaven Heaven is the place of Love that is the head-grace there alwayes acting never failing 1 Cor. 13.8.13 Those affections that bring pain with them as tormenting fear and grief 1 Joâ— 4.14 and those Actings that imply Imperfection in them or a state of Imperfection accompanying them as prophesie and that inferiour imperfect way and manner of knowledge that we have here and those actings of faith and hope that are proper to this life in contra-distinction to the fight and presence of the good believed and hoped for though the Grace of faith and hope it self or dependance on God in Christ shall continue in Heaven those I say shall cease but Love is alwayes comfortable Philip. 2.1 and the full acting of Love implies perfection 1 Joh. 4.18 the more intensely and strongly Love acts and carries the Soul to God the more perfect we are the strongest acts of faith are under our greatest Imperfections wants and miseries when the good of the promise is wanting Heb. 11.1 And Love is most directly the spirit of Holiness and of actual sweet joyful Communion with God and therefore Love shall eminently continue and flourish in Heaven and be alwayes in fullest act and exercise 2. Filled and satisfied with good the heart of man is a large Vessel the desires have a vast reach even after infinite good This whole World cannot satisfie one heart but then it shall be filled that word full verified Isa 55.2 Brimful of Comfort and Contentment in the fruition of God who is goodness it self infinitely good enough to satisfie the endless reaches of the heart of man You shall then have as much as you would have when the will the desire is opened to the widest it shall be filled Psal 81.10 And whereas Love seeketh nearest Union and fullest Communion with the Beloved If thy Soul love God it would be drawn as near him as may be Cant. 1.4 Why Love shall be satisfied in this respect the Soul shall be as near God as it would be and have him as near as it would have ever loving him and ever loved of him delighting in him and delighted in by him lying in the arms and bosome of his Love Christ and all the faithful his Spouse will then give their Loves Cant. 7.12 each to other ever opening and exchanging hearts And so Joy will then be full Psal 16.11 All the liking affections whereby the will goes out unto embraces and enjoyes good shall then be fully satisfied as Psal 107 9. Jerem. 31.25 Psal 36.8 And for the Soul of man to be closing with and satiated actually satisfied in God the chief and infinite good this is Happiness this is the fruition that is beatifical 2. Consider the Glory of the Body viz. when that shall come to its Glorified estate as it shall do at and after its Resurrection It shall then be Glorified as well as the Soul being made like the Glorious Body of Christ Philip. 3.21 1 Cor. What that is was in some glimpse of it seen in Christs Transfiguration Mat. 17.2 that was a little glimpse and specimen of the future visible Glory of Christ and so of the Saints that shall be like him So Mat. 13.43 Consider but those passages to avoid curiosity here in 1 Cor. 15.42 43 44. It shall be the self same Body for substance but endowed with new and Glorious qualities viz. 1. Incorruption and Immortality it is sown i. e. as here buried in Corruption It is raised in Incorruption so v. 53 54. The Saints Bodies shall not be lyable to any Corruption hurt or decay by sickness pain old-age or death but clothed with Immortality All principle and power of dying being swallowed up 2. Cor. 15.4 To live for ever without liableness to death No fear of dying then when once in that other happy World The King of Terrours never sets foot there Luk. 20.36 Adam might possibly have lived and not dyed but these shall live and cannot die And as not exposed to death so not to any other hurt or aile inward decay or outward violence What abundance of Hurts and Ailes Maimes Accidents as also Inward Diseases now How many Tooles are at work to knock down this Clay-tabernacle but then it shall be so strongly built as to be Impregnable by the assaults of Corruption 2. Glory Splendor and Beauty v. 43. The Body is now a vile thing Philip. 3.21 when under earthly Adams Image especially in its decaying state under Sickness Sores Maimes Rheums Wrinkles c. It is a sorry poor ill-looking deformed pale noisome thing But then the Bodies of the Saints shall be Glorious Beautiful Goodly Amiable and Shining as the Sun whereof that of the shining of Moses his face and of Christ in his Transfiguration was but a little glimpse And far above that of Adam in innocency when neither shame nor deformity was yet known 3. Strength and Power v. 43. Now the Body is a weak fraile feeble thing often unable to perform its needful operations soon wearied tyred with action and at last sinking under its own frailty to the Grave But then Strong Vigorous Lively Healthy freed from all defects and infirmities above weariness and weakness And so from the Imperfection and weakness of Infancy or decrepit Age. All the Saints even such as die Children as Divines most probably conclude shall rise again in full strength and stature such as the flower and vigour of years did or would have given as such as Adam at his Creation was made in Vid. Aquin. Suppl Quaest 81. Bolton
Created world or heap of worlds but Jehovah himself that you shall enjoy in Heaven The infinite increated Good who is greater better and sweeter than ten thousand worlds God blessed for evermore 'T is he that is the All of the Saints there 1 Cor. 15.126 You shall not only have an Interest in him relation to him that you have here but actually enjoy him and not only some beginning or tast of that enjoyment but enjoy him in the fullest most immediate and most perfect manner that finite Creatures are capable of It is called the seeing the beatifical vision of God Mat. 5.8 a seeing him face to face 1 Cor. 13.12 Not that the Saints see God i. e. the Divine Essence with bodily eyes though Christ who is God as well as Man they shall so see Job 19.26 nor yet with the eye and faculty of the understanding being finite can they have a full adequate comprehensive sight or knowledge of the Infinite God as he is in himself But as fully gloriously clearly and immediately as a Glorified soul is capable of and unspeakably beyond and above what is attained here and unto full satisfaction shall they see his Glory and enjoy the pourings out of his love and goodness for seeing is oft used for enjoying in Scripture The particular manner and way of this vision and fruition of God how can we in this Tabernacle and twilight discern or describe we speak but as Children of these things 1 Cor. 13.11 But in general we know in Communion there is a mutual acting As here our acting the acting of our souls upon God and Gods letting out himself communicating himself to us and it is by these two faculties that our souls for it is a Soul-communion that we here speak of act upon an object viz. the understanding and the will in which the affections are included for they are but the actings and out-goings of the will so in the acting of those two upon God and in Gods letting out himself unto those viz. into our understandings and our hearts or wills and affections lies this communion and in the highest and plenary degree of both those according to the capacity of each Saint Hence this full and glorious communion with God in Heaven contains 1. A clear vision or sight of the Glory of God by the understanding not only an habitual knowledge but an actual looking beholding Mat. 18.10 and gazing upon the face of God i. e God in the full manifestation and discovery of himself in his Essence Attributes Subsistaâ—câ— Works in the mystery of Christ Jesus of his Word Gospel Scriptures Providences Truths all that is knowable all that God hath does or shall communicate and make known to his Saints You shall then see all and there are objâ—cts that shall ravish all beholders for ever now you have some dark glimmerings of things 1 Cor. 13.12 that natural darkness being not yet dispelled Ephes 4.18 but then clearly as at Noon-day as those who see face to face God also shining into the understanding letting in the Heavenly light of Glory thereinto and so communicating to the soul a beatifical vision of himself i. e. of the whole discovery or Revelation of himself which he hath made in Works or Scriptures here the meaning and Glory of all which they shall then see and understand or shall further make and give forth to the Saints in Heaven 2. A fruition of the goodness of God by the will the will and affections or a taking in closing with and drinking down the sweet of the love and goodness of God which the Lord will let out unto the soul and fill it with to its everlasting joy delight and fullest satisfaction Psal 16.11 36.8 The love and goodness of God being poured forth and communicated in the sweet and lively sense of it as will then be fully and perpetually which we have but a little tast of here Rom. 5.5 will be as a River of pleasure which the soul will be drinking of to all Eternity Hence all the liking and delightful affections love joy desire delight will be acting to the highest upon God and filled full with him and hence ravished always with his love and enlarged to praise bless and glorifie him and sing forth Hallelujahs for ever SERMON II. MOreover there will be a special communion with each person of the sacred Trinity God Father Son and Holy Ghost according to their several special operations for us and manifestations of themselves to us 1. The face of the Fathers love will be seen in its Glory and sweetness in electing chusing giving his Son transacting with him Justifying Adopting c. and to see him against whom we had sinned smiling on us with complacence and delight taking us into his bosom and loving us with the same love wherewiâ—h he loves his own Son how ravishing will that be You shall then be in the Fathers house Joh. 14.2 and under the pourings out of the Fathers love Joh. 16.27 28. 14.21 23. 17.21 23 24. Going to Heaven is called or explained by going to the Father Joh. 14.2 6. It is the Journy's end and the last and highest rest of the souls of the Saints and of all their desires hopes prayers breathings as Joh. 14.8 to behold the Fathers Face Mat. 18.10 and to have a full sight and enjoyment of his Love and Communion From this we were cut off by sin by our fall from God as Creator and hence seperated from his presence and never since sin came in could the Father have to do with us in an immediate way And while sin hangs upon the Saints they have more dark and doubtful and distant thoughts of the Fathers Love We can more readily see the Love of Christ who is the next to us and converses immediatly with sinners But now after that the effect of Christs Redemption and Mediation shall be finished and their full Restoration into the Bosom of the Fathers Love accomplished by him who is the way thither Joh. 14.6 and sin utterly abolished and the Saints perfectly restored to the Image of God and made like their Heavenly Father And so Christ shall deliver up his Kindom i. e. the present militant and mediate administration of his Kingdom and present it in its compleat perfect and unchangeable state as the Effect and final Issue of that Negotiation which he hath exercisâ—d in the time of this World 1 Cor. 15.24 28. Then will God the Father with the Son and Spirit more immediatly in an unspeakable manner Communicate himself to the Saints and bare the face of his Love take them into his more Immediate presence fill them with his goodness and be all in all to them And then shall the Saints see and ascend unto the Fountain-love of the Father the original of the whole Mystery of Christ and of all the grace and salvation by him the Well-head of all gracious Dispensations and Communications in a fuller manner then now they can
shall not be now need of any outward Elements Bread or Wine but the Inward part the Spiritual Communion they shall have it new and fresh in a more lively and better fuller manner then here whence they shall be as men full of new Wine filled with the Springs of Heavenly Affection and Consolation Wine is oft used to express Joy Gladness Comfort Psal 104.15 The Communion between Christ and the Saints in the Coelestial Life will compleat perfect and far transcend that that is but in a weak and mean degree begun in Ordinances here Consider also that the Union and Communion between Christ and the faithful being set forth by that of the Conjugal relation in Scripture our present state is but an Espousal the Consummation of the Marriage is at the day of Judgment thence follows the full enjoyment each of other in Heaven when Christ hath carried his Spouse home to his Fathers house Ineffable Mutual Delight Communion Communication of Secrets and Hearts each to other Joy and Contentment will thence ensue Then will those words be most fully verified Isa 62.4 5. and 54.4 5 8. Zeph. 3.17 Then will the Book of Canticles that Book of Loves between Christ and his Church be understood and fully practised But thus in Heaven you shall have Immediate and full Communion with the Lord Jesus You hear of him now but you shall see him then and be ever with him there was flocking to see him when on earth in his Humiliation Luk. 19.3 4. And the Spiritually minded then saw Glory in him Joh. 14. But what will it be then to see him in Heaven in his Glorified estate And not only to see him as a stranger as a Glorious person But to see and enjoy him as thy Friend as thy Brother Saviour Husband Cant. 5.16 One who sometimes powered out his Heart-blood for thee and will now power out his Heart-love to thee for evermore 3. The Saints shall have full Communion with the Holy Ghost they shall have the Everlasting fulness and presence of the Spirit and so have a fulness of Gifts and Graces of Holiness and Comfort for evermore The Saints have somewhat of the Communion of the Holy Ghost now 2 Cor. 13.14 But they shall have it in perfection then We have but the first fruits of the Spirit but an earnest penny now Rom. 8.23 2 Cor. 1.22 and 5.5 Therefore there is an Harvest the whole sum a fulness of the Spirit that shall be imparted then And as the Holy Spirit is a Spirit of Grace and Comfort now by whose Presence and Assistance we are upheld in both so will he be then only in such a way manner and measure as suits a state of Perfection then he will rest upon you as a Spirit of Glory so hath he done in a great degree on some Martyrs here 1 Pet. 4.14 but there in Perfection on all the Saints Hence the Saints in Heaven having the fulness of the Spirit shall be replenished with all those Excellencies and endowments that are the Effects and fruits of the presence and special operation of the Spirit filled with all the fulness of God As 1. With singular Divine Guifts of knowledge wisdom inlargement of understanding as 1 King 4.29 and utterance For there will be use of utterance in Heaven in Glorious Conference and Converse of the Saints Here are Gifts given for the Kingdom of Grace by the Spirit 1 Cor. 12.4 8 11. But there are Guifts suiting the Kingdom of Glory 2. With all Graces of Holiness or Sanctification those now brought to perfection and kept up in act and exercise Sanctification of the Spirit 2 Thes 2.13 will then be perfect of which further afterward concerning the Glory of the Soul and there will be the constant un-interrupted Presence and Assistance of the Spirit to actuate every Grace to keep it up in its full exercise The heart ever inlarged for God ever fixed and tuned to sing his Praise as Psal 57.7 8. Thy Glory Heart and Tongue shall be ever awake thy Harp ever in Tune then the Spirit of Grace everlastingly filling and quickning thy Heart and holding thee up in Heavenly Spiritual activity and inlargement 3. With abundant Comfort and Consolation The Holy Ghost will then fully do that work of a Comforter and dwell in all the Saints as such Joh. 14.16 in his Choicest and most Glorious Comforting Operations That in Rom. 5.5 will then be fully done Then perfect Assurance and sense of the Love of God without all mixture of doubt or fear or darkness full Assurance shall be wanting to never a Saint in Heaven the meanest shall see the Love of God more clearly than the strongest did here That great question will then be out of question forever The light of Gods Countenance shall be then lifted up and shine upon your souls as a Sun that never sets nor is overcast with clouds The knowledge and sense of that one thing that the Infinite God loves thee with an everlasting love which is more worth than ten thousand thousand worlds shall live in thy heart and be the Life and Joy of thy Soul and fill thee with peace that passeth all understanding The joy of the Holy Ghost that is a manifest and eminent part of our Communion with the Holy Ghost shall then be at its full height which now we have but some tasts and drops of Rom. 14.17 That that Christ hath been so long aiming and driving at will then be attained Joh. 15.11 and 16.24 Their Joy is the Element the Saints in Heaven live in they breath in no other Aire but that the Ocean they swim in It is that they enter and go into Mat. 25.21 23. Joy at once expresses Heaven and Heavenly Glory It is a Mass or Heap of Joy a Region of Joy an Aire and Element of Joy the Joy of the Lord God the Joy of the Holy Ghost into which they are brought and where they breath and live and swim in the fulness thereof for ever Psal 16.11 2. A second thing considerable in the positive Happiness of the Saints in Heaven is their inherent personal subjective the former particular pointeth chiefly to their objâ—ctive Glory though they go together and therâ—fore both there and here somewhat of both Glory or perfection both of Soul and Body This partly makes them capable of that foresaid full enjoyment of God and partly results from it For our present frail weak and distempered faculties are not capable of that Glory and Glorious Communion 1 Cor. 15.50 and 2.9 they must therefore be raised up to an higher state of Perfâ—ction in order thereunto And the enjoyment of that Communion with God continually reflects unspeakable Glory and Happiness inherent Excellencies upon the whole man But hence the person of each Saint is Glorified filled with Glorious Excellency and Perfection both of Soul and Body All that be there are Glorified Persons Rom. 8.17 18 30. Colâ—ss 3.4 Glorious or Glorified they are both in their
Lord will delight to manifest himself and his Love his comforting Grace to the Soul Joh. 14.21 23. Act. 9.31 It is often seen that the Lord withholds and denies assurance and lets the Soul be followed with fears and doubts and troubles on purpose to discover imbitter and break the power of some prevailing lust some sweet sin If you can tamper with your lusts and make provision for the flesh and be at truce with your sins and entertain the delights of it Now instead of Comforting the Lord will break your bones if he loves you he will let you have no peace till you out with this guile and repent in earnes t and throw away this sweet sin Psal 32. Oh mind and mark out your most prevailing most inticing beloved sins and if that be the provocation the partition-wall between God and you throw it away Isa 30.22 23. 3. Labour to keep Grace in action and exercise Be much in acting all Grace both in the hearty and serious performance of holy duties and in daily renewing of repentance for dayly sins and of Faith by going to the Blood of Christ for pardon and for more of his Spirit and also in the exercise of other particular Graces love brotherly kindness charity patience meekness self-denial zeal c. as there is occasion for them 2 Pet. 1.5 8 10 11. Exercise of Crace is the best evidence of Grace Let a man breath eat walk and work he needs no other demonstrations that he is a living man so would you shew and see and discern that you have the life of Grace the life of Christ in you and so are in a state of Salvation up and be doing and acting performing the actions of a Christian life be breathing after Christ in Prayer feed on him in the Promises and Ordinances feed upon the word of God Can you feed can you eat at every meal in the season of duty as Luk. 24.41 42 43. thats an evidence of a living risen Christian can you make a meal of a Sabbath and your Souls are refreshed thereby c. and walk before God get up and walk in his wayes work the work of the Lord that is committed to you in Christs strength and name this will demonstrate the life of Grace 1 Cor. 15.10 It is labouring working Grace that is not vain or Counterfeit or dead Grace Jam. 2.17 18. And to this end put forth and exercise every Grace in its season Psal 1.3 The Lord giveth us special seasons and occasions on purpose to draw forth the exercise of such and such a Grace we might have marvelous improvement of them for benefit and comfort if the fault were not our own as 1 Joh. 3.17 there is a season to exercise love kindness compassion when he sees and hears that his brother is in need want or misery now bowels should act and stir being made tender by the Grace of Christ If love stir not act not now sure the habit of that Grace dos not dwell in him Another wrongs and provoks you now is a a season to act meekness and patience you are troubled and you swell and fret and are vexed But you forget that the Lord is now come to try you whether you have any patience in you whether you have learned of Christ to be meek and low in heart 1 Pet. 2.20 21 23. Here 's a season for the Gospel-fruit to see whether that Grace will bud and bring forth whether you can forbear and forgive c. as Colos 3.13 It may be you are stirr'd up by another to an act of Charity and kindness an object and occasion of it presented to you The Lord hath now sent season to draw forth such fruit as you know if there be life in the root of the tree when the season comes the Spring time is the Sun shines c. Now the sap will rise and it will bud and blossome If you see neither bud nor leaf but a dry sear-top in the season you say it 's dead Oh if thy Grace be alive the season will draw it forth You think you have other Graces yea but this Grace must act now in such a season of it 2 Cor. 8.7 8. Phil. 4.10 17. So duties of Religion towards God zeal for his Glory against sin duties of Holiness or Righteousness be ready and active therein in the several seasons thereof this is an excellnt Rule both for the Increase and Comfort of Grace 2 Pet. 1.5 11. He means add the exercise and practice of them Labour to have each of these Graces according to their several objects and occasions and seasons drawn forth into act and exercise and appearing in the fruits of it For the Beeings and habits of all Grace are implanted at once and at first And when all sorts of Graces are found in a Christian and are lively to put forth themselves in the several proper wayes for where is one in truth there is all in the root and that should appear in the fruit in the season thereof is a choice help to make our Calling sure and to have an open entrance See Baxters Saints Rest part 3. pag. 166. 4. Be much in Meditation serious spiritual Meditation on the word and promises of God the condition of thy own Soul thy own wretchedness emptiness vileness in thy self the riches of Grace in Christ the things of Heaven both in more occasional transient opportunities and in more solemn seasons set apart for that purpose Meditation applyes general truths to our selves in particular soakes things into the heart which else did but float in the head and fancy gives both a clear understanding and also a relish taft a savour of the truth brings the Soul acquainted with the things of God that now they are no longer strangers as Hos 8.12 It digests the food that men take in in other Ordinances yea it makes all the works and providences of God to be meat and fooâ— useful beneficial to the Soul Psal 104.34 And hence it does many wayes both actuate and exercise Grace and help to discover Grace And indeed a spirit oâ— gracious meditation when a mans thoughts and affections for both are acted in meditation do frequently and ordinarily practically feed and dwell upon the word and things â—â— God it is a clear evidence of a godly man Psal 1.1 2. yea of a living fruitful Christian v. 3. As contrariwise that is the Character of the wicked Psal 10.4 The godly man is either in a frame for holy meditation or sick while he wants it or so far as he wants it mourning under striving wrestling against the vanity and carnalness of his own thoughts and after more spiritualness He falls very short here and the unstediness and unsavouriness unprofitableness of the thoughts is much of that body of death which he groans under But oh his bitter mourning and he is getting ground herein and the more ground he gets the more comfortable And those seasons wherein the heart is at
the love of God and of his people and those two go together 1 Joh. 4.20 and 5.1 Mat. 25.40 45. surely you are not principled for Heaven nor can have any good evidence of your going thither To be for God and for his people should be our All on Earth our whole desire and designe 2 Cor. 5.13 as that shall be our All in Heaven to enjoy Communion with God in the sweet Communion and Feâ—lowship of his Saints that is Heaven and that is the desire and aime of every Gracious Saint on Earth Of our Communion with Angels in Heaven I shall not speak particularly What it is and the manner of it will be known when you come there But as by Christ we are brought into a Fellowship and Coâ—munion with the Holy Elect Angels Hâ—b 12.22 who should else have been forever in Fellowship with Dâ—vils Mat. 25.41 so that Commuâ—â—on will thâ—â— be pâ—â—fâ—ctâ—d and knowâ— fully as it is hâ—râ— initiâ—l imperfâ—ct and but little known As the Saints when Glorified shall in their qualiâ—iâ—s and manner of â—â—â—ing be more like unto the Aâ—gelâ— Mâ—â— 22.30 So will â—hâ—â— then he câ—pâ—ble of moâ—â— Communion with tâ—â—m thâ—n now If there be joy among thâ— Angâ—lâ— wâ—en a sinnâ—r enters into the Kingdom of â—râ—câ— by Repentance Luk. 15.10 what joy wâ—ll then be when all the Saints shall come in the Kingdom of Glory The Angels Mâ—nister to the Saints by the way â—o Heaven Hebr. 1.14 and conduct them thither when thâ—y die Luk. 16.22 with what mutual joy will thâ—y all then be entertain'd there It will thâ—n be known what good Officâ—s the Holy Angels have done for the Saints here both for particular persons and Churches and places in their Ministring â—o and foâ— thâ—m how they have oâ—posed counterminâ—d thâ—â—r 〈◊〉 both Dâ—vils and wicked men what not able services those Courtiers and Curâ—iers of Heaven have been sent from Heaven upon by the Lord Jesus Christ on the behalf of his people into Courts of Princes and other great motions of the wheels of Divine Providence Dan. 10.13.20 Ezek. 1.5 How thâ—y have Guarded Defended Succoured in many dangers being faithfull to their Charge and Trust Psal 91.11 12. and 34.7 They now do us good turns and we know it not But surely all shall be known then as well as tâ—â—se pâ—rfect instances that are set down in Scripture But all to the Glory of God and Christ by whom thâ—y wâ—re imployed And to the further Joy and Comfort of the Faithful in the sense of Love of God who hâ—th so inclined and imployed the Glorious Angâ—ls to do for them And then will Saints and Angels in one Triumphant Society admirably joyn in Praising and Glorifying God for all his wonderful Works and in special for the Mâ—stâ—riâ—s of Christ and Marvels of his Redâ—mption which the Angels are eminently delightâ—d with 1 Pet. 1.12 Ephes 3.10 as â—uk 2.13.14 Oh that ever worms of Dust sinful man should be lift up to the place and state of Angels yea in some respects higher in regard of their nearer Relation to Christ their Head who as 1 Pet. 3.22 fellow Citizens and fellow Courtiers with them in the Heavenly place which was properly their own Habitation Jud. 6. Mat. 22.30 Luk. 2 15. to partake with them in the Beatifical Vision Mat. 18.10 and to bear a part with them in the praises of God Vse A word of Incouragement and Establishment to the people of God and that in the midst of troubles here in this World They need heartning on while here below under Temptations and Tribulations why a sight and thought of Heaven and of the Rest and Recompence there is enough to do it Hebr. 11.25 26. Even when the Interest of Piety and of the truly Pious is laid low in the World and despised among men and they that are for Heaven in earnest are counted a company of Foolish Humoursom Mad Fanatical people why if that be to be foolish to be for Heaven in good earnest and sixed in the way thither i. e. in the way of the Rule not to be turned out of the way by the smiles or frowns of all the World if that be folly be more foolish still as 2 Sam. 6.22 Heaven is the best choice when all is done and it is the truest wisdome to chuse that and not to stick at all the Tribulations that ley in the way The Psalmist begun to think he had made an ill bargain when he was chastened all the day long and the wicked prospered on earth c. But having God for his Portion Psal 17 24.73 And keeping with God in the way of Faith and Obedience that is the way to Heaven fear not all this World nor all the Tribulations thereof Luk. 12.32 Consider 1. All that Satan or the World can do cannot reach to Heaven where your Portion and Treasure lyes Mat. 6.20 They work but upon the earth the troubles about you here are but earthly troubles But your business is in Heaven your hope is laid up in Heaven Colos 1.5 your trade is for Heaven if Christians indeed and that cannot be obstructed by any imbargoes on Earth 2. If God will bring you to Heaven then he will not let you miscarry or be lost in the mid-way If he have called you to Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus then all the Sufferings in the mean while shall not interrupt it Rom. 8.30 nothing can break that Chain v. 31 35 39. nothing in all this World can or shall cut you off from Heaven and Glory or from the Everlasting Love and Fellowship of God to be enjoyed there If that be indeed the choice of your Souls that you refuse all this World and choice Heaven chuse the Fruition of God in Christ for your Portion if you make Moses's chooce Heb. 11.24 26. and Paul's choice 2 Cor. 4.18 and that choice the Lord propounds to every one Mark 10.21 why then Heaven you shall have and God ingages it and hath appointed you to it Heb. 11.16 why then he will not lose you bâ— the way in the Croud of Worldly Temptaâ—â—onâ— or troubles but will keep you and carry you through by his own power 1. Pet. 1.5 â—3 Instead of hindring all things and espeâ—ially the oppositions and troubles of the Truth shall but help you on toward Heaven and further your Glory there 2 Cor. 4.17 Sanctâ—fied Tribulations and Suffering for Christs sake or in obedience to his will they help to greaten your Crown and Reward in Heaven Mat. 5.11 12. they help you with an Evidence for Heaven Rom. 8.17 2 Tim. 2.11 12. 2 Thess 1.4 5. And they help to quicken and drive you on in the way to Heaven to make faster speed thither being Sanctified unto the exercise of Grace and to awake Faith Prayer Weanedness from the World esteem of Heaven more Converse there c. Heb. 11.9 10 13 14 16. Oh what can hurt the people of God whose faces are toward Heaven looking seeking pressing after
being made a Spiritual Body i. e. perfectly subject and conformable to the Spirit and Noble operations of the Soul It will be an help not an hinderance and so an advantage and incouragement to the Soul and to the whole man in taking in those pleasures that are above As the Souls or the Saints state of subsisting will be more perfect and compleat when re-united so will its operation be The Saint will then with bodily eyes behold the man Christ this is more then he did before with infinite contentation that Job put an Emphasis upon that with those eyes he should see God Job 19.25 26 27. with Bodily Ears hear and Tongue utter forth the Praises of God With and through Bodily senses act upon and take in the Glory of Heavenly objects Christ and the Saints c. this is a great Addition to what was before 4. There shall then be a manifestation of the Glory of the Saints unto the whole World This is an eminent and remarkable accession of Glory that shall be to the Saints at the Resurrection and last Judgment And when the Scriptures extoll the Glory that shall be then it hath special respect unto this The Glory that the Saints have on Earth and also that which they have now in Heaven in their Souls it is a secret and hidden thing from the World they go up and down the World now under a mean outside and look like other men and they do to visible appearance as others do and their Bodies are carried to the Graves as others and turned to the dust And whither their Souls go is not known their Happiness is an unseen thing by any other eye but that of Faith But then it shall be revealed and made manifest to the wonderful Glory of God and to their singular comfort and advancement Rom. 8.18 Now the Saints have only concealed Glory hidden under a cloud of sufferings under the Image of the Earthly Adam which go to the Grave with them but then revealed not only to them in a word and promise but in and upon them in real and visible accomplishment 1 Joh. 3.1 2. Colos 3.3 4. Neither Christ nor Christians do now appear to a blind World as they be but then they shall then their Glory shall be made manifest unto all So 2 Thes 1.10 Vid. Dutch Annot. Consider a little here 1. To whom 2. Of what this manifestation shall then be 1. The Glory of the Saints shall at the last day be manifest to all the World to Men Angels Devils in the most publick open manner as Christs proceedings with them his owning acknowledging acquitting of them shall be publick so as all men shall see and know that these men are Happy men Beloved of God the Brethren of Christ Vessels of Glory and Partakers of the Kingdom In special 1. They shall then be manifested one to another We hope well now of the good state of the dying Saints Friends Relations but then we shall be fully certain when we shall meet them in the Congregation of the Righteous and at the right hand of Christ at the great day and see them finding Mercy of the Lord at that day as 2 Tim. 1.18 when the Parents shall meet the Children and the Friend his Friends Brethren and gracious Acquaintance there among the sheep at Christs Right hand This happily may be known by the Souls departed before in Heaven But most fully and openly then which is the time when every one hath his publick and open Judgment to be seen of all though he had his personal private and particular Judgment before But besides they shall not only know each others state in General but in Particular hear of and behold the Graces and Gracious Actings of the Faithful their Brethren in Christ and all the Gracious dealings of God with them the whole progress of his Love from first to last laid open then in that Revelation-day the day of Judgement 1 Cor. 4.5 this will endear them each to other 2. To all the wicked and Reprobates both Men and Devils To those that have despised opposed Reproached Scorned Persecuted Insulted over them here As it was said of Christ when Judged Abused and Despitefully used Mat. 26.64 So it may be said of Christians hereafter shall the wicked yea those same persons that here abused them see them arrayed in Robes of Glory and sitting on Thrones as their Judges sitting on the Throne with Christ Revel 3.21 For as Christ shall appear so shall the Saints also appear with him in Glory Colos 3.4 The Saints shall Judge wicked Men and Devils and surely they shall see and know and behold them sit as their Judges 1 Cor. 6 2 3. so Luk. 13.18 They that here counted them mad-men Fanatical Frantick Conceited Humoursom Foolish Creatures shall then see that they made the wisest choice c. They did not so much despise them now as they shall admire them then 2 Thes 1.10 2. Of what there will be a manifestation or what in special will then be manifested of and concerning the Saints and their Glory to all the World viz. 1. Their Graces and good Works the service they have done for God both in doing and suffering Eccles 12.14 The good works of the Godly as well as the evil Works of the wicked shall then be laid open 1 Cor. 4.5 i. e. Every good man for what is good so 1 Pet. 1.7 A tryed Faith that hath held out through many tryalls shall then be held up before the World and Commended Praised Honoured by the Lord Jesus which will not be so much the Commendation of themselves as of his own Grace and work in them For all is of him their good works the acts and the fruits of their Graces even such as themselves can hardly tell how to own He will own them and speak of them before all the World Mat. 25.35 40. though they be poor things in themselves and as from them yet as they are the fruit of his Spirit and Grace in them the stamp of his own Image the effects of sincere love to him The poor but childish actings of his children here the things he hath made Gracious Promises to and so he will make much of them and put an honour upon them before the World Mat. 10.32 Luk. 12.8 Revel 3.5 The Lord Jesus will confess acknowledge and own every one of them before all the World and will confess all they have done for him He will say these are they that have continued with me in my Temptations Luk. 22.28 that have preferred a good Conscience before all Riches and Honours that renounced the World to follow me fully that forsook all for me and loved not their Lives to the Death These are my Brethren Sisters Friends Mother that have done the will of my Father Mat. 12.49 50. He will not be ashamed of us then if we be not ashamed of him now 2. Their Crown of Happiness and Glory which the Lord hath laid
up for them and will then actually and fully put upon them 2 Tim. 4 8. a Crown of Righteousness i. e. which the Righteous and Faithful God according to his Gracious Promises made to his own Grace in us and the appointment declared to all that run for the Prize of the Heavenly Calling will bestow on the Righteous It is the Saints Coronation-day and that must needs be a day of great Glory to them when they shall be openly Crowned before the World They are now Heirs and have Title c. to the Kingdom but that is their Coronation-day He that was before a Prince or lawful King yet at the Solemnity of Coronation appears in eminent Splendor and hath eminent Honour put upon him Such a day is the day of Judgment to the Saints they are now Princes and Kings unto God by Title c. But then they shall be brought forth and Crowned before all the World Actually installed into their Kingdom and into the fulness of the Glory thereof Mat. 25.34 So it is the Saints Marriage-day the Consummation of their Marriage with Christ after the Espousalls here wherein therefore they shall be brought forth in Robes of Glory befitting the Spouse of the King of Kings and that in the fight of all the World The Glory that God hath put upon his own Children and Christ upon his Spouse and Fellow-heirs shall then be manifested and openly revealed Hence 3. This Love of God and Christ to them in all this in all his wonderful works of Grace of wisdom power and goodness in all he hath done in and for them in Electing Calling Justifying Adopting Sanctifying preserving and keeping and carrying on by his power to Salvation and now fully Glorifying The whole Chain and Circle of his Love all the wonders of Mercy and Grace wherein he hath abounded toward his Saints shall then be revealed and discovered 1 Joh. 3.1 2. 2 Thes 1.10 The Glory of the Saints shall be so revealed as may Glorify God and make him admirable in all he hath done in and for them ver 11 12. As God will then reveal set forth and shew abroad his wrath and Justice on the Vessels of wrath Rom. 2.5 and 9.22 So he will reveal his Love Grace and Mercy towards the Vessels of Mercy in that day of Revelation The whole Mystery of Grace will be then unfolded in the Glory of it and to the Glory and Praise of God which as it is the last end of all Gods Dispensations toward the Elect Ephes 1.2 So that end shall then be attained We may say as Colos 1.26 27. Christ the whole mystery of Christ shall then appear in his full Glory and Grace is the sum and top of the whole mystery of Christ And this will be to the singular Comfort and Joy of the Saints as well as to the Glory of God the benefit of the compleat and final pardon of all their sins and this opened in its Glory what refreshment and joy will it be Act. 3.19 the like may be said of all the rest 4. The Superiority of the Saints over above the wicked and being preferred before them and in a Condition infinitly better and more Happy then they Psal 49.14 They the upright shall be the better men and better on 't then in a more Happy and Honourable Condition exalted far above them while they seemed to be the underlings of the world under Poverty and Persecution and this shall plainly appear and be seen in the morning of the Resurrection Then will that plainly appear that the Elder shall serve the Younger Gen. 25.23 The Esau's of the World the great Doers and Busslers and mighty Hunters therein shall come behind the younger Brother the despicable the more unlikely the Jacob's the plain men that dwell in Tents the pious and Godly though never so poor and mean and despicable in the World whose out-side promises not so much Here in this World men and things are oft mis-placed Servants on Horse-back Ham and Canaan Servants of Servants so the wicked are of servile busie ignoble Spirits and Conditions yet of him of such oft are the Nimrods the mighty Hunters in the Earth And Princes the Children of the King of Kings the Heirs of Heaven walking as Servants upon the Earth Eccles 10.7 6. But then all things shall be set to rights and put in their places then these Princes shall be on Thrones of Glory Luk 22.30 1 Cor. 6.2 3. And the wicked how high soever they have been here below at the Baâ— filled with shame and horrour Piety and Godliness shall then be honoured and advanced however it is despised now And the poor if Pious shall have the Crown Jam. 2.5 and 1.12 that will then appear Prov. 28.6 Yea and then the righteous Cause of the Lords people shall be judged owned and maintained which will tend to their Glory who have oft been condemned unjustly in this World as Christ himself was That Judgment-seat of Christ Jesus hath been oft appealed to by Martyrs and Sufferers and he will then receive those Appeals and judge them righteously and that openly to the confusion of all the unrighteous Judgments that have passed here in the time of this World Devils shall then receive their doom and punishment for all their wicked molestations of the Saints and oppositions of Christs Kingdom in one way or other and all enemies destroyed and brought down under the feet not only of Christ but of his Church also And this final and total subduing of enemies and exalting of the Church shall be seen and known openly and beheld And this manifestation of the Sons of God is that which the whole Creation and all the works of Providence are in Travel for Rom. 8.19 22 23. The Glory of the Sons of God is formed and prepared in the womb of Providence now but that is the Birth-day of the manifestation of it then the mystery of God is finished and the work of God upon and in his Saints is brought forth in its full beauty and perfection Thus of the Manifestation of the Saints Glory at the last day Add we another consideration shewing the Compleatness and Consummation of their Glory then 5. At the last day the whole number of the Saints will be compleated and the Mystical Body of Christ entirely filled up and then will God compleatly and most Gloriously communicate himself to the whole at once Christ will then represent his Kingdom and Body compleat and entire every way come to its full growth and consistency Ephes 4.13 as it shall abide forever and in that compleat Estate he with the Father and the Spirit will Communicate himself thereto in the most perfect and Glorious manner as Heb. 11.40 So the Saints that are now in Heaven shall not be made perfect without their fellows and till the remnant of their Brethren as Rev. 6.11 have run through their militant course and be come in there is yet a further perfection they shall have
capable to obtaâ—n Those little things of the World that lye before you when as the greatest nay all the things of the World are as nothing compared with the Heavenly Portion that is offered you in Christ Jesus And yet this is the Bane of men this is the stumbling stone at which their Souls fall and perish viz. Preferring Earth before Heaven the present God of this World bâ—fore that to come and so taking up their rest here laying out themselves their Spirits and Affections upon present outwaâ—d worldly things with neglect of and so as to have their hearts dryed up toward Heaven and Heavenly things Oh foolish and unwise Oh unspeakable sottishness and unreasonable absurdity to prefer Earth before Heaven or to take up with the Earth when Heaven is set before you To have Affections Spirits for Earth and none for Heaven when Heaven does so infinitely excel What is it most men are running after cleaving to setting up their hearts upon laying out their Spirits and best Affections and utmost endeavours about Is it not somewhat in this World Pleasure or Profit or Honour lust of the Flesh or Eye or Pride of Life Pride of Life 1 Joh. 2.16 i. e. an high and pompous manner of living affectation of height state and costliness in all the things of this life both Apparel Housing-Furniture c. above Place Rank Ability or Sobriety either in unlawful wayes and excesses or at least contentment in the lawful good things and comforts of this Life that is the highest the chiefest good that many seek after rest in and are wholly taken up about And so taken up here as to have no heart for God or Christ or Heaven no mind no affection to those things they are slightly passed over and the other pursued as the maine this present World ingrosses all But behold the Word of God shews us a more excellent Object and Prize to run for a better designe to pursue the Glory and Happiness of another World that is infinitely more excellent more necessary worthy our pains and affections more proper for immortal Souls to be busied about Should you judge by the minds and wayes of most of the Sons of men You would think there were no higher or better thing to be minded than the good of this World But the point shews us that that is better and more excellent What is all the Glory and good of this World to that of the Glory to come It is no more nor so much as a pebble stone to a Pearl or Husks to Bread or Dirt to Gold or Rags to Robes Who would take up with the former when he may have the latter Yea when called as we are continually by the voice of the Gospel to attend and imbrace the latter Remember all the outward good of this World is but Earthly the other is Heavenly But Bodily pleasing and pampering and Painting the outward man the other is Spiritual adorning perfecting and making happy the Soul But Temporal the other is Eternal 2 Cor. 4.18 The one Corruptible the other Incorruptible 1 Cor. 9.25 The one stands in the enjoyment of Creatures and but the lower sort of Creatures neither the other in the enjoyment and frution of the Infinite Creatour God Blessed for evermore How far must the latter needs excell the former Ah this Doctrine should take us off from and lift us above the Earth wean us from the World which is hard to effect the hearts of men are so Carnal There is good there to draw us but the Lord is fain to add many evils troubles here to drive us out and well if both would do Oh weep over our Earthly mind and heart Paul did so and get to Heaven in your Conversation Phil. 3.18.20 Are you of the Redeemed or no Gal. 1.4 Colos 3.12 Good is the Object of the Will and Affections and where choice is of the best good if there be one thing better than another the Will of man would have that it aspires after the best Why here be the things and therefore set your affections upon them and not on these meaner worse and inferior things that are beneath Oh get that sweet evidence of Effectual Calling that you are called out of the World taken off from this World and are men of another World men for Heaven bent upward dâ—claring plainly that you seek another and better Country then this and then you may be sure that God is your God Heb. 11.14 16. and will be your guide to the death that he will guide you by his Counsel and afterward receive you unto Glory SERMON VI. HAving passed through the Explanation of this Doctrine we may briefly add somewhat by way of Reason Why the Lord will give unto his people such great Glory in the World to come only out of the Text and we may rather take notice of some Reasons here because they are pointed to in the Text. Reas 1. From the Grace the rich Grace of God and for the Glory thereof Thâ— God of all Grace will give us this Eternal Glory It is his his Glory in his hands and dispose and he out of the Riches of his Grace will bestow and communicate it though he is the God of all Grace also as he is the Author of all the fruits and works of Grace in us yet the expression leads us to the fountain viz. The Infinite Grace nnd kindness that is in God so Rom. 5.21 It is from Grace as the Efficieâ—t That Grace the exceeding Rich Infinite Grace and kindnâ—ss of God may be forever acknowledged magnified and exalted Ephâ—s 1.3 6. When it shall be shewed and God will set himself to shew what a gift Infinite free Grace goodness kindness bounty can give then this will be the Gift such a thing as would Beggar all men and Angels and all the Riches of ten thousand Worlds they could not all should they Joyn together reach such a Gift as this Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus Rom. 6.23 God only the God of all Grace could give this He only was so rich as to be able to fill and store Heaven with all the Treasures and Riches of Glory that is there prepared and when he hath done to give it freely to his chosen There are Riches of goodness in the Gifts God gives and scatters among men here in this World But those are but little matters and by the By. But in the Gift of Heaven and Heavenly things he will set himself to shew the exceeding Riches of his Grace Ephes 2.6 7. We say how can it be that such wonderful Glory should be bestowed on such worthless worms Why it could not be indeed were it not from exceeding Rich and Infinite Grace Grace i. e. that whereby God freely and plentifully gives to the undeserving Creature and in designe to magnifie that To set all Saints and Angels a wondring at the Riches of God and at the bottomless and boundless depth and breadth of his Grace and Love For
plainer evidence of a state of Perdition than to be an Enemy yea if but a secret enemy and hater of those who it may be your Consciences tell you are in a state of Salvation and are such as are like to get to Heaven For I speak not of pretended but real Saints or real as far as appears at least to be an enemy to those is the directest way you can take to everlasting Confusion Psal 129.5 and 34 21. As you love your Souls take heed of being found in the least opposition to the Interest of Christ or of his people 2. Consider how or in what way these impenitent unbelieving sinners do come to lose or miss of this Eternal Glory viz. in General By neglecting or not embracing the Call of the Gospel in this day of Grace and turning aside to vain things He calls us saith the Text to his Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus Hence look as by Effectual Calling i. e. by obeying and answering hearkning to and imbracing the Call of the Gospel the faithful obtain it and are brought into it so on the contrary others that live under the Gospel miss on 't by not hearkning to this Call by turning a deaf ear thereunto refusing and neglecting when called to come to Christ Jesus Prov. 1 24 27. They that hear not Christ when he sayes come Luk. 14.17 in the Kingdom of Grace shall nâ—ver hear him say come in reference to the Kingdom of Glory as Mat. 25.34 And they that hear not this latter Call come it will be because they would not hearken to the former The Lord Jesus now calls to every one of you come unto me and possess Grace and Glory in and with me If you attend to this Call by the obedience of Faith you shall hear him then say to you Come you Blessed c. Isa 55.3 But alas men lose and put away that Eternal Glory by neglecting resisting and refusing this Call of Grace Here therefore take these two or three Considerations 1. Every time you neglect or refuse the Call and offer of the Gospel you put away this Glory as Act. 13.46 The Lord Calls you on his part to Eternal Glory or to come and receive both Grace and Glory in and with Christ Jesus Rom. 6.23 Heaven is offered you when Christ is offered Hence you slight and refuse and turn your backs upon all the Glory of Heaven when you neglect the Call of the Gospel or dis-accept of Christ offered therein The Salvation of God Eternal Salvation is offered to you Act. 28.28 and you will not hear on 't you despise all the wonderfull Happiness of Heaven that we have been speaking of Oh fearful wickedness monstrous madness and miserable miss of Heaven So when you will not pray nor meditate nor hear nor wait at Christ's gates It is as much as to say that you are not for Eternal Glory which is to be sought and obtained in such wayes and how Justly how unexcusably do such perish The Lord is calling you to Eternal Glory but you turn away from it 2. Consider what it is for the sake whereof you lose or turn away from this Glory and neglect the way to it Why a vile lust a vain World these are chosen and Heaven refused these have your affections when Christ and all his Glory can have none of them And so for the sake of those for this present World a heap of vanities a fashion that passeth away you lose all the good of that to come The voice of the World calling us to Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus cannot be heard for the voice of the World calling us to present Objects and things here And so for Earth men lose Heaven Mark 10.21 22. What a mad and foolish bargain and choice is this And yet thus it is there is never a sinner that misses Heaven but he chuses Earth before it 3. You lose and miss of this Glory when it was brought near to you in the Call and offer of the Gospel when according to the order of means you might have had it When you were called to Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus viz. by the outward Call of the Gospel a real Call though not to you Effectual the reflection upon this will be one day bitter and tormenting From under a Call to Heaven to drop to Hell from under a word and call and offer of Salvation to Perdition what a dreadful thing will that be i. e. in the Eternal dispensation of it you that live in the visible Church you had an Interest in the Kingdom of Heaven it was in your hands as it were left with you and you had the offer of it the dispensation of it Job 4.22 now to lose it to let it go to be dâ—prived of it For the Children of the Kingdom to be cast out that will bring with a witness wailing and weeping and gnashing of teâ—th Mat 8 12. After you have been lifted up to Heaven it will be a fearful thing to fall down to Hell Mat. 11.23 24. 3. Consider the greatness of this loss and the bitterness thereof 1. From the exceeding greatness of the good that is lost viz. Eternal Glory all the Happinss of Heaven the sweet fellowship of the Father Son and Holy-Ghost wherein is fulness of Joy c. Psal 16.11 and all the Concomitants thereof that Heaven affords Oh it is beyond our Expression or Conception All that we have before spoken of about this future happiness presents matter of meditation here aggravating this loss Go over the particulars and say I wretched sinner continuing in that Estate or if I live in sin and unbelief must lose and be thrust out from all this be seperated from the sweet pâ—esence of God from the Love of the Father the Grace of the Son and the Consolation of the Holy Ghost Be stript of Glory both in Soul and Body utterly deprived of the Image of God each spark whereof is more worth than a World Be thrust out of the Company of Saints and Angels among damned Wights and Devils Be shut out of Heaven that place of Bliss and Glory and this perpetually everlastingly for ever and for ever more Others must go in and enjoy all this But I I for my brâ—iâ—ish sinning away my day of Grace if I should go on as I have thus long done be thrust out what wailing would that produce Luk. 13.28 2. Compare herewith Worldly losses the loss of good things in this World and remember what a griefe and torment that sometimes is If you had or were but in a fair probability and expectation to have and then should lose but a great sum of Money lose your house by Fire a Commodious Dwelling a fair Estate or all that ever you have though but a little by this or that occasion much more a Kingdom a Crown what a bitter thing would that be If you do but lose a dear Friend by death a sweet Relation a yoak-Fellow a pleasant Child how
undervaluing of Heaven not to be willing to fight and strive and travail for it or not to think it worth so doing What shall we stick at a little hardship or danger or difficulty and trouble at the trouble and pains of Praying Meditating or Renouncing our Beloved sweet Lusts and Giant-like Corruptions c. when Eternal Glory is set before us when we are in choice of Heaven the Glory of all Lands that Land flowing not with Milk and Honey only but with fulness of Joy and pleasures forevermore 2. At parting with the World and the good things of it which the Lord calls us to to forsake all we have here if we will have Christ and Heaven Luk. 14.33 26. Though he does not presently call us actually to part withall but only in affection and readiness of mind and in Comparison of Christ But if he should call us actually to part withall we have as by a particular command he did the Rich man Mark 10.21 It were a shame to stick at it You that have good Estates great Possessions If Christ should bâ—d you now presently part with it give it all â—o â—hâ— poor or to the publick so to 〈◊〉 â—â—e Lord does often by his Rules call yâ—â—â—â— do a good deal that way lay it all â—â—â—n at the foot of Christ take your fareâ—ell onâ—â— truly you must do so actually e're long bâ— â—iz when a dying hour comes and it may â—â— sooner Yea indeed a man can do no duty for Christ to purpose nor follow Christ in earnest without the spirit of this and you shall have Treasure in Heaven would you stick at it and say it is an hard saying and go away sorrowful Oh the practice of many proclaims how like they would be to do as the Rich man there did and so to part with Heaven rather then part with Earth Alas if Christ Call not for all but for a little from them he cannot get it though he offer to repay it in Heavenly Teasure more than an hundred or a thousand fold Mark 10.29 30. And so it is a parting with the World for Christ and Heaven to make it subordinate and subservient to our Communion with Christ to Religious duties in their season to daily walking with God and not to be so predominant as hinder and croud out the same but how ordinarily does the world prove mens Master in this respect that when Christ's service attendance upon God and upon Religion and the Worlds service comes in Competition the former is made to give place and crouded out by the latter and the mind and affections so engaged in the World that it cannot tend upon Christ or Heaven But oh the madness here of to set Earth above Heaven Vanity above Eternal Glory or to refuse to part with or deny neglect Earth for Heaven that is a Pebble for Pearl Husks for Bread Dirt for Gold c. 3. At the Cross at Sufferings for Christs sake or from his will at those Tribulations which the Lord hath appointed to meet us and exercise us in our way to the Kingdom of Heaven Act. 14.22 Why the greatest and heaviest Afflâ—ctions that you can meet with in this World are but light think of the worst you can even such as Paul such as the Martyrs endeavoured and the longest are but for a moment compared with Heavens Glory 2 Cor. 4.17 Rom. 8.18 Is it not a shame then to stick at them or shrink from the way to Heaven the way of Faith and a good Conscience or be discouraged in it because of them to be offended with the stony ground at Religion when Tribulation attends it Mat. 23.21 or to baulk any part of the way to Heaven for fear of Tribulation Oh if we be men for Heaven we should be above those things or being moved by them Act. 20.23 24. Who sticks at a Crossing through a Brook or swamp or Miry-place when travailing toward some place of desire or for some desirable end Oh keep Heaven in your eye and then even Moses his choice will not seem an hard choice Heb. 11.24 26. May afflictions help and further thee towards Heaven so all afflictions sactified and patiently endured does and eminently those for Christ then you may rejoyce as Mat. 5.12 SERMON VII Vse 5. OF Exhortation 1. To all to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ It serves to invite perswade and draw us to Christ Jesus to close with him embrace him or believe on him according to the Call and offer of the Gospel seeing by him and by believing on him you shall obtain Eternal Glory This further great benefit is to be had with and by Christ This is part of the Estate and Riches that this great Suitor that makes love to your Souls is possessed of and will impart to all that imbrace him Your believing on him if you believe in truth shall be to Life Everlasting 1 Tim. 1.16 All the Doctrine of Christ his Person Offices Benefits is attractive unto Faith and to improve it that way is a principlal part of our scope in these Discourses and so is this part of it also that we are now upon Every one of his Benefits are full of Argument to perswade us to believâ— on him and so this of Glorification and this part of it viz. the Consummation thereof in future Eternal Glory As we improved other particulars before so let us make a little improvement of this to that which is the great end of the whole Gospel viz. to make Christ sweet to us Glorious in our eyes and to draw us to close with him And this the Text leads us to viz. Hence to lift up the voice of the Call of the Gospel in your Ears and to press you to attend and obey it For God therein Calls us to Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus Look as by Effectual Calling i. e. by obeying and answering the Call of the Gospel we are entred into a state of Eternal Glory so as to be infallibly brought unto it by Christ Jesus So the word the General Call of the Gospel Calls us to come and take to enter upon the possession of this Glory in and with Christ Jesus When the Gospel Calls us to Christ and fellowship with him by believing it Calls us to Eternal Glory Oh then hearken to this Call and obey it That is the Exhortation that we are now to press upon you here before the Lord Luk. 14.17 All things are ready provided in Christ and so this thing Eternal Glory Come in and come home to Christ Jesus Imbrace him withall your hearts receive and possess him and in and with him you shall possess Eternal Glory 1 Joh. 5.11 It is now given you in the promise upon the first day and hour of your true believing And it shall Infallibly be given to you in the accomplishment Attend and obey the Call of the Gospel a Glorious Call it is which Calls unto such Glory and the Lord will by a firm deed a sure
joyful then why should not this be so now And if you do hear his voice and come to him at his call you shall hear that blessed word then Joh. 10.27 28. as è contrà Job 21.14 with Mat. 25.41 2. Now add we some Directions to guide and help us in Believing on Christ unto life Everlasting or in coming to Christ to obtain by him Eternal Glory or Salvation 1. Know that you may and ought to come to Christ for Salvation for Eternal Life For what he gives we may take but Rom. 6.23 what he designes in giving himself to us which here is to bring us to Eternal Glory 1 Pet. 5.10 1 Thes 5.9 2 Thes 2.13 14. we may aim at in receiving him and coming to him Christ calls us to him and we may and ought to come to him for all his Benefits And we see this of Glorification and the Consummation thereof in special is part thereof see also Joh. 5.40 1 Tim. 1.16 Act. 16.31 1 Pet. 1.9 We may come to him for our own Salvation i. e. not as seperate from or in oppsition to Gods Glory which cannot be if we understand Salvation aright And that 's a second 2. Be sure you have a right conception of this Glory or Salvation or happiness of Heaven i. e. Look not at it as consisting in external sensual ease and pleasures or freedom from outward evils though an holy and sanctified outward rest and freedom from outward afflictions is a part of the good that is in Heaven but not the main that is but an adjunct But look at the Communion with God Fruition of God and perfect Conformity to his Image as the main thing in it Psal 73.25 2 Cor. 5.8 Psal 17.15 Let Your Hearts and desires be eminently set upon freedom from that great evil of sin which is a choice part of the Happiness of Heaven Heb. 12.23 and fruitton of that highest good the presence of God the fellowship of the Father Son and Holy Ghost in perfect Holiness let this be the mark and top of thy desires Neither desire the end without the way Heaven without the way to it Be willing and desirous by the Grace of Christ to begin thy Heaven here Communion with God here Holy work and holy enjoyments in all the wayes thereof here Psal 27 4 For Heaven is but the perfection of what is here bâ—gun They that begin not Heaven in this World will never find one in that to câ—me And therefore be instant with Christ not only for Grace and Comfort hereafter or at the point of Death c. but for present Grace some beginnings of it at least not limiting to measures nor expecting the sensible fulness of it till after you have waited and sought and been swimming in tears in this World and therefore not quarelling nor being discouraged because of the weakness of Grace at present so much as may keep you following after God for more For present change of Heart and Nature for Grace to enable you in measure to Glorifie God on Earth that so you may be Glorified with him in Heaven 3. Behold Christ Jesus set forth and offered in the Gospel as the Ladder to Heaven or as the only and Glorious way from out of the depth of your sin and misery unto the height of that Eternal Glory If there be an high place or loft before you you cannot gâ—t to it but if a Ladder be set up you can ascend by that As well can our heavy Earthy Bodies fly up to Heaven as our Souls ever get thither of and by themselves alas we have neither wings nor legs of our own to climb Heaven with But Chrâ—st is a Ladder tâ—iâ—her the Antitype of Jacob's Ladder by him we may ascend thither By Christ Jesus as in the Text we may obtain Glory yea he is not a dead passive Ladder only but a living way He hath living Arms and a mighty power to carry uâ— up thither to lift us up through Grace to Glory Joh. 3 13. Ephes 2.5 6. Christ dying rising ascending for us is fit and able to raise us up from death to life in Heaven Christ is a Ladder whose foot reaches low enough by his Incarnatâ—on and Humiliation even as low as our low and mean Condition yea as the dungeon of our Curse and death Gal. 3.13 and hence near and fit for us to step upon to take hold of and whose top reaches high enough even as high as the height of Heavenly Glory Genes 28.12 by his Glorious Deity and Exaltation by the infinite value of his obedience purchasing that Glory for us and by his Ascension possessing it for us and by his mighty power carrying and conducting us to it If you take hold of him and cast your selves on him by Faith he will not only as I said be as a Ladder to sustain you in going up but in the Arms of his active power and Grace he will carry you up to Eternal Glory carry you on his shoulders thither as Luk. 15.5 Joh. 10.18 1 Pet. 1.5 Hence 4. Esteem the Lord Jesus Christ as most precious and Glorious as a suitable and all-sufficient Saviour or Author of Eternal Salvation and gladly imbrace an everlasting match with him with relyance on him to carry you through Grace to this Eternal Glory 1. Seeing and beholding him as the way to Heaven and to the Enjoyment of the love favour and presence of God Joh. 14.4 6. as the Glorious Author purchaser and dispenser of Eternal Salvation Prize him highly prize him and esteem him that is one ingredient of true believing 1 Pet. 2.7 and this point is a marvelous help to it For shall not he be precious and Glorious in our eyes by whom we may obtain such Eternal Glory He that opens Heaven to us even to sinners and shall not all this World be vile and dung in our eyes in comparison of him Psal 73. in follows ver 25. 2. Prizing him take him embrace him in a Conjugal way for thy Lord and Saviour Prophet Priest and King consent to have him for thy Head and Husband for ever and to be his his Spouse Subject Servant Dependant evermore Think not to have the Estate this great Riches of Grace and Glory Eternal Glory without marrying the person the Benefits without Christ himself Having the Son himself you have and shall have Eternal Life 1 Joh. 5.11 12. It is given in and with him Rom. 6.23 And therefore you must take Christ himself if you would have or get a sure Interest in this Glory 3. Taking him rest and relie on him for Salvation or for obtaining this Eternal Glory Relie on his righteousness and obedience to procure and purchase it Heb. 9.12 and to give you a lawful Judicial Title to it Rom. 5.21 that now having in him pleased God and fulfilled the Law you shall live for ever on his Ascension and continual intercession to prepare and maintain a place and room for you in that Glory Joh.
liberty this way and is spiritually fixed how sweet are they But this meditation brings in marrow and fatness much Spiritual Joy and Comfort Psal 63.5 6. He that hath attained the excellency of spiritual and Heavenly mindedness he hath clear evidence for Heaven yea Heaven is already bâ—gun with him 5. In special be much in self-examination and tryal of ouâ— estates which ought to be one eminent and frequent subject of our meditation 2 Cor. 13.5 God gives assurance in the way of means and of this means in special Pursue and follow home in frequent self-examination by applying and considering the Scripture-evidences of a state of Salvation and searching whether they be found with thee so shall you come acquainted with your own estate and the spirit breaths in that way to help us to know the things that are freely given us of God 1 Cor. 2.12 for the spirit bears witness with our spirits or Consciences Rom. 8.16 And our spirits come to bear witness or give verdict for us in a way of reflecting upon searching our selves comparing our selves with the word and Judging our selves accordingly Think it not enough to hear of marks and evidences of a good estate but use them apply them home to your Souls and make a sad enquiry whether it be so and so with thee And this leads us to the second thing mentioned viz. Tryals whether we be those that shall be certainly saved or get to Heaven to this Eternal Glory the Text speaks of And we may conclude Affirmatively Evid 1. If our Souls do chuse God Communion with him for our portion our chiefe good and blessedness If ouâ— minds or judgments esteem our wills imbrace and affections adhere unto desire love delight in God and the enjoyment of him as our happiness If that be the portion the whole happiness that our Souls chuse that we might have the favour fellowship and fruition of God Father Son and Holy Ghost for evermore For Heaven as we have said mainly consists in the fruition of God if that be the portion our Souls fix upon then we are men for Heaven That portion is presented to us and left with us in our first entrance into Christianity being expressed in our Baptism the name of Father Son and Holy Ghost And the fruition of that name the full enjoyment of God Father Son and Holy Ghost in all the manifestations and communications of himself this is the end of our Christian race and makes up the perfection of Glory in Heaven Consider hath the Lord so shewed thee the vanity of all other portions and things the emptiness that is in thy self and the excellency of this portion to have the blessed God for thine according to the whole Covenant of his Grace 2 Sam. 23.5 so as to take up with this and this only that thou canst say as Psal 73.25 and 27.4 that is the voice and spirit of the holy Saints in Scripture and so of every truly gracious heart Psal 16.5 6. It may happily be said still how shall we know this Why this one would think should be a sensible and palpable thing what a man makes his chief good what his heart is set upon and he pursues and seeks as the designe and desire of his heart and life and places his Happiness his All in When the covetous man makes money and wealth his main design his chief good may not he himself easily see that his heart is set there yea even others may see it He subordinates all to that and makes that the business of his life that Interest carries him still at every turn that Byasses him And the same you may say of the Ambitious man for his honour the Voluptuous man for his pleasures c. And truly this may be seen in the Godly man that he is for God and for the service and Glory of God for Communion with him and enjoyment of him in all his wayes that is his one thing Psal 27.4 there his spirit runs Rom. 1.9 He subordinates all to that directs all his endeavours and labours to that 1 Cor. 5.8 9. That is the Interest that carries him there you shall find him in all changes when he is himself at least he may be shaken a little by Temptation and violently hurried this way and that way but the Needle of his Soul returns to that North pole and rests not till it stand fixed there As it is with the Needle of a Compass touched by the Loadstone you may by violence shake it this way and that way but thither it will return and there will fix and stand toward the North. He will be for God still 2 Cor. 5.13 for God and so for his people and wayes and Truth and Ordinances for they go together nothing can buy him off from that Interest Cant. 8.6 7. Oh wonderful is the Efficacy in the turn that God gives to the Soul in the work of Conversion and so in the after impress of Sactification that henceforth the Soul stands bent for God set for God and all the temptations affrightments allurements of Hell and the World shall never utterly turn it away from him And truly Christians should so act and walk as to declare plainly what they are for what the chief good and portion they seek is as Heb. 11.14 The Covetous man declares plainly that he is for money and the Voluptuous man declares plainly he is for pleasures of the flesh for his Cups c. Oh the Godly man should declare plainly that he is for God and for Heaven for the Glorifying and enjoying of God for evermore And verily God will have his time sooner or later to try men to the quick wâ—o and what they are are you for this or that worldly Interest for wealth or for being uppermost in the World envying those that are any higher than you or for liberty to sin c. Why then that will carry you away from God and from his wayes and interest when God and Mammon part then you will follow Mammon But if you be indeed for God and you seek Davids one thing Psal 27.4 If that be the master Interest in your Souls then you will cleave to God whatever come and many waters shall not be able to quench your love to him SERMON IX 2. IF we truly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ he that believes on Christ shall get to Heaven the Scripture is plain for that Act. 16.31 Joh. 3.16 and 6.47 he that shall live an everlasting life must go to Heaven to live that life there for ever there is no living an everlasting life in this World 1 Joh. 5.10 11 13. Christ is the Ladder to Heaven as we said the last time he that sets the foot of Faith on that Ladder shall be carryed up thither though no worthiness of his own to deserve or obtain it no strength of his own to ascend to it 1 Pet. 1.5 Now for the discovery of a true Faith in Christ you often hear of
yet fear them not with any discouraging dismaying fear for they are but a small matter compared with the Glory that follows Rom. 8.18 2 Cor. 4.17 And also you shall be sure to get well through them if you be sure to get to Heaven as every true Believer is then you are sure to get well and safe through all the troubles that ly on this side Heaven If a man in his Journey come to a place of mire or water if he apprehend danger of drowning or of not getting safe through that drâ—ads him but if no danger of that if sure to get well through why the present trouble or hardship of wetting his foot putting thâ—m in the cold water c. he makes nothing of that Why all that are true Believers God hath assured you of this that you shall never come to any bad place to any trouble or tryal in all the way to Heaven but you shall get well through and safe to Heaven at last Isa 43.2 Why then the present trouble of a little hardship and pain to the flesh should be no great trouble to you 1 Pet. 1.4 5 6. But when troubles are in the Earth as they are even to astonishment to this day then should you go up and find Comfort in Heaven If you have Heaven to set against Earth and all Earthly evils you have enough While we tarry below or look only downward or round about us we may sink as Peter on the water But look upward away to Heaven look up stedfastly into Heaven with Stephen and there all is calm and comfortable and speaks more peace and Comfort to the faithful than all the World can speak trouble 3. Against all the difficulties straits and conflicts that lye in the way to Heaven The way indeed is strait and hard to flesh and blood Mat. 7.14 it is full of troubles from the World of temptations from Satan oppositions from the flesh tryalls from God requiring a continual warfare conflict and exercise in all these respects and much pains and care both to get into and keep in the right way It is so way-laid with enemies that you must be fain to fight at every step 1 Tim. 4.6 12. Be it so yet there is that in the end that does infinitely over-ballance all the troubles in the way It is but going through a miry-lane to a wealthy Palace or breaking through a rainy-day to go at the time appointed to take possession of a great Estate who sticks at that We have sometimes mentioned that passage of Chrysostom vid. apud Burroughs on the Excellency of the Soul page 358. great difficulties are rendred small when the matter is exceeding great for which they are gone through Who thinks it much to ride and run through frost and snow mire and water night and day when a Kingdom nay but a private Estate an Inheritance a good sum of Money lyes at stake Men will go through great pains and difficulties and make nothing of it for those things which the World accounts great But they are all trifles to Heaven 1 Cor. 9.25 Remember the greatness of Heaven's Glory that will lessen and lighten 2 Cor. 4.17 yea sweeten all your labour and travail to it Look upon the end when you are pressed with the difficulties of the way so Moses did Heb. 11.26 and Paul did 2 Cor. 4.18 Eternal Glory is worth Travelling for worth Praying for waiting watching for worth sweating suffering striving fighting for and it will quit cost and make amends to the full Israel had good reason to venture through hazards and difficulties and to go on clearly through them all when as Canaan was such an exceeding good Land Numb 14.7 8 9. Psal 106.24 so here But seeing you are called to Eternal Glory travail on cheerily thitherward though it be through hardships and difficulties stick not at them there is that in the end and that promise of certain assistance in the way that is enough to carry you through Heaven will make amends for all 4. Against those spiritual evils and wants that you are here labouring under which of all other are the sorest exercise and saddest discouragement to a gracious heart Heaven will cure them all the very fore-thoughts whereof is full of Comfort 1. Sin and remainders of Corruption that is the great and bitter complaint and vexation of the Saints Rom. 7.24 that they never be free in no duty at no time but still evil is present with them and oft in the prevailings of Corruptions and hurrying impressions of sin make work for bitter repentance And after all means mercies afflictions Prayers yet the indwelling Corruption returnes and appears again c. Why e're long you shall be rid of this troublesome inmate Heaven shall set you free for ever No body of death there none of the old man shall accompany you thither The time is coming oh happy time the very thoughts of it may make you leap for Joy when you shall never have vain thought more never be troubled with corruption more never feel any unsavoury heart more never vexed with temptations more but among the spirits made perfect serving and enjoying God with sin without weariness without interruption and end Heaven was never defiled with sin the Devil did not sin there but in this lower World and was shut out of Heaven for his sin nor ever shall be In that holy place you shall be perfectly holy for ever Hence 2. Heaven will cure the imperfection of Grace which we groan under here having none but the first fruits of the spirit Rom. 8.23 We groan under spiritual imperfections wants weaknesses Grace though begun is is but low and little and weak Hence we are pressed with spiritual wants both of Holiness and Comfort falling short in every thing our attainments poor and defective We are mourning and striving after perfection but reach it not But in Glory Grace will be perfected that is a state of perfection Heb. 12.23 Every Saint will then become to a perfect man Eph. 4.13 no longer a babe and childish rather Carnal than Spiritual as man 1 Cor. 3.1 and 13.9 10 11 12. Oh glorious and happy day when the Image of Christ shall be compleated in us and we shall be fully like him 1 Joh. 3.2 you shall then have that fulness of Grace and spirit which you are now praying and mourning Then will all your Prayers be answered all promises fulfilled to the height and as Josh 23.14 The day is coming when every Grace shall be full grown when there shall be perfect love perfect holiness perfect knowledge perfect unity perfect conformity to the will of God A dram of Grace is more worth than all the World but what will Grace in perfection be when you shall be filled with all the fulness of God as full of God as you can hold or can desire to be Never any more complaints of want or weakness to be sure then there shall be such a time and that