The Life of Faith, Part 3 · Chapter 26

The Life of Faith · Part 3 · Chapter 26

p. 556CHAP. XXVI. How by Faith to be followers of the Saints, and to look with profit to their examples, and to their end.

THE great work of living in Heaven by Faith, I have ſaid ſo much of as to the principal part in my [Saints Reſt] that no more of that muſt be expected here. Only this ſubject which is not ſo uſually and fully treated of, to the people as it it ought (being one part of our heavenly converſation) I think meet to ſpeak to more diſtinctly at this time.

As we are commanded firſt, to look to Jeſus the Author and perfecter of our faith, Heb. 12.2, 3. ſo are we commanded to remember our guides, and to follow their faith, and conſider the end of their converſation, Heb. 13.7. And not to be ſlothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promiſes, Heb. 6.12. To which end we have a cloud of witneſſes ſet before us, in Heb. 11. that next to Jeſus whom they followed, we ſhould look to them, and follow them, Jam. 5.10. My Brethren, take the Prophets for an example —

The Reaſons of this duty are theſe.

1. God hath made them our examples two waies: 1. By his graces, making them holy and fit for our imitation. He gave them their gifts, not only for themſelves, nor only for that preſent generation, but for us alſo, and all that muſt ſurvive, to the end of the world. As it is ſaid of Abrahams Juſtification, Rom. 4.23, 24. It was ſaid that Faith was imputed to him for righteouſneſs, not for his ſake alone, but for us alſo to whom it ſhall be imputed if we believe—So I may ſay in this caſe; their faith, their piety, their patience was given them, and is recorded, not for their ſalvation, or their honour only; but alſo to further the ſalvation of their poſterity, by encouragement and imitation. If all things are for our ſakes, 2 Cor. 4.15. then the graces of Gods Saints were for our ſakes: For the Churches edification it is that Chriſt giveth both offices, gifts and graces to his Miniſters, Epheſ. 4.5, 12, 14, 15, 16. yea and ſufferings too, Phil. 1.12, 20. 2 Cor. 1.4, 6. 2 Tim. 2.10. I endure all things for the elects ſake.

p. 5572. By commanding us to follow them, 2 Theſ. 3.7, 9. For your ſelves know how ye ought to follow us —To make our ſelves an example for you to follow us, Phil. 3.17. Be followers together of me, and mark them that ſo walk, as ye have us for an enſample, 1 Cor. 4.16. I beſeech you be followers of me, 1 Theſ. 1.6. Ye became followers of us, and of the Lord: So well are both examples conſiſtent.

2. The likeneſs of other mens caſes to ours, is greatly uſeful to our direction and encouragement. If we are to travel in dangerous waies, we will be glad to hear how others have ſped before us; and if we were to deal with a crafty deceiver, we would willingly adviſe with others that have dealt with him. If we be to learn any Trade or Artifice, we would learn it of them who with beſt ſucceſs have practiſed it before us. If we are ſick of any diſeaſe, we are glad to talk with them that have had the ſame, and have been cured of it; to hear what means they uſed for their cure. In all ſuch caſes reaſon teacheth us, both to obſerve how others were affected; whether their caſe and ours were the ſame; what courſe they took; and how they ſped; eſpecially if they were perſons known to us, and the likeneſs of their caſe well known; and if they were ſuch as for wiſdom and fidelity we could truſt: So is it in this great buſineſs of our ſalvation. We have nothing to do, but what many thouſands have done before us; nothing to ſuffer but what they have ſuffered; no temptation to reſiſt, but what they have been aſſaulted with, and overcame, 1 Cor. 10.13. and we want no grace, no help or comfort, but what they did attain: And the glory which we ſeek and hope for, they poſſeſs. To look to them therefore, muſt needs be uſeful to us in this our wilderneſs ſtate.

3. And as experience is a powerful Teacher; ſo to be the Maſter of other mens experiences, and ſo many, and ſo wiſe, and in ſuch various caſes, and in ſo many ages, muſt needs be very uſeful to us. We that are born in the laſt ages of the world, have the benefit of the experience of all the world that have gone before us: Therefore is the Scripture written ſo much hiſtorically; that all who are there mentioned, may ſtill be our inſtructors. Even the firſt brethren that were born into the world, were ſo plain a diſcovery of the nature of ſin and p. 558grace, and of the difference of the womans and the Serpents ſeed, that their hiſtory is uſeful to all generations. And Abel by his faith, and ſacrifice, and righteouſneſs, being dead (by malignant cruelty) yet ſpeaketh, Heb. 11.4. He that will but ſoberly look back to all the worlds experience, may quickly be reſolved, whether wiſdom or folly, labour or idleneſs, godlineſs or ungodlineſs, temperance or ſenſuality, furthering the Goſpel of Chriſt, or perſecuting it, have ſped better at the laſt, and hath proved beſt to the actors upon full experience.

I ſhall therefore here give you ſome directions how you may believingly follow the Saints. And firſt obſerve that the duty hath theſe parts, which you muſt diſtinctly mind; 1. To take them for your examples under Chriſt, and ſo to fix your eyes upon them, and look at them, and mind them as examples, muſt be minded: 2. To improve theſe examples which you look upon: And that is, 1. For your direction in duty, and for your warning againſt ſin: 2. To your encouragement and conſolation.

Direct. 1. Look after them to their end, and conſider 1. Whither they are gone: We ſee nothing of them after death, but the corpſe which we leave in duſt and darkneſs: But Faith can attend their ſouls to glory, and ſee where they now are; even with Chriſt, according to his promiſe, John 12.26. Phil. 1.23. John 17.24, with Angels, and with one another, in the heavenly ſociety, the City of God.

2. What they are doing: And Faith can ſee that they are beholding God, and their glorified Redeemer, Matth. 5.8. Heb. 12.14. 1 John 3.2. They are loving God with perfect Love, 1 Cor. 12. & 13.1, 2, &c. They are praiſing him with perfect alacrity and joy; ſaying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, &c. Rev. 4.8. They are ſo far minding the ſtate of the world, as to cry, How long, O Lord, holy and true, doſt thou not judge and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth: And they are waiting in white Robes, till their fellow ſervants alſo, and their brethren that ſhall be killed as they were, ſhall be fulfilled, Rev. 6.10, 11. They are rejoycing when the enemies of Chriſt and his Church are ſubdued, Rev. 18.20. And they ſhall judge the malignant Angels and the world, 1 Cor. 4.2, 3. And this ſeemeth p. 559not to be only an approbation of Chriſts final Judgment: For 1. Judging is very often put in Scripture for governing: As in the book of the Judges, it is ſaid, ſuch and ſuch a one judged Iſrael; that is, ruled them according to the Laws of God. 2. And a Kingdom and Reign is often promiſed to the Saints: To him that overcometh will I grant to ſit with me in my Throne, even as I alſo overcame, and am ſet down with my Father in his Throne, Rev. 3.21. Which muſt needs ſignifie ſome participation in power of Government, and not only in ſplendor of Glory. And ſo Chriſt expoundeth, Matth. 19.28. Luke 22.30. Ye which have followed me, in the regeneration ſhall ſit on twelve Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Iſrael. (And of God it is ſaid, Pſal. 9.4. Thou ſa…eſt in the Thrones judging right.) It is too jejune and forced an expoſition of them that ſay this is ſpoken only of the power which the Apoſtles had in their miniſtration on earth: And as abſurd is the other, that it is ſpoken only of Apoſtles, Paſtors, and Saints, and Martyrs in ſpecie that their ſucceſſors ſhall be Popes and Prelates, and great men in the world, and the Saints be uppermoſt after Conſtantines converſion. As if the promiſe meant only to reward one man, becauſe another ſuffered for Chriſt, and God had promiſed theſe great things, not to the perſons mentioned, but to others that ſhould be their ſucceſſors; yea as if that Venom then poured into the Church, were all the benediction. And though I know not what changes are yet to come before the final Judgment, yet the Millenaries opinion, who reſtrain all this to an earthly temporal reign of ſome Saints for a thouſand years, doth ſeem as unſatisfactory on many accounts. It is moſt likely therefore that as the wicked (who are now very like them) muſt be hereafter of the ſame Region and Society with the Devil and his Angels, (Matth. 25.41.) And as the godly ſhall be like and equal to the Angels, Luke 20.36. ſo we ſhall be of the ſame Society with the Angels; and conſequently ſhall have their employment. And as the Angels have a Miniſterial Stewardſhip or Superintendency over men and their affairs (as many Scriptures fully ſhew) ſo alſo ſhall the Saints: And it is not likely that this is wholly deferred till the reſurrection; but as they have a Glory before that with Chriſt and his Angels; ſo they have now their part in this Superintendency p. 560before; though both will be greater at the Reſurrection. If any ſay, what uſe will there be of our ſuperiority, after the world is deſtroyed? I anſwer, 1. The Apoſtle Peter plainly telleth us (though ſome would force his words into the dark) that we according to his promiſe, expect a new Heaven and a new Earth, in which dwelleth righteouſneſs. And the Creation groaneth to be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God, Rom. 8.21. And the Heavens muſt contain Chriſt, till the times of Reſtitution of all things, which God hath ſpoken by the mouth of all his holy Prophets, ſince the world began, Acts 3.21. 2. And he that ſaid, the Saints ſhall judge the Angels, ſeemeth ſo intimate, that the Devils with the wicked will be in a ſtate of ſubjection or ſervitude to them hereafter. Certain it is, that Michael and his Angels ſhall be the conquerours of the Dragon and his Angels, Rev. 12.7, 9. And that the Serpents head ſhall be bruiſed by all the womans ſeed, though chiefly by the Captain of our ſalvation. But this ſhall now ſuffice concerning their employment.

3. Behold alſo by Faith what the departed Saints are now enjoying. And what is ſaid of their place and work will tell you that. They enjoy the fight of their glorified Head, Joh. 17.24. They are with him in Paradiſe, and therefore alſo enjoy the ſight of the Glory of God: Being abſent from the body, they are preſent with the Lord, 2 Cor. 5.8. They ſee not as in a glaſs, as here they did, but with open face. They enjoy the pleaſures of a more perfect knowledge of God and all his wondrous works, than this world affords. They are happy in their works, in the perfect Love and Praiſes of God; and they are filled with the pleaſures of his Love to them. This is their fruition.

4. Let Faith alſo behold what evils they are delivered from. 1. From a heavy droſſy body which ſince the fall hath been an enemy, a priſon and fetters to the ſoul: and therefore they here groaned to be better cloathed, 2 Cor. 5.4, 5. Rom. 8.21. 2. From the worlds temptations: 3. From wicked mens malice and perſecutions: 4. From ſickneſs, pain, neceſſities, labours, wearineſs, and all the troubleſome effects of ſin: 5. From all troubleſome paſſions, deſires, anger, diſcontent, diſappointments, griefs, and cares, and fears of evil. 6. Specially from the fears of Hell, and the doubts of their own ſincerity p. 561and ſalvation; and from the deſertions of God, and the terrible ſenſe of his diſpleaſure. 7. From the troubles and errours of ignorance, and all our natural imperfection. 8. From the fears of death, which now is more painful than death it ſelf. 9. From the ſuggeſtions of Satan, and his malicious vexing diſquieting temptations, and from his flattering allurements, which are much worſe. 10. From the company, and the tempting or grieving examples of ungodly men. 11. From all ſin it ſelf, and all our moral imperfections and defects. 12. And finally from all danger, and fear of ever loſing the felicity they poſſeſs. Theſe are the immunities of the bleſſed.

2. When Faith hath ſeen the Saints in Glory, look back and think next what they were lately here on earth; that it may help you to compare your ſtate and theirs. And here you will ſee 1. That they were lately in fleſh, as we now are. They had bodies as droſſie, as vile, as frail, as burdenſome as ours are. It coſt them as dear (not as it doth the ſenſual, but) as it doth the temperate perſon now to keep them up a while for the ſervice to which they were appointed. 2. They had pains and ſickneſſes as we have. The ſouls in Heaven have eſcaped thither from bodies which have lain as long tormented with the Stone, with Stranguries, Collicks, Gripes, Convulſions, Conſumptions, Feavers, and other the moſt tedious, painful and lothſome diſeaſes, as ſober men on earth now feel. 3. Satan was as malicious to them, as he is to us; and to many of them as troubleſome: he haunted them with as ugly temptations, to the greateſt ſins, to unbelief, and pride, and deſpair, and ſelf-murder, and horrid blaſphemy, as he doth any of us. (Yea he did ſo by Chriſt himſelf, Matth. 4.) 4. They met with as many allurements to worldlineſs, ſenſuality, pride and luſt in the worlds deceiving baits, and flatteries, as now we do; and were fain to proceed every ſtep towards Heaven, by conflict and conqueſt as we muſt do. 5. They were in as many wants and ſtraits; in as poor, and low, and deſpiſed a ſtate, as we are now: They were tempted to cares, and murmurings, and diſcontents, through their wants and croſſes, as well as we. 6. They have been in dangers, and in fears, and many a time at the brink of death, before it came: and put to cry to God p. 562for deliverance in the terrours and anguiſh of their hearts. Their fleſh, and heart, and friends have failed them, and all the creatures caſt them off. 7. They have gone through far greater perſecutions for the ſake of Chriſt and righteouſneſs, than ever we did: So perſecuted they the Prophets before you, Mat. 5.11, 12. Which of the Prophets did not your Fathers kill and perſecute? even of them for whom their poſterity erected Monuments? Matth. 23.36, 37, 38. We have not reſiſted unto blood, as many of them did, Heb. 11. The ſame and greater afflictions which we have undergone, were accompliſhed on our brethren in this world, 1 Pet. 5.9. We go through the ſame conflict as they did, Phil. 1.30. We are no more falſly nor odiouſly ſlandered in any of our ſufferings than they were, Mat. 5.11, 12. 8. They were men of like paſſions as we are; for ſo James ſaith even of Elias, that was carryed to Heaven without our kind of death. They had their ignorances, uncertainties, doubts, miſtakes; their dark thoughts of God, and that world where they now are. Many of them knew as little of it, till they ſaw it, as we do now. Many a fearful trembling hour, many a thought that God had forſaken them, and that the day of grace was paſt, have many of them had as well as we. 9. Yea they were imperfect in all their graces; they had an imperfect faith, an imperfect hope, an imperfect Love to God and man, and many an hour in ſuch groans as ours now are, O when ſhall we be ſaved from our darkneſs and unbelief! when ſhall we better love the Lord! 10. They had their actual ſins alſo. (Though none that were regnant after converſion) their obedience was imperfect as ours now is. Many of their faults and falls are left on record for our warning. There is not one humane ſoul in Heaven beſides our Saviours, that was not once a ſinner: They all came thither by a Redeemer as we muſt do. They had their too great ſelfiſhneſs, Phil. 2.21. They had their puſillanimity and fears of men (as Peter and the Apoſtles.) They had their ſinful controverſies, as Paul and Barnabas; and ſinful ſeparations in complyance with the cenſorious, as Peter and Barnabas had, Gal. 2.16, 17. They had their carnal ſidings, factions and diviſions in the Church, 1 Cor. 1. & 3. Many a time have they been put to groan, O wretched man, who ſhall deliver me from this body of death, p. 563Rom. 7, &c. 11. They had as difficult duties to go through, as any of us: They were put upon as many tears and troubles, watchings and travels, faſtings and ſelf-denyal, as the moſt laborious and ſuffering Chriſtians now. 12. They had as long delayes of the accompliſhment of their deſires, as any of us. 13. And laſtly, they paſt through death it ſelf, as we muſt do. They lay gaſping on their beds of langu…ſhing, and death broke in upon every part, and they underwent that ſeparation of ſoul and body, as we muſt do: Their fleſh was turned to rottenneſs and duſt, and laid out of the ſight of man in darkneſs, and remaineth to this day as common earth.

All this the Saints in Heaven have undergone. This was their caſe a while ago, who are now in glory. And this was not only the caſe of ſome few, but of thouſands and millions, and that in the moſt of theſe particulars, even of all that are gone before us unto bleſſedneſs: It is not we that are tempted firſt, that are perſecuted or afflicted firſt, that have ſinned firſt, that muſt die firſt; but all this hoſt hath broke the Ice, and are ſafely paſt through this Red Sea, and are now triumphing in felicity with their Saviour.

Direct. 3. Let Faith next look back, and ſee by what way theſe Saints have come to this felicity; I mean, by what means they did overcome, and win the Crown. And briefly, you will find, 1. That they all came to Heaven by the Mediation, the Sacrifice, the meritorious Righteouſneſs of a Redeemer, Jeſus Chriſt (either as promiſed, or as incarnate) none of them were juſtified by the works of the Law, or the Covenant of Innocency.

2. That their common way was by Faith, Repentance, Love and Obedience; Not by works of Righteouſneſs, which we have done, but according to his mercy he ſaved us, by the waſhing of Regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghoſt, which he ſhed o… us abundently through Chriſt, Titus 3.5. Even by the triple Image of the Divine perfections, Power, Love and Wiſdom, 2 Tim. 1.7. They lived ſoberly, righteouſly and godly in the world, and were zealous of good works, looking for the bleſſed hope which they have attained, Titus 2.14, 15. Knowing that Repentance towards God, and Faith towards our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, are the ſumm of ſaving doctrine and duty, Acts 20.21. And p. 564that to fear God and keep his Commandments, is the whole duty of man, Eccleſ. 12.13. And that the end of the Commandment is Charity, out of a pure heart, and a good conſcience, and of faith unfeigned, 1 Tim. 1.5. and that Love is the fulfilling of the Law.

3. They ſtudied the Word of God, or ſuch means of knowing him as God afforded them, in order to the attaining and maintaining of theſe graces, Pſal. 1.2. and ſought the Lord with all their hearts, while he might be found, and called upon him while he was near, Iſa. 55.6, 10. And did not preſumptuouſly neglect Gods helps, and deſpiſe his Word, while they truſted for his mercy.

4. They lived in a continual conflict againſt the temptations of the Devil, the world and the fleſh, and in the main did conquer as well as ſtrive. They made it their work to mortifie thoſe fleſhly luſts, which others make it their intereſt and work to pleaſe, Gal. 5.17.21, 22. & 6.14.

5. They ſuffered afflictions and perſecutions patiently; and being reviled, they did not revile: They loved their enemies, and bleſt thoſe that curſe them, and prayed for thoſe that deſpitefully uſed and perſecuted them, Matth. 5.44 45. 1 Cor. 4.11, 12, 13. 2 Cor. 1.6, 7. Heb. 11. They would not accept of deliverance from impriſonment, torments and death, upon ſinning terms.

6. They endured to the end, and did not fall off and forſake the Covenant of their God, Rev. 2. & 3.

7. Laſtly, They did all this by the motive of their hopes of Heaven, and by a confidence in the promiſes of it, and in a heavenly mind and converſation, as knowing that they did not labour or ſuffer in vain, 1 Cor. 15.58. 2 Cor. 4.17. 1 Tim. 4.10. Rom. 8.18. Matth. 5.11. 2 Theſ. 1.6, 7. Heb. 12.2.

This was the way by which the Saints have gone to Heaven; the only true ſucceſsful way.

Direct. 4. Conſider next what helps and means God gave them for this work, and compare our own with them, and ſee whether ours be not as great.

1. We have the ſame natural capacity as they: we are intellectual free agents, made for another world, and capable of all that they attained. There is no difference in our natural faculties.

p. 5652. We have the ſame God to ſhew us mercy, 1 Cor. 12.5, There are divers operations, but the ſame God, Epheſ. 4.4, 5. There is one God, one Lord, &c. even the Lord over all, good to all that call upon him, Rom. 10.12. The ſame mercy which called them, and waited on them, calleth us, even a God who hath no reſpect of perſons; but in every Nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteouſneſs, is accepted of him, Acts 10.37. Though he be a free benefactor, he is a righteous Judge, and he is good to all, and the Father of every member of his Son.

3. They had the ſame Saviour as we have; the ſame ſacrifice for their ſins; the ſame Teacher, and the ſame example; the ſame interceſſor with the Father: For though there be divers adminiſtrations, there is the ſame Lord, 1 Cor. 12.5. Epheſ. 4.4. For other foundation can no man lay, than him who is the chief corner ſtone, 1 Cor. 3.11. They all did eat of the ſame ſpiritual meat, and drank of the ſame rock as we do, which is Chriſt, 1 Cor. 10.3, 4. It was the reproach of Chriſt which Moſes in Egypt eſteemed better than their treaſures, Heb. 11.26. The ſame Phyſician of ſouls who hath us in cure, did cure all them: The ſame Captain who is conducting us to ſalvation, is he that ſaved them. The ſame Prince of the Covenant, and Lord of life, who conquered death and all their enemies, hath conquered them for us, and is preparing us for life with them. They had no greater, or better High Prieſt and Mediator with God than we have.

4. They had the ſame Rule to walk by, and the ſame way to go, as all we have, Gal. 1.7, 8. & 6.16. Phil. 3.14, 15. The ſame Goſpel and Word of God, in the main, though under various promulgations and adminiſtrations: Thoſe before the flood were under the Covenant of the promiſed ſeed, made univerſally to mankind in Adam. Thoſe after the flood were under the ſame Covenant renewed univerſally to mankind in Noah. The Iſraelites were under the ſame Covenant renewed to them ſpecially in Abraham, with ſpecial additions; and after under that Covenant ſeconded with the Law which was given to Moſes: And all Chriſtians after Chriſts Reſurrection are under the perfected Covenant of Grace, and have the ſame word of ſalvation for their rule; even the Goſpel of Chriſt, which is the power of God, to the ſalvation of every one that believeth, Rom. 1.16.

p. 5665. They had but the ſame Promiſes in this Covenant to believe, and to aſſure them of the ſalvation which they now poſſeſs. They had no other charter from God to ſhew, nor any but this univerſal act of oblivion to truſt to for the pardon of all their ſins, which we have to truſt to for the pardon of ours, John 3.16.18. Mark 16.16. The promiſe which was made to the Jews, and to their children, was made alſo to them that are afar off, and to as many as the Lord ſhall call, Acts 2.39. For the promiſe that he ſhould be heir of the world, was not to Abraham or his ſeed through the Law, but through the righteouſneſs of faith, Rom. 4.13. And therefore it was of faith, that it might be by grace, to the end the promiſe might be ſure to all the ſeed, not only to that which is of the Law, but to that alſo which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, v. 16. That it might appear that God juſtified not Abraham for any peculiar carnal priviledge, but as a Believer, which is a reaſon common to him with all Believers: To whom alſo their faith ſhall be imputed for righteouſneſs, v. 24. Godlineſs ſtill is profitable to all things, having the promiſe of the life that now is, and of that which is to come, 1 Tim. 4.8.

Yea what difference there is in both theſe forementioned reſpects, it is to our advantage: we have the moſt perfected Rule, and the fulleſt Promiſes; and we have many Promiſes fulfilled to us, which were not fulfilled to them in their daies, Heb. 11. laſt. And we are nearer the final accompliſhment of all the promiſes.

6. They had the ſame Motives to faith, and patience, and godlineſs as we have: They could have no greater happineſs offered them, nor any greater puniſhment threatned, to drive them from ſin by fear: They could have no higher ends than ours; nor any nobler reaſons to be religious. The ſame reaſons and ends did bring them through all temptations and difficulties, to everlaſting life, which we have alſo to ſatisfie us, and to carry us on, 2 Tim. 4.8.

7. The ſame ſpirit did illuminate, ſanctifie and quicken them, which is illuminating, ſanctifying, and quickening us. All the moſt excellent and heavenly endowments and workings of their ſouls, were wrought by the ſame operator who is ſtill at work in all the Saints, Rom. 8.9. There are diverſities of gifts, p. 567but the ſame Spirit, 1 Cor. 12.4. We have the ſame Spirit of Faith, 2 Cor. 4.13. All that are Sons have the ſame Spirit of the Son, even the Spirit of Adoption, Gal. 4.6. Rom. 8.16.26. which is the Spirit of Power, of Love, and of a ſound mind, 2 Tim. 1.7. We have the ſame Almighty Power within us, to deſtroy our ſins, to raiſe up our ſluggiſh hearts to God, to keep us in his Love, to overcome the fleſh, which did all theſe excellent works in them. We are ſealed with the ſame ſeal, and are known by the ſame mark, 1 John 3.24. and are actuated by the ſame heavenly principle as they were.

8. We are members of the ſame univerſal Church, which is the body of Chriſt: For there is but one body, whatever diverſity of the members there be, Epheſ. 4.4, 5, 6, 7, 12. 1 Cor. 12. We are members of the ſame City and Family of God, Epheſ. 2.19. We are in the ſame Ship which conveyed them to the Haven: We are Diſciples in the ſame School, where they learnt the way to life eternal: We are workmen in the ſame Vineyard, where they procured their reward.

9. They had the ſame work to do as we have; the ſame God to love and ſerve; the ſame Chriſt to believe in; the ſame Spirit to obey; the ſame things to believe (in the main) the ſame things to deſire and pray for; the ſame things to love, and the ſame to hate; the ſame things (in the main) which are ſin to us, were ſin to them, and the ſame life of holineſs, temperance and righteouſneſs, which is commanded us, was commanded them. They had the ſame temptations to reſiſt, and the ſame fleſhly mind to overcome, and the ſame ſenſes, and appetites, and paſſions to rule; the ſame enemies to overcome; and the ſame or greater ſufferings to bear, as is ſaid before.

10. They had but the ſame means and helps as we have (except ſome Prophets and Apoſtles, and extraordinary perſons in one age:) And what they received of the Lord, they have delivered unto us, 1 Cor. 11.23. We have the ſame Goſpel to to teach us; the ſame Sacraments to initiate and confirm us▪ the ſame Paſtors and Teachers, for office, to inſtruct us, Epheſ. 4.12, 13, 14, 16. Matth. 28.20. Faſting, and Prayer, and Thanksgiving, and Church-communion, and mutual Exhortation, which are our helps and means, were theirs.

11. The ſame method of Providence which carryed them on, p. 568is ſtill on foot for all the Saints, Pſal. 145.9, 18. & 86.5. He broke them, and bound them up; he caſt them down, and raiſed them, as he doth us now: He made them contrite, and then did comfort them: He led them through as rude a wilderneſs, and they had as many wild beaſts to aſſault them, and as many dangers round about them as we have: They had ſeaſons of adverſity, and ſeaſons of proſperity; their ſtormy and their ſunſhine daies; their troubles, which quickened their cryes to God, and the gracious anſwer of thoſe cryes; and were led to Heaven in the ſame courſe of providence as we are.

12. And, to conclude, the ſame Heaven is prepared for us, and offered, yea given to us, which they poſſeſs. It is ours in right, though our title be not abſolutely perfect, till we have finally preſevered and overcome: We are heirs of God, and co-heirs with Chriſt, having his ſeal and earneſt; if ſo be that we ſuffer with him, that we may be glorified with him, Rom. 15.16.17. The Kingdom is prepared for all them that love him. Chriſt prayed for all that the Father had given him; and for all that ſhould believe by his Word, John 17.2, 20, 27. even that they may have eternal life, and may be with him where he is, to ſee his glory: Whoſoever believeth ſhall not periſh, but have everlaſting life, John 3.16.

In all this you may ſee, how like their condition in this world was unto ours, and that our way is the ſame which all thoſe have gone, that are now paſt all theſe ſnares and dangers, ſins and miſeries, in the preſence of their Lord.

Direct. 5. When you have made theſe compariſons, think next what an excellent benefit it will be to you, to look thus believingly and frequently to the Saints, that are gone before you into glory. All theſe unſpeakable benefits will follow it.

1. It will much quicken and confirm our faith: As we do the more eaſily truſt the boat, and boat-man, when we ſee many thouſand paſſengers ſafely landed by him: And we eaſily truſt the Phyſician, when we ſee many thouſands cured by him, who were once in our caſe; ſo it will greatly ſatisfie the ſoul againſt the ſuſpicions and fears of unbelief, when faith ſeeth all the glorified Saints, that are actually, ſaved by Chriſt already, and have obtained all that we believe and ſeek: Methinks I p. 569hear Henoch, Joſhua, Abraham, Peter, Paul, John, Cyprian, Macarius, Auguſtine, Melancthon, Calvin, Zanchius, Rogers, Bradford, Hooper, Jewel, Grindal, Ʋſher, Hilderſham, Ames, Dod, Baines, Bolton, Gataker, with thouſands ſuch, as men ſtanding on the further ſide of the river, and calling to us that muſt come after them [Fear not the depths, or ſtorms, or ſtreams; truſt boldly that veſſel, and that faithful Pilot; we truſted him, and none of us have miſcarried, but all of us are here landed ſafe: We were once in ſtorms, and doubts, and fears, as you now are; but it is our diffidence, and not our confidence, which proved our infirmity and ſhame.] Who would not boldly follow ſuch a multitude of excellent perſons, who have ſped ſo well?

2. It will alſo much confirm our hope (that is, our glad expectation of the Crown) when our apprehenſions of it grow dull and ſlack, and our feare do grow upon us, and we are ready to queſtion whether ever ſuch a happineſs will be our lot, the ſight of theſe that are now triumphing in the actual poſſeſſion, will baniſh deſpair, and much revive us: We cannot but think, they were once as low and bad as I, and had as many difficulties to overcome: and why may not I then be as holy and as happy as they?

3. Such a ſight will greatly quicken our deſires, to attain their happineſs, and to go their way: As when worldlings ſee the grandeur, and honours, and power of Great men (as they are yet called) it maketh them think, how brave a life is this? And as the ſenſual, when they ſee their companions in the Tavern, or Gaming-houſe, or Play-houſe, or the merry fool-houſe, as Solomon accounteth it, Eccleſ. 7.4. do long to be with them, and to partake of their beloved pleaſure: ſo when by faith we ſee the departed Saints in glory, and think where our old acquaintance are, and the multitudes of wiſe and holy ſouls, that are gone before, it will greatly ſtir up our ſluggiſh deſires, and make us long for the ſame felicity, and to be as near to God as they are.

4. And it will do much to direct us in the way: For we muſt follow them as they followed Chriſt. As the hiſtory of the Wars of Alexander, Caeſar, Tamerlane, &c. will teach men how to fight for temporal tyrannical domination; ſo the p. 570hiſtory of the Saints do teach us how to fight againſt ſpiritual wickedneſſes and powers, and how to take the proſpering way. It is eaſie there to find, whether lazineſs or labour, whether ſenſuality or ſpirituality hath alwaies been the way to Heaven? Whether Saints were gluttons, drunkards, whoremongers, riotous, licentious and proud, or temporate, chaſte, mortified and humble? whether the Saints were the ſcorners, or the ſcorned, the oppreſſors, or the oppreſſed, the perſecutors, or the perſecuted; the burdens, or the bleſſings of the times they lived in: When the world is divided about matters of Religion, and every Party hath a ſeveral way, for the Unity, and the Reformation, and the Communion of the Churches, and the right Government, Diſcipline and Worſhiping of God; how eaſie and ſafe is it (in the main, and in all things of neceſſity) to look back and ſee which way it was that Peter and Paul did go to Heaven by; and what terms they were on which their Union, Communion, Government, Diſcipline and Worſhip were performed.

5. The ſight of bleſſed ſouls by faith, will alſo increaſe the Reſolution and Fortitude of the mind. Faintneſs and puſilanimity ſeize upon us when we look only on the difficulties and dangers: But when we ſee the thouſands that have overcome them all, by the ſame means which we are called to uſe; it ſteeleth our courage, and maketh us reſolve to break through all: When we think only how mortal our diſeaſes are, our hearts do fail us: But when all that were cured of the very ſame, do call to us, and ſay, [Never fear; there is no diſeaſe too hard for your Phyſician; he hath cured us of the very ſame, and cureth all that ever truſt him, and uſe his remedies] This will embolden a fainting mind. Therefore in the fore-cited text, Heb. 6.12. It is ſaid, Be not ſlothful (which there meaneth, ſuch as faint with deſpondency, deſpair or fears) but followers of them who by faith and patience inherit the promiſes.] When we look on the Saints tribulations for the faith, we are apt to faint (as ſome do that ſtand by another that is under the Surgeons hands) Epheſ. 3.13. But when we ſee them in triumph, it cureth our cowardize (and it is they only that labour and faint not, that are crowned, and that reap in due ſeaſon, &c. Rev. 2.3. Gal. 6.9.) that is, who faint not into p. 571ceſſation, or ſo as to be overcome.) Do you think when the Iſraelites paſſed through the Red Sea, that the Leaders had not the greateſt tryal? and that it was not an exceeding increaſe of their courage, who came after in the rear, when they ſaw moſt of their brethren ſafely paſſed through? Look believingly upon the ſouls in Heaven, and you will do or ſuffer any thing to follow them.

6. And it will greatly provoke us to diligence in well doing: Look up to your Brethren, and you will mend your pace. If a horſe be going towards his Paſture, he will go chearfully; eſpecially when he ſeeth his companions there. It will make us pray hard, and meditate ſtudiouſly, and work laboriouſly, and watch diligently, that we may be with Chriſt, where our Brethren are, and receive the end of our faith and labour.

7. And to ſee our Brethren in Heaven before us, will greatly help us to ſuffer for Chriſt, and to be patient in any tribulation which befalleth us. When we ſee them in glory, we ſhall ſource ſtay to complain of the ſoulneſs or narrowneſs of the way: but look before us, and go on through all. Or if the fleſh do repine, and our hearts begin to fail us, it will make us lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make ſtrait paths for our feet, Heb. 12.12, 13. and to gird up the loins of our minds, and be ſober, and hope to the end, 1 Pet. 1.13. When we look forward to the end of former ſufferers, it will cauſe us to poſſeſs our ſouls in patience, and to let it have its perfect work.

8. It will much overcome the fears of death: It is no ſmall abatement of them that Cicero, and ſuch honeſt Heathens had, to think of the thouſands of their worthieſt Anceſtors, and that they were to go the common way of all mankind: But how much more may it encourage a Believer, to think that he is not only to go the way of all the world, through the gate of mortality; but the way alſo which all Gods Saints have gone (ſave Henoch and Elias) who are now in Heaven. Thus died all the Prophets, and the holy men of God; yea Jeſus Chriſt himſelf, before us; that death might be conquered when it ſeemed to have conquered, Heb. 2.14.

9. It will do much to raiſe us from hypocritical reſerves, and temporizings, and from lukewarmneſs, and reſting in low p. 572degrees. When our converſation is with the holy ones above, we ſhall have upon our minds an ambition to attain to their degrees; and to do Gods will on Earth, as it is done in Heaven. It will much encline us to the higheſt and nobleſt ſort of duty, which the ſpirits of the juſt made perfect do perform. He that converſeth only with his own ſad, tempted, ſinful heart, and with tempted, faulty, mourning Chriſtians, may learn to confeſs, and mourn, and weep, and pray: But he that alſo converſeth with glorified ſpirits, will be ſo rapt up with their heavenly melody, that he will learn and long to love God more fervently, to praiſe him more chearfully, and to give him thanks more abundantly for his mercies. Heaven-work is learnt by a heavenly mind, in the uſe of a heavenly converſation.

10. And to look much at our Brethren that are now in glory, will alſo fill our lives with pleaſures, and make our Religion our continual joy; and will help us to a foretaſte of Heaven on Earth: For we ſhall as it were take our ſelves to be almoſt with then; and their melodies will be our delight; and love to them, will make their joyes to be our own. And though it is the ſight of God and our Mediatour by faith, which muſt be our chiefeſt hope and joy; yet while we are here men in fleſh, yea more when we have laid by fleſh and blood, the preſence of all the bleſſed ſpirits, and heavenly hoſt, will be a great, though ſubordinate part of our heavenly felicity and delight.

Direct. 6. When you have gone thus far, conſider what obligations lie upon you to converſe by Faith with your Brethren in Heaven, and to look up frequently to their ſtate and work.

1. Your neceſſary Love to God requireth it: For as your Love to him muſt be ſhewed by your loving his Image in your Brethren; ſo it requireth you, to love them moſt that are likeſt God: or elſe you love them not for his likeneſs. And it requireth you to love them moſt whom God loveth moſt; and that is thoſe that are likeſt him, and neareſt him. And he that loveth God in his creatures, and loveth any one truly for God, muſt love the Angels and perfected Spirits beſt, becauſe they love him beſt, and are neareſt him, and likeſt to him, and are alſo moſt beloved by him.

p. 5732. The common nature of Love and Humanity requireth it: For it requireth us to love that beſt which is beſt; (as is ſaid) But the bleſſed ones in Heaven are better than any here on Earth; and therefore ſhould be better loved.

3. The nature of our Love to the Saints requireth it: For if we love them as Saints and Godly, we ſhall love thoſe moſt that are moſt holy; and that is the bleſſed ones above. And if we love them moſt, we ſhall certainly mind them, and converſe with them by Faith, and not be voluntary ſtrangers to them.

4. It is part of that heavenly converſation, which is commended to us, Phil. 3.20, 21. When it is ſaid, that our converſation is in Heaven, it ſignifieth that our Burgeſhip is there, and our intereſt and great concerns are there, and our dwelling is there, and our trading and thriving buſineſs is there, and for it; and our friends and fellow-citizens, and thoſe that we daily trade and converſe with, in love and familiarity, are there; even as our God, and our Head, and our Inheritance is there. He never knew a heavenly converſation, that pretending there to know God alone, hath no converſe with his holy ones that attend him; and doth not live as a member of their ſociety in the City of God; that doth not with ſome delight behold their holineſs, unity and order, &c.

5. The honouring of God and our Redeemer doth require it, (that we daily converſe with the Saints in Heaven:) Becauſe it is in them that God is ſeen, in the greateſt glory of his Love; and it is in them that the Power, and Efficacy, and Love of our dear Redeemer moſt appeareth. You judge now of the Father by his Children, and of the Phyſician by his Patients, and of the Builder by the Houſe, and of the Captain by his Victories. And if you ſee no better children of God, than ſuch childiſh crying, feeble, froward, diſeaſed, burdenſome ones as we are, you will rob him of the chief of this his honour. And if you look at none of the Patients of our Saviour, but ſuch lame and languid, pained, groaning, diſeaſed, half-cured ones as we; you will rob him of the glory of his skill and cures. And if you look but to ſuch an imperfect broken fabrick, as the Church on Earth, you will diſhonour the Builder. And if you look to no other Victories of Chriſt and his Spirit, but what p. 574is made in this confuſed, dark, and bedlam world, you will be tempted to diſhonour his conduct and his conqueſts. But if you will look to his Children in Heaven, who are perfected in his Love and Likeneſs, and to Chriſts Patients which are there perfectly cured, and to his Building in the heavenly unity and glory, and to all his Victories as there compleat, then you will give him the glory which is his due, Rev. 21. & 22. 2 Theſ. 1.10, 11, 12.

6. So alſo you will diſhonour Religion, and the Church, if you converſe not with the Saints above. For the reaſons laſt given: For you will judge of the Church, and of Religion, by ſuch imperfect things as here you ſee, where men turn Religion to the ſervice of their worldly intereſts and ends, and fight for ambition, faction, tyranny, uſurpation, and worldly luſts, under the ſacred names of Religion and the Church; and for the pretended Love of Chriſt, and one another, do tear the Church into ſhreds, and worry, and hunt, and devour one another: You will be tempted to be Infidels, if you do not here converſe with the ſincere, humble, holy, charitable Chriſtians and look up to Heaven to perfect ſouls: And then you will ſee a Church that is truly amiable, holy, unanimous and glorious in perfect Love.

7. If you look not up to thoſe in Heaven, you will quite miſunderſtand the providences of God, in the proſperity of the wicked, and the ſufferings of the Saints, and the changes that are uſually made on Earth: You will begin to think, that ſin is ſafe, and the wicked are not ſo miſerable as they are, nor godly diligence ſo profitable a thing; you will not know the reaſons of providence, unleſs you can ſee unto the end: And the ultimate end is not on Earth. But go into the Sanctuary, and take the proſpective of the promiſe, and look to the bleſſed ſouls with Chriſt, and all the riddle will be expounded to you, and you will be reconciled to all the providences of God: You are ſtrange to truth, if you are ſtrange to the triumphing Saints in Heaven.

8. The progreſſive nature of your faith and godlineſs requireth it. You are travelling to Heaven, where the bleſſed are, and are nearer to them than when you firſt believed: And the nearer you are to them, the more you ſhould mind them, p. 575and by Faith and Love be familiar with them: And when you are almoſt at home, you ſhould be even ready to embrace your friends at the meeting.

9. Your Relation to the bleſſed Spirits doth require it; and your Chriſtian and ingenuous diſpoſition towards them. 1. Are they not ſuch as were latety near you in the fleſh; ſome of them your deareſt companions and friends; and ſhould you cauſleſly forget them? 2. Are they not not now your friends who love you better than they could do on earth? Doubtleſs their knowledge and memory is not grown leſs, to forget you, if once they knew you; but they are like to know much more: And their Goodneſs being increaſed, their Love is increaſed, and not diminiſhed. 3. And you belong to the ſame Society with them; even to the Body or Church of Chriſt, whoſe nobler part above, and inferiour part on Earth, do make up the whole. Is it not expreſly ſaid, Heb. 12.22, 23. that we are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the City of the Living God, the heavenly Jeruſalem, and to an innumerable company of Angels, and to the general Aſſembly, and Church of the firſt born, which are written in Heaven? (that is, to thoſe which as the firſt born, are moſt noble, and poſſeſſed of the heavenly inheritance, and are there entered inhabitants already:) And to God the Judge of all, and to the ſpirits of juſt men made perfect, and to Jeſus the Mediatour of the New Covenant, &c. And what is it to come to them, but to come, or be joyned to that Society, of which they are the nobler part? Will you be Fellow-Citizens with them, and have no communion with them, nor ſeriouſly remember them? How can you remember God himſelf, and not remember thoſe that are his Courtiers, and nearer to him than you are? And how can you think of Chriſt, and not think of his Body? Or how can you think of his Body, and forget the moſt excellent and honourable parts? Or how can you remember your ſelves, and forget your chiefeſt Friends and Lovers?

10. The very nature of the Life of Faith requireth us, to look much to the departed Saints: The Life of Faith conſiſteth in our converſing with the things unſeen; as the life of ſight or ſenſe is our converſing with things ſeen: If you love, and think on none of the Saints, but thoſe that are within your p. 576ſight, you live (ſo far) but as by ſight: Though Faith live not upon Saints properly, but on God, and our Redeemer; yet it liveth and converſeth with the Saints: If it work aright, it will as it were ſet you among them, and make you live on Earth, as if you heard their ſongs of praiſe, and ſaw their Thrones of Glory.

11. The preſent neceſſities of your condition in this world, do require you to look much to the Saints above (as is before ſhewed in the benefits recited:) We live here among ſuch perſons and things as are objects of continual ſorrow to us: And have we not need of ſome more comfortable company? If you had nothing at home but chiding, and diſcontent, and poverty, you will be willing of ſo much recreation, as to be invited to feaſt ſometimes, where there is plenty, pleaſure and content. If you lived among groaning, ſick or melancholy perſons in an Hoſpital, you would be glad ſometimes of merryer company, a little to refreſh your minds. Alas, what a deal of ſin do we daily ſee or hear of? and what a deal of ſorrow is round about us? What are our News-books filled with, or the daily reports which come to our ears, but ſin, and ſorrow, vanity and vexation? what is the employment of moſt of the world? what is it that Court and Country, City, and all Societies ring of, but vanity and vexation, ſin and ſorrow? And is not a walk in Heaven with better company, a pleaſure deſirable in ſuch a caſe? What grief muſt needs dwell on the minds of ſober Catholick Chriſtians, to ſee the Church on earth ſo torn, ſo worryed; ſo reproached as it is throughout the earth? ſo torn in pieces by its zealous ignorant ſelf-conceited Paſtors and Members? ſo worryed by its open and ſecret enemies; even by the uſurping tyrannizing Wolves in Sheeps cloathing, who ſpare not the flock? Matth. 7.15. & 10.16. Acts 20.29. ſo reproached by the world of Infidels and Heathens, who fly from it as from an infected City, and ſay [Chriſtians are drunkards, and deceivers, and lyars; they are all in pieces among themſelves; they revile and perſecute one another; we will therefore be no Chriſtians.] How ſad is it to ſee the one part of the world profeſſing Chriſtianity, to make it odious by their wickedneſs, and their diviſions; and the reſt of the world abhorring it, becauſe theſe have made it ſeem odious to them? p. 577How ſad is it to hear all Chriſtians ſpeak of love and Concord, Unity and Peace, while few of them know the way of Peace, or how to hold their own hands from tearing the Church into more pieces, while theſe peaceable words are in their mouths? To ſee the Paſtors and People, as if it were for Unity and Peace, contriving the ruine of all that are not of their Party and Way, and ſtudying how to extirpate one another; and multiplyjng ſnares and ſtumbling blocks, as neceſſary means to heal the Church! How ſad is it to ſee▪ ſo great a faction as the Roman Kingdom (for it is more properly a Kingdom than a Church) to lay the neceſſary Ʋnity and Communion of all the Churches, upon ſo many forgeries of their own; upon the ſuppoſed certainty of the falſeneſs of all mens ſenſes (in the point of Tranſubſtantiation) and upon the ſubjection of the Church to an univerſal uſurpes, and to keep up ignorance, leſt knowledge (by reading the tranſlated Scriptures, and ſuch Books as do detect their frauds) ſhould mart their markets, and ſpoil their trade? To ſee their Prelates take their own domination, wealth and greatneſs, to be really the proſperity of the Church, and the intereſt of the Goſpel and Kingdom of Chriſt; and to promote the Goſpel by ſilencing or prohibiting the moſt able, zealous, faithful Preachers of it; and to go with a drawn ſword among the people, and ſay, Love us, or we will kill you: Love Chriſt and us, or the inquiſition and wrack ſhall reach you love: To ſee them take the terrifying of men by corporal penalties, to be their chiefeſt work, and the way of Love to be but ſuch popularity as deſtroyeth the Church▪ Will not now and then a walk in Heaven, be a great refreſhing to the mind that hath been long haunted with ſuch hideous and ugly ſpecters as all theſe? Will not ſome converſe with the moſt wiſes and holy, and peaceable Society, whoſe Life is Love, be a great recreation to your minds, when ſuch ſights as theſe have made them ſad?

Moreover, you have many burdens of your own to bear; your own ignorance, your own temptations, your paſſions, your wants, and worſt of all, the relicks of your ſin, which you cannot bear with that hope and ſupport which is needful to you, without oft looking to the happineſs of thoſe that p. 576duplicate page p. 577duplicate page p. 578have overcome all theſe, and are now at reſt.

And you have many excellent duties to perform, which will not be ſo well done without looking oft on ſuch a Copy. Yea you have the fears of death to overcome, which will not be ſo eaſily done, as by looking to all the world of ſouls, that have already gone that way before you.

Yea in your converſe with God himſelf, though you have one only ſufficient Mediator, you will caſt your ſelves upon great diſadvantages, if your thoughts leave out the bleſſed ſociety of Saints and Angels, who are neareſt to him: You caſt away your ſtepping-ſtones, or ſtairs of aſcent, and you will but tempt your ſelves to look at God, as through the great interpoſing gulf; and hinder the needful familiarity of your thoughts above. Neglect not then a help ſo needful to you in your preſent ſtate.

12. Laſtly, The remembrance and obſervation of the heavenly inhabitants, is the way that is commended and commanded to all Believers, and that as part of their ordinary duty, in their prayers to God. He hath not only minded us that Abraham, Iſaac and Jacob are ſtill living, to prove the reſurrection, Matth. 12.27. but hath alſo comforted the expectants of Heaven, by deſcribing the joy of Lazarus as in Abrahams boſome, Luke 16.22, 23. and introduced Abraham as pleading Lazarus's cauſe, v. 25, 26. And hath made it a part of the comfortable deſcription of his Kingdom, that we ſhall ſit down with Abraham, Iſaac and Jacob in it, Matth. 8.11. And when he would appear transfigured in a glimpſe of his glory, to Peter, James and John, he would not do it alone, but with Moſes and Elias talking with him, Matth. 17. And the comfort which Paul giveth to the ſuffering Theſſalonians, is Reſt with us, 2 Theſ. 1.6. not only Reſt with Chriſt, but with his ſervants: And when he deſcribeth the glory of Chriſts appearing, it is, that He ſhall come to be glorified in his Saints, and admired in all them that do believe, verſ. 11, 12. As himſelf deſcribeth his appearing as with his glorious Angels, Mat. 25.31. All the holy Angels with him. Whether it be all the bleſſed Spirits of the higher worlds, or only all thoſe of them, who were deputed to the ſervice of the Church on earth (Matth. 18.10.) and ſo were made Angels to man, I paſs over. And Henoch the ſeventh from Adam propheſied, ſaying, Behold the Lord cometh p. 579with ten thouſands of his Saints, &c, Jude v. 14. Many other Scriptures tell us, that we muſt not leave out the Saints and Angels, when we look towards Heaven by faith, and when we converſe and walk above.

But this is but as on the by: That which I intend for your ſpecial obſervation, is, the third Petition of the Lords Prayer, where the annexed clauſe (which ſeemeth to referr to all the three firſt Petitions) doth ſet the heavenly Church before us, as the Pattern of that obedience to the will of God, which both we, and all the world muſt imitate, and pray to God that we may imitate. [Thy Will be done on Earth, as it is done in Heaven.] Here Chriſt requireth all Chriſtians in Prayer, to look up to the Heavenly Society, and to conſider how they do the Will of God, and to make it their Pattern, and in their daily Prayers, as men that long for their celeſtial perfection, to pray that they may become their imitators: even as the Scholars in the loweſt form in the ſchool, muſt look at thoſe in the higheſt form, and deſire and endeavour to attain to their degree. You ſee them that this is a commanded ordinary duty.

Direct. 7. Conſider next wherein it is that your converſe with Angels, and the perfected ſpirits of the juſt conſiſteth; that you may neither by your miſtake, neglect it, nor carry it too far.

I. Negatively: 1. It is not a Deifying them, as the Heathen did their Hero's, and their Divi: They are ſtill but Gods Miniſters, and muſt have nothing aſcribed to them of the Divine Prerogative.

2. Nor doth it conſiſt in building Temples and Altars to their honour, which ſavoureth at leaſt of a compliance with Idolatry.

3. Nor doth it at all conſiſt in praying to them. 1. Becauſe, as we know that they are not omnipreſent, or omniſcient; ſo 2. We know not at all when they are preſent, and when they do hear us, and when not. 3. Nor do we know which of them it is that is at any time preſent with us. 4. Nor have we any precept, preſident, promiſe, or other encouragement to ſuch prayers in Gods Word, but rather much to keep us from it.

4. Nor yet is it in deſiring them to pray for us: For that p. 580which is their duty, they better know than we; and it is little that we know of their capacities or opportunities. And we have no Word of God neither to encourage us to this.

5. Nor doth it conſiſt in chuſing any one of them above the reſt, for our guardian and protector; and ſo committing our ſelves to their care. For we have no reaſon to be ſo preſumptuous, as to think that we have the choice of our own Protector; or that it is a matter at all referred to us; or that they will undertake it ever the more for our choice.

6. Nor yet may we pretend to know what particular Saint or Angel is deputed of God to our protection: For there is not the leaſt diſcovery of it in Nature, or in the Word of God: And he that pretendeth extraordinary revelation of it, muſt be ſure to prove it.

7. Nor may we pray for them, as if they were in purgatory, or in any miſery or danger which did need our prayers for them: For we have neither reaſon to believe the thing, nor any precept or encouragement to the work.

And as all theſe ſeven are unlawful things, ſo theſe alſo that follow muſt be medled with very tenderly and cautelouſly.

1. Our Praiſes of them, muſt be ſober and wary; and ſuch as are in a plain tendency to the praiſes of God and godlineſs, leſt before we are aware, we kindle ſuperſtition in the minds of the auditors. Praiſe them we may; but with a care of the manner, meaſure and conſequents, and with a due reſpect to the praiſe of God.

2. Our Prayers for the Reſurrection of their bodies, and their ſolemn Juſtification at the day of Judgment, though lawful in it ſelf, yet muſt be done with very great caution. And it is fitter that we pray together in general for the Reſurrection of All the members of Chriſt, both thoſe that are dead, and thoſe that will be, than to fix upon the dead diſtinctly, becauſe as we have no precept or example for it in the Scriptures; ſo the minds of the hearers (if it be publick) may eaſily abuſe our example to errour and exceſs.

3. Our thankfulneſs to them for their love and benefits, muſt be very cautelouſly expreſſed: Not by a verbal thanksgiving to them, of whom we are uncertain when they hear us: Nor yet in any ſuch language as tendeth to encroach upon the p. 581honour of our great Benefactor; nor to acknowledge any more as from them, than as the Miniſters of Chriſt.

4. And in our acknowledgements of their general prayers for the Church, we muſt take heed of feigning them to be more particular than we can prove that they are.

5. And we muſt take heed of all ſuch Rhetorical Proſopopeia's as tend to delude the hearers or the readers; as if we would draw them to believe the preſence and audience of thoſe ſpirits which we intend not to expreſs.

6. And our honouring of the memory of their Martyrdom or Holineſs, muſt be ſo cautelous, that it tend not to Idolatry or Superſtition: It is lawful in it ſelf to keep the relicks of a Saint or a Friend, and to keep a ſolemn thankful memorial of Gods mercy to his Church, in her moſt excellent helpers, and ſucceſsfulleſt inſtruments of her good: But in a time when theſe are commonly abuſed to ſuperſtition, the conſequents may make that evil, which in other circumſtances might be good. When the Primitive Paſtors led their people, ſometimes to the places where their neighbours ſuffered Martyrdom for Chriſt, and there praiſed God for their praiſed conſtancy, to encourage the people, and engage themſelves to be true to Chriſt, and die as conſtantly as others did; this then had good effects; and if it had been uſed more cautelouſly, had been laudable: But they did not foreſee the great inconveniencies of relicks, pilgrimages, prayers to Saints, &c. which in after-ages it introduced: And now, it muſt be with very great caution indeed, if we will imitate them.

7. To pray to God to hear their general prayers for the Church, (ſuch as thoſe mentioned, Rev. 6.9, 10.) doth intimate no falſe doctrine that I know of. But it is a practice that hath danger, and no Scripture precept or example to encourage it, nor ſolid reaſon, that I remember: And if God would have had us uſed it, it's like he would have made it known.

II. Affirmatively: Our converſe with thoſe in Heaven conſiſteth in all theſe parts.

1. We muſt acknowledge our Relation to them, and not think that they are nothing to us.

2. We muſt not forget them, but ſee them by faith, and take it as part of our daily buſineſs to have ſome daily converſation with them.

p. 5823. We muſt love them with a peculiar love; even better than we love the godly upon earth: becauſe they are better, and liker unto God, and love him more, and are more beloved by him.

4. We muſt ſpecially rejoyce that God is glorified in and by them; and look often to them as the more illuſtrious repreſenters of the Divine Perfections, than any of the Saints on Earth.

5. We muſt greatly rejoyce in their own felicity and glory; even as if it were our own. If we did ſee with our eyes our old dear friend, as Lazarus in Abraham's boſome, triumphing now in the glory of the bleſſed, we could not chuſe but be daily very glad on their behalf; to ſee and think, O what felicity do my friends enjoy! And faith ſhould make it in ſome meaſure to you, as if you ſaw it.

6. We muſt have a grateful ſenſe in our minds of their love to us; and muſt give God thanks for his Angels miniſtrations for us. For doubtleſs, as they are wiſer and better than any of our friends on earth; ſo they have a better, a purer and diviner kind of Love to us, than theſe below have. And the Angels diſdain not to be Chriſts ſervants for our good; yea for our ſalvation, Heb. 1.14. For, are they not all miniſtring ſpirits, ſent forth to miniſter for them, who ſhall be heirs of ſalvation, Matth. 18.10. Their Angels alwaies behold the face of my Father in Heaven, Pſal. 34.7. The Angel of the Lord campeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them, Pſal. 91.11. He ſhall give his Angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy waies. They ſhall bear thee up in their hands, leſt thou daſh thy foot againſt a ſtone, Luke 15.10. There is joy in the preſence of the Angels of God over one ſinner that repenteth, Luke 16.22. The beggar dyed and was carryed by Angels into Abrahams boſome. Though the great Love is that of God our Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier, and our chiefeſt gratitude is due to him; even for the benefit which we have by any of his creatures; yet love and mental thankfulneſs is due to the rational creatures which are his voluntary inſtruments; becauſe they do what they do out of real love to us; otherwiſe we ſhould owe thankfulneſs to none, either benefactor, friend or parents.

7. And our believing converſe with the bleſſed ſpirits, muſt p. 583make us earneſtly deſire to be like them; even to be as like them here as poſſibly we may, and to be with them, that we may be perfect as they are perfect. We muſt long to be near God, as they are, and to know him, and love him, as they do; and this holy ambition is well pleaſing to God: Though we muſt not deſire to be as God, we muſt deſire to know and love him perfectly.

8. And hence we muſt proceed to a ſober imitation of them as they are now employed in Heaven: Not in thoſe particulars wherein their caſe and ours differ (as to thank God for that conqueſt which they have made, and that glory which they do poſſeſs, &c.) But in all thoſe duties, which in ſome degree, belong to us as well as them.

For inſtance, Ask what kind of Religion is likeſt to that which is in Heaven? Is it ſtudying bare words, and diſputing about things unprofitable, or contending and quarrelling about precedency, preheminence or domination? Or is it not rather the cleareſt knowledge, and the ferventeſt Love of God, and all his holy ones, and the fulleſt content, delight and reſt of the ſoul in God, and the higheſt praiſes and thankſgivings, with the readieſt and chearfulleſt obedience.

And what kind of Religious performances are moſt excellent which we muſt principally intend? Groans, and tears, and penitent confeſſions, and moans, are very ſuitable to our preſent ſtate, while we have ſin and ſuffering: But ſurely they are duties of the lower rank: For Heaven more aboundeth with praiſes and thankſgiving; and therefore we muſt labour to be fitter for them, and more abundant in them; not caſting off any needful humiliations, and penitent complaints; but growing as faſt as we can above the neceſſity of them, by conquering the ſin which is the cauſe.

So ask, what is it that would make the Church on Earth to be likeſt to that part which is in Heaven? Is it ſtriving what Paſtors ſhall be greateſt, or have precedency, or be called gracious Lords or Benefactors? Luke 22.24, 25, 26. 1 Pet. 5.3, 4, 5. Or is it in making the flock of Chriſt, to dread the ſecular power of the Shepherds, and tremble before them, as they do before the Wolf? Or is it in a proud conceit of the peoples power to ordain their Paſtors, and to rule them and themſelves p. 584by a major vote? Or in a ſupercilious condemning the members of Chriſt, and a proud contempt of others as too unholy for our communion, when we never had authority to try or judge them? Is it in the multitude of Sects and diviſions▪ every one ſaying, Our party, and our way is beſt? Surely all this is unlike to Heaven: It is rather in the Wiſdom, and Holineſs and Ʋnity of all the members: When they all know God, eſpecially in his Love and Goodneſs, and when they fervently love him, and chearfully and univerſally obey him; and when they love each other fervently, and with a pure heart, and without diviſions do hold the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; and with one heart, and mind, and mouth, do glorifie God and our Redeemer. Leaving that Church-Judgment to the Paſtors which Chriſt hath put into their hands; and leaving Gods part of Judgment unto himſelf. This is to be like to our heavenly exemplar, and to do Gods Will on Earth as it is done in Heaven, Epheſ. 4.2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 16.

9. And we muſt alſo look back to the examples of their lives, while they were on earth; and ſee wherein they are to be imitated as the imitators of Jeſus Chriſt: which way went they to Heaven before us?

10. Laſtly, We muſt give God thanks on their behalf; for making them ſo perfect, and bringing them ſo near him, and ſaving them from ſin, and Satan, and the world, and bringing them ſafe to Heaven, through ſo many temptations, difficulties and ſufferings: For making them ſuch inſtruments of his glory, in their times, and ſhewing his glory upon them and to them in the Heavens? For making them ſuch bleſſings to the world in their generations, and for giving us in them ſuch patterns of faith, obedience and patience, and making them ſo great encouragements to us, who may the more boldly follow them in faith, duty and ſufferings, who have conquered all, and ſped ſo well: For, ſhewing us by faith their preſent ſtate of glory with Chriſt, for our confirmation and conſolation. Thus far, in all theſe ten particulars, we muſt have a heavenly converſation with the glorified by Faith.

Direct. 8. Conſider next wherein your imitation of the example of their lives on earth conſiſteth.

And it is 1. Not in committing any of their ſins, nor p. 585indulging any ſuch weakneſſes in our ſelves, as any of them were guilty of. 2. Nor in extenuating a ſin, or thinking ever the better of it, becauſe it was theirs. 3. Nor in doing as they did in exempted caſes, wherein their Law and ours differed (as in the marriage of Adams children, in the Jews Polygamy, &c. 4. Nor in imitating them in things indifferent, or accidental, that were never intended for imitation, nor done as morally good or evil. 5. Nor in pretending to, or expecting of their extraordinary Revelations, Inſpirations, or Miracles. 6. Nor in pretending the high attainments of the more excellent, to be the neceſſary meaſure of all that ſhall be ſaved, or the Rule of our Church-Communion: Our imitation of them conſiſteth in no ſuch things as theſe.

But it conſiſteth in theſe.

1. That you fix upon the ſame ultimate Ends as they did. That you aim at the ſame Glory of God, and chuſe the ſame everlaſting felicity.

2. That you chuſe the ſame Guide and Captain of your ſalvation; the ſame Mediator between God and man; the ſame Teacher and Ruler of the Church, and the ſame ſacrifice for ſin, and Interceſſor with the Father.

3. That you believe the ſame Goſpel, and build upon the ſame Promiſes, and live by the ſame Rule, the Word of God.

4. That you obey the ſame Spirit, and truſt to the ſame Sanctifier, and Comforter, and Illuminater, to illuminate, ſanctifie and comfort your ſouls.

5. That you exerciſe all the ſame graces of Faith, Hope, Love, Repentance, Obedience, Patience, as they did.

6. That you live upon the ſame Truths, and be moved by the ſame Motives as they lived upon, and were moved by.

7. That you avoid the ſame ſins as they avoided; and ſee what they feared, and fled from, and made conſcience of, that you may do the ſame.

8. That you chuſe and uſe the ſame kind of company, helps and means of grace (ſo far as yours and theirs are the ſame) as they have done: And think not to find a nearer, or another way to that ſtate of happineſs which they are come …o, Phil. 3.16. Walk by the ſame Rule, and mind the ſame things, p. 586and if in any thing ye be otherwiſe minded, God ſhall reveal even this unto you. If any preach another Goſpel, let him be accurſed, Gal. 1.7, 8. Mark them which cauſe diviſions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them, Rom. 16.17. Heb. 6.11. We deſire that every one of you do ſhew the ſame diligence, to the full aſſurance of hope to the end, that you be not ſlothful, but followers of them, &c.

9. That you avoid, reſiſt, and overcome the ſame temptations, as they did, who now are crowned.

10. That you bear the ſame croſs, and exerciſe the ſame faith, and hope, and patience, unto the end, 1 Pet. 4.1. Arm your ſelves with the ſame mind, &c.

In brief, this is the true imitation of the Saints.

Direct 9. Never ſuffer your life of ſenſe to engage you ſo deeply in ſenſible converſe with men on earth, as to forget your heavenly relations and ſociety; but live as men that unfeignedly believe, that you have a more high, and noble converſe every day to mind.

If you are Believers indeed, let your faith go along with the ſouls of your departed friends, into glory: And if you have forgot them by an unfriendly negligence, renew your acquaintance with them. Think not that thoſe only that live on earth, are fit for our converſe, and our comfort: Will you converſe with none but ignorant, ſelfiſh, worldly ſinners? Are you more contemptuous of the heavenly inhabitants, than the Gentleman in hell torments was, Luke 16.26, 27. that thought one from the dead, though it had been but a beggar, would have been reverenced even by his ſenſual brethren on earth, ſo far as to have perſwaded them unto ſaving Repentance. I tell you, a dead mans skull is oft-times a more profitable companion, than moſt that you ſhall converſe with in the common world. The duſt of your departed friends, and the clay that corps are turned into, is a good medicine for thoſe eyes that are blinded with the duſt of worldly vanities. Much more ſhould you keep your acquaintance with the ſoul, which may, for all the diſtance, be perhaps more uſeful to you, than it was in the fleſh. Alas, how carnally, and coldly, or ſeldom, do moſt Profeſſors look at their Brethren, and at the Angelical hoſts that are above. They long for our converſion, and mind p. 587our great concernments, and rejoyce in our felicity; and ſhall we be ſo ſwiniſhly ungrateful, as ſeldom to look up, and remember their high and bleſſed ſtate?

Many think that they have no more buſineſs with their deceaſed friends, than to ſee them decently interred, and to mourn over them, as if their removal were their loſs; or to grieve for our own loſs, when we perceive their places empty; but we ſcarce look up after them with an eye of faith, much leſs do we daily maintain our communion with them in Heaven: When Chriſt was taken up, his Diſciples gazed after him, Act. 1.10. Stephen looked up ſtedfaſtly into Heaven, and ſaw Chriſt ſitting at the right hand of God, Acts 7.55. And how ſeldome, how ſlightly do we look up, either to Jeſus, his Angels, or his Saints.

I tell you Sirs, you have not done with your friends when you have buryed their fleſh. They have left you their holy examples: They are entered before you into reſt: You are haſtening after them, and muſt be quickly with them, if you are true Believers: You muſt ſee them every day by faith: When you look to Chriſt, you muſt look to them, as his beloved friends, entertained by him in his family of glory. When you look up to Heaven, remember that they are there: When you think of coming thither, remember that you muſt there meet them. You muſt honour their memories more than you did on earth, becauſe they are more honourable, being more honoured of God. You muſt love them better than you did when they were on earth, becauſe they are better, and ſo more lovely: You muſt rejoyce much more for their felicity, than you did whileſt they were on earth; becauſe they are incomparably more happy than they were. Either you believe this, or you do not. If you do not believe that the dead are bleſſed that die in the Lord, and reſt from their labours, and are with Chriſt in Paradiſe, why do you ſeem Chriſtians? If you do believe it, why do you not more rejoyce with your glorified friends, than you would have done, if they had been advanced to the greateſt honours in the world? It is the natural duty of friends, to mourn with them that mourn, and to rejoyce with them that rejoyce; and if one member be honoured or diſhonoured, the reſt of the body are accordingly p. 588affected. Do not your ſorrows then inſtead of joyes, tell all men that you believe that your friends are gone to ſorrow, and not to joy? If not, you are very ſelfiſh or inconſiderate.

Direct. 10. Laſtly, Let not your averſation to Popery, turn to a facti…us partial forſaking of Gods Truth, and your own duty and conſolation, in this point. Abundance of Chriſtians have taken up opinions in Religion, upon the love and honour of the parties that they took them of; and being poſſeſſed with a juſt diſlike of Popery in the main, they ſuſpect and caſt away, not a few great truths and duties upon a falſe information, that they are parts of Popery. It hath grieved … …han once to hear religious perſons come from heari…g … Miniſters with diſdain and cenſure, ſaying that they prayed for the dead; and all their proof was that [Thanksgiving is a part of prayer: but they gave God thanks for the glorification of the ſpirits of the Juſt; therefore they prayed for them.] And ſo have they argued, becauſe they have read the 1 Cor. 15. at the grave; or becauſe they have preached a Funeral Sermon while the Corpſe was preſent, or becauſe they prayed then for themſelves, or for the Church. Alas, for the childiſh ignorance, and pieviſhneſs, and fooliſh wranglings of many Chriſtians, who think they are better than their neighbours! How much is Chriſts family diſhonoured by his ſilly froward children? And they will not be inſtructed by their friends; and therefore they are poſted up, and openly reproached by their enemies. Have Angels or heavenly Saints deſerved ſo ill of God or us, that we ſhould be ſo ſhy of their communion? Are they nothing to us? Have we nothing to do with them? Have we cauſe to be aſhamed of them? Is their honour any diſhonour to God or us; if it be no more than what is their due? Can we give ſo much love, reſpect and honour to Magiſtrates, Miniſters, and Friends on earth (imperfect, ſinful, troubleſome mortals:) and ſhall we think that all is idolatrous, or caſt away, which is given to them that ſo far excel us? Is it your deſign to make Heaven either contemptible or ſtrange to men on earth? Or would you perſwade the world, that the ſouls of the Saints are not immortal, but periſh as the bruits? Or that there is no Heaven? Or p. 589that God is there alone without any company? Are ſo many fond of the opinion of a Perſonal Reign on Earth, for Chriſt with his holy ones; and yet is it Popery ſo much as to ſpeak honourably and joyfully of the Saints in Heaven? My Brethren, theſe things declare you yet to be too dark, too factious, and too carnal; and to hold the faith of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, with reſpect to parties, ſides and perſons. Chriſt taketh not his Saints as ſtrangers to him: He that judgeth men as they love and uſe him, in the leaſt of his Brethren upon Earth, will not ſo ſoon cenſure and quarrel with us as the Sectary will do for loving and honouring him in his Saints in Heaven; for it is his will and prayer that they be with him where he is to behold his glory, John 12.26. & 17.24. And he will come with his holy Angels to be glorified in his Saints (who ſhall judge the world and Angels) and to be admired in all them that do now believe, 2 Theſ. 1.10, 11, 12.