A Treatise of Death, Sermon · Section 9

A Treatise of Death · Sermon · Section 9

p. 110SECT. IX.

Ʋſe 7.

MOreover from the Enmity of Death, we may be directed which way to bend our cares; and ſeeing where our difficulty moſt lieth, we may ſee which way our moſt diligent preparations muſt be turned. Death cannot be prevented: but the malignant influence of it on our ſouls may be much abated. If you let it work without an Antidote, it will make you live like unbelieving worldlings: It will deter your hearts from heaven, and dull your love to God himſelf, and make your meditations of him, and of your Everlaſting Reſt, to be ſeldom and ungratefull to you; And it will make you ſay, Its good to be here; and have ſweeter thoughts p. 111of this preſent life, then of your inheritance. It will rob you of much of your heavenly delights, and fill you with ſlaviſh fears of death, and ſubject you unto bondage all your lives, and make you die with agony and horror, ſo that your lives and deaths will be diſhonourable to your holy faith, and to your Lord. If it were meerly our own ſuffering by fears and horrors; or meerly our loſs of ſpiritual delights, the matter were (great, but) not ſo great: But it is more then this. For when our joyes are overwhelmed with the fears of death, and turned into ſorrows, our love to God will be abated, and we ſhall deny him the thanks and cheerfull praiſes, which ſhould be much of the employment of our lives: and we ſhall be much diſcompoſed and unfitted for his ſervice, and ſhall much diſhonour him in the p. 112world, and ſhall ſtrengthen our temptations to the overvaluing of earthly things. Think it not therefore a ſmall or an indifferent matter, to fortifie your ſouls againſt theſe malignant fears of death. Make this your daily care and work; your peace, your ſafety; your innocency, and uſefulneſs, and the honour of God, do much lie on it. And it is a work of ſuch exceeding difficulty, that it requireth the beſt of your skill and diligence; and when all is done, it muſt be the illuminating quickning beams of grace, and the ſhining face of the Eternal Love, that muſt do the work; though yet your diligence is neceſſary, to attend the ſpirit, and uſe the means, in ſubſerviency to grace, and in expectation of theſe celeſtiall rayes.

And above all take heed leſt you ſhould think, that carnal p. 113mirth, or meer ſecurity, and caſting away the thoughts of death will ſerve to overcome theſe fears; or that it is enough that you reſolve againſt them. For it is your ſafety that muſt be lookt to, as well as your preſent eaſe and peace: and fear muſt be ſo overcome, as that a greater miſery may not follow: Preſumption and ſecurity will be of very ſhort continuance. To die without fear, and paſs into endleſs deſperation, which fear ſhould have wakened you to prevent, is no deſirable kind of dying. And beſides, reſolving againſt the Terrors of death, will not prevent them. When Death draws neer, it will amaze you, in deſpight of all your reſolutions, if you are not furniſhed with a better Antidote. The more jocund you have been in carnal mirth, and the more you have preſumptuouſly ſlighted death, its likely p. 114your horror will be the greater when it comes. And therefore ſee that you make a wiſe and ſafe preparation; and that you groundedly and methodically cure theſe fears, and not ſecurely caſt them away. Though I have given you to this end, ſome Directions in other writings (in the Saints Reſt, and in the Treatiſe of Self-denyal, and that of Crucifying the world,) yet I ſhall add here theſe following helps, which faithfully obſerved and practiſed, will much promote your victory over death, which conquereth all the ſtrength of fleſh, and glory of this world.

p. 115DIRECTION I.

IF you would overcome the danger and the fears of Death, Make ſure of your Converſion, that it is ſound; and ſee that you be abſolutely devoted unto God, without reſerves. Should you be deceived in your foundations, your life, and hopes, and joyes would all be deluſory things. Till ſin be mortified, and your ſouls reconciled to God in Chriſt, you are ſtill in danger of worſe then death: and it is but the ſenſleſneſs of your dead condition, that keepeth you from the terrors of damnation. But if you are ſure that you are quick…ed by renewing grace, and poſſeſſed by the ſanctifying ſpirit, and made partakers of the Divine nature, you have p. 116then the earneſt of your inheritance, Eph. 1.14. 2 Cor. 1.22. & 5.5. and the fire is kindled in your breaſt, that in deſpight of Death, will mount you up to God.

DIRECTION II.

TO Conquer the Enmity of Death, you muſt live by faith in Jeſus Chriſt: as men that are emptied of themſelves, and ranſomed from his hands that had the power of death, and as men that are redeemed from the curſe, and are now made heirs of the grace of life, being made his members who is …he Lord of life, even the ſecond Adam, who is a quickning ſpirit. The ſerious believing ſtudy of his deſign and office, (to deſtroy ſin and death, and to bring p. 117many ſons to glory,) and alſo of his voluntary ſuffering, and his obedience to the death of the Croſs, may raiſe us above the fears of death. When we live by faith as branches of this bleſſed Vine, & are righteous with his righteouſneſs, juſtified by his blood and merits, & ſanctified by his Word and Spirit, and find that we are united to him, we may then be ſure that death cannot conquer us, & nothing can take us out of his hands: For our life being hid with Chriſt in God, we know that we ſhall live, becauſe he liveth, Col. 3.3. John 14.19. and that when Chriſt who is our life appeareth, we ſhall alſo appear with him in glory, Col. 3.4. And that he will change our vile bodies, and make them like to his glorious body, by his mighty power, by which he is able to ſubdue all things to himſelf, Phil. 3.20, 21. In our own ſtren…th we dare not ſtand p. 118the charge of death, and with it the charge of the Law, and of our Conſciences: How dreadfully ſhould we then be foiled and non-pluſt, if we muſt be found in no other righteouſneſs, but what we have received from the firſt Adam, and have wrought by the ſtrength received from him! But being gathered under the wings of Chriſt, as the chickens under the wings of the hen (Mat. 23.37.) and being found then in him, having the righteouſneſs which is through the faith of Chriſt, the righteouſneſs which is of God by faith, we may boldly anſwer to all that can be charged on us to our terrour! If we know him and the power of his reſurrection, and the fellowſhip of his ſufferings, and are made conformall… to his death, (Phil. 3.9, 10.) if …e are dead with him to the world, and riſen with him to a holy life; if we have believingly p. 119traced him in his ſufferings and conqueſt, and perceive by faith how we participate in his victories, we ſhall then be able to grapple with the hands of death; and though we know the grave muſt be for a while the priſon of our fleſh we can by faith foreſee the opening of our priſon doors, and the looſing of our bonds, and the day of our laſt and full Redemption. It ſtrengtheneth us exceedingly to look unto Jeſus, the author and finiſher of our faith, who for the joy that was ſet before him, endured the Croſs, deſpiſing the ſhame, and is ſet down at the right hand of the throne of God.] When we conſider what he endured againſt himſelf, we ſhall not be weary: nor faint in our minds, Heb. 12.2, 3.

p. 120DIRECTION III.

LIve alſo by faith on the Heavenly Gl…ry. As one eye of faith muſt be on an humbled crucified Chriſt, ſo muſt the other be on heaven, on a glorified Chriſt, and on the glory and everlaſting Love of God, which we ſhall there en…oy. This is it that conquereth the fears of death, when we believe that we ſhall paſs through it into everlaſting life. If a man for health will take the moſt ungratefull potion, (the bitterneſs being ſhort, and the benefit long;) and if he will ſuffer the Surgeon to let out his blood, and in caſe of neceſſity to out off a member; how light ſhould we make of death, that have the aſſured hopes of glory to encourage p. 121us! what door ſo ſtreight that we would not paſs through if we could, to our deareſt friend! What way ſo …owl that we would not travail, to our beloved home? And ſhall death ſeem intolerable to us, that letteth in our ſouls to Chriſt? Well might Paul ſay [To die is gain,] Phil. 1.21. When we gain deliverance from all thoſe ſins that did here beſet us, and all thoſe ſorrows that ſin had bred: We gain the accompliſhment of our deſires, and the end of our faith, the ſalvati…n of our ſouls: We gain the Crown that fadeth not away; a place before the Throne of Chriſt, in the Temple of God, in the City of God, the New Jeruſalem; to eat of the hidden Manna, and of the Tree of life which is in the midſt of the Paradiſe of God, Rev. 2. & 3. We gain the place prepared for us by Chriſt, in his Fathers houſe, John 14.1, 2. p. 122For we ſhall be with him where he is, that we may behold his glory, John 17.24. We ſhall gain the ſight of the glory of God, and the feeling of his moſt precious love, and the fulneſs of joy that is in his preſence, and the everlaſting pleaſures at his right hand, Pſal. 16.11. And ſhall we think much to die for ſuch a gain? we will put off our cloaths, and welcome ſleep, which is the Image of death, that our bodies may have reſt, and refuſe not thus to die every night, that we may riſe more refreſhed for our employments in the morning. And ſhall we ſtick at the uncloathing of our ſouls, in order to their everlaſting Reſt? Set but the eye of faith to the Proſpective of the promiſe, and take a ſerious frequent view of the promiſed Land, and this if any thing will make death more welcome, then Phyſick to the ſick, p. 123then uncloathing to a beggar, that puts on new or better cloaths. Shall a poor man cheerfully ply his labour all day in hope of a little wages at night; and ſhall not a believer cheerfully yie…d to death, in hope of everlaſting glory? ſo far as heaven is foundly be…ieved, and our converſations, and hearts are there, the fears of Death will be aſſwaged, and nothing elſe will well aſſwage them.

p. 124DIRECTION. IV.

MOreover, if you will conquer the enmity of death, do all that you can to encreaſe and exerciſe the love of God in you. For love will ſo incline you to the bleſſed object of it, that Death will not be able to keep down the flame. Were God ſet as a ſeal upon our hearts, we ſhould find that Love is as ſtrong as death, and the coals thereof are coals of fire, …nd the flame is vehement: many waters cannot quench it, nor can the fl…ods drown it, Cant. 8.6, 7. If carnal Love have made the amorous to chooſe death that they might paſſionately expreſs it, eſpecially when they have heard of the death of their beloved; and if naturall fortitude and love to p. 125their Countrey, have made many valient men, though Heathens, to contemn death, and readily lay down their lives; and if the love of fame and vain glory in a ſurviving name, have cauſed many to die through pride: how much more will the powerfull love of God, put on the ſoul to leave this fleſh, and paſs through death, that we may ſee his face, and fully enjoy the object of our love? So much as you love God, ſo much will you be above the terrors of the grave, and paſs through death for the enjoyment of your beloved. Perf…ct Love caſteth out fear: and h… …h…t feareth is not made perfect in l…ve: in death and judgement, we ſhall have boldneſs, if our love be perfect, 1 John 4.17, 18. This makeeth the Martyrs cheerfully lay down their lives for Chriſt; and love is glad of ſo precious an p. 126opportunity for its exerciſe and manifeſtation. Love is a reſtleſs working thing, that will give you no reſt, till your deſires are attained, and you be with God. Nothing is ſo valiant as Love! It rejoyceth when it meeteth with difficulties which it may encounter for the ſake of our beloved! It contemneth dangers: It glorieth in ſufferings: Though it be humble, and layeth by all thoughts of merit, yet it rejoyceth in ſufferings for Chriſt, and glorieth in the Croſs, and in the participation of his ſufferings, and in the honourable wounds and ſcars▪ which we receive for him that died for us.

p. 127DIRECTION. V.

TO overcome the terrors and enmity of death, it is neceſſary that we keep the Conſcience clear from the guilt of wilfull ſin, and of impenitency. If it may be, ſee that you wound it not; If you have wounded it, preſently ſeek a cure: and live not in a wounded ſtate. The face of death will waken conſcience, and cauſe it to ſpeak much lowder then it did in health and in proſperity: And then ſin will ſeem another thing, and wrath more terrible then it did in your ſecurity. Conſcience will do much to make your burden light or heavy. If Conſcience groundedly ſpeak peace, and all be ſound and well at home, death will be leſs terrible, the heart being p. 128fortified againſt its enmity. But to have a pained body, and a pained ſoul, a dying body, and a ſcorched Conſcience that is afraid of everlaſting death, this is a terrible caſe indeed. Speedily therefore get rid of ſin, and get your Conſciences throughly cleanſed, by ſound repentance and the blood of Chriſt: For ſo much ſin as you bring to your death-bed, ſo much bitterneſs will there be in death. Away then with that ſin that Conſcience tells you of, and touch the forbidden fruit … more, and kindle not the ſpar…s of Hell in your ſouls, to make the ſting of death more venemous. As it will quiet a believing ſoul through Chr…ſt, when he can ſay with Hezekiah, Iſa, 38.3. Remember now O Lord I beſeech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which p. 129is good in thy ſight:] and it will be our rejoycing if we have the teſtimony of our Conſciences, that in ſimplicity and godly ſincerity we have had our converſation in the world, 2 Cor. 1.12. So will it be moſt terrible to die in the fears of unpardoned ſin, and to have Conſcience ſcourging us with the remembrance of our folly, when God is afflicting us, and we have need of a well compoſed mind, to bear the troubles of our fl…ſh. A little from without is grievous, when any thing is amiſs within: Get home therefore to Chriſt without delay, and ceaſe not till you have peace in him, that death may find your conſciences whole.

p. 130DIRECTION VI.

REdeeming time, is another means to prevent the hurtfull fears of death. When we foreknow that it will ſhortly end our time, let us make the beſt of time while we have it. And then when we find that our work is done, and that we did not loyter nor loſe the time that God vouchſafed us, the end of it will be leſs grievous to us. A man that ſtudieth his duty, and ſpareth for no coſt or pains, and is as loath to loſe an hours time, as a covetous man is to loſe an hundred pound, will look back on his life, and look before him to his death, with greater peace and leſs perplexity, then another man. But the thoughts of death muſt needs p. 131be terrible, to a man that hath trifled away his life, and been an unthrift of his time. To think when you muſt die, that now you are at your laſt day or hour, and withall to think, how many hours you vainly loſt, and that you knew not the worth of time till it was gone, will make death more bitter then now you can imagine. What elſe is Death but the ending of our Time? and what can be more neceſſary to a comfortable end, then faithfully to uſe it while we have it?

p. 132DIRECTION VII.

ANother help againſt the Enmity of Death, is the Crucifying of the fleſh, with its affections and luſts: and the conqueſt of the world by the life of faith, and crucifying it by the Croſs of Chriſt; and dying daily by the patient ſuffering of the Croſs our ſelves. When we are looſe from all things under the Sun, and there is nothing that entangleth our affections on earth, a great part of the difficulty is then removed. But death will tear the heart that is glued to any thing in this world. Poſſeſs therefore as if you poſſeſſed not, and rejoyce as if you rejoyced not, and uſe the world as not abuſing it: for the faſhion of this world doth paſs p. 133away, I Cor. 7.29, 30, 31. It is much for the ſake of our fleſh that muſt periſh, that death doth ſeem ſo bitter to us: If therefore we can throughly ſudue the fleſh, and live above its pleaſure and deſires, we ſhall the more eſily bear its diſſolution. Shut up your ſenſes then a little more, and let your hearts grow ſtranger to this world; and if you have known any perſons, relations, accomodations after the fleſh, from henceforth know them ſo no more. How terrible is death to an earthly-minded man that had neglected his ſoul for a treaſure here, which muſt then be diſſipated in a moment? How eaſie is death to a heavenly-mind, that is throughly weaned from this world, and taketh it but for his pilgrimage or paſſage unto life, and hath made it the buſineſs of his dayes, to lay up for himſelf a treaſure in heaven? He that p. 134hath unfeignedly made heaven his end in the courſe of his life, will moſt readily paſs to it on the hardeſt terms: For every man is willing to attain his end.

DIRECTION VIII.

IT will much help us againſt the Enmity of death, to be duly conformed to the Image of God, in the hatred of ſin, and love of holineſs, and in ſpecial in the point of Juſtice. When we hate ſin throughly, and find it ſo incorporated into our fleſh, that they muſt live and die together, it will make death the more eaſie to us▪ becauſe it will be the death of ſin, even of that ſin which we moſt hate, and that God hateth, and that hath coſt us ſo dear as it hath done. When we are in love with p. 135holineſs, and know that we ſhall never be perfect in it, till after death; it will make death the more welcome, as the paſſage to our deſired life. When the Juſtice, even the caſtigatory and vindictive Juſtice of God, is more amiable in our eyes, and we are not blinded by ſelf-love, to judge of God and of his wayes, according to the intereſt of our fleſh, we ſhall then conſent to his diſſolving ſtroke, and ſee that the bitterneſs of death proceedeth from that which is good in God, though from that which is evil in our ſelves. Doubtleſs as Juſtice is one of the bleſſed Attributes of God, ſo ſhould it be amiable to man, there being nothing in God but what is lovely. It is the prevalency of ſelf-love that makes men ſo inſenſible of the excellency of Divine Juſtice, while they ſpeak ſo reſpectfully of his mercy. So far as men p. 136are carnall and ſelfiſh, they cannot love that by which they ſmart, or of which they are in danger. But the ſoul that is got above it ſelf, and is united unto God in Chriſt, and hath that Image of God, which containeth the impreſs and effect of all his Attributes, hath ſuch an habit of impartial juſtice in himſelf, and ſuch a hatred of ſin, and ſuch a deſire that the honour of God ſhould be vindicateed and maintained, and ſuch an approbation of the Juſtice of God, that he can the more eaſily conſent or ſubmit to the diſſolving ſtroke of death: He hateth his own ſin, and loatheth himſelf for all his abominations, and is poſſeſſed with that Juſtice that provoketh him to ſelf-revenge in an ordinate ſort, and therefore doth love and honour that Juſtice that inflicteth on him the penalty of death; (Eſpecially ſince Mercy hath made p. 137it a uſefull Caſtigation.) As ſome penitent malefactors have been ſo ſenſible of their crimes, that they have not deprecated death, but conſented to it as a needfull work of Juſtice, (as its written of the penitent Murderer lately hanged at London.) So Holineſs doth contain ſuch a hatred of our own ſins, and ſuch impartial Juſtice on Gods behalf; that it will cauſe us to ſubſcribe to the righteouſneſs of his ſentence, and the more quietly to yield to the ſtroke of death.

p. 138DIRECTION IX.

IT will ſomewhat abate the fears of Death, to conſider the Reſtleſneſs and troubles of this life, and the manifold evills that end at death. And becauſe this Conſideration is little available with men in proſperity, it pleaſeth God to exerciſe us with adverſity, that when we find there is no hope of Reſt on earth, we may look after it where it is, and venture on death by the impulſe of neceſſity. Here we are continually burdened with our ſelves, annoyed by our corruptions, and pained by the diſeaſes of our ſouls, or endangered moſt when pained leaſt. And would we be thus ſtill? We live in the continual ſmart of the fruit of our own folly, and p. 139the hurts that we catch by our careleſs or inconſiderate walking, like children that often fall and cry; and would we ſtill live ſuch a life as this? The weakneſs of our faith, the darkneſs of our minds, the diſtance and ſtrangeneſs of our ſouls to God, are a continuall languiſhing and trouble to our hearts. How grievous is it to us that we can love him no more, nor be more aſſured of his love to us? that we find continually ſo much of the creature, and ſo little of God upon our hearts? that carnal affections are ſo eaſily kindled in us, and the Love of God will ſcarce be kept in any life, by the richeſt mercies, the moſt powerfull means, and by our greateſt diligence? O what a death is it to our hearts, that ſo many odious temptations ſhould have ſuch free acceſs, ſuch ready entertainment, ſuch ſmall reſiſtance, and ſo great p. 140ſucceſs? that ſuch horrid thoughts of unbelief ſhould look into our minds, and ſtay ſo long, and be ſo familiar with us? that the bleſſed myſteries of the Goſpel, and the ſtate of ſeparated ſouls, and the happineſs of the life to come, are known ſo ſlightly, and believ…d ſo weakly and imperfectly, and meet with ſo many carnall queſtionings and doubts? that when we ſhould be ſolacing our ſouls in the fore-thoughts of heaven, we look toward it with ſuch ſtrangeneſs and amazement, as if we ſtaggered at the promiſe of God through unbelief; and there is ſo much Atheiſm in our Affections, God being almoſt as no God to them ſometime, and Heaven almoſt as no Heaven to them, that it ſhews there is too much in our underſtandings. O what a death is it to our minds, that when we ſhould live in the Love p. 141of Infinite Goodneſs, we find ſuch a remnant of carnal enmity, and God hath ſuch reſiſtance, and ſo narrow, ſo ſh…, ſo cold, ſo unkind entertainment in thoſe hearts that were made to love him, and that ſhould know and own no love but his? What a bondage is it, that our ſouls are ſo entangled with the creatures? and ſo detained from the love of God? and that we draggle on this earth, and can reach no higher, and the delightfull Communion with God, and a Converſation in Heaven, are things that we have ſo ſmall experience of? Alas, that we that are made for God, and ſhould live to him, and be ſtill upon his work, and know no other, ſhould be ſo byaſed by t…e fleſh, and captivated by ſelf-love, and loſt at home, that our affections and intentions do hardly get above our ſelves, but there we are too prone p. 142to terminate them all; and loſe our God, even in a ſeeming Religiouſneſs, while we will be Gods to our ſelves! How grievous is it, that ſuch wonders and glorious appearances of God, as are contained in the incarnation, life and death of Chriſt, and in all the parts of the work of our Redemption, ſhould no more affect us then they do, nor take up our ſouls in more thankfull admiration, nor raviſh us into higher joyes! Alas, that Heaven commands our ſouls no more from earth! that ſuch an infinite glory is ſo near us, and we enjoy ſo little of it, and have no more ſavour of it upon our ſouls! That in the hands of God, and before his face we do no more regard him! That the great and wonderfull matters of our faith, do ſo little affect us, that we are tempted thereby to queſtion the ſincerity of our faith, if not the p. 143reality of the things believed: and that ſo little of theſe great and wondrous things appeareth in our lives, that we tempt the world, to think our faith is but a fancy. Is not all this grievous to an honeſt heart? and ſhould we not be ſo far weary of ſuch a life as this, as to be willing to depart and be with Chriſt?

If it would ſo much rejoyce a gracious ſoul, to have a ſtronger faith, a more lively hope, a more tender conſcience, a more humble ſelf-abhorring heart, to be more fervent in prayer, more reſolute againſt temptations, and more ſucceſsfully to fight againſt them; with what deſire and joy then ſhould we look towards Heaven, where we ſhall be above our ſtrongeſt faith and hope, and have no more need of the healing graces, or the healing Ordinances, nor be put upon ſelf-afflicting work, nor p. 144troubled with the temptations, nor terrified by the face of any enemy.

Now if we will vigorouſly appear for God, againſt a ſinfull generation, how many will appear againſt us? how bitterly will they reproach us? how falſly will they ſlander us, and ſay all manner of evil againſt us? and it is well if we ſcape the violence of their hands! and what ſhould be our joy in all theſe ſufferings, but that Great is our reward in heaven, Mat. 11, 12.

Alas, how we are continually here annoyed, by the preſence, and the motions, and the ſucc…ſs of ſin in our ſelves and others! It dwelleth in us night and day; we cannot get it ſtay behind, no not when we addreſs our ſelves to God, not in our publike worſhip, or our ſecret prayers: not for the ſpace of one Lords Day, p. 145or one Sermon, or one Sacrament, in ordinary or extraordinary duty. O what a bleſſed day and duty would it be, in which we could leave our ſin behind us, and converſe with God in ſpotleſs innocency, and worſhip and adore him without the darkneſs, and ſtrangeneſs and unbelief, and dulneſs, and doubtings, and diſtractions, that are now our daily, miſeries? Can we have grace and not be weary of theſe corruptions? Can we have life, and not be pained with theſe diſeaſes? And can we live in daily pain and wearineſs, and not be willing of releaſe? Is there a gracious ſoul, that groaneth not under the burden of theſe miſeries? yea, in every prayer, what do we elſe but confeſs them, and lament them, and groan for help, and for deliverance? And yet ſhall we fear our day of freedom, and be loth that death p. 146ſhould bring us news, that our prayers are heard, and our groans have reached up to heaven and that the bonds of fleſh and ſin ſhall be diſſolved, and we ſhall have need to watch, and ſtrive, and fear, and complain, and ſigh, and weep no more? Shall the face of death diſcourage us from deſiring ſuch a beſſed day? When we have ſo full aſſurance, that at laſt this enemy alſo ſhall be deſtroyed? The Lord heal and pardon the Hypocriſie of our complaints, together with the unbelief and cowardlineſs of our ſouls! Do we ſpeak ſo much, and hear ſo much, and ſeem to do ſo much againſt ſin, and yet had we rather keep it ſtill, then be ſtript of it, together with the rags of our mortality? and yet had we rather dwell with ſin, in tempting, troubling, corruptible fleſh, then lay them by, and dwell with Chriſt? O Lord p. 147how lamentably have we loſt our wiſdom, and drowned our minds in fleſh and folly, by forſaking thee our light and life! How come our reaſonable ſouls to be ſo bewitched, as after all our convictions, complaints and prayers, to be ſtill more willing of our ſickneſs then of the remedy, and more afraid of this bitter Cup, then of the poyſon that lodgeth in our bowels, which it would expell! and that after all the labour we have uſ…d, we had yet rather dwell with our greateſt enemy, then by a leſs to be tranſmitted to our deareſt friend! and had rather continue in a troubleſome, weary, reſtleſs life, then by the ſleep of death to paſs to Reſt.

And this ſin in others alſo is our trouble, though not ſo much as in our ſelves. It maketh thoſe our bitter enemies, whoſe good we moſt deſire and endeavour, and p. 148cauſeth the unthankfull world to requite us with malicious uſage, for telling them the ungratefull truth, and ſeeking their ſalvation. it makes our friends to be but half-friends; and ſome of them too like our enemies. It puts a ſting into the ſweeteſt friendſhip, and mixeth ſmart with all our pleaſures; It worketh us grief from precious mercies; and abateth the comfort of our near Relations; So that our ſmart by the pricks, is often greater then our pleaſure in the ſweetneſs of the Roſe. No friend is ſo ſmoothed, and ſquared to the temper and intereſt of another, but that ſome in equality and unevenneſs doth remain, which makes the cloſure to be leſs near and ſtedfaſt. Even family relations, are uſually ſo imperfectly jointed and cemented, that when the winds of tryal are any thing high, they ſhake the p. 149frame; and though they are but low, they find an entrance, and cauſe ſuch a coldneſs of affections, as is contrary to the nature and duty of the relations. Either a contrariety of opinions, or of natural temperature and humours, or elſe of the diſpoſitions of the mind; Sometime croſs intereſts, and ſometime paſſions and croſs words, do cauſe ſuch diſcontents and ſowrneſs, ſuch frowns or jealouſies, or diſtances, that our neareſt friends are but as ſackloth on our skins, and as a ſhoo too ſtrait for us, or as a garment that is unmeet, which pinch and trouble us in their uſe, and thoſe that ſhould be to us as the Apple of our eyes, are as the duſt or ſmoak to them, that vex or blind them. And the more we Love them, the more it greiveth us to be croſſed in our love. There is ſcarce any friend ſo wiſe, ſo good, ſo ſuitable to us, or p. 150ſo near, that we can alwayes pleaſe. And the diſpleaſure of a friend is as gravell in our ſhoos, or as Nettles in our bed, oft-times more grievous then the malice of an enemy. There is no ſuch doing as this in heaven: becauſe there is no ſuch gueſt as ſin. We ſhall love each other far more then we do here; and yet that Love ſhall never be inordinate , nor in the leaſt divert our love from God, but every Saint and Angel in the Society, ſhall be loved with moſt chaſte and pure affections, in a perfect ſubordination to the love of God; and ſo as that God himſelf in them, ſhall be the chiefeſt object of that love. It is there that our friends being freed from all their imperfections, do neither tempt us to a carnal Love, nor have any thing in them to diſcourage the love that is ſpirituall and pure. We have here our paſſionate p. 151friends, our ſelf-conceited friends, our unkind, unthankfull ſelfiſh friends; our mutable and unfaithfull friends; our contentious friends that are like to enemies: and who have uſed us more hardly then our friends? But when we come to God, we ſhall have friends that are like God, that are wholly good, and are participatively turned into Love; and haveing left behind them all that was unclean and noyſome, and troubleſome to themſelves, they have alſo caſt off all that could be troubleſome to us. Our love will be there without ſuſpicions, without interruptions, unkindneſſes and diſcontents, without diſappointments, fruſtrations and diſſatisfactions: For God himſelf will fully ſatisfie us; and we ſhall love his goodneſs and glory in his Saints, as well as immediately in himſelf. Our friends are now loſt at the p. 152turning of a ſtraw: the change of their intereſt, their company, their opinions, the ſlanders of back-biters, and miſ-repreſentations of malicious men, can cool their Love, and kill their friendſhip. But Heaven is a place of conſtant Love: The Love of Saints, as all things elſe, is there eternal: And yet it decline…h not with age. It is a world of Love that we are haſting to: It is a life of love that we muſt there live, and a work of love, and perfect love that we muſt be there employed in for ever. If here we have a pure, a dear, a faithful friend, that is without falſe-heartedneſs and deceit, that loveth us as his own ſoul, how quickly is he ſnatcht away by death? and leaves us melted into tears, and mourning over his earthly relicts, and looking upward with grieved hearts, as the Diſciples did after p. 153their aſcending Lord, Acts 1. 9, 10, 11. We are left almoſt as lifeleſs by ſuch friends, as the body is left by the departed ſoul: We have nothing but grief to tell us that we live, and that our ſouls are not departed with them: we are left in greater lamentation, then if we had never known a faithfull friend. And alas, how quickly are they gone, when once God ſees them ripe for heaven? when Droans and Dullards live much longer. If we ſee a Saint thats clear of judgement, and low in humility, and naked-hearted in ſincerity, and that abounds in love to God and man, thats faithfull and conſtant to their friend, and is above the pride and vanities of this world, and doth converſe by a life of faith above, and is uſefull and exemplary in their generation; alas how ſoon are they ſnacht away! and we are p. 154left in our temptations, repining and murmuring at God, as Jonah, when his gourd was withered, as if the Lord had deſtinated this world to be the dwelling of unfaithfull, worthleſs men, and envied us the preſence of one eminent Saint, one faithfull friend, and one that (as Moſes when he had talkt with God) hath a face that ſhineth with the reflected raies of the heavenly glory: when inde…d it is becauſe this world is unworthy of them, (Heb. 11.38.) not knowing their worth, nor how to uſe them, nor how to make uſe of them for their good: and becauſe when they are ripe and mellow for eternity, it is fit that God be ſerved before us, and that Heaven have the beſt, and that be left on earth that is earthly: Muſt Heaven be deprived of its inhabitants? Muſt a Saint that is ripe be kept from Chriſt, and ſo long p. 155kept from his inheritance, from the company of Angels, and the face of God, and all leſt we ſhould be diſpleaſed, and grudge at God for glorifying thoſe, whom he deſtinated to glory before the foundations of the world; and whom he purchaſed and prepared for Glory? Muſt there a place be empty, and a voice be wanting in the Heavenly Chore, leſt we ſhould miſs our friends on earth? Are we not haſting after them at the heels, and do we not hope to live with them for ever? and ſhall we grudge that they are gone a day, or week, or year before us? O fooliſh unbelieving ſouls! We mourn for them that are paſt mourning: and lament for our friends that are gone to Reſt, when we are left our ſelves in a vexatious, reſtleſs, howling wilderneſs! as if it were better to be here! we mourn and weep for the ſouls that p. 156are triumphing in their Maſters joy! And yet we ſay, we believe, and hope, and labour, and wait for the ſame felicity … Shall the happineſs of our friends be our ſorrow and lamentation? O did we but ſee theſe bleſſed ſouls, and where they are, and what they are enjoying, and what they are doing, we ſhould be aſhamed to mourn thus for their change! Do you think they would wiſh themſelves again on earth? or would they take it kindly of you, if you could bring them down again into this world, though it were to reign in wealth and honour? O how would they diſdain or abhorr the motion, unleſs the commanding will of God did make it a part of their obedience! And ſhall we grieve that they are not here, when to be here, would be their grief?

But thus our lives are filled with p. 157griefs. Thus ſmiles and frowns, deſires and denyals, hopes and fruſtrations, endeavours and diſappointments, do make a quotidian ague of our lives. The perſons and the things we love, do contribute to our ſorrows, as well as thoſe we hate. If our friends are bad, or prove unkind, they gall and grieve us while they live: If they excell in holineſs, fidelity and ſuitableneſs, the dart that kills them, deeply woundeth us; and the ſweeter they were to us in their lives, the bitterer to us is their death▪ We cannot keep a mercy, but ſin is ready to take it from us, or elſe to marr it, and turn it into Vinegar and Gall. And doth not Death (accidentally) befriend us, that puts an end to all theſe troubles, and lands us ſafe on the Celeſtiall ſhore, and puts us into the boſome of perpetual Reſt, where all is calm, and the p. 158ſtorms and billows that toſt us here, ſhall fear or trouble us no more? And thus Death ſhall make us ſome recompence at laſt, for the wrong it did us; and the mortal blow ſhall hurt us leſs then did the dreadfull apparition of it in our fore-thoughts. Let not our fears then exceed the cauſe; Though we fear the pangs & throws of travel, let us withall remember, that we ſhall preſently rejoyce, and all the holy Angels with us, that a ſoul is born into the world of glory: And Death ſhall gain us much more then it deprived us of.

p. 159DIRECTION X.

THE laſt Direction that I ſhall give you, to conquer the enmity of Death, is this: Give up your wills entirely to the will of God, as knowing that his will is your beginning and your end, your ſafety, your felicity and reſt, in which you ſhould gladly acquieſce. When you think of Death, remember who it is that ſends it; It is our Fathers meſſenger, and is ſent but to execute his will. And can there be any thing in the will of God, that his ſervants ſhould inordinately fear? Doubtleſs his Will is much ſafer and better for us then our own. And if in generall it were offered to our choice, Whether all particulars of our lives ſhould be diſpoſed of by p. 160Gods will or by ours, common reaſon might teach us to deſire, to be rather in Gods hands then our own. The fulfilling of his will, is the care and buſineſs of our lives: and therefore it ſhould be a ſupport and ſatisfaction to us at our death, that it is but the fulfilling of his will. His Juſtice and puniſhing will is good, though ſelfiſhneſs maketh it ungratefull to the offender. But his children that are dear to him, and taſte no evil but that which worketh for their good, have no cauſe to quarrell at his will: Whatſoever our ſureſt deareſt friends would have us take, or do, or ſuffer, we are ready to ſubmit to, as being confident they will do nothing for our hurt, (if they do but know what is for our good.) And ſhall we not more boldly truſt the will of God then of our deareſt friend? He knows what he hath to do with p. 161us, and how he will diſpoſe of us, and whether he will bring us; and his intereſt in us is more then ours in our ſelves; and ſhall we then diſtruſt him, as if we had to do with an enemy, or one that were evil, and not with love and infinite goodneſs? It is the will of God that muſt be the everlaſting Reſt, the Heaven, the pleaſure of our ſouls: And ſhall we now ſo fear it, and fly from it, as if it were our ruine? Look which way you will through all the world, your ſouls will never find repoſe, nor ſatisfying quietneſs and content but in the will of God. Let us therefore commit our ſouls to him, as to a faithfull Creator; and deſire unfeignedly the fulfilling of his will, and believe that there is no ground of confidence more firm. Abraham may boldly truſt his Son, his only Son, p. 162on the will of God: And Chriſt himſelf when he was to drink the bitter Cup, ſubmitteth his own naturall love of life to his Fathers will, ſaying, Not my will, but thine be done. It is a moſt unworthy abuſe of God, that we could be quiet and rejoyce, if our own wills, or our deareſt friends might diſpoſe of our lives, and yet are diſtreſſ…d when they are at the diſpoſe of the will God.

But perhaps you will ſay, It is the error of my own will that hath procured my Death: if it had been meerly the fruit of the will of God, It could be eaſily ſatisfied. Anſw. Wo to us, if we had not ground of comfort againſt the errors of our own wills. When our deſtruction is of our ſelves, our help is of God. So much as is of our ſelves in it is evil: but ſo much as is of God is good. I do not ſay that p. 163you ſhould reſt in your own wills, nor in your own wayes, but in the will and wayes of God. The rod is good, though the fault that makes it neceſſary, be bad. The Chaſtiſing will is good, though the ſinning will be evil: And it is good that is intended to us, and ſhall be performed in the event.

Object. But how can we reſt in the angry afflicting will of God, when it is this that we muſt be humbled under: and it is the will of God that is the condemnation of the wicked. Anſw. The effect being from a twofold cauſe (the ſinning will of man, and the puniſhing will of God) is accordingly good as from the latter, and ſo far ſhould be loved and conſented to by all; and evil as from the former, and ſo may be abhorred: But to the Saints there is yet greater Conſolation: Though affliction is their grief, as it ſignifieth p. 164Gods diſpleaſure, and cauſeth the ſmart or deſtruction of the fleſh; yet it is their mercy, as as it proceedeth from the Love of God, and prepareth them for the greateſt mercies. And therefore ſeeing God never bringeth evil on them that Love him, but what is preparatory to a… far greater good, we may well take comfort in our Death, that it is our Fathers will it ſhould be ſo.

p. 165Ʋſe 8.

IF Death ſhall be conquered as the laſt enemy, from hence Chriſtians may receive exceeding conſolation, as knowing that they have no enemy to their happineſs, but ſuch as ſhall be conquered by Chriſt; ſooner or later he will overcome them all. Let faith therefore foreſee the conqueſt in the conflict; and let us not with too much deſpondency hang down our heads before any enemy that we know ſhall be trodden down at laſt. We have burdenſome corruptions, that exerciſe our graces, and grieve the ſpirit, and wrong our Lord; but all theſe ſhall be overcome. Though we have heard, and read, p. 166and prayed, and meditated, and yet our ſins remain alive, they ſhall be conquered at laſt. Our Love, and Joy, and Praiſe ſhall be everlaſting; but our ignorance, and unbelief, and pride, and paſſion ſhall not be everlaſting: Our Holineſs ſhall be perfected and have no end: but our ſin ſhall be aboliſhed, have an end. Our friends ſhall abide with us for ever, and the holy love and communion of Saints ſhall be perfected in heaven: But our enemies ſhall not abide with us for ever, nor malice follow us to our, Reſt. The wicked have no comforts but what will have an end; and the fore-thought of that is ſufficient to imbitter even the preſent ſweetneſs. And the godly have no ſorrows but ſuch as are of ſhort continuance: And me thinks the fore-ſight of their end, ſhould ſweeten the preſent bitter Cup, p. 167and make our ſorrows next to none: We ſit weeping now in the midſt of manifold afflictions: But we foreſee the day when we ſhall weep no more, but all tears ſhall be wiped from our eyes, by the tende… hand of our mercifull Redeemer. We are now afraid of love it ſelf, even of our dear and bleſſed Father, leſt he ſhould hate us, or be angry with us fo… ever. But heaven will baniſh all theſe fears, when the perfect fruition of the eternal love hath perfected our Love. Our doubtings and perplexities of mind are many and grievous, but they will be but ſhort. When we have full poſſeſſion, we ſhall be paſt our doubts. Our work is now to pour out. our grieved ſouls into the boſome of ſome faithfull friend; or eaſe our troubled minds by complaining of our miſeries to our faithfull Paſtors, that from p. 168them we may, have ſome words of direction and conſolation: But O how different a work is it that we ſhall have in heaven? where no more complainings ſhall be heard from our mouths, for no more ſorrow ſhall poſſeſs our hearts; and we ſhall have no need of men to comfort us; but ſhall have comfort as naturally from the face of God, as we have light and heat in the ſummer from the Sun. When we all make one celeſtial Chore, to ſing the praiſes of the King of Saints, how unlike will that melody be to the broken muſick of ſighs, and groans, and lamentations, which we now take to be almoſt our beſt! We are now glad when we can find but words, and groans, and tears, to lament our ſin and miſery: But then our joy ſhall know no ſorrow, nor our voice any ſad and mournfall tune. And may we not bear a while the p. 169ſorrows that ſhall have ſo good an end? We ſhall ſhortly have laid by the hard, unprofitable, barren hearts, that are now our continuall burden and diſeaſe. Love not your corruptions, Chriſtians; but yet be patient under the unavoidable relicts that offend you; remembring that your conflict will end in conqueſt, and your faith, and watchfulneſs, and patience will be put to it but a little while. Who would not enter willingly into the fight, when he may before hand be aſſured, that the field ſhall be cleared of every enemy? All this muſt be aſcribed to our dear Redeemer. Had not he wrought the conqueſt, the enemies that vex us would have deſtroyed us, and the Serpent that now doth but bruiſe our heel, would have bruiſed our head: and the ſorrows that are wholeſome, ſanctified and ſhort, would have p. 170been mortall, venemous and endleſs.

What ſuffering then can be ſo great, in which a believer ſhould not rejoyce, when he is before hand promiſed a gracious end? What though at the preſent it be not joyous, but grievous (in it ſelf?) We ſhould bear it with patience, when we know that at laſt it ſhall bring forth the peaceable fruits of righteouſneſs to all them that are exerciſed thereby, Heb. 12.11. If we ſhould be alwayes abuſed, and alwayes unthankfully and unkindly dealt with, or alwayes under the ſcorns, or ſlanders, or perſecutions of unreaſonable men, or alwayes under our poverty, and toilſome labours, o… alwayes under our pains and pining ſickneſſes, we might then indeed diſmiſs our comforts: But when we know that it will be but a little while, and p. 171that all will end in Reſt and Joy, and that our ſorrows are but preparing for thoſe Joyes, even Reaſon it ſelf is taught by Faith, to bid us rejoyce in all our tribulations, and to lift up the hands that hang down, and the feeble knees, Heb. 12.12. We make nothing to endure a ſudden prick, that by blood-letting we may prevent a long diſeaſe. The ſhort pain of pulling out a tooth, is ordinarily endured, to prevent a longer. A woman doth bear the pains of her travail, becauſe it is ſhort, and tends to the bringing of a child into the world. Who would not ſubmit to any labour or toyl for a day, that he might win a life of plenty and delight by it? Who would not be ſpit upon, and made the ſcorn of the world for a day, if he might have his will for it as long as he liveth on earth? And ſhould we not then p. 172cheerfully ſubmit to our momentany afflictions, and the troubles of a few dayes, (which are light, and mixt with a world of mercies,) when we know that they are working for us, a far more exceeding eternall weight of glory? 2 Cor. 4.17. Our clamorous and malicious enemies, our quarlelſome brethren, our peeviſh friends, our burdenſome corruptions and imperfections will ſhortly trouble us no more. As our life is ſhort, and but a dream and ſhadow, and therefore the pleaſures of this world are no better; ſo our troubles alſo will be no longer, and are but ſad dreams, and dark ſhadows, that quickly paſs away: Our Lord that hath begun and gone on ſo far, will finiſh his victories, and the laſt enemy ſhall ſhortly be deſtroyed.

And if the fearful doubting ſoul ſhall ſay, I know this is comfort p. 173to them that are in Chriſt; but what is it to me, that know not whether I have any part in him? I anſwer, 1. The foundation of God ſtill ſtandeth ſure: the Lord knoweth his own, even when ſome of them know not that they are his own. He knoweth his mark upon his ſheep, when they know it not themſelves. God doubteth not of his intereſt in thee, though thou doubt of thy intereſt in him: And thou art faſter in the arms of his Love, then by the arms of thy own faith: as the child is ſurer in the Mothers arms, then by its holding of the Mother. And moreover your doubts and fears are part of the evil that ſhall be removed, and your bittereſt ſorrows that hence proceed, ſhall with the reſt of the enemies be deſtroyed.

2. But yet take heed that you unthankfully plead not againſt the p. 174mercies which you have received, and be not friends to thoſe doubts and fears which are your enemies, and that you take not part with the enemy of your comforts. Why doſt thou doubt (poor humbled ſoul) of thy intereſt in Chriſt, that muſt make the conqueſt? Anſwer me but theſe few Queſtions from thy heart.

1. Did Chriſt ever ſhew himſelf unkind to thee? or unwilling to receive thee, and have mercy on thee? Did he ever give thee cauſe to think ſo poorly of his Love and grace, as thy doubts do intimate thou doſt? Haſt thou not found him kind when thou waſt unkind, and that he thought on thee when thou didſt not think on him? and will he now forget thee, and end in wrath that begun in Love? He deſired thee when thou didſt not deſire him, and give thee all thy deſires after him: and will he now p. 175croſs and deny the deſires which he hath cauſed? He was found of thee, (or rather found thee) when thou ſoughteſt not after him: and can be reject thee now thou crieſt and calleſt for his grace? O think not hardly of his wonderous grace, till he give thee cauſe. Let thy ſweet experiences be remembred, to the ſhame of thy cauſeleſs doubts and fears; and let him that hath loved thee to the death, be thought on as he is, and not as the unbelieving fleſh would miſrepreſent him.

Queſt. 2. If thou ſay that it is not his unkindneſs, but thy own that feeds thy doubts; I further ask thee, Is he not kind to the unkind? eſpecially when they lament their own unkindneſs? Thou art not ſo unkind to him as thou waſt in thy unconverted ſtate: and yet he then expreſt his Love in thy converſion: He then p. 176ſought thee when thou wenteſt aſtray, and brought thee carefully home into his Fold; and there he hath kept thee ever ſince: And is he leſs kind, now when thou art returned home? Doſt thou not know that all his children have their frowardneſs, and are guilty of their unkindneſſes to him? And yet he doth not therefore diſown them, and turn them out of his family; but is tender of them in their froward weakneſs, becauſe they are his own? How dealt he with the peeviſh prophet Jonah, that was [exceedingly diſpleaſed and very angry,] that God ſpared Nineve, leſt it ſhould be a diſhonour to his Propheſie; in ſo much that he wiſht that he might die and not live: and after repined at the withering of his gourd, and the ſcorching of the Sun that beat upon him? The Lord doth gently queſtion with him [Doſt thou p. 177well to be angry?] and after hence convince him that the mercy which he valued to himſelf, he ſhould not envy to ſo many, Jonah 4. How dealt he with the Diſciples, that fell aſleep, when they ſhould have watcht with Chriſt in the night of his great agony? He doth not tell them, [You are none of mine, becauſe you could not watch with me one hour;] but tenderly excuſeth that which they durſt not excuſe themſelves, [The ſpirit is willing, but the fleſh is weak,] When he was on the Croſs, though they all forſook him and fled, he was then ſo far from forſaking them, that he was manifeſting to admiration that exceeding love, that never would forſake them; and knoweſt thou not poor complaining ſoul, that the kindneſs of Chriſt overcometh all the unkindneſs of his children? and that his blood and grace is ſufficient to ſave thee, from greater ſins then thoſe p. 178that trouble thee? If thou hadſt no ſin, what uſe hadſt thou of a Saviour? Will thy Phyſitian therefore caſt thee off, becauſe thou art ſick?

Queſt. 3. Yea hath not Chriſt already ſubdued ſo many of thy enemies, as may aſſure thee he will ſubdue the reſt? and begun that life in thee, which may aſſure thee of eternal life? Once thou waſt a deſpiſer of God and his holy wayes: but now it is far otherwiſe with thee? Hath he not broken the heart of thy pride and worldlineſs, and ſenſuality and made thee a new creature? and is not this a pledge that he will do the reſt? Tell me plainly, hadſt thou rather keep thy ſin, or leave it? Hadſt thou rather have liberty to commit it, or be delivered from it? Doſt thou not hate it, and ſet thy ſelf againſt it as thy enemy? Art thou not delivered from the p. 179reign and tyranny of it, which thou waſt once under? And will not he perfect the conqueſt which he hath begun? He that hath thus far delivered thee from ſin, thy greateſt enemy, will deliver thee from all the ſad effects of it. The bleſſed work of the Spirit in thy Converſion, did deliver thee from the bondage of the Devil, from the power of darkneſs, and tranſlated thee into the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt; Then didſt thou enter the holy warfare, under his banners that was never overcome, in the victorious Army that ſhall ſhortly begin their everlaſting triumph. The ſin which thou hateſt and longeſt to be delivered from, and art willing to uſe Gods means againſt it, is the conquered enemy, which may aſſure thee of a full and finall conqueſt, ſuppoſing that thy hatred is againſt all known ſin, & that there is none ſo ſweet or profitable in thy p. 180account. which thou hadſt not far rather leave then keep.

Queſt. 4. Moreover art thou not truly willing to yield to all the terms of grace? Thou haſt heard of the yoak and burden of Chriſt, and of the conditions of the Goſpel, on which peace is offered to the ſinfull world: and what Chriſt requireth of ſuch as will be his Diſciples. What ſaith thy heart now to thoſe terms? Do they ſeem ſo hard and grievous to thee, that thou wilt venture thy ſoul in thy ſtate of ſin, rather then accept of them? If this were ſo, thou hadſt yet no part in Chriſt indeed. But if there be nothing that Chriſt requireth of thee, that is not deſirable in thy eyes: or which thou doſt not ſtick at, ſo far as to turn away from him, and forſake him, and refuſe his Covenant and grace rather then ſubmit to ſuch conditions, thou art then in p. 181Covenant with him, and the bleſſings of the Covenant belong to thee. Canſt thou think that Chriſt hath purchaſed, and offered, and promiſed that which he will not give? Hath he ſent forth his Miniſters, and commanded them to make the motion in his name, and to invite and and compell men to come in, and to beſeech them to be reconciled to God, and that yet he is unwilling to accept thee when thou doſt conſent? If Chriſt had been unwilling, he had not ſo dearly made the way, nor begun as a ſuitor to thy ſoul, nor ſo diligently ſought thee as he hath done. If the bleſſings of the Covenant are thine, then Heaven is thine, which is the chiefeſt bleſſing: And if they be not thine, it is not becauſe Chriſt is unwilling, but becauſe thou art unwilling of his bleſſings on his terms: Nothing can deprive thee of them but thy refuſal: p. 182Know therefore aſſuredly, whether thou doſt conſent thy ſelf to the terms of Chriſt, and whether thou art truly willing that he be thy Saviour; and if thy conſcience bear thee faithfull witneſs, that it is ſo, diſhonour not Chriſt then ſo far as to queſtion, whether he be willing, who hath done ſo much to put it out of doubt. The ſtop is at thy will, & not at his. If thou know that thou art willing, thou maiſt know that Chriſt & his benefits are thine. And if thou be not willing, what makes thee wiſh, and groan, and pray, and labour in the uſe of means? Is it not for Chriſt and his benefits that thy heart thus worketh, and thou doſt all this? Fear not then if thy own hand be to the Covenant, it is moſt certain that the hand of Chriſt is at it.

Queſt. 5. Moreover, I would ask thee, Whether thou ſee not a p. 183beauty in Holineſs, which is the Image of Chriſt, and whether thy ſoul do not deſire it even in perfection? So that thou hadſt rather, if thou hadſt thy choice, be more Holy, then more rich or honourable inm the world! If ſo, be aſſured that it is not without Holineſs, that thou chooſest and preferreſt Holineſs? Hadſt thou not rather have more faith, and hope, and love to God, and patience and contentment, and communion with Chriſt, then have more of the favour and applauſe of many, or of the riches or pleaſures of this world? If ſo, I would know of thee, whether this be not from the ſpirit of Chriſt within thee? and be not his Image it ſelf upon thee? and the motions of the new and heavenly nature, which is begotten in thee by the Holy Ghoſt? Undoubtedly it is. And the ſpirit of Chriſt thus dwelling in thee, is the earneſt of thy inheritance. p. 184Doſt thou find the ſpirit of Chriſt thus working in thee, cauſing thee to love Holineſs, and hate all ſin, and yet canſt thou doubt of thy part in Chriſt?

Queſt. 6. Moreover canſt thou not truly ſay, that Chriſts friends, ſo far as thou knoweſt them, are thy friends, and that which is againſt him, thou takeſt as againſt thy ſelf? If ſo, undoubtedly, thy enemies alſo are to him as his enemies, and he will lay them at thy feet. Thy troubles are as his troubles, and in all thy afflictions he is as carefull of thy good, as if he himſelf were thereby afflicted. Fear not thoſe enemies that Chriſt takes as his own. It is he that is engaged to overcome them.

And now when Conſcience it ſelf beareth witneſs, that thus it is with thy ſoul, and that thou wouldſt fain be what God would have thee be, and deſireſt nothing more then to be more like him, p. 185and nearer to him, and deſireſt no kind of life ſo much, as that in which thou maiſt be moſt ſerviceable to him: Conſider what a wrong it is then to Chriſt, and to the honour of his Covenant and grace, & to thy poor dejected ſoul, that thou ſhouldſt lie queſtioning his love and thy part in him, and looking about for matter of accuſation or cauſeleſs ſuſpicion againſt his ſpirit working in thee? and that thou ſhouldſt caſt away the joy of the Lord which is thy ſtrength, and gratifie the enemy of thy peace? When ſickneſs is upon thee, and death draws nigh, thou ſhouldſt then with joy lift up thy head, becauſe thy warfare is almoſt accompliſhed, and thy Saviour ready to deliver thee the Crown. Is this a time to fear and mourn, when thou art entring into endleſs joy? Is it a time of lamentation, when thou art almoſt p. 186moſt at thy journeyes end, and ready to ſee thy Saviours face, and to take thy place in the Heavenl… Jeruſalem, amongſt thoſe millions of holy ſouls that are gone before thee? Is it ſeemly for thee to lament thus at the door, when they are feaſted with ſuch unconceivable joys within? Doſt thou know what thy Brethren are now enjoying, & what the Heavenly Hoſt are doing? how full they are of God, and how they are raviſhed with his Light and Love? and canſt thou think it ſeemly to be ſo unlike them, that art paſſing to them? I know there is ſuch difference between imperfection and perfection, and between earth and heaven, that it juſtifieth our moderate ſorrows, and commandeth us to take up infinitely ſhort of their delights, till we are with them. But yet let there not be too great a diſproportion between the members p. 187of Jeſus Chriſt. We have the ſame Lord: and the ſame ſpirit; and all that is theirs in poſſeſſion is in right and title ours. They are our elder brethren, and being at age, have poſſeſſion of the inheritance: but we that are yet in the lap of the Church on earth, our mother, and in the arms of our Fathers grace, are of the ſame family, and have the ſame nature in our low degree. They were once on earth as low as we: and we ſhall be ſhortly in heaven, as high as they: Am I now in fleſh, in fears, in griefs? ſo was David, and Paul, and all the Saints, awhile ago: yea and Chriſt himſelf. Am I beſet with ſin, and compaſſed with infirmities, and racked by my own diſtempered paſſion? ſo were the many Saints now glorified, but the other day. Elias was a man ſubject (ſaith James,) to like paſſions as we are, Jam. 5.17. Am I p. 188maliced by diſſenting adverſaries? Do they privily lay ſnares for me, and watch my halting, and ſeek advantage againſt my name, and liberty and life? ſo did they by David, and many other now with Chriſt? But now theſe enemies are overcome. Art thou under pains, and conſuming ſickneſſes? are thine eyes held waking, and doth trouble and ſorrow waſte thy ſpirit? doth they fleſh in thy heart fail thee, and thy friends prove ſilly comforters to thee? So was it with thoſe thouſands that are now in Heaven, where the night of calamities is paſt, and the juſt have dominion in the morning, and glory hath baniſhed all their griefs, and joyes have made them forget their ſorrows, unleſs as the remembrance of them doth promote thoſe joyes. Are thy friends lamenting thee, and grieved to ſee the ſigns of thy approaching death? p. 189do they weep when they ſee thy pale face, and conſumed body, and when they hear the ſighs and groans? Why thus it was once with the millions that are now triumphing with their Lord? They lay in ſickneſs, and underwent the pains, and were lamented by their friends, as thou art now. Even Chriſt himſelf was once in his agony, and ſome ſhakt the head at him, and other pittied him, who ſhould rather have wept for themſelves, then for him: This is but the paſſage from the womb of mortality, into the life of immortality, which all the Saints have paſt before thee, that are now with Chriſt. Doſt thou fear the dreadfull: face of death? Muſt thy tender fleſh be turned t… rotneſs and duſt? and muſt thou lie in darkneſs till the Reſurrection, and thy body remain as the Common earth? And is not this the p. 190caſe of all thoſe millions, whoſe ſouls now ſee face of Chriſt? Did they not lie as thou doſt, and die as thou muſt, and paſs by death to the life which they have now attained? O then commit thy ſoul to Chriſt, and be quiet and comforted in his care and love. Truſt him as the Mid-wife of thy departing ſoul, who will bring it ſafe into the light and life, which thou art yet ſuch a ſtranger to. But it is not ſtrange to him, though it be ſtrange to thee.

What was it that rejoyced thee all thy life, in thy prayers, and ſufferings, and labours? was it not the hopes of heaven? And was Heaven the ſpring and motive of thy obedience, and the comfort of thy life? and yet wilt thou paſs into it with heavineſs? and ſhall thy approaches to it be thy ſorrows? Didſt thou pray for that which thou wouldſt not have? p. 191Haſt thou laboured for it, and denyed thy ſelf the pleaſures of the world for it? and now art thou afraid to enter in? Fear not poor ſoul! Thy Lord is there; Thy husband, and thy head, and life is there. Thou haſt more there, a thouſand fold more then thou haſt here. Here thou muſt leave poor mourning friends, that languiſh in their own infirmities, and troubled thee as well as comforted thee, while thou waſt with them, and that are haſting after thee, and will ſhortly overtake thee. But there thou ſhalt find the ſouls of all the bleſſed Saints, that have lived ſince the Creation till this age: that are all uncloathed of the rags of their mortality, and have laid by their frailties with their fleſh, and are made up of holineſs, and prepared for joy, and will be ſuitable companions for thee in thy joyes. Wy ſhouldſt p. 192thou be afraid to go the way that all the Saints have gone before thee? Where there is one on earth, how many are there in Heaven? And one of them is worth many of us. Art thou better then Noah, and Abraham, and David? then Peter & Paul and all the Saints? Or doſt thou not love their names, and wouldſt thou not be with them? Art thou loath to leave thy friends on earth? And haſt thou not far better and more in heaven? Why then art thou not as loth to ſtay from them? Suppoſe that I, and ſuch as I, were the friends that thou art loth to leave: What if we had dyed long before thee? If it be our company that thou loveſt, thou ſhouldſt then be willing to die, that thou maiſt be with us. And if ſo, why then ſhouldſt thou not be more willing to die, and be with Chriſt and all his holy ones, that are ſo much more excellent p. 193then we? Wouldſt thou have our company? Remove then willingly to that place, where thou ſhalt have it to everlaſting: and be not ſo loth to go from hence, where neither thou nor we can ſtay. Hadſt thou rather travail with us, then dwell with us? and rather here ſuffer with us then reign in heaven with Chriſt and us?

O what a brutiſh thing is fleſh? What an unreaſonable thing is unbelief? Shall we believe, and fly from the end of our belief? Shall we hope, and be loth to enjoy our hopes? Shall we deſire and pray, and be afraid of attaining our deſires, and leſt our prayers ſhould be heard? Shall we ſpend our lives in labour and travail, and be affraid of coming to our journeys end? Do you love l…fe, or do you not? If not, why are you afraid of death? If you do, why then p. 194are you loth to paſs into everlaſting life? You know there is no hope of immortality on earth: Hence you muſt paſs whether you will or not, as all your fathers have done before you, It is therefore in heaven or nowhere, that endleſs life is to be had. If you can live here for ever, do. Hope for it, if any have done ſo before you Go to ſome man of a thouſand years old, and ask him how he made ſhift to draw out his life ſo long: But if you know that man walketh here in a vain ſhew, and that his life is as a ſhadow, a dream, a poſt, and that all theſe things ſhall be d…ſſolved, and the faſhion of them paſſeth away, is it not more reaſonable that we ſhould ſet our hearts on the place where there is hopes of our continuance, then where there is none … and where we muſt live for ever, p. 195then where we muſt be but for ſo ſhort a time?

Alas, poor darkned, troubled ſoul! Is the preſence of Chriſt leſs deſirable in thy eyes, then the preſence of ſuch ſinfull worms as we, whom thou art loth to part with? Is it more grievous to thee to be abſent from us, then from thy Lord; from earth then from heaven; from ſinners, then from bleſſed Saints: from trouble and frailty, then from glory? Haſt thou any thing here that thou ſhalt want in Heaven, Alas, that we ſhould thus draw back from Happineſs, and follow Chriſt ſo heavily and ſadly into life! But all this is long of the enemies that now moleſt our peace: Indwelling ſin, and a flattering world, and a brutiſh fleſh, and interpoſing death, are our diſcouragments that drive us back. But all theſe enemies ſhall ſhortly be overcome.

p. 196Fear not death then, let it do its worſt. It can give thee but one deadly gripe that ſhall kill it ſelf, and prove thy life: as the Waſp that leaves its ſting behind, and can ſting no more. It ſhall but ſnuff the Candle of thy life, and make it ſhine brighter when it ſeems to be put out. It is but an undreſſing, and a gentle Sleep. That which thou couldſt not here attain, by all our preaching, and all thy prayers, and cares, and pains, thou ſhalt ſpeedily attain by the help of death. It is but the meſſenger of thy gracious Lord, and calleth thee to him, to the place that he hath prepared.

Hearken not now to the great deceiver, that would draw thee to unbelief, and cauſe thee to ſtagger at the promiſes of God, when thou haſt followed him ſo far, and they are near to the full performance. Believe it as ſure as thou believeſt p. 197that the Sun doth ſhine upon thee, that God cannot lie; he is no deceiver: it was his meer love and bounty that cauſed him to make the promiſes, when he had no need for himſelf to make them: and ſhall he be then unfaithfull, and not fulfill the promiſes which he hath freely made? Believe it, faith is no deluſion: It may be folly to truſt man; but it is worſe then folly not to truſt God. Believe it, Heaven is not a ſhadow, nor the life of faith and holineſs a dream. Theſe ſenſible things have leaſt reality: Theſe groſſer ſubſtances, are moſt droſſy, deluſory and baſe. God is a Spirit, who is the prime being, and the cauſe of all created beings. And the Angels amd other celeſtiall inhabitants, that are neareſt to him, are furtheſt from corporeity; and are ſpirits likeſt unto God. The further any thing is from ſpirituality, p. 198the further from that excellency and perfection, which the creatures neareſt God partake of. The earth is baſer then the air and fire: The droſſy fleſh is baſer then the ſoul. And this lumpiſh, dirty viſible world, is incomparably below that Spiritual world, which we believe and wait for: And though thy conceptions of ſpirits and the ſpiritual world, are low, and dark, and much unſatisfying; remember ſtill that thy head is there; and it belongeth to him to know what thou ſhalt be, till thou art fit to know it, which will not be till thou art fit to enjoy it. Be ſatisfied that thy Father is in Heaven, and that thy Lord is there, and that the Spirit that hath been ſo long at work within thee, preparing thee for it, dwelleth there: And let it ſuffice thee that Chriſt knoweth what he will do with thee, and how he wilt p. 199employ thee to all eternity. And thou ſhalt very ſhortly ſee his face, and in his light thou ſhalt b…hold that light that ſhall fully ſatisfie thee, and ſhame all thy preſent doubts and fears, and if there were ſhame in heaven, would ſhame thee for them.

Ʋſe 9.

FROM the Enmity of Death, and the neceſſity of a Conqueſt, we may ſee what a wonderfull mercy the Reſurrection of Chriſt himſelf was to the Church, and what uſe we ſhould make of it for the ſtrengthening of our faith. It was not only impoſſible to man to conquer death by his own ſtrength, and therefore it muſt be conquered by Chriſt; but p. 200it was alſo beyond our power to believe it, that ever the dead ſhould riſe to life, if Chriſt had not riſen as the firſt fruits, and convinced man, by eye-ſight, or certain teſtimony, that the thing is poſſible and already done. But now what a pillar is here for faith? What a word of Hope and Joy is this, that [Chriſt is riſen?] With this we will anſwer a thouſand Cavils of the tempter, and stop the mouth of the enemies of our faith, and profligate our infidelity. As unlikely as it ſeems to fleſh and blood, ſhall we ever doubt whether we ſhall riſe again, when the Lord came down in fleſh among us, that he might die and riſe again himſelf, to ſhew us as to our faces that we ſhall riſe? This is the very Goſpel which we preach, and by which we muſt be ſaved; that Chriſt died for our ſins according to the Scriptures, and p. 201was buryed, and that he roſe again the third day according to the Scriptures; and that he was ſeem of Cephas, then of the twelve, and after that he was ſeen of above five hundred Brethren at once, of wh…m the greater part remained alive, when Paul wrote this, who was the laſt that ſaw him, 1 Cor. 15.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Read over this Chapter again and again, where our Reſurection is proved by the Reſurrection of Chriſt.

No wonder therefore that the Chruch in all ages ever ſince the very day of Chriſts Reſurrection, hath kept the firſt day of the week as a holy feſtivall, in remembrance of it: Wherein though they commemorated the whole work of our Redemption, yet was it from the Reſurrection as the moſt glorious part, that the ſpirit of Chriſt did chooſe the day, This hath been the joyfull day to p. 202the Church this 1625. years, or thereabouts: in which the ancicient Chriſtians would aſſemble themſelves together, ſaluting one another with this joyfull word, [The Lord is riſen.] And this is the day that the Lord hath bleſſed, with the new birth and reſurrection of millions of ſouls. So that it is moſt probable that all the ſix dayes of the week have not begot half ſo many ſouls for heaven, as this bleſſed day of the Lords Reſurrection hath done. Let Infidels then deſpiſe it, that believe not Chriſts Reſurrection; but let it ſtill be the Churches joyfull day. This was the Lords doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes: This is the day which the Lord hath made: we will be glad and rejoyc… there in, Pſal. 118.23, 24. In it, Let us ſing unto the Lord; let us make a joyfull noiſe to the Rock of our ſalvation. Let us come before p. 203his preſ…nce with thanksgiving, and make a joyfull noiſe to him with Pſalms, Pſal. 95.1, 2. Every day let us remember the Lords Reſurrection: but on this day let the joyfull commemoration of it be our work.

We may ſee by the witneſs of the Apoſtles, and their frequent preaching the Reſurrection of Chriſt, as if it were the ſum of all the Goſpell, that this is a point that faith muſt eſpecially build and feed upon, and that we muſt make the matter of our moſt frequent meditations▪ O what vigor it addeth to our faith, when we are encountred by the ſight of death, and of a grave, to remember ſeriouſly that [Chriſt is riſen.] Did he take fleſh purpoſe…y that he might die and riſe, and ſhew us how he will raiſe his members? and will he after all this break his promiſe, and leave us in the duſt for p. 204ever? it cannot be. Hath he conquered death for himſelf alone, and not for us? Hath he taken our Nature into Heaven, to be there alone and will he not have all his members with him? Remember then Chriſtian, when thou lookeſt on thy grave, that Chriſt was buried, and hath made the grave a bed of reſt, that ſhall give up her truſt, when his Trumpet ſounds: And that his Reſurrection is the pledge of ours. Keep therefore thy riſing and glorified Lord continually in the eye. If Chriſt were not riſen, our preaching were vain, and your faith were vain, and all men were miſerable, but we moſt miſerable, that ſuffer ſo much for a life which we had no ground to hope for, 1 Cor. 15.14, 17, 19. But now we have an Argument that infidelity it ſelf is aſhamed to encounter with; that hath been the means of the p. 205converſion of the Nations unto Chriſt; by which we may put even death it ſelf to a defiance; as knowing it is now a conquered thing. If it could have held Chriſt captive, it might alſo have held us. But he being Risen, we ſhall ſurely riſe. Write it therefore Chriſtians upon your hearts; mention it more in your conference for the encouragement of your faith; Write it on the gravestones of your friends, that [CHRIST IS RISEN,] and that [BECAUSE HE LIVETH WE SHALL LIVE ALSO,] and that [OUR LIFE IS HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD] though we are dead; and when he ſhall appear who is our Life, we ſhall alſo appear with him in glory,] John 14.19. Col. 3.3, 4. Though we muſt be ſown in corruption, in weakneſs, and dishonour, we ſhall be raiſed in incorruption, p. 206ſtrength, and honour, 1 Cor. 15.42, 43. While our ſouls behold the Lord in glory, we may bear with the winter that befalls our fleſh, till the ſpring of Reſurrection come. [Knowing that he that raiſed up the Lord Jeſus, ſhall alſo raiſe us up by Jeſus.— For which cauſe we faint not; but though our outward man periſh, yet the inner man is renewed day by day, —while we look not at the things whic are ſeen, but at the things which are not ſeen: For the things which are ſeen are temporal, but the things which are not ſeen are eternall, 2 Cor 4.14, 15, 16, 17, 18.] As we are riſen with Chriſt to newneſs of life, ſo well ſhall riſe with him to glory.

p. 207Ʋſe 10.

LAſtly, if Death be the laſt enemy to be deſtroyed at the Reſurrection, we may learn hence, how earneſtly believers ſhould long and pray for the ſecond coming of Chriſt, when this full and finall conqueſt ſhall be made. Death ſhall do much for us; but the Reſurrection ſhall do more. Death ſends the ſeparated ſoul to Chriſt: but at his coming, both ſoul and body ſhall be glorified. There is ſomewhat in death that is penal, even to believers: but in the coming of Chriſt, and their Reſurrection, there is nothing but glorifying grace. Death is the effect of ſin, and of the firſt ſentence paſſed upon ſinners: but p. 208the Reſurrection of the juſt is the finall deſtruction of the effects of ſin. And therefore though the fears of Death may perplex us, me thinks we ſhould long for the coming of Chriſt, there being nothing in that, but what tends to the deliverance and glory of the Saints. Whether he will come before the general Reſurrection, and reign on earth a thouſand years, which ſome expect, I ſhall not preſume to paſs my determination. But ſure I am, it is the work of faith, and Character of his people to love his appearance, 2 Tim. 4.8 and to wait for the Son of God from Heaven, whom be raiſed from the dead, even Jeſus who delivered us from the wrath to come, 1 Theſ. 1.10. and to wait for the coming of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Cor. 1.7. and t… wait for the adoption, the redemption of our bodies, with inward gr…anings, p. 209Rom. 8.23. O therefore let us pray more earneſtly for the coming of our Lord! and that [the Lord would direct our hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Chriſt,] 2 Theſ. 3.5. O bleſſed day, when the glorious appearing of our Lord ſhall put away all his ſervants ſhame, and ſhall communicate Glory to his members, even to the bodies that had lain ſo long in duſt, that to the eye of fleſh there ſeemed to be no hope! Though the Majeſty and glory will cauſe our Reverence, yet it will not be our terror, to the diminution of our joy. It is his enemies that would not have him rule over them, whom he cometh to deſtroy, Luke 19.27. [Behold the Lord cometh with ten thouſand of his Saints, to execute judgement upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them, of all their ungodly deeds, which p. 210they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard ſpeeches which ungodly ſinners have ſpoken againſt him, as Henoch the ſeventh from Noah propheſied, Jud. 14.15. But the precious faith of the Saints, ſhall be found, to praiſe, and honour, and glory at the appearing of Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Pet. 1.7. When the chief Shepherd ſhall appear, we ſhall receive a crown of glory that fadeth …ot away, 1. Pet. 5.4. He that was once …ffered to bear the ſins of many, (and n…w appeareth for us in the preſence of God) ſhall unto them that look for him appear the ſecond time, without ſin, to ſalvation.] Heb. 9.24, 28. And when Chriſt who is our life ſhall appear, then ſhall we alſo appear with him in glory, Col. 3.4. The Lord ſhall then come to be glorified in his Saints, and admired in all them that believe in that day, 2 Theſ. 1.10. This is the day that all believers p. 211ſhould long, and hope, and wait for, as being the accompliſhment of all the work of their redemption, and all the deſires and endeavours of their ſouls. It is the hope of this day that animateth the holy diligence of our lives, and makes us turn from the careleſneſs and ſenſuality of the world: [For the grace of God that bringeth ſalvation, hath appeared unto all men; teaching us, that denying ungodlineſs and worldly luſts, we ſhould live ſoberly, righteouſly, and godly in this preſent world: looking for that bleſſed hope, and the glorious appearing of our great God, and our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt,] Tit. 2.11, 12, 13. The heavens and the earth that are now, are kept in ſtore by the word of God, reſerved unto fire, againſt the day of judgement, and perdition of ungodly men. And though the Lord ſeem to delay, he is not p. 212ſlack of his promiſe (as ſome men count ſlackneſs:) for a day is with him as a thouſand years, and a thouſand years but a… a day. But the day of the Lord will come as a Thief in the night, in the which the heavens ſhall paſs away with a great noiſe, and the elements ſhall melt wth fervent heat: the earth alſo and the works that are therein ſhall be burnt up. Seeing then all theſe things ſhall be diſſ…lved, what manner of perſons ought we to be in all holy converſation and godlineſs; looking for, and haſting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire ſhall be diſſolved, and the elements melt with fervent heat! But we according to his promiſe, look for new heavens; and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteouſneſſ,] 2 Pet. 3.7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.

Beza marvelleth at Tertullia… for ſaying that the Chriſtians in p. 213their holy aſſemblies prayed pro mora finis (Apologet. c. 39.) And ſo he might well enough, if it were not that to Chriſtians the Glory of God is dearer then their own felicity, and the ſalvation of millions more precious then the meer haſtening of their own; and the glory of the Church more deſirable then our perſonall glory; and the hallowing of Gods name were not to be prayed for before the coming of his Kingdom; and the Kingdom of grace muſt not neceſſarily go before the Kingdom of glory. But as much as we long for the coming of our Lord, we are content to wait till the Elect be gathered; and can pray that he will delay it, till the Univerſal Body be made up, and all are called that ſhall be glorified. But to our ſelves, that are brought out of Aegypt into the Wilderneſs, how deſirable is the promiſed p. 214Land? When we think on our own intereſt, we cry [Come Lord Jeſus, Come quickly:] The ſooner the better. Then ſhall our eyes behold him, in whom we have believed: Not as he was beheld on earth in his deſpiſed ſtate; but as the glorious King of Saints, accompanied with the Celeſtial Hoſt, coming in flaming fire to render vengeance to the rebellious, and Reſt and Joy to believing ſouls, that waited for this day of his appearance. Then faith and patience ſhall give up their work▪ and ſight, and fruition, and perfect love, ſhall everlaſtingly ſucceed them. The rage of perſecutors ſhall no more affright us: the folly of the multitude ſhall no more annoy us: the falſeneſs of our ſeeming ſelfiſh friends ſhall no more betray us: the pride of ſelf-conceited men ſhall no more diſtu…b us: the turbulency of men p. 215diſtracted by ambition ſhall caſt us no more into confuſions. The Kingdom that we ſhall poſſeſs ſhall not be lyable to mutations, nor be toſſed with pride and faction as are theſe below. There is no monethly (or annual) change of Governours and Laws, as is in Lunatick Common-wealths: but there will be the ſame Lord and King, and the ſame Laws and Government, and the ſame Subjects and obedience, without any mutinies, rebellions, or diſcontents, to all eternity. The Church of which we ſhall then be members, ſhall not be divided into parties, and factions, nor the members look ſtrangely at each other, becauſe of difference of opinions, or diſtance of affections, as now we find it, to our daily grief, in the militant Church. We ſhall then need no tedious debates to reconcile us: Unity will be then quickly and p. 216eaſily procured. There will be no falling out in the preſence of our Lord. There will be none of that darkneſs, uncharitableneſs, ſelfiſhneſs, or paſſion left, that now cauſeth our diſſentions. When we have perfect Light, and perfect Love, the perfect Peace will be eaſily attained, which here we labour for in vain. Now there is no peace in Church or State, in Cities or Countreys, in families, or ſcarce in our own ſouls. But when the glorious King of peace hath put all his enemies under his feet, what then is left to make diſturbance? Our enemies can injure us no more, for it is then their portion to ſuffer for all their former injuries to Chriſt and us: Our friends will not injure us (as here they do;) becauſe their corruption and weakneſs is put off, and the relicts of ſin, that cauſed the trouble, are left behind. O p. 217that is the ſight that ſaith prepareth for, that is the day, the bleſſed day, that all our dayes are ſpent in ſeeking, and waiting, and praying for; then ſhall the glory of holineſs appear, and the wiſdom of the Saints be juſtified by all, that now is juſtified by her childre…! Then it ſhall be known, Whether faith or unbelief, whether a heavenly or earthly mind and life, was the wiſer and more juſtifiable courſe: then ſhall all the world diſcern between the righteous and the wicked, between them that ſerve God, and them that ſerve him not, Mal. 3.18. Then ſin (that is now ſo obſtinately defended, and juſtified by ſuch fooliſh cu…ning) ſhall never more find a tongue to plead for it, or a Patron to defend it more. Then where is the man that will ſtand forth and break a jeſt at godlineſs, or make a ſcorn of the holy diligence p. 218of believers? How pale then will thoſe faces look, that here were wont to jear at piety▪ What terror will ſeize upon thoſe hearts, that here were wont to make themſelves ſport at the weakneſſes of the upright ſervants of the Lord? That is t… day that ſhall rectifie all judgements, and cure the errors and contemptuous thoughts of an holy life, which no perſwaſions now can cure; that is the day that ſhall ſet all ſtraight, that now ſeems crooked; and ſhall ſatiſfie us to the full, that God was juſt, even when he proſpered his enemies, and afflicted the ſouls that loved him▪ and walkt in their integrity before him. We ſhall then ſee that which ſhall fully ſatisfie us of the reaſon and equity of all our ſufferings, which here we underwent; we ſhall marvail no more that God lets us weep, and p. 219groan, and pray, and turns away his face, and ſeems not to regard us. We ſhall then find that all our groans were heard, & all our tears and prayers did ſucceed, which we ſuſpect…d had been loſt. We ſhall then find that a duty performed in ſincerity, through all our lives, was never loſt; no nor a holy thought; nor a Cup of cold water that from holy love we gave to a Diſciple. We ſhall then ſee that our murmurings, and diſcontents, and jealous unbelieving thoughts of God, which ſickneſs, or poverty, or croſſes did occaſion, were all injurious to the Lord, and the fruit of infirmity; and that when we queſtioned his Love on ſuch accounts, we knew not what we ſaid. We ſhall then ſee that Death, and grave, and Devils, were all but matter for the glorifying of grace, and for the triumph of our Lord and us.

p. 220Up then my ſoul, and ſhake off thy unbelief and dulneſs; Look up, and long, and meet thy Lord. The more thou art afraid of death, the more deſire that bleſſed day, when mortality ſhall be ſwallowed up of life, and the name of death ſhall be terrible no more. Though death be thy enemy, there is nothing but friendly in the coming of thy Lord. Though death diſſolve thy nature, the Reſurrection ſhall reſtore it, and make thee full reparation with advantage.

How glad would I have been to have ſeen Chriſt, but with the Wiſe Men in the Manger! or to have ſeen him diſputing with the Doctors in his Child-hood in the Temple, or to have ſeen him do his Miracles, or heard him Preach; much more to have ſeen him as the three Diſciples, in his transfiguration; or to have ſeen him after his reſurrection, and when he p. 221aſcended up to heaven. But how far is all this below the ſight that we ſhall have of him when he comes in glory! when the brightneſs of his ſhining face ſhall make us think the Sun was darkneſs: and the glory of his attendance ſhall make us think what a ſordid thing, and childiſh foolery was all the glory of this world! The face of Love ſhall be then unvailed, and raviſh us into the higheſt Love and Joy, that our natures are capable of. Then doubt, and fear, and grieve if thou canſt! What then wilt thou think of all theſe diſquieting diſtruſtfull thoughts that now ſo wrong thy Lord and thee? If going into the Sanctuary, and fore-ſeeing the end, can cure our brutiſh miſapprehenſions of Gods providences, (Pſal. 73.17.) how perfectly will they be cured, when we ſee the glorious face o… Chriſt, and behold the New Jeruſalem in p. 222its glory, and when we are numbred with the Saints that judge the world? We ſhall never more be tempted then, to condemn the generation of the juſt, nor to think it vain to ſerve the Lord, nor to envy the proſperity of the wicked, nor to ſtagg…r at the promiſe through unbelief; nor to think that our ſickneſs, death and grave, were any ſigns of unkindneſs or unmercifulneſs in God. We ſhall then be convinced that ſight and fleſh were unfit to cenſure the wayes of God, or to be our guides.

Haſten O Lord, this bleſſed day! Stay not till Faith have left the earth; and infidelity, and impiety, and tyranny have conquered the reſt of thine inheritanc…! Stay not till ſelfiſh uncharitable pride hath vanquiſhed love and ſelf-denyal, and planted its Colonies of Hereſie, confuſion and cruelty in thy p. 223dominions: and Earth and Hell be turned into one. Stay not till the eyes of thy ſervants fail, and their hearts and hopes do faint and languiſh with look…ng and waiting for thy ſalvation. But if yet the day be not at hand, O keep up Faith, and Hope, and Love, till the Sun of perfect Love ariſe, and Time hath prepared us for Eternity, and Grace for Glory.

FINIS.