Christ in Believers the Hope of Glory, To the reader (1 of 3)

Christ in Believers the Hope of Glory · To the reader (1 of 3)

TO THE READER

Christian Reader,

AMongst the Prejudices, wherewith the Hearts of many of the People of this Generation are plagued, this is not the smallest or least; that they accept of, or reject what cometh to the publick view of the World▪ more as they affect or disaffect the Authors, then according to the Worth and Merit of the Thing published: And are more ready to say, As concerning this Sect, we know that every where it is spoken against, Then to say, But we desire to hear of thee, what thou thinkest, Or with the Noble Bereans, to search the Scriptures daylie, whether these Things be so or not.

But Reader, For removing thy Prejudices, know, that the following Sheets exhibite unto thee, several Precious and Excellent TRUTHS, not to be found every where so succinctly and yet clearly handled; Which, if thou hast any Spiritual Senses exercised to discern Good and evil, may by the Blessing of GOD, prove wholesome Food to thy Soul: And if thou hadst known the Reverend and Worthy Author, thou could'st not for his sake, have had the least ground to be prejudged at any Truth, that ever did come from his Pen. And for thy better Knowledge of him, he hath left some Monuments behind him of his singular Piety and Learning, which if perused, would no doubt make him great in thy Esteem: And these Monuments are extant in his Writings, both in Latine and English, in Polemick and Practical Divinity; Such as his Book, De Causa Dei, contra Anti Sabbatorios. His Refutation of the Errors of Wolzogius and Velthusius, about the Right Interpretation of Scripture, and about Church Government, And an Manuscript intituled, Defensio Ecclesiae Scoticanae, &c. Which was exhibite to the General Assembly of this Church, Anno 1692. And is not yet published, but we wait for it, and expect that it shall be of the same Accuracie with the rest: All these, he hath Writen in Latine ▪ Moreover he hath written excellently against the Quakers, and made evident the dreadful tendency of their pestiferous Errors; And for Practical Divinity, let the first and second Part of The Life of Faith, with his Book intituled, CHRIST the Way, the Truth, and the Life, be considered, and it shall be evident that he hath done great Service to the Church of GOD, particularly in discovering from the Scriptures, the right way of making use of CHRIST for sanctification; A little Subject handled before him, especially in such a plain andclear Method.

But Christian Reader, I would advertise thee, not to look for that Accurateness of expression in the following Sheets, which may appear in the Authors other Writings; For they are only some Notes of Sermons preached in the time of the Authors trouble, at Utrecht, for the most part in his own Chamber; Which after his Death, came to the hand of the Reverend Mr. James Koolman, Minister of the Gospel at Sluis in Flanders, and by him were published in Dutch, as an Appendix to the Dutch Translation of the Authors Book, intituled, CHRIST the Way, th… Truth, and the Life, And now are only translated out of Dutch, at first intended for the private …se of some particular Persons, but afterward by the Solicitations of some, who had the occasion to read them, they were diligently compared with the Dutch Translation, and committed to the Press, the Original not being extant, so far as I know, that this present Translation may be compared with it, and therefore any Defects that may appear in this little Book, cannot in Iustice be ascribed to the Author, but to the Translators, who yet have used very great Diligence and Faithfulness in what they have done. And to conclude, I am hopeful that the Reader shall find, that what pains he shall bestow, upon the perusing of them, shall not be in vain, they containing so many Soul-Solacing Truths, so clearly proposed, together with many Pathetick Exhortations, and Soul-Searching Marks of Christians, all founded upon clear Scripture Testimony, and when perused, he shall say, that the Report he hath heard of them, was not only true, but that the half of what was true of them, was not reported.

p. 1CHRIST THE Hope of Glory IN BELIEVERS, &c.

Coloss. 1.27.

To whom God would make known what is the Riches of the Glory of this Mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the Hope of Glory.

THe Apostle having made mention of the Gospel, whereof he was made a Minister, according to his ordinary Method, cannot supe…ficially pass it over: But as he counted it his Glory, to be employed in that Glorious Ambassage of Preaching▪ the Gospel to lost Sinners, Rom 1 16. 1 Tim. 1.12. So he falleth out on all occasions in the commen…ation of that Noble Ambassage: And therefore having made mention of the Gospel, vers. 23.25. p. 2before he proceed further, he cannot but (in thi… and the foregoing verse) give it some commendatory or praise worthy Titles, to make it more amiable and acceptable.

What he sayes th…reof in this 27 Vers may b… summed up in …hese few Heads. 1. That it is a Mystery, not easie to be understood by every one▪ 2. That it is meerly the Fruit of fre… Garce and good Pleasure of God, that this Mystery wa… made known and manifested. 3. That whateve… outward Discoveries are made thereof unto al… within …he visible Church, yet the more specia… Mani…estations and Discoveries thereof, are reserved for, and made manifest unto the Saint… 4. That this is a Mystery, which hath Glory i… …t. 5. That the Glory of this Mystery is not ordinary: There is in it, The Riches of Glory. 6. Th… this is now made known among the Gentiles. 7. Th… the Quintessence, Ki…nel, or the Riches of th… Glory of this Mystery, or the very …nd or ai… thereof is. Christ in you the Hope of Glory.

What we have to say upon this Verse, we sha… reduce to these principal Heads.

First, There is a Glory to come, whereof som… shall be made partakers.

Secondly, There is an Hope of that Glory, whic… may be attained in time.

Thirdly, The surest ground and most undoub… …d Mark of that Hope, is, Christ l…ving and wo… ing in the Soul.

Fourthly, Here is unfolded a short sum of a p. 3the riches of the Glory of the Mystery of the Gospel, Christinus, the Hope of Glory.

As to the First Head: We see there is a Glory, whereof B…lievers here have an Hope, and in the expectation whereof they are to live: This …hrough …he whole Scripture is sufficiently held forth as …hat which the real Children of God, are to meet with; And in the beholding whereof, they are supported and comforted against all Rancounters …hey may meet with in a wicked World: But who can tell what this Glory is? Seeing

1. It do…h not yet appear what we shall be, 1 Ioh. …, 2. And notwithstanding it be much mention'd in Scripture, yet is it not as yet seen; it is as yet an unseen Glory, hidden for the present from the Eyes of those, who undoubtedly shall be made partakers of the same.

2. It is called a Glory tha… shall be revealed, 1 Pet. ….1 And when shall i… be revealed? Even wh…n Christ… Glory shall be revealed, then shall Believers be glad with exceeding joy, 1 Pet 4.13. When Christ who is our Life shall appear, then shall ye a…so …ppear (saith the Apostle to the same Colossians, Chap. 3 4.) with him in Glory.

3. It is a Glory which shall be revealed in us, Rom. ….18. So that now it must be an unseen and super…xcellent Glory; Not an outward show, or a bor…owed Glance, but an inward Glory, which shall …e revealed in us.

4. It is such a Glory, which eye hath not seen, …or ear heard▪ neither hath it entered into the p. 4H…art of Man to conc…ive what this foreordained Glory is, Isa. 64 4. 1 Cor 2 9, It were but o… small value, if M…r…als by their words could express i…, yea if crea…ed Wisdom could comprehend it, or sufficiently understand what it is. Le… the highest s…aring wi…s, that are, propose to themselves the greatest Glory they can imagine▪ and let others come after them, and add to thei… highest Conceptions, and so on, until there wer… none mo…e to add thereunto: And if it were possible the whole Quint…ssence of their united Conceptions were molten into one Mass, or reduce… into one comprehensive Thought, it should com… short, yea very far short of that Mysterious Glory which shall be revealed, but hitherto it hath no… …ntered into the Heart of man to conceive: How unfi… are we then to speak of it, being unexpressibly greater than we can imagine. Nevertheless let us …eview some Scriptural Expressions concerning this Glory. As

1. Sometimes it is holden forth, under th… Name of a Kingdom, and of a Kingdom bestowe… of the Father, Luke 12 29, 32. A Kingdom appointed by Christ, Luke 22.29. And a Heavenl… Kingdom, whereunto we are preserved, 2 Tim. … 18. And what greater Glory can Mortals here e… pect then to be Kings, and to be Heirs of Kingdoms? And O! this a Kingdom of ano…h… kind; a Kingdom of Glory, wherein there is nothing but pure and unmixed Glory: All th… Subjects of this Kingdom are Glorious, all the p. 5Exercises are Glorious, all the Air they breath in is Glorious, the Meat they feed upon, i… Glorious, all their Garments are Glorious.

2. It is called a Crown, and a Crown of Glory, 1 Pet. 5.4. Kings highly esteem of their Crown, and the Rights and Pendicles thereof, and will spare no possible means for the defence of the same▪ Though notwithstanding of all, their Crowns may fall from their Heads, and their Right die out, either through their u…just Purchase, or possessing of the same. But this Crown is a Crown of Righteousness, 2 Tim. 4.8. A Crown incorruptible, 1 Cor 9 25. Kings with all their Crowns, more then the Beggar, cannot once buy by Dea…h, Psal. 49.7, 8, 9. They must return unto the Dust: But this is a Crown of Life, which preserves from all Deaths, and all its Concomitants, Revel 2.10.

3. They are said to Reign, that is▪ really to possess their Kingdom, and to enjoy the Glory of their Greatness: Earthly Kings may be Titular Kings, and no more, having the Title without the Kingdom; But the Poss…ssors of this Glory, are truly in possession of the Kingdom of Glory. They Reign, and not only so, but they Reign with Christ. 2 Tim. 2.12. And that for ever and ever, Revel. 22.5. They sit with Christ on his Throne, as He sits with his Father in his Throne, Revel. 3 21. O who can unfold the Glory that is in this Glory! that Believers should not only behold the Glory of Christ, Iohn 17:24. But that also they should be made partakers with h…m p. 6therein; That He as the Head, and they as th… Members should enjoy the same Glory: How deep and unexpressible is this Ocean of Glory?

4. This Glory is held forth under the Name o… an Inheritance, to point forth the undoubted right which they have thereto through Grace▪ and th… sure possession, which they shall have thereof i… due time; It is an Inheritance amongst all them which are Sanctified, Act. 20.22. And 26.18. A… Inheritance of the Saints in Light, Coloss. 1.12. A… Inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in Heaven for you, 1 Pet. 1 4.5. It is called an Eternal Inheritance, Heb: 9 15. An Inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God, Ephes 5.5.

Further, let us consider, as to this Glory, what other Names, it getteth in Scripture.

1. It is called a Crown of Glory, 1 Pet. 5 4. A Crown of Glory that fadeth not away: This is far preferrable to the Crowns of yellow Clay.

2. It is an Eternal Glory, 2 Tim 2.10. 1 Pet. 5.10. This is Glory that fadeth not away, no wayes bounded nor confined within the narrow, or short Marches of time, but stretched out through all the Ages of endless Eternity.

3. It is a Glory wherewith the Saints shall appear wi…h Christ, Coloss. 3 4 I… shall be his Livery, who is the King of Glory, and the Saints their Livery.

4. It is a vast weight of Glory; therefore the Apostle knows not enough how to express and p. 7demonstrate it, 2 Cor. 4 17. Calling it a far more exceeding and Eternal weight of Glory; But the Original is more Emphatick, as if we should thus express it, by one Hyberbole added to another, the one supperlative expression surpassing the other: It is an Eternal weight of Glory: O how wonderful! A weight of Glory, who can poise it? An Eternal weight; when shall the weight thereof be pondered? An transcendant Eternal weight; yea not only so, but a far more exceeding and transcendant weight of Glory.

5. It is called the Glory of Jesus Christ, 2 Thess 2.14. For Believers are made joynt Heirs with him, Rom. 8.17. It is the Glory, which He ha…h purchased; The Glory which he is now in poss…ssion of; The Glory which He prepareth for His own, Joh. 14 3. The Glory, which He hath gotten from the Father, that He may bestow it on them, Joh. 17.22.

6. It is a Glory, which is the Saints portion; Ephess. 1.18. Coloss. 1.12. Who must be made meet to be partakers of the same; For without are Dogs, Sorcerers, Whoremongers, Murderers, Idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a Lye, Revel. 22 15. No Whoremonger nor unclean person, nor Covetous man, who is an Idolater, hath Inheritance… in the Kingdom of Christ, and of God. Ephes 5.5. Therefore must the H…irs of this Glory be prepared thereunto, Rom 9.23. se… Revel 21.27.

7. It is a Glory far surpassing all Sufferings p. 8whatsomever; they are not once to be laid in t… ballance, or compared with the same, Rom. … 18▪ For I reckon, saith the Apostle, that the Suff… rings of this present time, are not worthy to be comp… red with the Glory, which shall be revealed in us. O… Suff…rings here are but Light, and for a moment▪ How can they then be compared with this Glory in respect of the weightiness thereof, seeing in superlative degree, it is wholly and exceedingl… excellent? Or to be compared, in respect of i… continuance, seeing it is Eternal? What proportion is there between a moment and Eternity? Not so much as between the tenth part of … drop of Water, and the vast Ocean.

8. It is a Glory that reacheth both Soul and Body, even the very lump of fl…sh; our Bodies shall be raised in Glory, 1 Cor. 15.43. And Christ Jesus shall change our vile Bodies, that they may be fashioned like unto his Glorious Body: Phil. 3.21.

But if you should ask the Question, what really that Glory is: We must acknowledge we cannot answer it; it is far, yea very far above our Uptakings, neither hath it ever entered into the heart of man to fathom or take it up; How can we then express it? O that we had the Faith thereof established in our Hearts! We might better tell you what that Glory is not, then what it is. Let us then consider a little, what this Glory doth free the Believer from.

1, That Glory shall then freely deliver the Believer p. 9from all distress, Sorrow, Sighing, Pains, Tortures, Stiches, Sicknes and Death; There is no Death in Glory, for it is without end; The weight of that Glory is so sweet and satisfying, that the Soul, that is loaded therewith, cannot but rejoyce continually, and forget all its Sorrows and Complaints; there is no Sighing under that burden; Fo…, however it be exceeding weighty, yet it is both able to bear it self, and support, and bear up the Soul loaded therewith: And the Ransomed of the Lord shall … return; and come to Zion, with Songs and everlasting joy upon their Heads, they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and fighing shall flee away, Isa. 35.10. In the Heavenly Zion, in that place of Glory, there is no Mourning to be heard, Isa. …1.11. That Glory cannot admit of the least tear amongst the Inhabitants …here; For the Lord God shall wipe away Tears from off all faces, Isa 25.8. Revel 7.17. and 21 4. The Inhabitant of that Land shall not say, I am sick, Isa 33.24.

2. That Glory shall de…iver the Believer from all occasions of Sorrow and Sadness; no Oppressor nor Persecuter shall breath there; no Object of sorrow there; no injury shall be done to any there, no scorching Sun there; the Sun shall not Light upon them, nor any heat, Revel 7 16. Isa. 49.10.

3. That Glory shall deliver the B…liever from all sin, the very Fountain of all our Miseries; Sin cometh not within the Marches of the new Land of Glory; Corruption may pursue and molest a p. 10Child of God, to the very Ports of Glory, bu… there they part, never more to meet: There, he shall be in case to cry out, Victory, Victory! O Death, where is thy Sting? O Grave where is thy Victory? The sting of Death is Sin, but Sin shall have no access there.

4. That Glory sh…ll deliver the Believers from all Temptations to sin, whether from within, o… from without: No Devils, nor Instruments o… Devils there, to molest or tempt us; no inward stirrings of Corruptions there; no Objects to divert there, no lusting of the Eye, no lusting of the Flesh, nor pride of Life, shall be there. That Glory secures the Soul, and seats it beyond the reach of all spiritual Enemi…s: There, shall Believers be as Princes, Rulers and Conquerors over the World; And there, shall Satan, w…th all his Devices and Instrumen…s be utterly routed, and eternally shakled under their feet, and shall never more be unloosed.

5. That Glory shall deliver us from all Anxieties and Torme…ting perplexi…ies, whereunto here, we are made lyable; no Hunger, Thirst, Cold, Weariness, &c. there; The Labourer shall Sweat no more there; The burden bearer shall cry no more, O my back? The poor man shall drudge no more for Bread to his Family, he shall no more travel over Sea and Land, for Back and Belly, They shall Hunger no more, neither Thirst any more; and wherefore? For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the Throne shall p. 11…eed them, and shall lead them into living Fountains of Waters, Revel 7.16, 17.

6. That Glory sh…ll deliver them from all Darkness of Judgement about their Duty, and doubtings and questionings concerning their State or Frame, neither suspecting it as to the present, no… eve… …earing a change therein as to the future: Glory is Light, and pure Light, neither can it admit of Darkness; the Light that is there, darkens the Sun; For that City of Glory hath no need of the Sun, neither of the Moon to shine in it, For the Glory of God doth Lighten it, and the Lamb is the Light thereof, Revel. 21.23. There the Bride shineth, for her Light is come, and the Glory of the Lord is risen upon her. Isa 60.1.

7. That Glory shall deliver the Believer from all sorrowful and heart-breaki…g Ecclipses and interruptions of the Beams of the Love and Favour of God: Now Clouds interveens betwixt the Light of Gods Countenance, and the poor Soul, with many Jealousies, Fears and Terrors, and sometimes real▪ and sometimes fancied Desertions, tormenting the Believer, casting him in Feavers and Distempers, waging War against him, so that he looks out into God, and the da…es of old, and he is troubled: But there is no Desertion in Glory, no Clouds, no Night there, Revel. 21 25. Their Su… shall never set, no Ecclipses there▪ They shall dwell in the Light of his Countenance, and drink in Eternally the Out le…tings of Glory from the unmeasurable and Etternally living Fountain of p. 12Glory, and that without the least interruption; They shall everlastingly ly in the bosome of God.

8. That Glory shall deliver the Believer from all deadness, formali…y, sinking under the burden of Duties, upsitting through Discouragements and sloathfulness in the waye… of the Lord, and from all such Spiritual Distempers: They shall serve him there, night and day without wearying or upsitting, Revel 7 15. All who come to land in Glory, they shall mount up with wings as Eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not be faint, Isai: 40:31: There shall that word be fulfilled, He that is feeble among them—shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as GOD, as the Angel of the LORD before them Zech: 12:8:

Thus we have opened some what of that Negative happiness, (may we so call it?) which holds forth some what of this Glory: But if you ask what positively i… is, we lose our selves, not being in case to answer it; Nevertheless the Scriptures makes use of some expressions, whereby we may come to understand somewhat of that Life of Glory: However many of them are but borrowed from such enjoyments and exerc…ses as are most pleasant and delectable …o us here: We only shall make mention of the most principal ones. As

1▪ It is a Life of grea… Joy and Gladness: They shall obtainjoy and gladness, Isa. 35.10 and 51 8. Then th…s Gladness is great, it shall be an unspeakably glorious Joy, 1 Pet. 1.8. For then p. 13they shall see him; seeing the joy, which now they have, when they love him, whom they see not, and believe on an unseen Christ, is inexpressible and full of Glory: How much more inexpressibly full of Glory shall they then be, when they come to embrace him whom their Soul loveth; whom now they enjoy alone by Faith: Spiritual Joy and Gladness in the Holy Ghost is the very beginings of it in time, Rom. 14.17. It is here a Fruit of the Spirit, Gal. 5.22. It is an exceeding great joy, 1 Pet. 4.13. That when his Glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy: It is an everlasting joy, …sa. 35.10. and 51.11. The very earnest thereof here enjoyed, far surp…steth the laughing joy of the wicked, Psal. 4 7 It is a peculiar joy, a rejoycing in the g…adness of his Nation, Psal. 106.5. Here is Fulness of joy, Psal 16.11.

2. It is a Life of clear Sight; we shall know no more in part, but know even as we are known, 1 Cor. 13.12. And We shall see him as he …s, 1 Joh 3.2. Now we see darkly through a Gla…s, But then face to face, 1 Cor. 13.12. In the Light of Glory there is no Da…kness. The Soul no sooner enters the threshold of Glory, but it is delivered from all Damps, Mists, Clouds and Imperfections, and capacitate more fully and disti…ctly to receive the Outtings of Light …verlastingly flowing from that Fountain of Light, who dwelleth In the Light which no man can approach unto, 1 T…m. 6.16. Not p. 14that the Soul shall then be in case to behold Gods being, whom no man hath seen, or ca… see; He remains for ever God Invisible, 1 Tim 1.17. And the Believer a finite Creature, and s… incapable to behold the Being of God, whic… is Infinite and Invisible: But they shall be admitted to such nearness, and enjoy such immediate Manifestations and Beams flowing fro… the Fountain of Glory, that it shall be as a se… ing of him face to face, and a knowing of him as we are known, in comparison of what here enjoyed: Undoubtedly our Understandin… though never so deep, shall be there complea… ly satisfied, and that is enough, and may satis… us.

3. That Glory hath a wonderful transfor… ing vertue, as appeareth from 1 Iohn 3.2. … shall be like Him; that is, like unto Christ, … whom the Apostle speaks there, for we sha… see him as he is. The discoveries of God in th… Land of Glory, shall transform us, and i… print in the Soul those Heavenly Accompli… ments, which shall make us like unto him. T… Divine rayes proceeding from that Object, … received by the Soul, shall make it, so far… capable, conformable to the Object, ca… ing alongst with them a transforming Po… and Vertue: They shall imprint in the Sou… lively Copy of the Glorious Communica… Vertues, after a more Clear, full, Heavenly … visible way, and in a far greater measure … p. 15here; Though even here, the Glory of the Lord being seen as in a Glass, changeth the Believer Into the same Image, from Glory to Glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord, 2 Cor. 3.18. This is a powerful operative Glory; a continual refreshing Glory.

4. That Glory filleth up the spacious desires and out-stretched uptakings of the Soul; so that the Soul living in Glory can complain of no wants, but is compleatly satisfied, Ps. l7.15. I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness. Then shall all the corners of the wide and vastly enlarged Soul be fully satisfied. There shall be no Hunger and Thirst there after wants, for all shall be enjoyed, what the Soul can desire. This teacheth us 1st. That all the good to be enjoyed there, shall be real, and not apparent only and imaginary. 2ly. It shall be a most fit and suteable good; other wayes it could never satisfy; superfluity of Water is satisfying to a Fish, because in its Element; yet could not be so to man, who lives in another Element. 3ly. There shall be no scarcity of …hat suteable and convenient good, but a fulness that shall answer all the extended desires of the Soul. 4ly. That the Soul shall possess and enjoy this …ullness, that it may be satisfied therewith, and get all its wan…s filled up thereby.

5. In …hat Glory, the Believer is admitted to more close Fellowship with God; For there they are admitted to stand before the Throne p. 16of God, Revel 7.15. There it is, that they shall fully possess Him as their Portion, and tha… familiarly; For they …tand there as Ministers o… State, attending the Kings own person; Then behold they H…s Face, and live and do rejoyce i… the Light of his Countenance day and nigh… They are made Pillars in the Temple of God▪ and they shall go no more out, Rev. 3.12. Glor… is their House and Element; They could no… live without th…t Glory; They could no… breath without His Company; He dwells among them, even He that sitteth upont th… Throne, Revel 7.15. There the great Tabernacle of God is with men, whereof this Tabernacle enjoyed by them in the Church Militan… is but a sm…ll resemblance; There it is, when that word sha…l be made good and lively, whic… we have Revel. 21.3. And I heard a great voic… out of Heaven, saying▪ Behold the Tabernacle … God is with men, and He will dwell with them, an… they shall be his People, and God himself shall b… with them, and shall be their God. The Believe… there lyeth in the Bosome of God, there it … that They shall see his Face, and his Name shall b… in their Foreheads, Revel 22 4.

6. In Glory they shall have near Communio… wi…h Jesus Christ their Head, their Husban… their Brother, their Lord and King; Then they are with Christ, and enjoy Him, Phil. 1 23. 2 Cor. 5.8. And …hat for ever and ever 1 Thess 4.17. He lives with them, and feed p. 17them; The Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them, Rev. 7 17. They shall sit with him there, upon his Throne, Revel. 3.21. There got they the Morning Star, Revel. 2.28. There do they eat of the hidden Manna, Rev. 2.17. Here the Soul is put to long for nearness with Christ, and complain of clouds interrupting the Beams of His Love; But there they shall see Him to their Contentment and Satisfaction; For they shall be continually with the Lord, and follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth, Revel. 14.4. There shall the I…habitan…s of Glory be partakers of the Marriage of the Lamb, Revel. 19 7, 8.

7. In Glory their Work and Imployment shall be to serve God and the Lamb, day and night in his Temple, Revel. 7 15. and 22.3. And to praise Him there each one, and all of them shall take their Harps and Sing a new Song; saying, thou art worthy — For thou wast slain; and hast redeemed us to God by thy Blood▪ out of every Kindred and Tongue, and People and Nation: And hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests — And again, Worthy is the Lamb that wast slain to receive Power, and Riches▪ and Wisdom, and Strength, and Honour, and Glory, and Blessing, — And again, Blessi…g, and Glory, and Honour, and Power, be unto Him that sit…eth upon the …hrone, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever, Revel 5 8, 9, 12, 13. There they are admitted to the most honourable Employment imaginable, to the p. 18excellentest and most noble peice of Work, i… the high Court of the great King, to a work without end and interruption, or wearying; Thei… Harps shall never be mistuned, their Tongue… never wearied, and their Song shall never wa… old, but shall endure new, fresh and delight son… through out all the …ges of Eternity: There is, that they cry wi…h a loud voice, Salvation … our God which sitteth upon the Throne, and unto th… Lamb, R…vel. 7 9, 10. This is their Song wh… stand before the Throne and before the Lamb arrayed with white Robes, with Palms in thei… Hands, and they are not alone in this exercis… They have the Angels singing with them, eve… all the Angels that st…nd, round about th… Throne, Saying, Amen Blessing and Glory, … Wisdom, and Thanksgiving, and Honour, a… Power and light, be unto our God for ever and ever Revel 7.11, 12. O what a sweet…est is the… And what joy …nd satisfact…on is …here in th… restless, and …rnally refreshing Exercise, … singing Pr…ise unto God, and the Lamb, an… in p…oclai…i…g ev…l…sti…gly their Experienc… o… the unspeaka…le great Favours wh…ch th… con…lly e…j…y.

8 In Glory …he Soul is continually ravishe… and refreshed through the continually new an… fresh Rayes and Ou…goings of th… Love, … Grace and Favour of God, that fl…weth fo… …rom the Living and Eternal Fountain of all Satisfaction: There the Inhabitants of Glory e…j… …ullness p. 19in the presence of God, and Drink of …he Pleasures that are at his Right Hand for evermore, Psal. 16, 11. They are abundantly satisfied, and Drunk with the Fatness of that higher House, and made to Drink of the River of his Pleasures, Psal 36.8. The Lamb shall lead them unto living Fountains of Waters, Revel. 7.17. There they have subst…ntially that Feast of Fat things, a Fe…st of Wines on the Lees, of Fat things …ull o… M…rrow, of Win…s on the Lees excellently refi…ed. For he will swallow up Death in Victo…y, and the Lord God will wipe away Tears from all Faces, Isa. 25.6 8.

O! Then ye Expectan…s of Glory, let me lay before you some f…w Duti…s. As 1. Be astonished ever this wonder…ull… condiscending Love and free Grace of God, that hath predestinate and called you to such a s…a…e of Glory, who were as well as others H…irs of Hell. and had forfeited your Right to Glory and Salvation, as well as they, who sh…ll never taste of the Fruit of that True that growe…h in the midst of the Paradice of God, and of …hat Feast of Glory: I say, stand and a…mi… this his free Love, and begin with your Heavenly Work of Glory here in time. 2 Hold the Faith of this Glory fr…sh in your Souls, and let your Conversation wi…nes… to all men, that you believe there is an approaching Glor…, whereof you are Expectants. 3. Make sure to your p. 20selves this Inheritance of Glory through Fa… in Christ; and hold your Interest clear: vouch the La…b and his Interest here, that y… may live everlastingly wi…h him hereafter.

Be much in the Meditation thereof, and in p… paring your self thereto: Give you… self over Him, who shall make you meet …o be a par… ker of the Inheritance o… the Saints in Light, Co… 1.12 5. Fix your Affections upon and Seek thi… things which are above, where Christ sitteth at … right hand of God, Col. 3 1. And not upon thin… below: How shall you otherwayes eviden… that you are Heirs of Glory? Is there such Glorious Inheritance for you above, and ar… your Hearts and Affections still below? O How unbeseeming is it to such who have th… hope and expectation of a Crown, to be sti… gading in their Affections after Straws. 6 Lay seriously to Heart what you have expressed Philip. 3.20. Let your Conversation be in Heaven, live as Burgesses of that Glory, as having your whole Stock and Traffique there. 7. Desire and long to be there, with Christian Submission; I desire saith the Apostle (Phil. 1.23.) to depart and be with Christ. 8. Come for…h and take possession of this Life of Glory, by giving up your selves to serve him, in receiving and enjoying Him by Faith, and by giving over your selves to be guided and ordered according to His Will. 9 Let your Faith in Him comfort and support you here in time: And that p. 21(1.) Against Poverty and Wants here; For Glory is coming, which shall more than make …hem all up. (2.) Against Reproaches, Shame and Contempt in the World; The Crown of Glory will recompence all wrongs, and the Garments of Glory will compleatly cover all. (3.) Against outward Difficulties and Persecution, especially when occasioned by stedfast standing for Christ and His Cause, for all these shall disappear so soon as the Palms are put in thy Hand, and the Triumphant Song in thy Mo…h. (4.) Ag…inst Sin and a living Body of Death; For Glory Come…h which shall put an end to it; Sin shall not enter there, it cannot once breath in that Element of Glory. (5) Against Satan and Temptations, for in Glory, you shall no more be vexe… with them, these darts have no Place there. (6.) This should comfort against your distance from God, and the hidings of his Countenanc… for in Glory, you shall eternally behold His Face, without any interveening Clouds. (7.) This should comfort against wearying and faggings in Duty, for that Glory will strengthen you in the work of Glory. (8.) Let this comfort you against the weakness of Grace, and especially of that of Love, which sha…l be perfect in Glory; For Love sh…ll be all there; Faith and Hope shall there t…ke …heir farewell of the Believer, as having finished their work.

p. 22Secondly, That which we have to mark in this Text, is the Hope, of this Glory: Which gives us ground to speak of two things: The First is more abstractly and generally hel… forth: The Second, more clearly and particularly.

As to the First, which is by way of exclusion, Viz. That however the Believer has a Righ… to these great things, By vertue of the promisses of GOD in the Covenant of Grace, an… the Merits of Jesus Christ the Cautioner; Ye… here, they have no Possession of what is purchased or promised; They must wait, and live a… those that wait: And not only they but our selv… also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, eve… we our selves Groan within our selves, waiting fo… the Adoption, to wit, the Redemption of our Body for we are saved by Hope: But hope that is seen … not hope, for what a man se…th, why doth he ye… hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, that do we with Patience wait f…r it. Rom: 8.23.24 25 Glory is purchased for them at a dear ra…e to wit, the Blood of Christ, and promised to to them by the GOD of Truth, who cannot lie▪ Nevertheless, while here in time, though now and h… a… the LORD sees good, they may ge… some foretaste of that life of Glory, and have best…wed on them the Earnest of the Inheritance, even the Holy Spirit of promise by whom they … seale…: Yet they must wai… until the Redem… tion of the Purchased Possession, Ephes: 1.13.14 p. 23All that is goten here is but the earnest of what is to come, and of what is folded up in the promise, which they must follow after in Faith and hope; Here they wait for that Glory and live in the Faith and expectation of what is to come: And now abideth Faith, Hope, &c. 1 Cor: 13.13. The Lord sees it good, it should b… so, for wise and weighty reasons, we shall offer some few which may satisfie us herein.

1 Reason, That he may attain the praise of his truth and faithfulness; when it is seen, that such who are no Fools dare nevertheless adventure their Souls and all their Concernments upon GODs naked word, d…pend thereupon, and Possess their Souls in patience: and thus live in hope; Yea not only so, but Rejoyce in the hope of the Glory of GOD. Rom. 5.2. Though for the present they may have very little or nothing in hand.

2. Reason, That thereby the several Graces of GODs Spirit may be exercised in them, as Faith, Patience, longing, &c. Whereof the beliver shall make no use, when once in possession of Glory: The hope that is seen is no hope, that is, hope has no more place, when the thing hoped for is seen and po…sessed; And where hope is in exercise, there is also a patient waiting; all which acknowledge Faith to be the foundation whereon …h…y stand; Now is the time and season …or these Fruits to grow, for a… soon as the hoped for Inheritance is attained p. 24these flowers shall no more blo…som in the Garden of the Soul. Now must we live by Fai… and not by Sense, 2 Cor. 5.7. Now is it tha… they groan earnestly, desiring to be cloath… upon, with their House which is from Heave… to wit, while they are in this Tabernacle, 2 Cor 5.1, 2, 4. Now abideth Faith, Hope, 1 Cor. l3.13

3. Reason, That they may be prepared an… made meet for …hat Glory, and to be partakers … the Inheritance of the Saints in Light, Col. 1.1… Glory is no ordinary Life, neither shall Sinner find a breathing in that Element, they must b… changed, washed and prepared before the… come there: The rough stones win out of Natures Womb, must be plained and polished before they can be use…ull Materials for the higher House. Here then, must the Expectants of tha… Glory, through the exercise of Faith, Hope, Patience, &c. Be adorned and fitted for th… glorious Habitation. The Children that were … stand before the King of Babylon, were to b… taugh… and …ished wi…h the King… Meat, a… Wine, w…ich be Drank for the space of th… years, Dan. 1, 3, 4, 5. Far more then are … Attenders o… Glory, to be prepared, whereb… they may be fi…ted to stand in the presence o… the grea… King of Glory, and that everlastingly▪

4. Reason: Th… thereby, Glory may be the sweeter a…d welcomer unto them, when th… get it, a lo…g expected Crown, is the welcomer when o…ined.

p. 255. Reason, That thereby He may have occasion to evidence the Glory of his Power Truth and Faithfulness, in bringing them at last to the Possession of the promised Inheritance, after some few years patient waiting, and that notwithstanding of many difficulties in the way, the deceitfulness of their own Hearts, the many discouragements, from within and from without, wherewith they had to Fight.

6. Reason, That the ungodly among whom they live, may be the more inexcusable, who say in effect, that there is no God, and that he is not to be trusted, That Glory and Blessedness is but a meer dream and fancy; when they see that Believers among them, rest on the Faithful word of God, and comfort themselves in the Hope of Glory, which shall be revealed, and that in the midst of reproaches, Persecutions, Poverty, Difficulties, &c. And that they will not let go the hope of that Inheritance, for all the Profite and Pleasures of the World, or condescend to any thing, which in the least might prejudge that Hope, no not for the greatest of worldly advantages, Rom. 8.18.

But here, take some words of Vse alongst with you. 1. For Caution to such who now …nd then win at some Foretastings of this glorious Life of Glory, and sometimes are admitted to the Kings Banqueting-house, and filled with the Kisses of his Mouth, and Eat of p. 26his Aples of Love, and so are brought into the very Suburbs of Heaven: I would say these things unto them. (1.) Think not that that life, will alwayes continue, you may now and then have more then ordinary Dainties, and some dayes of Feasting; yet remember▪ that thy Life here is by Faith, Hope, &c. And not by Sense: But providing that it please th… Lord out of his overflowing Goodness, fo… his own Glory, to da…dle you on his Knee… and to treat you more then ordinary, make i… welcome; Be not puffed up therewith, no… imagine that it will be your ordinary fare, s… long as here in time: But rather look that ther… will be a low ebb, after such a Spring-flood and that that Table shall yet again be drawn And so prepare your self for your ordinary portion, remembring, that thy Life here, Is Life of Hope, grounded upon Faith. (2.) Wh… of this sort of extraordinary intertainme… you also get, look but on it as a Pledge or A… les-penny, and endeavour to carry your selv… as Expectants of Glory, looking out into tha… which is to come, and let your desires grow… the more to compleat the Harvest, since th… first Fruits are so sweet, be not satisfied wi… what you receive of that nature as if it we… your Portion. Glory is here not in Hand, b… in Hope to such.

2. Vse. To such, who are great Strange to the fore-tastings of Sense, let them not … p. 27discouraged. But 1. Be satisfied though the Lord should with hold from you, these more extraordinary Out-lettings of his Favour, and deal with thee, otherwise then with some; Remember that your ordinary way of living is a Life of Hope. 2. Make use of this Hope, which is your Life, to the best advantage: Exercise thy Faith, and comfort thy self, in the Hope of the Glory of God: Thus shall you Glorify Him, who hath called you to this Hope of his Kingdom, knowing that ye are saved by Hope, Rom. 8.24. And that there is an Hope …aid up for you in Heaven, Col. 1.5. Live as those that are begotten again into a lively Hope, 1 Pet. 1.3.

3. Vse. Hereby I do advise all the Godly, who are called to this Hope, that they so carry themselves before the World, (how little soever they have in possession) as those that are rich in Hope. Merchants can boast, and hold out a Port, as if they had much Money in Cash, by reason of the great income of some rich Cargo, which they are in expectation of, notwithstanding of their being very empty handed …or the present: But, as the Riches of Glory, far exceed the riches of this World; So the expectation and assurance thereof, is infinitely far beyond that of worldly Riches. O! then, carry your selves in all things, whatever Gods Dispensations may be towards you, so as becometh those, who are Expectants of Glory. p. 28Let the Hope thereof support your Souls unde… all Discouragements. Let no Dispensation… Loss, Cross, any wayes abate your Hope, … make you carry unbeseeming such a Gloriou… Hope, whereunto you are called, knowin… that none of these things can rob you of th… great expected Salvation, or make you miser… able.

4. Vse, To suches are y…t Strangers to thi… Hope; I have these few things to say. 1. Thin… more then you do on the Life of the Godly, so whatever may be their condition, here in time yet they have a Crown, and a sure Inheritanc… and are Expectants of a Life of Glory, an… have a well grounded Hope thereof: So th…t their Life, however accompanied, with … greatest of outward Calamities, yet far preferable to yours. 2. Covet & long exceeding to be amongst the number of those; Fo… howeve… these dews & dropings of Consolation which sometime, even here, they are enjoyin… besuch, as the ungodly so long as they remain … can never experimentally understand, yet th… are infinitely below that which is abiding then in the Hope whereof they are called to liv… Life, Light. Joy, and all is sown for the… and they and they alone have the sure and w… grounded Hope thereof. 3. Judge, who a… wisest, ye or the Believer; ye loss for little rousted Gold, worm-eaten Pleasure and vain imaginary Glory, this rich Prize: A… p. 29ye live here without Hope, whereas they through a most noble, Majestick and generous Disposition dispise your silly Feckless Portion, a Compound o… meer Vanity: And look to an Incorruptible and Substantial Glory, an incomparable Inheritance, and a Crown of Glory: Neither will quite their Hope of Glory for all the fancied Satisfaction, the Art of man can squeeze out of these imaginary Pleasures, Profi…s and Glory of this momentary time. 4. Behold and be convinced of the reality of Religion: For certainly it can be no Dream, Fancy, or groundless imagination that makes the Believer so cheerfully forsake that which you choose for your Portion, and rest satisfied with; and makes them resolutely and deliberately undergo Shame, Discredit, Poverty, Persecution, Death and Flames, rather than Act any thing, or cede in the least Puncti…ilio, …hat might cut off or ma…r the Hope of what …hey are expecting. They are Men as well as others, by nature as wise and careful of their …ope and well being, as well as others; Nevertheless, most willing for the Hope that is set before them, to turn their back on all these things: They are as little Fantastick or Crack-brain'd as others; yet the very …ope and expectation of that Glory, which is …romised, will support and bear them up under …urdens, that would crush twenty ungodly bodies, …t will make them sing in the midst of the Fires, page missing p. 30as Crowned and sitting in their Chair of Stat… having only in hand the Hope of Glory.

Now that, which is clearly held forth b… these words, The Hope of Glory, is, that the… really such a thing amongst the Godly, as th… Hope of Glory: It is true, the unjust man ha… a Hope, which perisheth, Prov. 11.7. Wh… they die their Hope and Expectation perishe… with them, because it was after the things below, and these all pass away: And providi… it be after the things, which are above, yet bei… the badly bottomed, their Hope is but as the gi… ing up of the Ghost, or puffing out its breath a… perisheth, Iob. 11.20. Even so hath the H… pocrite a Hope, but it shall perish, Iob 8.13. A… their Trust is as the Spiders Web, soon brok… down, & I pray you, What is the Hope of the H… pocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh … way his Soul? Job. 27.8. But the hope of th… Believer is solid and real; which appears thu… ▪

First, It is bottomed on a sure and nob… …oundation. As 1. on the Promise and Oa… of God▪ Heb 6, 17, 18. Wherein God willi… more abundantly to shew unto the Heirs of Prom… the immulability of his Counsel, confirmed it by … Oath: That by two immutable things, in which was impossible for God to lye, we might have strong Consolation, who have fled for refuge, to … …old upon the Hope set before us, &c. 2. On th… Power of God, who made Abraham to Ho… against Hope, Rom 4, 17, 18, 21. He believ… …ven God, who quickneth …he dead, and calle… p. 31…hose, which be not as though they were, and being …ully perswaded that what he had promised, he was able also to perform; So Heb. 11.18, 19. He accounted that God was able to raise him up Isaac, even from the dead. 3. On the continually and really felt experience of the Goodness of God, Rom. 5.3, 4. Knowing that Tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope. See also Lam: 3.21, 4. On the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, as a publick person, having to the uttermost satisfied Justice, and procured a publick Absolviture or Discharge. 1, Pet. 1, 3. They are begotten again unto a lively Hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Dead. 5. On Christs living in them: As here in the Text, which is no fancie; as we shall afterward make appear.

Secondly, The Hope of the Believer is a real work of God's Spirit in the Soul; Therefore He is called the God of Hope, Rom, 15, 13. They abound in Hope, through the Power of the Holy Ghost. It is God that begetteth us again into this Lively Hope 1 Pet: 1, 3. And it is He that giveth it. 2 Thes: 2.16.

Thirdly, It is a Hope carried on in the Soul, through a real work o… Grace: God giveth us good Hope through Grace. 2 Thes: 2, 16.

Fourthly, This Hope hath a real Object; For Heaven is the Object of their Hope, Col: 1, 5, For the Hope, which is laid up for you in Heaven. p. 32This is the Hope of their calling, Ephes: 1, 1… and 4, 4. Christ is their Hope, the Lord Ies… Christ, which is our Hope. 1 Tim, 1, 1. They tru… in the Lord, and He is their Hope, Ier: 17. … The Psalmist saith, Psal: 71.5. For Thou an… my Hope O Lord, Thou art my Trust, from my Youth. The Lord will be the Hope of his Peopl… and the strength of the Children of Israel saith, Joe… chap: 3, 16, And what further can be required, for the making Hope a real business? What ar… all the advantage of the richest incomes in a world, in comparison of this one thing? And yet that uncertain and petty rent beget…eth hope, which will make the Merchant, who ventureth thereon, sing and rejoice within himself upon his expectations: But O! Her… is the Hope of Eternal Life, which God that cannot lie promised before the world began. Tit: 1, 2.

Fifthly, It is a Hope of real use and advantage to the Believer: It is an excellent and approven weapon for defending the head: Therefore compared to a Helmet. Ephes: 6.17. 1 Thes: 5.8. It defends the head from all blows, and holds it up from sinking under temptations, difficulties and discouragements therefore compared to an Anchor, Heb: 6, 18, 19. Holding fast the Soul, in the day of storm, and making the Believer undauntedly ride out the same, and boldly to set head against satan his tentations, falling down upon him, as so many swelling and raging billows p. 33of a tempestuous Sea; And as the blasts of a terrible tempest, to render him hopeless, …nd so to quite grips of Christ, and his expecta…ions of thē Crown.

S…xtly, This Hope hath many real and excel…ent operations on the Soul, therefore cannot out be real. For 1. This Hope is a fountain of continual comfort; Therefore we read of the confidence of Hope. Heb: 3.6. And the Believer must rejoice in Hope. Rom, 12.12. Hope affords matter for a song in the saddest day; Therefore the Apostle sayes, Rom: 5.2. We rejoice in hope of the Glory of God: And not only so, but we glory in Tribulation. v. 3. For what they hope for is certain, the hope of the Righteous shall be gladeness. Prov: 10.28. Not like the expectation of the wicked which shall perish. 2. Again Hope is that which quickneth the heart, and encourageth the soul: For when the Soul is ready to sink in discouragements, seeing no appearance of fulfilling the great things promised, and filled with fears of falling off, and so to loose the prize. Then Hope will hold up the head, and encourage the sinking Soul, and thus it is a quickning and enlivening bu…iness, therefore called a lively Hope, 1 Pet: 1.3.3. This Hope is a mean of Salvation; Therefore we are said to be saved by Hope, Rom. 8.24. Faith and Hope are two noble Lackays that never parts from the Believer, until fairly within the haven of p. 34Glory. 4. This Hope rejoiceth and comfort the Soul under all its losses, troubles and wandring…: what supported Abrahams heart whe… he sojourned in the Land of promise, as in … strange Countrey, dwelling in Tabernacles with Isack and Iacob, the heirs with him of the same promise, But Hope; For it immediatly follow… Heb: 11 9, 10. For he looked for a city, whic… hath fonddations, whose Builder and Maker is Go… 5. This Hope sets the Soul a work. to make … self ready and meet for the heavenly Habitation, to continueand go on in Sanctification, and to oppose & withstand whatever is unbeseeming an expectant of Glory. So that it is of a purifieing nature. For every man that hath thi… Hope in him, purifieth himself even as he is pu… 1 Joh: 3.3.6. This Hope humbleth, quieteth and …ully satisfies the Soul, when disquiete… and disturbed through the proud and arrogan… undervaluings of those, who disdain full… upbraid them and their confidence in God Psal: 42.5, 11. Or through the sad simptoms o… an angry God, whereby deep calle… unto deep at the noise of his Water-spouts, al… his waves and bil…ows going over. v 7▪ An… appearing to cast them off. Psal: 43.3. Fo… when David is thus exercised, the only thin… which upholds him is Hope, and therefore the… alone cordial, in that lamentable song he stil… again and again recommends his soul unto, … hope thou in God; And chargeth his Soul as high…y p. 35irrational, in being cast down and disquiet…d, seeing hope was yet to the fore. Saying, Why art thou cast down O my Soul, and why art tho… …isquieted in me; hope thou in God, …or I shall yet …raise Him, &c. Thus we see that hope will …ise up the cast down and disquieted Soul. 7 This hope not only delivers the Soul from all …nxieties and fears, but sets it beyond the reach …hereof, so that the Believer he sings, tho rot…ing in the grave, even his very dust and burried flesh or body shall rest in hope▪ under the dark & cold chambers of death. Psal: 16.9. Acts 2.31. Thou shalt be sè…ure. saith, Zopha…, Iob: 11.18. Because there is hope, Hereby it is that the Righteous is said to have hope in his death, Prov. 1… 32. When their condition in the eyes of the wicked seem most desperate and hopeless, even then they have hope, when death the king of terrors is grapling with them, and burying them in the dust; Even then they lift up their heads in Hope. 8. Hope gives Confidence and true Christian Boldness to look Tentations in the Face: Hope maketh not ashamed, Rom. 5.5. In these Words, there is an dimunitive manner of speech, for it signifyeth so much, as Hope giveth great Confidence and Boldness; And wherefore? For the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever, Psal: 9.18. Nor be cut off Pro: 24.4. There shall be a Reward, Davids prayer, Psal: 119.116. Let me not be ashamed of my hope: Shall be answered, p. 36and in end accomplished. 9. Hope makes the Soul calm and patient under all persecutions; Therefor Paul mentions the patience of Hope, to the Thessalonians, Thes: 1.3. At a ground of his praise on their behalf.

But it may be asked, if all really and Godl… have this Hope

I Answer, Yes, more or less, for they are begotten again into this Lively Hope, 1 Pe… 1.3. And their Faith and Hope must be i… GOD, 1 Pet. 1.21. But all have it not … the same Degree and Measure: For 1. Som… attain unto the full assurance of Hope. Heb. … 11. Which dispelleth all clouds, and puts th… Soul without the reach of all doubtings or further Questioning of the Matter: But this is no… ordinary, but seldom attained. 2. Some a… tain unto a reasonable Hope, bottomed … Faith, as through Patience and Comfort of th… Scriptures, they have Hope, Rom. 15.… Their Conscience bearing them Witness, th… they have fled for Refuge to lay hold upon th… Hope set before them, Heb: 6.18. They believe that the Word o… GOD is sure and u… changeable, and that he cannot deny himse… Hence it is, that they have a firm Hope, whic… (though without foretastings and sensible i… fluences of Joy) supports them under all di… couragements. 3. Some, who have no… readily come this length, nevertheless ha… p. 37about …he posts of Wisdoms door: And tho they can do no more, yet will they look unto the LORD, and wait upon the GOD of their Salvation, Mic: 7.7. They know and are assured, tha… Salvation is no where else to be …ound, neither will they seek it any other where, he alone must be the GOD of their Salvation; And therefore they wait and look out …or Him, and encourrage themselves with the Hope of a happy Outgate; My GOD will hear me. They will wait upon the LORD, that hideth His Face, and will look for Him, Isa: 8, 17. Meditating on that Word, Isa: 45.22. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the Earth, Though they dare not say they have at…ained that Lively Hope, yet they know, that …hey are at the right Door, therefore will not give over, but resolves so long as there is Life or Breath in them, to hang at the cheeks of GOD's gates, come of it what will. Thus Hope prese…ves the Soul from dispair, or giv…ng over the Cause as desperate, and from say…ng with that wicked king, 2 King: 6.33. This evil is of the LORD, why should I wait for …he LORD any longer? 4. Some being enviro…ed with temptations and thick clouds, may conclude that they are cast off, and say in …heir haste, that the LORD hath forgotten …hem, and cast t…em off; Yea, and say round…y, that there is no Hope, that their Hope is perished from the LORD, Lam: 3.18. Isa: p. 3840.27. Ezek: 37.8. And that they are cu… off, Psal: 31.22. And that all Men are lyers. Psal: 116.10, 11, And with Iob Chap: 17, 15. & 19 10▪ And where is now my Hope: Mine Hope hath he removed like a tree. Yet notwithstanding of all this, they will not quite nor sell their Interest, of Christ and Heaven, but reckon it their great priviledge, that they are out of hell, and that GOD renews his Mercys to them day by day this they recall to mind, therefore have they Hope, Lam: 3.21.

Vse. Since there is such a noble and excellent Grace, every way so necessary and profi… able; Surely it is our great conc…rnment an… interest to try and search narrowly, whith… we have it or not: Many phansie they have… true & lively Hope, and alas! it is but a clatch up and imaginary hope, they die with a lie i… their Right Hand. Again others, who hav… really this Hope in their Soul, notwithstanding entertaìn suspicious that all is wrong wit… them, and therefore cry out that their Strengt… and Hope in GOD is departed; Therefor w… shall speak a word to both. And 1 All hav… not a True and Lively Hope, who say the… have it; There is a generation that is reall… without Hope, Eph: 2.12. Who yet phansie they have a sure and well grounded Hope… But the hope of many shall …erish with themselves; Pro: 11.7. Iob. 18.13.14. Al… this ill grounded hope, will not support the p. 39Man that hath it: What is the hope of the Hypocrite; though he hath gained, when God taketh away hisSoul? saith Iob. ch. 27.8.2. It must be undoubtedly a sad and lamentable Disappoinment of their Expectations, many shall meet with, when their Hope shall forsake them, and sink under them as the broken reed of Egypt; And what more lamentable then to credit the stress of their immortal Souls in a rotten …reed, and to phansie when Death shall come, to Land in Glory, and yet for them and their Hope u…erly to perish? Oh! how shall their former Hope, augment their irrecoverable and eternal Misery, and rende? their condition more lamentable then they had never had such a Hope? 3. Shall not this disappointment occasion great confusion of Faces? Shall it not fare with them, as with the Troops of …ema, and the Companies of Sheba, …o that they shall be ashamed and con…ounded, bec…use they had hoped, Job 6.19, 20. Many pass now for great Christians, and have a hope they will not quite with, which shall fill their Faces with con…usion, when they come to see, that their Hope hath been but a meer Dream. 4. Is it not a terrible plague and judgement, to be so far possessed with blindness, as not only to be ignorant, where we are, but to drea… and phansie, that we walk on a sure and even ground; whereas puffed up with vain presumption, we are walking on the p. 40very sides of the pit, not knowing, but every step may land us in Eternity, and so in everlasting confusion? Alas! how lamentable is it to see people feeding upon ashes, and turned aside with a deceitful heart, so that they cannot deliver their Soul, Nor say, is there not a lie in my right hand, Isa: 44.20.5. Providing the m…ssing of our hope were of small importance, the matter were not so great; But to miss and be disappointed of Glory, of Eternal Salvation, of the Fellowship of GOD Eternally; O how dreadful must that be? how can such a loss ever be repaired? what can man give for the Redemption of his Soul? Or what shall h… give in exchange thereof? what thing imaginable can repair this irrepairable Loss? 6. Providing this loss could ever be recovered, it were the more supportable; But when this one Loss and disappointment can never be again repaired, what a terrible bussiness then, to rest here, in time, on a false hope, which with them will perish, and give up the Ghost; their being no… returning again to make amendment of by gone miscarriages. O! Then, should not every Soul …eriously consider how greatly it is th… Interest to ponder, and narrowly to examine on what ground their Hope resteth.

Now …or helping such out of their self deceitfulness, who fancy they have the right Hope and are yet strangers thereto; And for easing such, who cannot be convinced that their Hop… p. 41is of the right kind; I shall in short, propose some Marks. whereby the one and and the other may try themselve….

1. Mark, Let every one try how they came by their Hope, that Hope which is born with us, and hath alwise lodged in us, and kept us in peace, since we came into the World, providing we have no other, cannot be of the right stamp: For hope is a fruit of the Spirit; For we through the Spirit wait for the Hope of Righteousness by Faith, Gal: 5 5. There is no abounding in hope, but through the power of the holy Ghost, Rom. 15.13. The strength of nature, or ed…cation cannot help us here. Our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and GOD even our Fath…r must give us good hope through Grace, 2 Thes: 2.16. This hope is from no natural extraction, it is of Divine Extract.

2. Mark, True and lively Hope, is ever grounded upon Christ's Righteousness and Resurrection; Therefore it is a waiting For the hope of Righteousness by Faith, Gal: 5.5. Awaiting for what is hoped for, through the Righteousness of …hrist, or only by vertue of that Righteousness of Jesus Christ, which is laid hold on by Faith; so that the hope of Glory is founded thereon: We are begotten again unto a lively hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Pet: 1 3. So that the hope, which is not upon Christ, which is not built on his Dea…h and Resurrection, and upon his imputed Righteousness, but on something p. 42within our selves, be it never so specious or excellent, as an honest heart as they phansie, outward holiness, blamelessness, victory over corruptions, singular devotion, or whatever it be of that nature, will be but a… the giving up of the Ghost, and come far short of helping or relieving the poor Soul.

3. Mark, True and lively Hope, as it is sounded upon Faith, so they go hand in hand, toge…her, 1 Pet: 1.21. Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gav… him Glory, that your Hope and Faith might be i… God. Hope without Paith laying hold upon … crucified Saviour, according to the tenor o… the Covenant, is but a meer dream: Hope cannot stand, but upon the pillar of Faith; Therefore the Church first embraceth GOD as her Portion, then she wins to the solid exercise of Hope Lam: 3:24. The Lord is my portion, sayeth my soul, therefore will I hope in him.

4. Ma…k, Where there is a real Hope o… Glory, there will be a leaning on GOD, and committing of our Souls to him for through bearing, through all the difficulties, Wyndings and turnings in our way: Ou… hope is co… tinually in GOD, Psal. 39.7. Others truste… in their Riches, they gathered and heaped it u… But for David, he sayes, And now Lord, wh… wait I for? My hope is in Thee; compared wi… Psal: 71.5. David on this foundation, press… to be delivered out of the hands of the wicked p. 43because he had alwayes been his hope; For he sayeth, Thou art my hope, O Lord God, thou art my trust from my youth; Thus casts he all his cares and burdens on the LORD, and this was his constant way and continual practise: He had no other hope, neither acknowledged any other, knowing that he was happy, that had the GOD of Jacob for his help, and whose hope was in the LORD his GOD, Psal: 146.5.

5. Mark, Where there is a Reall and Lively Hope of Glory, desires after bewitching pleasures will grow cold; And now what wait I for? saith David, Psal: 39.7. My hope is in Thee: He saw nothing in the World worthy his attendance, for his hope, he had established it on a sure and sufficient Object; he betook himself not to these, who said who will shew us any Good, Psal: 4.6. O! When the heart through hope, hath fastened it self on GOD, how little values it all the vanity of a perishing world; The sight of Glory, which they have through hope, darkens that lustre and beauty which others see in the perishing things of a world, whose eyes being of the same substance with the world, are earthly.

6. Mark, This true Hope is accompanied with a careful endeavour to keep all the Commandments of GOD; LORD sayeth David, Psal: 119.166. I have hoped for thy Salvation, and done thy Commandments. True hope is an enemy to a careless life, and is accompanied with p. 44tenderness and earnestness: Hope sets the Soul a running, Act. 26.7. VntoUnto which promise, our twelve Tribes instantly serving GOD day and night, hope to come.

7. Mark, Hope will sit down down well satisfied on GODS bare Word; As Abraham, who against hope believed in hope, Rom: 4.18, And how often sayeth David, that he hoped in GODS Word, Psal: 119.49.114. Psal: 130 5. Hope will keep the Soul in Life, even when all things seems contradicting the very Promises, and to say it is vain to wait any more.

8. Mark, Hope is a purifying Business, … Job: 3.3. It sets the Soul a work to wash i… self in the Blood of Christ, and makes the Sou… to labour in the strength of Jesus to get sin k…lled, the desires of the flesh and mind brought under, and the Soul sanctified; So that they will wrestle with GOD by Faith in Prayer, to be made fit to have an Interest of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light.