Christian Commemoration, Part 2

Christian Commemoration · Part 2

p. 8P. 1. Godly Miniſters, when Dead, muſt not be Buried in Oblivion.

My Text expreſly commands the contrary. Remembrance of them, Natural and Moral, is here required. Naturally, we remember thoſe whom we often call to mind, think of, and ſpeak with our ſelves concerning them. For, thinking is nothing but ſpeaking with our ſelves. Thoughts be the words of our hearts. Morally, we remember ſuch as we do congruouſly ſpeak of with our ſelves. I mean agreeably to their worth; and ſuitably to the proper End of our commemorating them. This Moral remembrance, without the Natural, is impoſſible; and the Natural without this Moral, is at leaſt vain and idle. Remember your Guides, is in effect thus much; Multiply honourable and affectionate thoughts p. 9concerning them. Thoughts proper and apt to praiſe the Gifts and Graces of God in them, and to promote the ſame in your ſelves.

Our Engliſh Tranſlation renders foreign as a Participle of the preſent tenſe: The Syriac, Arabic, Vulg. Lat. & Rhemiſts; Calvin and Grotius, and (of our own Writers) Doctor Owen and Biſhop Lloyd ſo take it.But I rather conceive it a Noun Subſtantive in this place; becauſe the Apoſtle ſpeaks of ſuch as had been Rulers; not ſuch as continued to be ſo. He ſeems to intend the Apoſtles, Evangeliſts, and all ordinary Paſtors who had led and ruled them by God's holy word; and were now …t reſt from their Labours, and en…oying their Reward. Theſe, he commandeth to be remembred; but not with any Heatheniſh or Popiſh Celebrations. Theſe, without the …eaſt particular deference unto St. Peter; or any ambitious pretending Succeſſors of his. Theſe, with a ve…y apparent excluſion of all the p. 10Tribes, that take on them to Rule without ſpeaking the Word of the Lord. All, that Preach not, o… Preach another Goſpel.

But, be it here obſerved; it is not only or principally, as Miniſters but as Members of Jeſus Chriſt, tha… we are charged to remember theſe departed ones aforeſaid. Their Miniſtry of the Word, is indeed conſidered as an Engagement unto the required Remembrance. But it i… their Faith, their holy Converſation and the glorious End of both, tha… are propoſed as ſpecially obligativ… thereunto. Inſomuch as my Tex… may well admit a comprehenſion of all Chriſtians, that have fought th… good fight, kept the Faith finiſhed their Courſe, and received their Crow… I mean, of ſuch, as, tho' they wer… never called to the diſtinct Office o… the Miniſtry, yet in all manner of ho… Converſation, have miniſtred unt… our Faith and Joy; as all ſeriou… practical Chriſtians do. And, … p. 11whom after their Diſſolution, we may aſſert the things foreſaid, in Hope and Charity; (It being not for mortal Worms, to conclude peremptorily, who do enter the heavenly Manſions.) I ſhall therefore confirm the Doctrine propoſed, as ſo far extended. And advance Conſiderations which do very convincingly prove thus much; ſcil. That godly Miniſters and Chriſtians, when they are Dead, ought ſo to be remembred as we have foreſaid.

C. 1. Your reaſonable Nature binds you to remember your godly Miniſters and Friends deceaſed. It binds you to converſe moſt in your thoughts with the moſt noble Objects. But of …ll Creatures, excepting the bleſſed Angels, theſe are the moſt excellent. They are ſo in themſelves, and ſo in our Opinion, or rather your Faith. When they were in the Body, you …ought them pieces of Heaven, of whom the World was not worthy. You …alled them the excellent of the Earth; p. 12and all your delight was in them How readily did you break from other Company, put off any diſpenſable Buſineſs, and undertake Journeys, otherwiſe tedious, to ſolace your hearts with their Converſe … And are they now grown worſe for their very Perfection? Are they leſ… Lovely for their being in Glory? B… they therefore faln in your eſteem becauſe they are advanced unto Heaven? The nearer they be unto their Lord and yours, the farther muſt they be from all kind thoughts of yours? What hinders, that you cannot more delightfully viſit them now when all that is delightful fill them? That you cannot follow them to no worſe a Countrey, than you profeſs your ſelves ſeeking; and n… more remote, than that you hav… your Converſation in, if you an… true Iſraelites.

It is full as eaſie to think of … friend at the Indies, as at next doo… And of your friends that be in th… p. 13houſe made without hands, as thoſe …hat be in any houſe of your own here …elow. Wherefore, your own Minds, if you inhumanely reſiſt not …heir Light and Law, will be a…cending unto theſe Stars in Glory. And that as naturally as the ſparks …y upward. Or as Men, (impatient …f herding with Creatures that live …ut an Animal Senſitive life,) do …eſort for their pleaſure unto the …oſſeſſors of their own more noble Nature. And moſt Induſtriouſly …nto ſuch of them, as are of moſt …nſpicuous Goodneſs.

C. 2. Your gracious Love of God …nds you to Remember your godly Mi…ſters and Friends deceaſed. Love, …hich is all Religion, is of all things …e moſt Imperious. And, of all …ings to be named, doth moſt com…and thoſe Legions of ours which are …deſt to be Governed, our thoughts. …endures not wilful Ignorance, or …getfulneſs of it's Object. It hath …en named very juſtly, the matchleſs p. 14Art of Memory. Ubi Amor, ibi… Oculus. If the Love of God prevail in your Hearts, it will carry your Minds, and keep them where he is▪ It will turn the ſtream of your cogitations, and hold them toward Heaven. The Heaven, in which He is not without his Children with Him. Without the Souls of the ju… made perfect; who behold his face i… Righteouſneſs, and are ſatisfied with his Likeneſs. Every one exulting in that triumph about Him, My God i… mine and I am His. And is it poſſible, think you, to Love this Father and not Love theſe Children of His to Converſe with Him, and to forget them! with a neglectful Obliv… on of them, to hold an acceptabl… Communion with him!

The beloved Diſciple tells us un… mitedly, concerning all his Family on Earth as well as Heaven; Eve… one that loveth him that begat, love… him alſo that is begotten of Hi… 1 John 5.1. But what Children of h… p. 15can we Love, if we Slight the very beſt He hath! And do then regard them …eaſt, when we conclude them to have moſt of his Image, Likeneſs, and Complacence.

C. 3. Your continued Relation unto godly Miniſters and Friends deceaſed, …inds you to the Remembrance of them.

Sirs, you have been often charg'd …ot to look upon your ſelves too …bſtractedly; but to conſider your …elves as Members of a Community. All the World, is, naturally, but …ne Man and Woman's Children. The Church above and below, is but one Family. Beſides, as you cannot be …gnorant; the great Lord of this …amily hath pleaſed, yet nearer to …yn you, and thoſe … ſpeak of. To …ut you in particular endearing Re…tions unto them. Your Miniſters, …ow in glory, were, ſome of them, our Fathers, and begat you in Chriſt. Others were your Nurſes, …nd fed and nouriſhed you in his …aith, after your New Birth. Your p. 16godly Friends, were (full often) the Miniſters of God for good unto you, in things Temporal and Spiritual. Brethren, you were all; Companions, and mutual Benefactors: ſerving one another in love. Now fain I would know, what you think! Doth ſuch Relation ſignifie little or nothing? Or, if it doth, was the Relation, and it's Obligations too, diſſolved at their Death? In the language of Practice, too many do ſo ſpeak; but you cannot ſo think. What! Doth Death ſeparate from God and Chriſt? Away with that frightful thought! Dead Saints be God's Friends. He calls Abraham his Friend, many hundred years after his deceaſe. Dead Saints be Chriſt's Friends alſo. He ſaith concerning dead Lazarus, Our Friend ſleepeth. Now, are they ſtill related to God and Chriſt, and yet cut off from you? Dreadful imagination! But if, as it is moſt certain, the Relation is immortal; and ſtands in full force, what p. 17then? It follows evidently, that, as ſins againſt Relations be the moſt aggravated; forgetfulneſs of glorified Friends is a ſin againſt everlaſting Relations. And the guilty do in a very ill ſenſe, Forget their own people, and their Father's houſe.

C. 4. Your Gratitude binds you to remember godly Miniſters and Friends deceaſed. The Apoſtle, and all the Churches of the Gentiles, owed thanks unto Aquila and Priſcilla. And owe you not any unto theſe, that have been your Helpers in Chriſt Jeſus? If you do, Contemptuous forgetfulneſs is a ſorry payment.

Let it not offend, but excite to farther enquiry, ſuch as may doubt the truth of that which follows.

I cannot but think, that our godly Friends in Heaven do much more Love and Remember us now, than when they dwelt in this cold and dark World. Their Love of God is now incomparably greater than before. And why not the Love of p. 18all his Children, proportionably greater? Their Memories now are perfected. And how then ſhould they forget the Brethren they but lately knew, and delighted in? Their Souls, by entring Heaven, receive an amplitude that we can little expreſs. And they can there remember us, without diverting their minds from God. Yea, and be it heeded well; their Enjoyment of God above, as ours here below, doth not only Admit, but Require, affectionate thoughts of his Children. Our Prayers here are amiſs, if in them we forget our Brethren above, (as ſhall be afterwards ſhewn!) And their praiſes above would be amiſs if in them they forgat us, their Brethren below. The reaſon is obvious; the King of Glory will be honoured and loved, by the honour and love of his Servants, for his ſake. And gives law unto thoſe in Heaven and Earth too, that they love each other as themſelves. Thoſe in Heaven, do p. 19fully obſerve it. The greater is our ſin and ſhame, that we are ſo little won by their admirable kindneſs: For,

Upon the ſuppoſition of this their kindneſs and mindfulneſs of us, this will be granted by all; To be unthankful, is to be ungodly. And they are the moſt ungrateful Creatures on the Earth, who live forgetful of their Friends in Heaven. Being that ingratitude unto the greateſt Lovers of us, is the worſt that is poſſible to be in us.

C. 5. Your Character binds you to remember your Godly Miniſters and Friends deceaſed. You are Believers, are ye not? If ſo, the Spirit, that can neither be deceived nor deceive, deſcribes you as perſons Come up unto the Spirits of juſt men made perfect. Heb. 12.22, 23. Believers, while they are in the State Militant, are took into the Society of their Brethren in the State Triumphant. They are come unto the City of the living p. 20God, the Heavenly Jeruſalem. They are made free Denizons and ſpiritual poſſeſſors of it; their Converſation is in it. They are come to the innumerable Company of Angels, in that City. Not to this or that particular Tutelar Angel, but to the whole Company. Not come to them, with their Prayers, as is the way of Romiſh Idolaters, who wildly worſhip the Servants, to the reproach of the Lord. And againſt the Servants own holy Will. Worſhip me not, ſaith the Angel to St. John; I am thy fellow Servant and of thy Brethren. They are come to the Angels Society; who are gathered into that one Body, whereof Chriſt is the head. They are become Fellow Members with them, and have a Communion in ſervice with them. Angels rejoyce in their good, and miniſter to it; and they rejoyce in Angels Bleſſedneſs and Glory. Nor is this at all Incredible, or Wonderful, if it be conſidered that they are come unto the p. 21very Lord of the foreſaid City. Unto God the judge of all. Come into a ſtate of Filial favour with Him. Have Acceſs unto him, and the Throne of his Grace, with ſweeteſt liberty and boldneſs. By means whereof, they come alſo to the Spirits of their Brethren made perfect. Being admitted thus to their Father, they are admitted unto all their ſo dignified Brethren about his Throne. They are come to the Spirits of the juſt made perfect. The Dream of Spirits of juſt men departed, and not made perfect; but ſent to Purgatory to be refined; was never in the Apoſtle's Head. He knew none but perfect. And unto the Society of all ſuch, he declareth Believers acceſs. Unto them, Believers, all, come. Not, …s to Objects of their Worſhip and Invocation, or Mediators of Interceſſion. That were wretched Blaſphemy towards God, and Injury unto them. They come to them in way of Friendſhip and Communion with p. 22them. With them, who in their ſeparate ſtate from their own Bodies, do hold Communion with God, and Chriſt, and all his Myſtical Body. With Chriſts Members on Earth, as truly as thoſe above in Heaven with them. Loving, and loved of all. A learned Man's words upon this Text, are memorable. We are ſaid here to come unto the Spirits of ju… men made perfect, in thoſe actings … our minds wherein Evangelical Communion doth conſiſt. And this require… that there be like actings in them without which there can be no ſuc… Communion!

This being ſuppoſed; what muſ… we conclude of Souls eſtranged from their godly Friends departed? Wh… very rarely afford unto perfected Spirits, one ſerious and ſteddy look o… their thoughts. Who are far from taking it for their Duty, and making it their practice, to have the… in their minds. And in the affectionate Memory, due unto ſuch a Society. p. 23The leaſt we can ſay is this: …uch Chriſtians do foully blot their …ames, and fall ſhort of their Cha…acter, and live not up to their Eſtate …nd Dignity.

C. 6. Your Faith binds you to remember your godly Miniſters and friends deceaſed. I had almoſt ſaid, … neceſſitates you. But of that, …dge ye your ſelves, when you have …onſidered what follows. Faith, …ou muſt needs know, is the evidence of Perſons, as well as of Things, …ot ſeen; not ſeen by Eyes of Clay. …t were a ſorry buſineſs, if it were not …. For it is only for the ſake of Perſons, that we do or ought to va…e any ſort of Things. But it is out …f queſtion; the Eye of Faith ſees Him that is Inviſible, Heb. 11.27. …he Life of Faith, is fellowſhip …nd Communion with the Divine Perſons, 1 John 1.3. Say then, I …eſeech you; Can Faith ſee the Fa…her of Spirits, and hold Communi…n with the Father and Son; and p. 24not with them that ſtand continually before his Face, and neareſ… his Throne? The ſame Eyes of Fleſh that ſee the King, ſee his Attendant… that ſurround him. Why ſhould not the ſame Eyes of Faith ſee th… Spiritual King, and his Attendants King's Children at greateſt diſtance uſe to have conſiderable Acquaintance and Friendſhip with the nea… eſt in their Father's Court. Wha… ſhould hinder yours with your glorified Brethren, if indeed you hav… it with their Father in Heaven.

Let me tell you, Sirs; the Go… of Heaven, is a Lord of moſt numerous Hoſts. The Father of Spirits is not to be conceived of, as Childleſs. Nor the King of Glory, as ſitting on a Throne ſolitary. Or dwelling in a thin Court. There is n… ſuch God in Heaven, as is withou… his thouſands, and ten thouſand time ten thouſand Spirits miniſtring unt… Him. And, all, as ſpectable, as viſible unto Faith, as He himſelf. Al… p. 25ſo near unto him, that one would …hink it impoſſible to ſee Him, and …ot ſee Them. All ſo like to Him, …nd ſo beloved by Him, that con…empt of them is no ſmall contempt …f Himſelf.

The plain Inference then, is this. The Faith of living Saints faileth, before their Memory of the dead ones …oth ſo. And the reaſon why we …o not more by Faith live with them, … becauſe we do not by Faith live …ore upon God. For a right Remembrance of Him, is inconſiſtent with the Forgetfulneſs of them, ſo …ear unto Him!

C. 7. Your Intereſt binds you to Remember your godly Miniſters and Friends deceaſed. The intereſt of …our Grace, and the intereſt of your Peace and Comfort doth bind you.

The Intereſt of your Grace. Need …ou be told the Efficacy of Company? You have your glorified friends in …our company, as oft as you have them in thoughtful memory. And of p. 26ſuch their company, great is the double force: To wit, the Natural and the Inſtitutive. For, naturally we follow admired Examples. There's not one mind of a thouſand, but receiveth impreſſions from them; juſt as Wax receiveth the figure of an applied Seal. Beſides God hath ordained a Communication of Qualities, from choſen Aſſociates. He that walks with the wiſe, ſhall be wiſe. God hath promiſed illapſes of their Wiſdom, into them that chuſe and hold their Communion. It cannot be therefore, but we muſt derive into us their heavenly Diſpoſitions, if in our thoughts we converſe much with our heavenly Friends. We muſt derive of their Love of God, Contempt of this World, &c.

The Intereſt of your Peace and Comfort, doth no leſs oblige you. That which ſerves your Grace, doth in ſo doing ſerve your Peace. But not alike, all. Nor ſcarcely any p. 27thing ſo immediately and ſenſibly, as …leep and pious thoughts of glorified Friends. Which will ſoon be but of queſtion, if you uſe but a …ittle conſideration. If you think a …ittle, what a refreſhment it muſt …e to be took now and then out of …n Hoſpital of ſick and crying Souls …r a Bedlam of mad and ranting …nes, into an houſe wherein all are …erry and wiſe. Alas! what is this World, but a mad Bedlam? What is …he Church on Earth, but a very Hoſpital, wherein no one is perfectly tured? What is Heaven, but the Colledge of all Souls without ſin or ſorrow? To retire in our minds from …he Bedlam and Hoſpital, into this Colledge. To leave a while the objects of our Grief, and go and entertain our thoughts with them who have none but of Joy. No words …an picture forth the ſweetneſs of …his: Which is then always, and …hen only known, when tryed. I mean, ſolemnly; not in ſlight and …nelaborate thoughts.

p. 28They are therefore their own Enemies, who bury in forgetfulneſs their deceaſed godly Friends. They rob themſelves of not the leaſt means of Grace and Peace: Wrong their own Souls, and that in their greateſt Concerns. Averting from ſo ſoveraign a courſe, both to Refine and Revive them.

C. 8. Your God's Commands bind you to remember your godly Miniſters and Friends deceaſed. In my Text he commands, as you have heard, Heb. 6.12. He commands you to be followers, imitaters, of them; and conſequently (I hope) to remember them. For Copies forgotten can by no means be imitated; or uſed for Examples, as is required, Jam. 5.10. All the Texts that ſet forth the ſtate of departed Saints, have ſo many commands going with them of your Remembrance contended for. You cannot think, that God leaves you at liberty, whether you will take and improve his Revelations, p. 29or no. Or, that any holy improvement can be made of the ſame, while left in Oblivion. Waving all others, I will ſingly propoſe that one Text more, which I conceive …xtraordinary.

Heb. 12.1. Seeing we alſo are …ompaſſed about with ſo great a cloud …f Witneſſes; let us lay aſide every …eight, and the ſin which doth eaſily …eſet us, and let us run with patience …he Race that is ſet before us. Belie…ers, are here compared to men …nning a Race. They are exhorted …o the means of running it, ſo that …hey may obtain the prize: To wit, …y laying aſide weights, and ſins, and …xerciſing Patience with Diligence. …hey are encouraged ſo to run alſo. …ncouraged by Witneſſes given …hem; a cloud, or great number of …hem; and this number placed …und them, encompaſſing of them. …heſe Witneſſes, are the Saints gone …efore us to Heaven. Their Teſti…ony is either of that which we p. 30do, or of that which we ought to do. As in the Races to which the Apoſtle alludeth; thoſe that did run uſed to have many Friends looking on them; and encouraging them; by teſtifying, either that thus they had done, or thus and thus they might and ought to do. In like manner, all the Saints above, do as it were ſtand looking on us. Not in proper Speech, or intuitively; we have no ſuch Dream. But upon Scripture-record, they do ſtill ſtand round about us. And are by their Examples, for that purpoſe recorded; encouraging us in our Chriſtian race. Ready to teſtifie, how we acquit our ſelves. Though dead, yet they in a ſort ſee, ſpeak, and teſtifie. By their richly rewarded Duties, they teſtifie to the wiſdom of our moſt coſtly ones. Thoſe for which we are thought to be beſide our ſelves; and are moſt inhumanly dealt with by our Adverſaries. They are ready alſo to teſtifie what may be done in p. 31every caſe, by us. Principally this; …hat Faith will carry ſound Believers …hrough all their Duties and Dangers. Upon many occaſions we fall into …onteſt with our ſelves, and diſpute, what is beſt. To go back, or to go …n. And in a Wood, and loſt, we …re. Now theſe holy bleſſed Friends of ours encompaſs us. And their …erdict they do from the Holy Scrip…ure Hiſtory give us. Teſtifying ſtill …gainſt the frauds of all Temptations; …gainſt the folly of all our diſtract…ng fears; and unto the Duty, Safe…y, and ſure Victory of perſevering Faith. By conſequence it muſt be the Will of God, that, in all our Tryals, we ever and anon conſider the Eyes of theſe excellent Perſons thus upon us. And their Teſtimony, as hath been ſaid; that is ever upon the ſide of our Duty. That we do ſo conſider and lay this to Heart, as to turn it unto our motive encouragement. And a provocation to put forth the utmoſt of our Spiritual p. 32ſtrength. Whereby alone we can anſwer the gracious End of God, in vouchſafing unto us this encompaſsing Cloud, and encouraging one.

In ſhort; God's Preceptive Will makes a perfect Neceſſity. And this his Will is revealed, for the remembrance of Saints deceaſed! So that his Fear cannot be duly before your Eyes, when theſe Perſons are not duly kept in your minds.

C. 9. Your God's promiſes do bind you to remember your Godly Miniſters and Friends deceaſed. Know ye not, that he hath promiſed an honourable and laſting Memory unto his righteous Servants! And that Memory to be among your ſelves; the only perſons Qualified to bear it. Now his promiſes ſpeak that Will of his, that is the Rule of yours. If you Conſent not to it, you Oppoſe your God. If you but Conſent to it, with an Unoperative and Ineffectual Will; (Sola voluntas eſt cadaver, Scalig.) that is, as if you Conſented not. If p. 33you Conſent entirely, you remember thoſe we ſpeak of with ſweet memory. And by that Practice ye fulfil the divine Promiſe. Add hereto; God hath honoured this gracious Practice, with conſiderable Promiſes unto ſuch as hold it. The very promiſe of dwelling in his holy Hill, is made unto ſuch as honour them that fear Him. And 'tis a wonderful miſtake, if any think it made to ſuch as honour them, but for term of life. Such as honour them here, as the Excellent of the Earth; but ceaſe to honour them at all, when God honours them moſt; taking them to Heaven as …udged to be too good for this World. …f this Promiſe then be a cord of Love, wherewith God draws us to …he Honour and Love of the Saints in Light; as well as of the Houſehold of Faith; what muſt be inferred! They break it daringly, (do they not!) as many as Love and Honour Saints, but unto their Deaths. Accounting p. 34themſelves to have don their laſt Office indeed, when the have followed their Corps unto the grave's ſide. Giving the grave th… Victory over all their regards unto them.

C. 10. Laſtly, Your own Prayer and Promiſes bind you to remembe… your Godly Miniſters and Friends deceaſed. A word ſhall ſerve in th… plain Argument.

You pray that Gods will may … done by you and by others on Earth, … it's done in Heaven. As there it … done, by all the Spirits about th… Celeſtial Throne. But how pr… phanely muſt you thus pray, without ſome very lively thoughts c… thoſe Spirits, and of their Obedience? Without which it is as if yo… prayed plainly, that his will may b… done by you like you know not whom and as to manner, you mind n… how.

Your Prayers all, are full of vi… tual promiſes. Praying that yo… p. 35may, you do conſtructively promiſe that you will labour, to obey God as the Heavenly Hoſt do. Conſequently, that you will well conſider them, and their performances. Even with the accuracy and frequence of thoſe, who ſet themſelves to imitate greateſt Exemplars. And is it a trivial thing in your ſight, to lie unto God! And that in your very prayers! Or do you not ſo, if you exerciſe not your minds in the foreſaid conſideracy of your glorifyed Friends.

Other conſiderations might be added; but I will hope, what is ſaid hath inforced your Belief; and raiſed in you full purpoſes, of Obedience, unto this Truth.

Granting that it hath ſo done, ſome may ask, what will the Belief and Obedience of it make for Edification. Urging, that this remembrance of Godly Miniſters and Friends deceaſed, is a ſubject they have rarely heard preached. And, notwithſtanding all the caution p. 36wherein it is expreſſed, it is one very liable to be abuſed unto Superſton, &c.

I anſwer. If indeed it be a Trut… the leſs it hath been inſiſted on, th… more it ought now to be inſiſted or And muſt not be kept from all People, for fear it ſhould be abuſed b… ſome. I have convincingly prove it to be a Truth. And one, who… faith and regular Obedience contr… butes more than a little unto th… love of God; unto the life of Faith unto all Grace and Conſolation. which I muſt believe, is to Edifie. Neve… theleſs, I acknowledge it's uſe unt… Edification, to be more manifeſte… in the ſequel of this Diſcourſ… Wherein are ſet forth thoſe hol… things, whereunto the foreſaid R… membrance is an Antecedent, bot… moſt Conducive and Neceſſary.

Wherefore I will but briefly ſuggeſt a few Inferences from this fir… Doctrine, and proceed unto a ſecond.

p. 37I. 1. The beſt of this World, muſt …ave it. In Death's War there's no Diſcharge. The Prophets and Apoſtles …re dead. John the beloved Diſci…le, is not left behind.

It was the advice of a Heathen; Reckon your beſt friends as leaſt dura…e things. And it is the Sentence …f holy Scripture, the Body is dead …ecauſe of Sin, Rom. 8.10.

I. 2. God honours them in their Deaths, that honour him in their lives. …nd that here, where they have ho…oured Him. For, as He commands …e Church above, honorably to receive …hem; So Chryſoſtom Clem. Vatablus. Menoch. and Lud. de Dieu (in loc.) conſtrue the Text.He commands …e Church below, hono…bly to remember 'em. …e will have their …ames ſhine here, as …ell as their Souls …ere. Abel, ſo long ago murdered, … to this day moſt honourably men…oned, Heb. 11.4. foreign. Being dead, he is yet ſpo…en of, with renown immortal.

p. 38I. 3. Every Believer hath a Jacob's Ladder. I mean, he hath that, whereby he can in his Thoughts aſcend the Heavens; and Spiritually view his glorified Miniſters an… Friends there. In his mind he ca… ſee where they are, what they are, and what they are doing, (as we ſhall hereafter ſhew.)

I. 4. Sorrow for godly men deceaſed ought to be moderate. For we are t… remember them honourably, and fo… imitation; not ſcandalouſly, to o… diſtraction. True, we may, a… ought to mourn. When Lazaru… died; Jeſus wept. But we may n… ſorrow unmixedly, and as witho… Hope. The Iſraelites mourned n… ſo much for Jacob, as the Egyptia… did. The grief of Saints, mu… know its bounds.

I. 5. Although God be to be reme… bred by us principally, he is not to … remembred only. For he command… us to remember his and our ho… Friends, that are in glory attendin… p. 39him. Remember your Father; but …orget not his Children, who carry …oſt of his Image and Likeneſs on …hem. Remember your Redeemer; …ut forget not thoſe his Redeemed, …n whom his Love and Power ſhine with greateſt Luſtre. Remember …our Sanctifier; but forget not his moſt Sanctified ones.

I conclude with a ſaying of one …cquainted with God above thou…ands: He never knew a heavenly …onverſation, that pretending to know God alone, hath no converſe with his …oly ones that attend Him; and doth …ot live as a Member of their Society …n the City of God; that doth not with …ome delight behold their Holineſs, …nity and Order. But, as it is time, … proceed to my next Obſerva…ion.

D. 2. The holy Faith and Converſation of godly Miniſters and Friends deceaſed, muſt be conſidered and followed.

p. 40So the Text, in terms moſt plai… Follow their Faith; to wit conſidere… by you. And that Comma, conſ… dering the end of their Converſation imports evidently a command to follow it. For the ſake of theſe, wa… the remembrance of their Perſons fore required. Which, without th… uſe of their Faith and Converſatio… would be to little purpoſe. B… it conſidered therefore ſtrictly;

1. What this Faith is.

2. What this Converſation. And

3. What the Reaſons for our co… ſidering and following both.

1. Faith is conſidered as Objectively taken, or Subjectively. A the firſt, it is the truth of the Go… pel by them held. Viz. 1. Th… Goſpel-Hiſtory, of the Primiti… Friendſhip between God and Man of the Enmity raiſed by the firſt ſi… between them; and of the Reconc… liation made by the Son of God 2. The Goſpel Offer and Invitation of Sinners unto Grace and Salvation p. 41…y a New Covenant; one of admira…le Promiſes and moſt equitable and …racious Demands. 3. The Goſpel-Rule and Directory for the Worſhip, …nd the whole Walk of all embracing …nd entring that Covenant. This Hiſtory they Credited; this Offer …hey Accepted; this Covenant they Entred; this Rule they Followed, …ubjectively taken, their Faith is that …race of God in them, whereby …hey ſo received the Goſpel. Now …his grace of Faith, is either general; …nd ſo 'tis their Aſſent and Conſent …nto all God's Revelation as perfect…y true: Or ſpecial; as it relates un…o Chriſt Jeſus, the ſum of all God's Revelation; and ſo it is their accep…ance of Him in all his Offices, as Teacher, Saviour, Ruler. The de…arted Saints we ſpeak of, had a Faith, which was unto them inſtead of Poſſeſſion and Sight. One that made things ſaid by God, as credible as if they had ſeen them with their Eyes. And things promiſed by God, p. 42as comfortable as if they had had them in their hands. I would be underſtood of the Truth, only, not of the degree of Credibility and Comfort. They had alſo a Faith i… their Hearts, which was unto them a Marriage Knot; whereby they joyned themſelves unto Chriſt Jeſus in everlaſting Covenant. Reſigning themſelves to him, to be Taught, Saved and Ruled. Committing themſelves to God's ſaving Mercy lodged in Chriſt's Hand: And ſubmitting themſelves to God's governing Authority lodged in the ſame. This Faith of theirs, in both acceptations, is that which we are to conſider and follow.

Converſation, is the way and courſe of humane life. Reſpectively of all Duties; towards our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier; towards the Church, the World, and our Selves. And this, as under all Circumſtances of our various Conditions, in our Pilgrimage. The way p. 43and courſe of the Saints we ſpeak of, was Holy and Exemplary. Through their Faith in Chriſt working by Love, purifying their Hearts, conquering the World, and chaſing the Devil, they ſincerely and perſeveringly glorified God. They held Communion with the Father, Son, and Spirit, in Faith, Hope and Love; in Worſhip and Obedience. They loved the Church as Chriſt's Body; ſerved it and ſympathized with it, as members of it. The Unregenerate World they pitied, and ſpent their days in pains and prayers for it's converſion. Their Hearts, that is, Themſelves, they kept with all diligence; preferring always the man above the Brute, the Soul above the Body. In a word, their life was an Exerciſe of Grace; a Warfare againſt Corruptions and Temptations; a putting of their Talents to Uſury, and merchandizing to and for Heaven. All their days, were Humiliation-days for their Sins, their Own and their p. 44Relations; and Thanksgiving days for their Mercies and Hopes: They walked after the Spirit, and not after the Fleſh. And this their walk, is that their Converſation, that we are called to eye and to imitate.

We ſhall briefly enquire the Reaſons for this practice. To wit of our conſidering the Faith and Converſation of our glorified Brethren. And of our ſetting our ſelves to tranſcribe both. Our own vanity, is apt to charge the Divine Wiſdom fooliſhly, for commanding it. And to ask, Unto what purpoſe is this our coſt and pains? Being we have the perfect rule of the Goſpel, and of our Saviour's own tranſcendent Example.

St. Auſtin's word is of great weight. WHY God commands any thing, I need not trouble my ſelf, He will look to that. Let me ever look well to WHAT he commands. Whether we ſee them or no, there are infinite reaſons, for p. 45every thing God requires. But yet when thoſe reaſons are obvious, their uſe is rich and various. Of the Practice foreſaid, I ſhall therefore point out a few ſuch as are moſt clear and apparent.

R. 1. This practice unites the upper and lower Houſe of God. The Church above, and that below. It holds together the Members of the Family in Heaven and upon Earth. It engageth us, to keep eyeing of them. As Scholars of the lower Form, eye thoſe of the higher whom they muſt imitate. It even neceſſitateth the Houſhold of Faith, to hold great converſation with them that live by Sight. This is no light reaſon, with ſuch as conſider how God ſtands for his Children's Union and Aſſociation. Such as hath been foreſpoken of, and therefore ſhall have no more here ſaid of it.

R. 2. This Practice doubles our help to the Life of Faith and Holineſs. The Inſtructions and Precepts of the p. 46Goſpel are a bleſſed Help. But not all, that we need. Who feels it not? After that we have heard our Maſter's beſt and brighteſt Doctrines, we need our Fellow Servants inſtructive and motive Examples. Which are indeed the moſt inſtructive Comments to the underſtanding of them; and moſt motive Encouragements unto the obeying of them; as Experience certifieth. By what is here ſaid, no diſgrace is caſt upon the Goſpel. 'Tis meerly from our own dulneſs, that we need ſuperadded Examples. And the ſhame of that want, reſts ſingly upon our own Head. While in the mean time, unto God belongs the glory of the additional Mercy.

Admirable Mercy! For the Goſpel ſhews us but the Duty. But the Example of deceaſed Saints ſhews alſo the poſſibility, of living by Faith and in Holineſs. Becauſe, what has been done, may certainly be done again. We are emboldned to p. 47believe we may ſo live, when we conſider others to have lived ſo. And let it not ſtartle you, if I ſay this: Jeſus Chriſt's own Example is (in this one reſpect) a much leſs encouragement, than one of his leaſt and pooreſt Servants. For it doth not nearly and immediately ſo teach the poſſibility of the foreſaid Life, as his Servant's example doth. A Soul under Temptation exclaims, that, be it ever ſo neceſſary, 'tis altogether as impoſſible, to live by Faith in this World; and hold a rightly ordered Converſation in ſuch a Catholick Sodom. Go you and tell him, that the Son of God did live by Faith, and fulfil all righteouſneſs even in this World. He ſhall reply upon you, that it is a wild inference, that he may, becauſe the Son of God did ſo do. He ſhall tell you, Chriſt had none of his ſins in him; and he has little or none of Chriſt's ſtrength in his dejected Soul. Chriſt had all created and uncreated p. 48holineſs, and might well overcome World and Devil; but it were a wonder if they ſhould be overcome by him, a weak and ſinful Duſt. He ſhall ask you, what Logick of yours it is, that thus argues? An Angel ſlew an hundred thouſand Enemies; therefore a Worm may ſlay as many. But, on the other hand; tell you this bruiſed Reed, that yonder in Heaven be multitudes, and many of his own Acquaintance, that were Worms as weak as himſelf; as tempted as himſelf; and many a time as dejected as himſelf; who did, nevertheleſs, keep the holy Faith, and finiſh their holy Courſe, and win the Crown of Righteouſneſs. What then? Why then you do bind his contradiction hand and foot; and it is odds but you caſt out his deſpairing Spirit. To be ſure you ſilence him; and very probably, you make him by and by to ſpeak Evangelically. And to fall to chiding of his legal ſelf; and counſelling it in Davids p. 49Rhetorick. Why caſt down O my Soul, why diſquieted in me? Truſt in God. For I, even I, may yet Praiſe him who is the health of my countenance and my God.

And now I ask. Should ſuch a Tower of David, ſuch an Armory as this; whereon there hang a thouſand bucklers and ſhields, for tempted deſpondent Souls; ſhould ſuch a practice ſuffer diſuſe? It would be unſpeakable loſs to the whole generation of the righteous. But, bleſſed be his excellent name; He that delights of bruiſed Reeds, to make poliſhed Pillars, in his Temple; and of ſmoaking flax to make burning and ſhining lights; He is more wiſe and kind than to admit it. Glory be to him in the higheſt.

R. 3. This practice doubles the glory of God, from the Faith and Converſation of Saints deceaſed. If I may ſo ſpeak, God had from themſelves one crop, Or tribute of glory. And would have had it, tho' no eye but p. 50his own, had ſeen their Faith and Converſation. Tho' no mortal man had obſerved and followed them. But now, now that Faith and Converſation are not buried in Oblivion; but are lifted up, and draw men after them; behold a ſecond crop, another tribute ſprings up! So fruitful do living Chriſtian's Meditation and Imitation make them, that it may be ſaid of deceaſed ones, much like as of Sampſon. The Praiſes they bring unto their God in their death, be more than they which they brought in their life.

Can therefore any Lover of God, be without a deep ſenſe, of the reaſon of this practice? Or need to be farther told; that he who hath made all things for his glory, hath required this practice for the ſame? Here I muſt believe that none are Blind, but thoſe that will not ſee.

R. 4. This Practice doth likewiſe add unto the joy of Saints deceaſed. Heaven, is the element of Joy. p. 51There's leſs water in the Sea, and light in the Sun, than Joy in Heaven. But we are generally taught, that the Inhabitants have various degrees; even after the Reſurrection. However it be, it is this only that I would here propoſe: viz. Of their Joys in Heaven this muſt needs be one, that they did in their meaſure, glorifie God in their day upon Earth. And, if they have knowledge of it; it muſt be another Joy, to have their Faith and Obedience live, and bear fruit, after that they are tranſplanted. To have their old Graces and Duties, for many years after, to edify their Brethren and glorifie their Father.

And why we may not conceive them ſoon to know it, when it is ſo; let them ſay that can! I cannot. With humble ſubmiſſion, I conclude that they are informed of it, when the matter of their Joy is obtained. Whether the holy Angels give them notices; or what way they p. 52receive the ſame, I take not on me to determine. Some have thought, that this is true concerning men Damned. Such whoſe Errors are remembred to the diffuſing of their enmity and malignity, after their death; they have proportionable encreaſes of their torment in Hell made, preſently made; and with full ſignifications given of the meritoriouſly procuring cauſe of it. And on the other ſide, concerning Saints in Heaven, ſome have preſumed this, viz. That ſuch whoſe Faith and Holy Life, are commemorated, &c. made uſe of to the edification of the Church; they receive like encreaſes of Joy. As ſoon made, as the foreſaid ſinners increaſes of Torment. Learned men have thought, Jer. 17.10. to make this way. I the Lord ſearch the heart, I try the reins, even to give to every man according to his ways, and according to the FRUIT of his doings; and with full certification of the ſervice that p. 53is ſo, of grace, rewarded,

I contend not, but, to as many as, with me, do ſuppoſe this; (which I think no one will pretend an ability to diſprove;) To ſuch at leaſt I ſhall think this reaſon of good force. Upon the very ſingle account hereof, I dare ask them, Is there not a cauſe for the commended Practice? If we on Earth have Power, ſhould we not have Will, to add to the Joy of our Brethren in Heaven.

R. 5. This Practice of good men, exalts the ſaving grace of God. Grace unto a Sinner, is, and will be an eternal Wonder. Saving grace, even moſt reſtrainedly conſidered, is above all the bleſſing and praiſe that can be given it, in the very ſtate of Glory. Abraham himſelf, even after the Reſurrection, will be unableadequately to praiſe the grace of his own Salvation. The grace that took him out of his miſery, and qualified him and brought him unto Glory. That ſaid to him in his blood, Live. That p. 54when he was alive, gave him Life more abundantly. And when he wa… Meet, placed him in the inheritan… of the Saints in Light. This grac… unto his ſingle Perſon, will tranſcen… all his poſſible conception. But le… this Grace to him, be conſidered i… its juſt extent. As ſaving him, an… making him an Inſtrument of ſavin… many others. In a ſenſe, the Fath… of thouſands of heirs of Salvation An Exemplar unto them. Making his Faith and Obedience, bleſſ… means of grace, unto multitude… Cauſing generations to call him bleſſe… Uſing him, when Alive, and al… when Dead, as a Co-worker with Go… What an addition is this? Thi… that makes Salvation it ſelf ſomewh… more than it ſelf. Yea much more. As to ſave a man from death at th… Gallows, and to make a King … him, is much. But to proceed an… to make him the means, of raiſ… many others unto Thrones is ve… much more.

p. 55In a word then. Who can wonder that the Grace of God hath choſe this method! And engaged us to conſider and imitate, the grace of our Friends departed. His goodneſs is above the Heavens. And the effects of it, muſt be like unto it. Therefore he beſtows not Salvation paſſive, without Active: that is, whom he ſaves, he alſo makes (inſtrumentally) Saviours. And why! but becauſe he will praiſe his grace, and make it like itſelf. And ſo be Glorifyed in his Saints, and admired in all them that do Believe. He will leave nothing to be ſaid that it might have been done for them, that was not done.

R. 6. This Practice is unto all the living, a charm of great ſweetneſs to moſt exemplary Faith and Holineſs: For what heart will not ſtrain for the pureſt faith and moſt unſpotted Life, upon the conſideration that God intends it for a Pattern. And commands all its good, to be eyed p. 56and imitated. who will or can argue otherwiſe! I am to be a Copy. I will therefore write fair, as for my Life; and beware of blots and blurs. I am to be a Guide, and be followed. I will therefore make ſtraight paths to my feet; and dread a falſe ſtep in Doctrine or Manners. I am to ſpeak even when I am dead. I will therefore ſeaſon with ſalt every word. And ſee with great carefulneſs, that none be found hurtful, or uſeleſs. If Poſterity follow me, they ſhall follow Chriſt. If they walk as I, I will ſee they ſhall walk as He walked.

A ſweet and ſalutary Reaſoning; is it not! And who would have been, without ſuch a Charm! If any pretend to be ſo ſpiritual, that they can perfect holineſs without it; and therefore give God no thanks for it; to ſpeak the mildeſt thing that can be ſaid, I think that a great Jealouſie of their ſtate, is Godly and Neceſſary.

Brevity commands me to offer no p. 57more than theſe few Inferences for application of this Truth. Diſpoſed minds may eaſily farther apply it in their own thoughts, unto its obvious purpoſes.

I. 1. What garments of praiſe are Faith and Holineſs! Surely incomparable. Otherwiſe our Predeceſſors attire with them, needed not to be ſo obſerved, ſo followed. The Church i. e. holy believers, are called a Bride beautifully decked. Their Faith and Holy Life bear the names of Embroidery, Silk, Fine linnen, Silver, Gold, and Jewels. Yea, and are declared to be the End of our Saviours all-tranſcending Righteouſneſs imputed unto us. They are therefore miſerably Blind, who are contentedly Naked. And as ſhamefully Naked, who are not thus cloathed.

I. 2. How many are our Miniſters more than the Earth bears! For all our fore-runners unto Heaven abide Miniſters ſtill unto us. Their faith p. 58and Holineſs, if we are not wanting to our ſelves, will be our daily Lectures. We have every day the refuſal of them. The King of the Church, for many reaſons aforeſaid, requires our uſe thereof. Who then dares ſay, that Miniſters be ſcarce! O that deaf Adders, and dull and ſlow Hearers of them, were ſo.

I. 3. What need of Gods mercy have all his family on earth! All are bound to Remember and Imitate their Brethren in Heaven. Now it is Mercy very great, to be bound to a practice ſo beneficial, delightful, and honourable, as this hath been ſhewn to be. And of this mercy, who ſaith that he hath no need! again, 'tis mercy unſpeakable, to be forgiven the neglect of ſo gracious a Precept. Of ſo kind a Preſcription againſt ſin and ſorrow. And of this mercy, what an abundance do we all want? I ſay this upon good warrant; I am jealous that the generality p. 59of true Iſraelites do need a ſpecial abundance. Being as to this precept, guilty of above ordinary negligence. The Lord grant unto us that we may find mercy of the Lord in that day; (ſo the Apoſtle names the Judgment-day, tho' ſome critical Heads have conſtrued it of another.)

I. 4. How unexpectable is ſinleſs perfection in this World? Hence foreign looking off, from the forementioned witneſſes and patterns to a more perfect exemplar, Heb. 12.2. Chriſt the foreign, as enduring — deſpiſing — and foreign as now ſet down, and ſo having perfected his foreign, and hence propoſed to the exerciſed as their example and encouragement, hence foreign, proportionate or analogize your ſelves to him, as in ver. 3. Chriſt was indeed the Author—in an higher ſenſe, but here I think he is propoſed as the moſt perfect and encouraging exemplar of, thorough coſtly and ſucceſsful faithfulneſs.Heb 12:2The very Apoſtles had it not. And this reſtriction of our imitation unto their Faith, argues that they had not. And implicitely tells us, that they had Errors of Judgment, and Practice that we are to Decline, not p. 60to follow. In Writing the Holy Scriptures, they had and profeſſed to have the Holy Ghoſt's infallible guidance. But at other times, and to other purpoſes, they never had it, nor pretended to it. No, their own Writings record their Miſtakes and Miſcarriages. Of the Saints of the Old Teſtament, there can be little matter of doubt concerning them, the ſame thing may be ſaid; and this only ſhall be added. The Holy Ghoſt commends them unto us indeed, for very uſeful witneſſes and patterns, as hath been before ſhewn, Heb. 12.1. But then, as in way of caution againſt our Dreams of their Perfection, in the very next verſe what doth he? He bids us look off from them all, unto an incomparably more noble and truely perfect one, foreign. Looking off [from them] unto Jeſus the Author and Finiſher (or Leader and Perfector) of our Faith. Jeſus that had deſpiſed the ſhame, endured p. 61the Croſs, and received his bleſſed foreign or eſcape out of all his ſufferings; having ſit down at Gods right hand. Unto this bleſſed Jeſus, in the next verſe we are inſtructed to proportionate our ſelves, as ſome think the Greek foreign to ſignify. Our Nature was ſinleſs under the Sun, in Jeſus Chriſt, but as to us meer men, it is truly ſaid, Adam loſt more Innocence and Purity in an hour, than his Poſterity will recover to the Worlds end.

I. 5. What a reproachful thing, is Univerſal imitation of the beſt men! Their holy Faith and Life is all you are bid to follow. To Swallow their Errors, and practiſe their Sins, is what God and they themſelves forbid you. And is imitating or them in the things wherein they were not themſelves. But were more Satan's, than their own men. Wherefore ſo to do is to comply with Satan, not to conform unto them. Let it alſo be conſidered; p. 62that to affect and ſtrain to take up their (unaffected) Tones, Geſtures, Garbs, &c. is to but ape their Humanity it ſelf. And nothing of an imitation of their Piety. In Children it is playfulneſs; in Men it's Childiſhneſs, if no worſe.

D. 3. Conſideration of deceaſed Miniſters and Friends eſcape, out of all their ſublunary Difficulties, is a neceſſary motive to the imitation of their Faith and Life.

The Original word foreign which we render End, is rendered an Eſcape, 1 Cor. 10.13. Nor doth it expreſs a meer End or common Iſſue of things. But an End attended with Victory, and deliverance out of things grievous. That the conſideration of Saints that are bleſſed with ſuch an end, is as it is here aſſerted; is by the Apoſtle plainly declared. Who maketh it the motive unto the imitation that we have p. 63…ready preſſed. His words do evidently import as much as if he had …id theſe following ones. Sirs, it is a hot ſervice I put you upon. Imitation of departed Saints Faith and Holineſs, is no eaſie buſineſs. African Lyons appear in every ſtep of it's way. All the World is in arms againſt it. Throwing Firebrands, Arrows, and Death. The Devil and his Angels raiſe their Poſſe, and do their worſt. I know your want, and God directs me to furniſh you with a moſt powerful Encouragement. One, which if you rightly uſe, you ſhall walk undauntedly in your moſt difficult Duty. You ſhall Run, and not faint. The Swords of them that lay at you, ſhall not hold; neither their Spears, nor their Darts. Their Arrows ſhall not make you flee. You ſhall laugh at the ſhaking of their Spears. And this ſo mighty motive, is Conſideration. Careful and Curious Inſpection, p. 64reiterated and repeated contemplation. To wit of your Pred… ceſſors glorious Conqueſts, over a… that ſtands againſt you. And … their triumphant Ingreſs into th… caeleſtial and eternal Bleſſedneſs One too rich, to be comprehende… by the preſent poverty of your Underſtandings. But yet one whereof your little Underſtanding is enough, both to ſweeten a… the bitterneſs, and ſpoil the tempting power of all the ſweetneſs of this world. Keep this conſideration, and live; Keep it as the Apple of your Eye.

For the diſplay of this general poſition to the weakeſt minds, I will caſt it's contents into theſe four particulars.

P. 1. Our deceaſed good Miniſters and Friends, were in this world threſhed and winnowed as much as our ſelve… are. Their Eſcape out of ſufferings ſpeaks their fore-endurance of them. Of which their Endurance, it will p. 65not be uſeleſs to take ſome good notice. And ever and anon compare …heir Hardſhips and our own. It …s a ſmall Map, in which I muſt preſent the World of them.

Their Souls lodged in as Frail and as Burthenſom Bodies, as, ordinarily, ours do. And, as hard to keep in Subjection, and be poſſeſſed in Honour. Bodies that were as very Priſons and Fetters unto their Spirits. Whoſe Weakneſſes, Pains, and Deformities were neither few, nor light.

Their treatment by the World, was with the ſame malignity as ours is, or worſe. It Hated them as much; Cenſured, Reproached, and every way Injured them, by ſecret and open practices. One while it beſpake them, as it doth us, in words ſmooth as butter, ſweet as hony-combs. By the ſweet Poyſon of Flattery, deſigning upon them the worſt of cruelty. Aſſaying by the Lordly diſh and ſweet milk, to court p. 66them unto the fatal Nail and Hammer. Another time it ſpake of them as it doth of you, all manner of ev… Poured out Curſings and Bitterneſs breathed out threatnings and ſlaughter. Trying if it were poſſible to frighten whom they could not flatter out of God's way.

Their Temptations by Satan, were no leſs than our own. Are we peſtred with his Suggeſtions, Perſuaſions, Inſtigations? So were they, as they have oft complained unto ſome of us: and unto God, in the hearing of all that worſhipped with them. Do we find that he ſubtilly ſuits his temptations unto our Ages, our Tempers, and our Conditions in the World? We are vain if we think he did otherwiſe with them. Doth he aſſault us oft-times in temptations unto ſins, from which we think our ſelves moſt ſafe? No queſtion but he ſo aſſaulted them. In a word; All his Logical fallacies, all his Politick wiles, all his Military p. 67ſtratagems, were uſed againſt them as ſurely as they are againſt us. How many have told us their Temptations unto Atheiſm, Blaſphemy, Deſpair, Murther, Self-murther, and what not?

Their Afflictions from God, were ſuch as ours do not appear to exceed. Underſtand me of Afflictions upon Soul, Body, Name, Eſtate, Family, Friends. From his hand are all; are they not? By whomſoever they are Executed 'tis by him they are Ordered. And that as to the Sort, Degree, and Duration of them. Now, can you anſwer me? Which of your Souls doth God exerciſe with more Griefs, Fears, & Anguiſh than he did theirs? Who of you have Bodies more acquainted with the Stone, Colick, and Strangury, Feaver, Conſumption, and Palſie, than theirs were? Who can ſay his Name is more Laden with reproach, than their Names uſed to be? Or that his Eſtate hath been ſo torn from him, as none of theirs ever was. Or, that Providence never p. 68made any of their Families ſuch Hoſpitals, as it hath made his. Or ſo parted any of them from their Lovers and Friends, as it hath parted him. Many indeed are the afflictions of the righteous in this World. But not more than thoſe of the righteous before you, were, who are aſcended into the World where none are.

Their Indwelling Sin, was their perpetual troubler, as ours is. And found them as much to do, as ours findeth us. Held them in continual warfare, as ours holdeth us. They all had Sin, and felt Sin, and lamented Sin, in all and every part of them. As wormwood hath bitterneſs in its Root, in its Stalk, and in its Leaves. Their Minds had abiding Unteachableneſs; Wills, Untractableneſs; Conſciences, Unſenſibleneſs; Memories, Unfaithfulneſs; Affections, Unorderlineſs; Imaginations, Unrulineſs. That which came into them, when their Souls came into p. 69their Bodies, never perfectly left them till their ſouls left their Bodies. All days of their lives therefore, their Faith was weak, Hope infirm, Love chill. Many a trembling hour they ſpent, in fear that they were but ſhadows and empty ſhows of Faith, and Hope, and Love, that they had. In fear of their being Graceleſs; yea (and what is worſe) paſt the day of Grace. Being Unreconciled to God, yea, and (thro' deadly delay,) Unreconcilable. Many have ſo feared; and all have lived exclaiming, O wretched Man that I am who ſhall deliver me! Such fears, ſimple ſouls do think to have been no ones bitter Draughts but their own. But I tell them, they cannot anſwer me this queſtion: To which of your friends in Heaven can you turn, that hath not drank them! Again,

Their Loads of Actual Sin preſſed them down, as ſorely as ours do preſs us. My ſin is ever before me, was the perpetual cry of one of them. p. 70Are we Burthened with our ſins, their Aggravations, and th ir Demerits! they were ſo, with theirs. Their ſins againſt Law, againſt Goſpel, againſt Conſcience. With their Aggravations by their Multitudes, their Kinds, and their Circumſtances. With their Demerits of outward; of inward, and of eternal and extremeſt puniſhments. For theſe, God knows what were their ſighs, and their groanings were not hid from Him.

Their mixtures of ſin in all Natural, Civil, and Religious things, did foul their faces with weeping. Think you that it is a peculiar ſin, or grief of yours; in a great degree to Eat, & Drink, to Buy and Sell, yea to uſe the holy Word and Prayer, from ſelfiſh Principles and to ſelfiſh Ends; not Purely from Principles, and unto Ends Heavenly! your miſtake is groſs. It was the common ſin of all your friends in Heaven; and the common grief of all while they lived upon p. 71Earth. Ardently all deſired; but no one ever attained unto ſinleſs purity; no, not in any one of their pathes, Phil. 3.12, 13. 1 Joh. 1.8. Jam. 3.1. In every motion of Nature there was much of Corruption. In every Secular thing moſt lawful, there was what was Unlawful, In all holy things, there were Iniquities. And for theſe, went they mourning all their days.

Their long unaccompliſhed deſires, and unanſwered Prayers, made their hearts ſick an hundred times. Ours, be a ſword in our Bones, that we are prone to think did never cut any other Souls. But it is without any colour of Reaſon, that we think ſo in our haſte. It is very well known, God uſed to make our Predeceſſors wait, as long as He makes any of us. And as frequently they cryed, as we do now cry, How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord, for ever? Mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. I am weary of my crying, my throat is dryed. p. 72For day and night thy hand is heavy upon me. O God, I cry in the day time, and thou heareſt not.

To conclude this particular; The ſorrows of death compaſſed them, as they compaſs us. Great was their conſternation, in the proſpect of their Diſſolution! Unto which, all their great Grace could not reconcile their reluctant Nature. With fearfulneſs and trembling they felt the King of Terrors entring, and pulling down their Tabernacle of Clay. Laying their Earthly Houſe in the Duſt. Turning their Fleſh into rottenneſs, and ſending it out of the ſight of man into darkneſs. Have we our terrors? they were not without theirs! Of ſome, and thoſe extraordinarily ſanctified, it is credibly reported; that very Fear was their Executioner. And they died for fear of Death. Of others, I pray bethink your ſelves; how was it that you ſaw them lye gaſping on their Beds? and heard them ratling in p. 73their Throats? and obſerved them to take the breach of the ſtrings of their Eyes and Heart? 'Tis impoſſible here to ſay all; and hard to me, not to ſay too much. But I proceed.

P. 2. Theſe very Souls thus winnowed, are gloriouſly eſcaped out of all theſe evils. So the Text ſaith, expreſly. And ſo the whole Scripture, ſo brightly, that all are Believers except ſuch as are not Chriſtians. To quote the obvious Texts, would be to recite a great part of the Bible. Let that one which I produce recall others unto your remembrance. Rev. 14.13. Bleſſed are the dead that die in the Lord. An illuſtrious Maxim! in few words declaring, man's great End or Aim; which is bleſſedneſs. And man's only way unto the ſame; which is by dying in the Lord, or in the Faith of Chriſt Jeſus, after living in him by Faith. This Maxim, St. John had from Heaven. And this he was bid to write, for the uſe p. 74of the Saints on Earth. And this he telleth us, is confirmed by the Holy Ghoſt. Yea, ſaith the Spirit, that they may reſt from their labours, and their works do follow them. In which confirmatory reaſons, we have theſe things aſſerted. ſcil. 1. That before their death in the Lord, theſe Saints had labours, and works for him which were hard. Such, as to be exempted from, was a part of bleſſedneſs. 2. That at their Death they were exempted from them. And now lived no more in Sweat, much leſs in Tears. 3. That with freedom from ſufferings they now received Gods Rewards of their Obedience. His rewards of Grace, which are like the Donor; beyond comprehenſion, and objects of eternal wonder. Their works do follow them. That is, the immenſe reward of their ſlender work. The eternal reward of their ſhort work. The far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory!

This argument flows with Milk p. 75and Honey; ſtay we and feed a while hereon. Think pleaſantly of what is proved ſo evidently. Saints, raiſed out of the Valley of Tears, are lifted up into the Mount of Joy. Wherein no Eye ever wept, or Breaſt ſighed, or Tongue complained. Or ever had cauſe or occaſion ſo to do. Wherein, neither the World, nor the God of this World could ever give trouble. For Satan's Vaſſals cannot reach it. And he and his Angels were long ago caſt far enough from it. Wherein, the Immortal Father never gave a blow to any Child; or took from any the Kiſſes of his Mouth, ſweeter than Wine. Wherein ſin, the moſt hateful evil, hath no more place than the Devil, whoſe work it is. But the perfect purity long deſired, is fully enjoyed. Wherein, no one ſinful, or mixed and imperfect act, ever blemiſhed the holy ſtate. Wherein no Hope is ever delayed one minute; nor ought is deſired, before God's will is that it ſhould be poſſeſſed. p. 76Wherein there is no Doubt, or Grievance of Life; nor any Fear, or Poſſibility of Death. Wherein, we do all know, all things are better than any of us upon Earth can know.

For we know, that when Saints enter the Houſe made without hands, they preſently take poſſeſſion of all the Goods. And who can know, till he goes up and ſees, how many and how rich they be? Indeed the holy Oracles, do warrant thus much to be ſaid of our good Friends that are entred there.

They poſſeſs bleſſed Light, One, in compariſon whereof, their former knowledge was but a leſs thick darkneſs. The open light of the Sun, vaſtly exceeds a few Beams ſtrained through the crevice of a Wall. And no leſs doth Gods manifeſtation of himſelf above, exceed that which he affords his Church below. Neither is there any compare between the ſtrength of a glorified Eye, and of an imperfectly ſanctified one. Unto p. 77glorified ones, the deep Fountains of Wiſdom and Grace are laid open. The riches of Goodneſs, the beauties of Holineſs, the glories of Power are manifeſted. The Embroideries of Providence are unfolded. 'Tis not eaſie to name, what God doth hide from 'em. For why? He himſelf is All in all. And, this we know, They do ſee him as he is! Wherefore neceſſarily,

They poſſeſs bleſſed Love. So argues the infallible Teacher. We ſhall be like him; For we ſhall ſee him. God is love. And ſight of God, turns us into flames of Love. Such are our glorified Friends, like unto the bleſſed Angels. Ever receiving the higheſt love, that God confers on finite Creatures; and giving back the greateſt love, that God can have from their glorified Powers. Upon earth, the Fire of their Love was a little Spark; it is now a Mount. That ſpark, (as Kitchen-fire,) often languiſhed; almoſt expired, for want of feeding by proper Conſidetations But in their preſent Mount of p. 78Celeſtial fire, there is no variableneſs or ſhadow of change. The Divine glory ſo holds their Eyes, and heats their Hearts. So, that their enamoring Thoughts are never interrupted; and their enflamed Affections never abated. Certainly therefore,

They poſſeſs bleſſed Life. Valere, vita eſt. To be Alive, is to be in fulneſs of Joy. And where is that fulneſs but in Love? Where is Water if not in the Sea? Where is Light if not in the Sun? Where is Joy if not in Love. Light doth not more naturally kindle ſacred Love, than Love creates ſupream Joy. For what can there be leſs than all Delight, where there is nothing but Love; and that, as this is, without Diminution or End. It is ſure, that our Friends Live in the Triumphs of Joy, if they live in the Sunſhines of Knowledge, and Flames of Love.

True it is, great is the number of them that dwell in this Light, Love, and Life. Tho comparatively few are ſaved; the City that is above, is p. 79Populous, but the multitude of its Citizens, doth not Impoveriſh, but Honour and Adorn it. For why? GOD is its Treaſure. And good INFINITE is not by any numbers exhauſted or leſſened. The Sun's light is but finite. Yet all men enjoy the light of it; and every one, as ſufficiently, as if no ones Eyes but his own received it. God is Infinite. And much more may all his Favourites above enjoy Him: every one as fully, as if he enjoyed him only.

Be it added; Earthly excellencies are all of them, like to rich Perfumes. By Cuſtom they wax leſs ſenſible, at leaſt leſs grateful, to ſuch as carry them. And ceaſe to be ſweet, when they ceaſe to be New. But it is not ſo with Excellencies heavenly. God's own happineſs is now as pleaſant unto Him, as it was millions of ages agone. It was never at all New, but ever moſt ſweet. And he has provided his Children p. 80alſo a Felicity, that ſhall not need to be commended by Novelty. One that ſhall reliſh as well with them to eternal ages as at the firſt moment. Which we cannot doubt, if we do not forget this: viz. That Heavenly Joy is Perfect. And what is Perfect, is indeficient; never abates; never can Die, or be Sick, or be weaker at one time than at another. Things of limited goodneſs, admit change and wearineſs of them. It being neceſſary to leave one for another. Yea, and having in them ſomewhat that is hurtful too, and not delicious, no wonder if they ſometimes become nauſeous. But good that is unbounded, and reaches to the ſatisfaction of all our Deſires; and is unmixed, and miniſters nothing beſide delights; ſuch as the Heavenly good is; this muſt alway taſte alike. Unto the ſweetneſs of this nothing can be added: nor can any thing be taken away from it.

Well; this, and more than this, p. 81is the bleſſed ſtate of our godly Friends deceaſed. A ſtate, whereof every Poſſeſſor lives in moſt delitious and eternal Rapture, Heaven is it ſelf; and they we ſpeak of are in Heaven. But concerning both, it muſt be ſaid, 'tis but a little portion of them that is heard! The one half is not told us. Nor doth it yet appear, ſave very imperfectly, what they are. As to that which through Gods grace doth appear, it follows in our next particular.

P. 3. Their glorious Eſcape unto Heaven ought to be well Conſidered by as on Earth. The word of command is in the text. And is a very remarkable one, uſed but once more in all the New Teſtament, viz. Act. 17.23. where it is put to expreſs the careful and ſevere conſideration, that the Apoſtle took of the Athenians Devotion. In minds not atheiſtical, …here muſt needs be ever and anon …ome occaſional Thoughts bubling …p. But they are bubbles indeed, p. 82that ſignifie little and effect nothing. They make not that Conſideration which is here demanded. Which conſiſts in much and ſerious ſpeech with our ſelves concerning the Victory of our godly Friends. Streams, fed by a living Spring, flow conſtantly; and do enrich and give delight where they come. And ſuch are the Thoughts and Soliloquies, which do ever much better our Hearts and our Ways. Such as flow from a vital Principle and Diſpoſition; and are maintained daily by the ſame. Even without thoſe outward occaſions of them, with which ſlight and tranſient thoughts do flow and ebb; or rather dry away.

Fix it in your minds, that it is the Will of God, that is here declared ſo to be. That he requireth you to have this ſaid glorious Victory much in your minds. That your Thoughtfulneſs of it will truly pleaſe Him. And your Forgetfulneſs and Neglect, incenſe him. Let your p. 83Wills ſubmit to this acknowledged Will of God; and command all that is within you ſo to do. Become you Convinced of your duty herein; and Diſpoſed to do it. You ſhall then find within you a Fountain, whence numerous, delicious, and efficacious Thoughts, ſhall ſpring. Your own reins ſhall inſtruct you daily. Without other Monitors, (the Holy Spirit excepted,) it ſhall become of your daily Buſineſs and Recreation alſo, to conſider the Conqueſt forepraiſed. Without other calls, your minds will run to it, and on it. They will be often ſpeaking, to this purpoſe, each of them.

Here am I, in my paſſage through the red ſea; Hope and Fear divide my Life. Hope of Eſcaping, Fear of Drowning. Eſcaping as an Iſraelite; Drowning, as an Egyptian. O ye my godly Miniſters and Friends that are ſweetly got aſhore, I cannot but think of you. Of your ſafe Landing; and joyful Reception above. p. 84Methinks I hear you recounting your old Weakneſſes, Fears, and Dangers. And wondring at the arm of Grace that carried you through them. Rejoycing in the change you feel. Triumphing over Sin, Satan, and the World, that withſtood you. And ſaying, how little danger the Sea hath, if the true Pilot be but duly truſted. How ſafely all muſt go, and how ſweetly all muſt end. How reaſonable is it for all he carrieth, to truſt him in the worſt… ſtorms. To bear moſt patiently every Difficulty; being they are but for a moment, and their reward is Glory of exceeding weight. How you would have even gloried in all your Tribulations, had you but known the ten thouſandth part of what you now ſee. How you would adviſe us that be ſtill on the Sea, were you to ſpeak with us. What you would tell your Followers of Sins folly, the Creatures vanity, Gods bounty, Chriſts excellency, Holineſs its beauty: (Holineſs p. 85of State, of Heart, of Life.) O what a deal would you tell, that do know now what a Rewarder God is? Of all, that in patient continuance in well-doing, do ſeek and ſerve him. You would make us all aſhamed of our ſelves. Miniſters of their Preaching; People of their Hearing; Both, of their worſe living.

O ye bleſſed Spirits, and not only Healed, but Beautified. Often have I heard you complain of Wounds, Bruiſes, and Putrifying ſores like my own. And now methinks I ſee you without Spot or Wrinkle or any ſuch thing. While the cure of my own Diſeaſes, is little more than begun: In you, in you it is, that I read the high Praiſes of Chriſt your Phyſician and mine. Should I let go the memory of you, I ſhould leſſen the Honour of Him. In you it is that I read the praiſes of the Holy Ghoſt. Then it is he appears to me a moſt wonderful Builder, when I look on you his moſt glorious Temples. Then I conclude, p. 86ſure he is able to raiſe me alſo out of my ruins.

O ye Conquerors and more than Conquerors; whom I knew when you were Warriours. And under my own hardſhips of warfare. My own, who was your unworthy Fellow-Souldier under Chriſt's Banner. How congratulate I your Conqueſts and Triumphs? How admire I the Truth, Power and Love of your and my Captain? How uneaſie doth the ſight of your Crowns make me, till I am with you, and like you? If I forget you, O ye Angels-fellows, let my Tongue cleave to the roof of my Mouth! If mine Eye keep poring always upon my SEA, my SICKNESS and my WARFARE; if it be not alſo turned on your PASSAGE, your CURE, and your CONQUEST, let my Arm fall from my Shoulder-blade!

The (foreign,) Contemplators of the bleſſed End of godly Friends, are Chriſtians that thus converſe with themſelves. I ſay p. 87thus, unto the true end and uſe thereof. And unto this end do converſe or conſider, not tranſiently think. There is a great difference between a ſtep and a walk. And there is no leſs, between a thought and a conſideration. I come therefore to the laſt particular.

P. 4. This conſideration of godly Friends eſcápe unto Heaven, is a motive moſt neceſſary, unto imitation of their Faith and Holineſs. The Apoſtles uſe of it as ſuch, proves it ſuch. But, to give meaſure preſſed down and running over, it ſhall be added. (1.) The beſt of Chriſtians, do need motive Conſiderations. Which is acknowledged by all that are ſo much as titularly Chriſtians. (2.) Of motive Conſiderations, this is of the beſt. Which will appear from the natural effects of it, in which its motive virtue is moſt reſplendent. Of theſe, the ſeven following ones, are not the leaſt principal.

E. 1. This Conſideration confirms our Faith. Our Faith of the holy God's p. 88bountifulneſs, and of holy men's bleſſedneſs. It is true, that the H. Spirit's Light diſpels our darkneſs, and enlightens our minds. And, he giveth us the Goſpel for a Lamp; and Faith for an Eye. But can any man doubt it? The Goſpel is cleared and Faith ſtrengthned more than a little, by Examples. Examples of the promiſed goodneſs of God to Men, and the bleſſedneſs of men in that goodneſs of God. Eſpecially by the examples of Perſons known, and dear unto our ſelves. Put the caſe you know and believe ever ſo well of a Phyſician. Yet let him once make perfect Cures on many of your moſt dangerouſly diſeaſed Relations: Your confidence of his ability, and his Patients ſafety will be encreaſed. You will be ſomewhat more fearleſs to truſt him with your own Life, than you were before. The Application is eaſie.

E. 2. This Conſideration raiſes our Apprehenſions. Our Apprehenſions and p. 89Eſtimations of God, of Chriſt, of the H. Spirit, and of the Goſpel-Covenant. You cannot ſee your dear Friends ſaved by them, but you muſt the more eſteem and value them! Their ſo great Salvation, that certifies the goodneſs of the Efficients and Inſtruments unto you, muſt needs enhance the value of them in you. Great and grateful Effects, never fail to raiſe the price of Cauſes and Means. I mean with any but Idiots or Lunaticks; Creatures of undiſpoſed minds or diſtracted ones.

E. 3. This Conſideration ſtrengthens our Choice. Our choice of our Redeemer, for Prince and Saviour. The ſight of our Tempted, Perſecuted, Afflicted Brethren here on Earth, is but too often a ſcandal unto us Makes our Hearts to ſtagger. Tempts us to go back, and follow Chriſt no more. But the Spiritual ſight of our Crowned and Triumphant Brethren in Heaven, hath on us a contrary operation. It ſtrengthens our Reſolution; and p. 90ſteels our Courage to truſt and obey him, who gave ſuch a Life and Glory unto them. It makes us, anew to reſign our ſelves unto him. Yea and bitterly lament, that we choſe him not more early and more fervently.

E. 4. This Conſideration quickens our Deſires. Our Deſires, and our Hopes. Our deſires to be, with Chriſt and his triumphant Friends above. And our hopes, that as laden with ſins as now we are, divine Grace may unburthen us at laſt, and lodge us with them. The thoughts of their wonderful Advancement will work, upon any Heart not ſtone dead. When carnal men think of any of their Equals, that are riſen above them unto high Places, what is the effect? Why they are ſtraitway inſpired, with an unwonted Ambition for themſelves. Yea and affected with a new Perſwaſion alſo, that 'tis as poſſible for themſelves to break through the difficulties which are in the way to p. 91Preferment. Why ſhould not the Ambition and Expectation of Spiritual men, be excited by the ſame Medium? Surely, as Deſire and Hope are the ſprings of Action; glorious Succeſſes of mean Agents be Springs of Deſire and Hope in their Spectators.

E. 5. This Conſideration provokes our Diligence. The Victory of Miltiades, took ſleep from the eyes of Themiſtocles. The thoughts of anothers honour, ſpurred him on unto his more ſucceſsful Labour. And will not the matchleſs conqueſts of our glorified Friends, take our hands out of our boſoms? They will unqueſtionably, if they be conſidered ſolemnly. They will urge unto that holy Violence, without which the heavenly Kingdom cannot be taken.

E. 6. This Conſideration ſweetens our Life of Religion. Joy, is our ſtrength. Heavineſs in the heart, weakens, if not binds our hands and feet. Indeed many Objects of God's Love, and true Saints, are of ſorrowful p. 92ſpirits. But the chiefeſt Inſtruments of his glory, are, for the moſt part, Souls of much alacrity. To be ſure, whatever doth ſweeten, doth alſo heighten our Duty. For, Delight exonerates Body and Mind, takes off dulling Indiſpoſitions from them. Gives wings to both, and intends their actions. It doth marvelouſly, but as certainly encreaſe our Force to act, and our Accuracy in acting. Cogendi vis ineſt, ſaith Pliny; it makes the very Lame to walk, yea leap. For this reaſon it ſeems, that Muſick hath ever been uſed in Wars; becauſe it doth delight; and, by delighting, ſtrengthen the Nerves of fleſh and ſpirit. But what can delight a Soul that is any thing heavenly, like contemplation of the celeſtial Society? For Contemplation doth, in a ſort, unite the Soul unto its Object. And, eminently, this Contemplation miniſters Hope; which is the greateſt Parent of Joy, next to Fruition. When you are muſing of Heaven's Inhabitants, p. 93your Soul has a place with them; and makes one among them. And you are in an exerciſe that makes you an Evidence of an everlaſting Manſion with them. Nero, Xerxes, and others, have propounded rewards to the inventors of new Pleaſures. But he that ſhall diligently make uſe of this, ſhall never propound any. He ſhall ſay, I have Enough; yea, I have All.

E. 7. This Conſideration abates the Fear of Death. Morally it doth ſo; as it is of thoſe works, unto which ſafety from fear of evil is promiſed. The Promiſe hereof is as plainly made to good works, as the Threat of ſhame and fear is uttered againſt ſinful ones. And, thro' the grace of our Redeemer, hereof we are certain: tho' holy thoughts and works deſerve not Conſolation, as ſinful ones deſerve fearfulneſs and horror; yet Grace gives as juſt an expectation of Comfort from the one, as Juſtice gives of Trouble from the p. 94other. Beſides, even naturally this Conſideration abates the fear aforeſaid. For they be the errours of Fancy, by which Death is made exceſſively formidable. Without a falſe repreſentation, it could not ſcare a true Chriſtian. But contemplation of our glorified Friends, doth confute the falſe ſuggeſtions of our Fancies. It repreſents Death in its true notion; and ſo, by rectifying our Minds, fortifieth our Hearts, e. gr. Death, we cannot endure in our thoughts, becauſe we imagine it to be this threefold penance; to wit, the putting off a Body, without which we cannot live; the leaving of a World, that is the beſt we ever ſaw; and a going into a ſtrange Countrey and State of which our knowledge is very imperfect. Now due Conſideration of the heavenly Society and of our Friends in that glory, what doth it? If any thing, this it doth. It repreſents Death as quite another thing, unto every good man. It demonſtrates p. 95it to be only the putting off of a Houſe of Clay, to enter and live in one made without hands; and therein joyfully to wait till the ſame is new built and added unto it. To be the leaving of a World, that next to Hell it ſelf, is the very worſt part of the Creation. And to be but a going home, not abroad; unto their Father and Brethren, not to ſtrangers, and they know not whom. To a Countrey ſtrange but unto Senſe, not unto Faith. One, of which our knowledge muſt needs be imperfect, becauſe the glory thereof is ſo very great, and our minds ſo weak. Becauſe its eternal Poſſeſſions, exceed the capacity of our preſent Underſtandings. So that all who enter it, muſt do as great mens Heirs; who when they come to Age, go take into their hands, more than in their minority they could conceive in their minds.

Thus is Death repreſented as a change, but for the better. One that doth not Hazard, but Accompliſh our p. 96greateſt Hopes. And ſo it becomes more the object of our Hope, and leſs the object of our Fear.

The uſes I make, I muſt croud into a narrow room. And preſent in a few Inferences and Exhortations. Learn ye hence.

I. 1. The Neceſſity of Faith and Holineſs. I name both, tho' the Apoſtle's word is, [whoſe FAITH follow.] For he plainly means Faith in its Principle, and in its Effects and Exerciſes. Be theſe, either of them things indifferent? Or but ſmall, as Cummin and Aniſe? Indeed ſo they ſeem to be conceited, even in England, and very London. But where be your eyes? See you not God's Precepts, and his multiplied motives unto both? Is it conſiſtent with his Wiſdom and Goodneſs, thus, above all things, to call for things Needleſs? Do not dream So. If Satan could keep all men from theſe Jewels, he would ſhut up Heavens Gates; this is true if the Goſpel be ſo. The day is haſtning p. 97which will convince you all; Fruit, without a Root, cannot be had. A Root, if without Fruit, cannot be valued. Without the Root and Fruit of Faith, no ſoul can be ſaved. Hell will ſhortly awaken you that ſleep and reſt long in Forms of Godlineſs. In empty names, in ſcenical ſhows, in dead opinions, in alamode cuſtomary Religion. O that Goſpel light, may prevent your Conviction by Hell Fire! Chriſt is able to ſave to the uttermoſt. But Faith and Holineſs are his uttermoſt. And without them, He hath not will or power to ſave one Creature.

The Leper under the Law, typified a Sinner. And he was to go with his Head uncovered, that he might be known of all men, and avoided. Theſe hints uncover the head of our Epidemical Sin. Fly you far from it.

I. 2. The Poſſibility of Faith and Holineſs. They are as Poſſible, as Neceſſary. Hereof, every Soul got to p. 98Heaven, is a clear Demonſtration. As we, ſo they all of them, had their conflicts of carnal Paſſions. From Nature, Temper, Education, ſecular Intereſt, they had them. But thro' the aids of the Holy Ghoſt, they took and held Holy Faith and Life. Some had a clearer and cleaner Victory than others, but all were Victors. And their Victories, do prove ours to be poſſible. They prove that the Enemies of Faith and Holineſs are not Unconquerable; as Diogenes his walking, proved that motion was not a thing impracticable. Take heed, Brethren, take heed; and abuſe not the true doctrine of your want of Power. Nor ever believe your danger of hell, to be ſo much from ought, as from your Will. Let D. Owen's words be written on the Walls of your Houſes. They are upon Heb. 12.15. There is no man who under the profeſſion of the Goſpel comes ſhort of obtaining God's grace and favour, but it is by reaſon of himſelf and his own ſin. His negligence, p. 99ſloth, miſſing of opportunites, love of ſin. We have, as Merciful a God to deal with, as they that are got to Heaven had. We have the ſame Saviour and Sanctifier offerr'd, that they had. We have the ſame Word and Sacraments miniſtred, as they had. Why ſhould we conceit our Salvation impoſſible? Have a care Sirs, that you do not make it ſo! That, indeed, you may do. And are very like to do, if you heighten your corruptions by Cuſtom, enflame them by as wilful Temptation. And make them, more irreſiſtable than you find them.

I. 3. The Felicity of Faith and Holineſs. How well do theſe end? We are called in the text to contemplate their End. And that, for the Glory thereof and for its Attractiveneſs of us. God cannot be God, if he ceaſe to be the rich rewarder of Faith and Holineſs. For he has ſworn by his Godhead; and pawned his Name of God upon it, that he will be the God of Believers and Obeyers of the Goſpel. p. 100The eternal Crown muſt fall off from his own Head, if an immortal one be not ſet on theirs. As ſin and Miſery, ſo Holineſs and Bleſſedneſs are inſeparable.

I. 4. The untowardlineſs of men called to Faith and Holineſs. Wonderful! who has bewitched them? For, as our text ſpeaks not obſcurely, they are hard to be enamored with the greateſt Beauty. Motives, and ſtrong ones they need, unto their moſt certain and greateſt good. The life of Faith and Holineſs, is the higheſt that can be in this low world. The beſt Heaven to be had on earth. And yet do we want a much better to allure us unto it. So dark is the Light that is in us. So, ſo have we loſt the firſt Light, Purity, & Vigilance of our Minds, and the Rectitude of our Wills. Things deſpicable, inſinuate themſelves into us very eaſily. Their faint color of profit or pleaſure, invades us with marvellous power. Power that p. 101raviſhes preſently the eſteem of our Minds, and Choice of our Wills. The lying vanities that do ſtill deceive us, can even compel us; and carry us whither (we think at leaſt) we would not go. But, objects moſt amiable; in themſelves moſt excellent, and unto us moſt important; ſuch as deſerve the throne of our hearts; alas, how darkly do our Minds, repreſent theſe? how coldly do our Wills receive them? Till Omnipotence draws us, we never run, or go, or ſo much as look after them. A moſt humbling conſideration! We do need bit and bridle to keep us out of Satans crooked way, and ſpurs and goads to make us go in God's ſtrait paths.

I. 5. The kindneſs of God to untoward men. This, if any thing ſhines in my text and doctrine. For in what appeareth God's kindneſs, if not in his methods of calling us to Faith and Holineſs? Which are ſo admirably ſuited unto our weakneſs. p. 102So apt to reduce and engage the moſt extravagant Souls. So fitly qualified, as hath been before ſhewed, to make pliant the moſt obſtinate in evil, and to nail faſt the moſt irreſolute in good. Motives, even ſuch, the divine grace preſents. So it ſelf doth the dread Soveraign of the whole Creation, court every worm. Vouchſafing, not only to Will and Command, but to encourage and entice us unto Faith and Obedience. So making, that, if we will ſwim on in ſin unto Damnation; it ſhall be againſt the ſtream of grace in its utmoſt Condeſcention.

I. 6. The Benefit of godly Miniſters and Friends. This, doth hence appear great. Becauſe, not only Living but Dead, they are unto us, great means of grace. As we may profit much by hearing▪ Eſt aliquid quod à magno viro vel tacente proficias. Sen. Ep. 94.and ſeeing them, while they be here; we may do the ſame by Remembring them when they p. 103be gone. It is our own fault, if it does not do us good to think of them. It is true, we may reap advantage from the thoughts of them, who to us were unknown. And of whom, and of whoſe Faith and Holineſs we have only read or heard.

They have well deſerved from the Church, whoſe Pens have preſerved the Hiſtory of pious Perſons for us. Abroad, Melchior Adam, Theod. Beza, and others. At home, our immortal Martyrologiſt, Jo. Fox, Mr. S. Clark, Dr. Bates, Dr. Fuller, Dr. Lloyd,, &c. That dunghil Spirits ſhould contemn their ſacred Pearl, is of no wonder at all. But that reputed Merchants for Heaven, ſhould grudg them their Money and their Time, is ſadly ſtrange. A Collection of the Characters of many moſt exemplarily religious, is now preparing in this City. Surely men of real Religion will pray for its good ſpeed; as conceiving it a very apt medium for commending unto us the City that hath p. 104better foundations, and for animating us to Live, to Suffer, and to Die for it.

But it may not be denied, and it ought to be conſidered; Great is the power of Acquaintance and Converſe! Our thoughts have by far the eaſieſt and ſweeteſt acceſs unto them in Heaven, that we had moſt friendſhip with upon Earth.

In a word, Pearls, are but the ſhining Froth of the Sea; as Silver and Gold be but the White and Yellow Duſt of the Earth. An Holy Friend, is an incomparably richer thing, and more ſerviceable.

I. 7. The Praiſe of Conſideration. Which thus here meets us. It is by the ſacred Writer made the capital means of our excitation, unto the things which are our Life. Yea, of our excitation unto them by the moſt powerful motive. It is by him made as neceſſary, to our being benefited by God's Word, as Eating is neceſſary, to our being p. 105nouriſhed by Bread. For his phraſe is to be underſtood, as if the Text had plainly ſaid; The bleſſed End of your holy Predeceſſors, take you into juſt & deep conſideration; without which, it can no more affect you, than a Beauty and Treaſure can affect one that neither ſees nor hears of them. Nor any more draw forth your hearts to imitate their Faith, than Chains or Cords can draw forth of their places, things that they take no hold of.—Indeed the uſefulneſs of Conſideration, is ſelf-evident; nor need words, for information's ſake, be multiplied. All men grant, that every good Act is a product of ſtated Judgment, not of a ſudden raſh Thought: and ſtated Judgment it ſelf is the iſſue of ſerious Perpenſion, the ultimate and moſt perfect Act of our Reaſon, or Thinking faculty. But, interpretative Contradiction is the rife Plague among us. Moſt men, ſleep in their groſs p. 106Inconſideracy, and are ſtrangers unto true Contemplation. And it is to be feared, ſome are vain and wild enough, to expect benign infuſions of the Holy Spirit, without the required conſiderations of their own. Miſerable deluſion! For, He is a ſpirit of Wiſdom; that is, of wiſe Thoughts. Not a ſpirit ſent to make Fools; that is, creatures ſpending no Thoughts, or but few and ſlight ones, on the things of their Peace. His work is, to make wiſe, and to ſet at rights our Thoughts. To wit, as to the Objects, Qualities, Numbers, Orders, and Ends of them. In a word; He that eats not neceſſary Bread, is dead naturally, and he that conſiders not neceſſary Truth, is dead ſpiritually. Spare Meals make ſlender Bodies; and ſlight Meditations make lean Graces. Wouldeſt thou be much edified by thy glorified Friends Examples? then contemplate them much. Expecting not holy Impulſes, p. 107from a few roving Thoughts! Without much muſing, no holy fire burns. Precious Metals and Jewels are produced, where the Beams of the Sun are moſt ſtrongly reflected; and there it is that heavenly Affections are kindled, where apt Thoughts are moſt vigorouſly exerciſed.

Now, in his Name whoſe we Are; whom we Serve; and to whoſe Tribunal we Haſten; I exhort as follows.