Mount Pisgah, Part 2 · Section 2 (1 of 3)

Mount Pisgah · Part 2 · Section 2 (1 of 3)

p. 75Second Uſe.Second Uſe of Comfort to the Saints; Chriſt Himſelf will be their Judg.

But (on the contrary) unſpeakable Conſolation may this doctrine of Chriſt's perſonal Appearance, ſpeak to the Godly; the Sheep of Chriſt which have heard his voyce ſpeaking to them in the Goſpel of peace, and have obeyed it.

Behold, He that in the days of his fleſh came to be their Redeemer; now in the day of his power ſhall come to be their Judge. He that ſo often pleaded for them to his Father, and for whom they ſo often pleaded and contended, with a diſobedient and gain-ſaying Generation;

(I ſay) He ſhall now be their Judg, and paſs ſentence upon them: their Friend, their Brother, their Head, their Husband. What need they fear that Tribunal, where not their Enemies, (who were wont faſ…y to accuſe and condemn them;) no, not their prejudiced and imprudent Friends, who ſomtimes have raſhly and cauſeleſly miſ-judged them; much leſs the Accuſer of the Brethren; Rev. 12.10.Rev 12:10who accuſed them before their God, day and night; none of theſe (I ſay) ſhall ſit in Judgment; But their dear Redeemer, who for their ſake came down from Heaven: that loved them ſo dearly, that he died for love of them, that he might Redeem them, and waſh them in his own Blood: He that Regenerated, Sanctified, Juſtified, Preſerved, and Perfected them: He to whom, both in Life and Death, they were ſo nearly and inſeparably Ʋnited; and by vertue of which Conjunction, they are now awakened, and ſet upon their feet again, in a moſt beautiful & perfect ſtate; I ſay where He, and none but He, who long ſince became their Adocate, ſhall now (by the appointment of the Father) be their Judge; Oh what matter of Joy and Triumph will this adminiſter unto the Saints at that day! How may they lift up their heads with joy, becauſe their Redemption and Redeemer ſhall then draw nigh.Second branch of Comfort in reference to the Saints departed.

Again; The Doctrine of Chriſt his Perſonal Appearance at the laſt day affords no leſs Conſolation in reference to the Saints departed; and to this very end, doth the Holy p. 76Ghoſt mention it in this place, The Lord himſelf ſhall deſcend from Heaven. The Relative conſideration.I told you the words have a Relative conſideration in them: as they do imply an account why the Saints which are alive at the coming of Chriſt, ſhall not prevent them which are aſleep: why? (it immediatly follows): For the Lord himſelf ſhall deſcend. The Saints of God need not doubt of this, either in reference to themſelves; or to their Relations, whom they have ſent before them to the Grave; The Lord that bought them, will ſee to Their Reſurrection in the firſt place: It was the will of him that ſent him, that of all which he hath given him, Joh. 6.39.John 6:39he might loſe nothing, but that he ſhould raiſe it up again in the laſt day. And Jeſus Chriſt is ſo punctual to his truſt, that He will not delegate it to any of the Angels or Seraphims; but will come in Perſon to accompliſh that charge; that ſo not any one of his little ones may poſſibly be forgotten, **foreign.nothing may be loſt: neither Perſon nor Member, nor Duſt: but that Chriſt may preſent it entirely to his Father at his coming, in the ſame language he ſpake when he went out of the world;

Thoſe that thou gaveſt me, John 17.John 17I have kept, and none of them is loſt.

He bought them at too dear a rate, to leave any one of them in the Grave; and therefore, to make all ſure, He will come in Perſon, and finiſh his work Himſelf: As ſure as He aſcended up into Heaven after his own Reſurrection, ſo ſurely ſhall he deſcend from Heaven to perfect that Reſurrection in his Saints; which brings me to the ſecond Particular.

The ſecond particular in this Eighth word of Comfort, The ſecond word of Comfort. He ſhall foreignis, The Certainty of his coming couch'd in the Verb here, He … ſhall deſcend from Heaven. He ſhall: i.e. moſt certainly and infallibly.

And ſo all the Scriptures which mention the Coming of the Lord, ſpeak of it in the notion of a moſt unalterable Decree and Statute of Heaven; thus the Apoſtle to the Athenians. God hath appointed a day wherein he will judg the world in righteouſneſs, Act. 17.31.Acts 17:31by that man whom he hath ordained, whereof he hath given us aſſurance, &c.

p. 77See how many words here are heaped one upon another, to aſſure our Faith of the infallible certainty of Chriſts Coming.

Firſt he hath appointed a day; foreign. Statuit diem.There is the divine Appointment and Decree, paſt upon it in Gods Eternal purpoſe and Counſel: It is a Statute enacted in Heaven, that there ſhall be a future Judgment; a Statute more ſure than ever the Laws of the Medes and Perſians; for Heaven and Earth may paſs away, but Gods Decree ſhall ſtand, &c. And then there is a certain Day appointed for it, a ſtated time by the ſame Power; A day which can neither be adjourned nor accelerated. The time is fixed. He hath appointed a day, and it cannot be altered. And then the Work is determined as well as the day: and that is judgment; wherein He will Judge: The Judgment is not left Arbitrary or Contingent; but God is reſolved on't; He will Judg; not, peradventure, he may Judg, foreignbut as ſure as He is God, he will Judg.

The Perſons to be judged are alſo ſpecified; foreign.not leſs than the whole world; He will Judg the world, not a ſingle Perſon ſhall eſcape that Judgment; 2 Cor. 5.10.2 Cor 5:10we muſt all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Chriſt.

As the Perſons to be Judged, foreign.ſo likewiſe the Perſon that is to Judg, is named, and deſigned to it already; That man, that ſpecial, that peculiar man; the man Chriſt Jeſus.

And to make all ſure, he hath his Commiſſion already.

That man whom he hath Ordained the Judg, foreign. Joh. 6.27.John 6:27is Elected and commiſſion'd under the broad Seal of Heaven, is paſſed.

And if all this be not enough, there is yet further Aſſurance and evidence given of it already to the world; open and evident demonſtration; if men will not ſhut their eyes, foreign. Fide, palam facta omnibus.—of which he hath given aſſurance unto all men: what that aſſurance is, I ſhall ſhew anon. In the mean time ſee how the Holy Ghoſt uſeth all the words and expreſſions which may create a firm aſſent to the doctrin of Chriſts coming to Judgment; that there may be no room for doubting left: Formid, Oppoſiti, as the Schools calls it.no heſitancy in the minds of men: And not here only, but in p. 78many other Scriptures; 2 Cor. 5.10.2 Cor 5:10that, hinted even now, We muſt all appear before the Judgment Seat of Chriſt, &c. Not we may (only) but we muſt; Chriſt muſt Judg, and we muſt (all) appear. But; (not to multiply Scriptures,) take we a brief account of the Grounds. And: Behold

1. Reaſon ſays, Reaſons or Grounds of the certainty of Chriſts coming.He may Come.

2. Faith ſays, He muſt Come.

1. Reaſon ſaith, He may Come.

The very Courſe of Providence ſhews it. The Godly are not the happieſt in this world; 1 Cor. 15.9.1 Cor 15:9If in this life only (ſays the holy Apoſtle) we had hope in Chriſt, we were of all men moſt miſcrable. Vertue hath not a full reward, nor Vice ſufficient puniſhment in this life. Dives the Repreſentative of the Voluptuous world, flowed in eaſe and pleaſure; while Lazarus, a godly man, afflicted with pain and hunger, was glad to dine with his Dogs at the dore. The Dogs were both his Almoners and his Chirurgeons. Things muſt not go after this rate for ever. Sooner or later, a man ſhall ſay, i. e. He that is no more than a man; that hath no better eye in his head, than the eye of Senſe and Reaſon, ſhall be convinced of this, and compelled to confeſs of a truth, There is a reward for the Righteous: Verily, he is a God that judgeth the Earth.

Sin is now ſomtimes puniſhed with **In judicijs ſuis quae Deus in hoc mundo exercet non eſt iſta plena menſura juſtitiae quae erit in judicis ultimi Dici. ſcil. Non implent plenum poſtulatum legis & juſtitiae, neque ſuper impios, neque ſuper pios. Streſo in Act. 17.31.Acts 17:31exemplary Vengance, to ſhew there is a Providence; that God is not an idle Spectator in the world. And ſomtimes it is let alone to tell the world that there is a Judgment to come: the full puniſhment of ſin is not till then.

Thus Reaſon ſays, He may Come.

But now Faith goes further, and ſays, He muſt Come. He ſhall Come. The Lord Himſelf ſhall deſcend from Heaven.

It is a truth not only which God can make good, but a truth which God cannot but make good.

Witneſs.Chriſt muſt come. 1. His Purchaſe ſays ſo.

1. His Purchaſe; would Chriſt buy a people at ſo dear a rate, and then go away and come no more at them? Nay.

p. 792. Witneſs alſo his promiſe; And if I go, John. 14.3.2. His Promiſe.John 14:3John 14:2I will come again; He will, eſpecially conſidering the deſign of his leaving them for a time, it was but to go and prepare a place for them, and he hath done it; the place is prepared; Manſions in his Fathers houſe are made ready for them, ver. 2. Why now Chriſt being gon to this very end, and all things prepared for their entertainment; if he ſhould not come again, he ſhould certainly fail, not his promiſe only, but his project too; this cannot be: He that never yet failed his own promiſe, Fidelis Deus in Omnibus, in extremo non deſieret.nor his peoples expectations, will not now do it; No, I will come and receive you. He that went from them, only to prepare the place for them, will certainly come again to receive them into that place now it is prepared. He loves them ſo well, that he will not; he cannot be without their company: I will come and receive you, that where I am, there you may be alſo. Heb. 11.11.Heb 11:11Faithful is he that hath promiſed who alſo will do it.

3. Witneſs, The Sacrament of his laſt Supper; 3. The Sacrament of his laſt Supper. 1 Cor. 11.26.1 Cor 11:26which is nothing elſe but a pledg and ſeal to keep alive the memorial of his ſecond Coming. As oft as ye eat of this bread, and drink of this cup, ye do ſhew the Lords death till he come. Now when the Lord Jeſus Chriſt hath engaged the expectation of his people, by ſo ſolemn a Covenant; if he ſhould fail their expectation, this Grand Inſtitution had been in vain. Nay ſurely, He never ſaid to the Seed of Jacob, Seck ye my face in vain:

He ſpeaketh Righteouſneſs.Iſa. 45.19.Isa 45:19

4. And laſtly; Witneſs his Reſurrection; that, is, 4. His Reſurrection.the Aſſurance given in the Text, Act. 17.31. He will judge the world by that man whom he hath appointed. How may we be ſure of that? why he hath given the world aſſurance of it; foreign. Non quod omnibus fidem in Chriſtum dederit: Sed quod omnibus argumentum dederit. Streſo in loc.what aſſurance? in that he hath raiſed Chriſt from the dead; He hath given aſſurance, Gr. he hath offered Faith: the meaning is, God could not have confirmed his purpoſe and promiſe of ſending Chriſt to Judge the world at the laſt day, by a more firm and ſolemn Argument, than by raiſing him from the dead, after he had paid the debt, made ſatisfaction to divine Juſtice upon the Croſs.

p. 80Partly in as much as Jeſus Chriſt was hereby openly declared to be the Son of God with power. To judg the world is an act of divine Power and Authority; and what fitter perſon in the Trinity is there to judg the world righteouſly, than He that was unrighteouſly judged by the world; —put to death in the Fleſh, but quickened in the Spirit? raiſed by his own divine power?

Partly becauſe that after his Reſurrection, God the Father took him up into Heaven, Vid. Strev. in loc.and placed him at his own right hand.

A certain evidence, that when the whole number of his Redeemed ſhall be accompliſhed, he will ſend him the ſecond time to take Vengeance in his own Perſon, on the Shedders of his Blood, and the Oppugners of his Goſpel. Elſe it had been all one as if Chriſt had been left to lye ſtill in the Grave.

Thus you ſee Chriſt his perſonal Coming at the laſt day, eſtabliſhed upon its four-fold Foundation.

1. Uſe. His Purchaſe. 2. His Promiſe. 3. His Supper. 4. His Reſurrection.

Now therefore, O ye Saints of God, caſt not away your Confidences, either in reſpect of your ſelves, or of your ſweet Relations which have out-run you to the Sepulcher.

He that ſhall come, will come, and will not tarry.

In the mean time, let the juſt live by their Faith: keep up your Faith, and your Faith will keep up your hearts from ſinking; 2 Cor. 4.16.2 Cor 4:16for this Cauſe we faint not, &c.

I proceed to the third Circumſtance.

The manner of Chriſt his coming.

In the Deſcription whereof we find a three-fold Summons or Citation to all the world, to make their appearance at this great Oecumenical Aſſize, 1 Summon…. A Shour.ſc.

1. A Shout.

2. The Voyce of an Arch-Angel.

3. foreign Hortatorius clamor.The Trump of God.

The firſt ſolemn ſummons is a Shout: the Lord ſhall deſcend from Heaven with a Shout. The word in the Greek ſignifies p. 81ſuch a Shout as is to be heard amongſt Marriners and Seamen, when after a long and dangerous Voyage, they begin to deſcry the Haven, crying with loud and united voyces, a ſhore, a ſhore; as the Poet deſcribes the Italians, when they ſaw their Native Country; lifting up their voyces, and making the Heavens ring again with Italie, Italie! Italiam, Laliam, laeto clamore ſalutani. Virg Aeneid. Irgenti Angelorum jubile & acclamatione, Atetius.Or as Armies when they joyn battail, rend the air with their loud Acclamations. In like manner ſhall the mighty Angels of God with united clamour, proclaime the Advent of their Lord, crying aloud with a voyce that ſhall be heard from one end of the Heavens to another; the Earth and Sea, and Hell it ſelf, ſhall hear and tremble.

Behold the Lord cometh, Jud. v. 14.Jud. v. 14. Math. 25.5.Judg 5:14Matt 25:5

Behold the Bridegroom cometh, Math. 25. v. 6.

The ſecond Summons is the Voyce of the Arch-Angel. Expoſitioric vice. Calv.This clauſe ſome take to be Exegetical to the former; expounding that hortatory clamour or ſhout mentioned before; q. d. with a ſhout, i. e. with the voyce of the Arch-Angel. Arch-Angelus praeconts fungetur officio, & citet vivos & mortues ad Chriſti tribunal.Others conceive it, to be added by way of eminency; All the Angels ſhall ſhout for joy; but the Voyce of the Arch-Angel ſhall be heard above all the reſt. The greateſt Angel hath the greateſt voyce; lowder and ſhriller than all the other Angels, as Captain General to them all.

The third Summons, is the Trump of God; Great Trees, Trees of God; High Mountains, Mountains of God; A great fire, … fire of God. Job. 1.16.Job 1:16it may ſignifie a mighty Trump; after the manner of the Hebrew phraſe, which uſeth to call works and wonders of unuſual proportion, works of God, and wonders of God; ſo the Trump of God, i. e. a mighty Trump; a voyce of more dreadful horror than all that went before: But, whether it be to be underſtood metaphorically or properly, is queſtioned amongſt Expoſitors. Some underſtand it only metaphorically, and in an Analogical ſenſe, ſignifying no more than the Vertue and Power of Chriſts Voyce and Proclamation; ſummoning both the living and the dead to appear at his Tribunal.

But why we may not take it literally and in propriety of p. 82ſpeech, I ſee no reaſon, ſo for the voyce of an audible Trump, which ſhall be lowder than all the former; And it may well be the ſame with that which the Apoſtle calls the laſt Trump: this ſounding laſt of all, 1 Cor. 15.52. foreign. Math. 24.31. foreign, Sonora & vocaliſſima tuba. Bull. Numb. 10.1.9. In quo ſpecimen quoddam editum fuit hujus ultima populi Dei, congregationis, Id.1 Cor 15:52Matt 24:31Num 10:1Num 10:9or continuing longer than the former; our Lord calls it, The great ſound of a Trumpet.

Thus are theſe three Summons diſtinct, and each of them lowder and ſhriller than the former. And it may allude to the manner of the calling together of the Jews to their publick worſhip; and that (poſſibly) typical to this; ſignifying thus much to the world, that like as their Aſſemblies were ſummoned by the ſound of Trumpets; ſo the laſt and ſolemn day of judgment, that great general Aſſembly of the Living and the Dead, ſhall be ſummoned together by the ſound of Trumpets from Heaven; the vaſteſt and moſt univerſal Aſſembly that ever was beheld by the eye of Creature.

But a clearer Type and Prophecy hereof ſeems to be that at the giving of the Law, when Chriſt came down on Mount Sinai, to give the Law, it was in a very glorious manner, ſc. with Thunder and Lightnings, Numb. 19.16.Num 19:16and a thick Cloud upon the Mount, with the voyce of the Trumpet exceeding loud, &c.

This did Typifie Unto us, Chriſt his ſecond Coming at the end of the world to require the Law; which ſurely ought to excel in glory. Let us compare theſe two Comings together a little.

At his coming to give the Law, 2 Pet. 3.10. Deut. 33.2. Jud. v. 14. Dan. 7.10. Exod. 19.19.2 Pet 3:10Deut 33:2Judg 5:14Dan 7:10Exod 19:19Mount Sinai was all in a flame; Now the whole world ſhall be on fire.

Then Chriſt came with ten thouſands of his Saints, but Now, thouſand thouſands ſhall Miniſter unto him, and ten thouſand times thouſands ſhall ſtand before him.

Then the voyce of the Trumpet ſounded long, and waxed lowder and lowder: In like manner Now, there ſhall be firſt a ſhout of all the Angels of God with a joynt acclamation; Next the voyce of the Arch-Angel, which ſhall be lowder and ſhriller than they. And laſt of all the Trump of God, by way of eminency, diſtinct from the two former, & lowder & ſhriller than either;

p. 83God then ſpake with a voyce, the voyce of a Law-giver, commanding the Law; God ſpake all theſe words, ſaying, I am the Lord thy God, &c. Exod. 20.1.2.Exod 20:1Exod 20:2Now God ſhall ſpeak with the voyce of a Judg, requiring an account of the Law: viz. what men have done with that Law: whether they have obeyed or rebelled againſt that holy Command, and he ſhall accordingly Judg them.

This now is the third Circumſtance or conſiderable particular which the Holy Ghoſt commends to our notice, in the Coming of Chriſt which is the Eighth word of Comfort in this Model, ſc. The manner of his coming. And this is to ſet forth unto us the Glory and Majeſty of Chriſt his coming to Judgment. Theſe fore-runners of the coming of Chriſt, theſe various Heraulds which ſhall proclaime his Advent, ſcl.

1. The Hortatory clamour.

2. The voyce of the Arch-Angel.

3. And the Trump of God.

Theſe ſhall add much to the State and Solemnity of this great Judg his approach.

When he came into the Fleſh, his Herauld was John the Baptiſt, a man of a mean and contemptible preſence, Math. 3.2.Matt 3:2a Preacher of Repentance, Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand. Now his fore-runners and Heraulds ſhall be, The mighty Angels of God.

Then he came in a ſtill ſoft voyce, Math. 3.3.Matt 3:3the voyce of one crying in the Wilderneſs, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his path ſtraight. Now, he ſhall come with a loud and terrible voyce. Voyce upon Voyce, Trump upon Trump, Alarm upon Alarm; Each lowder and more dreadful than other, in compariſon whereof, the lowdeſt Thunder which was eyer heard from the Clowds of God, ſhall be but as the ſhooting off of a piſtol, or the blowing of a Rams Horn; A dreadful ſhout, which ſhall even ſhake the Heavens and the Earth, Heb 12.26.Heb 12:26and Hell it ſelf.

p. 84And it makes much for the terrour and aſtoniſhment of the wicked; Uſe. A Terror to the wicked.who in the pride of their hearts, would not lend an obedient ear, to the ſweet and gentle ſummons of the Word, ſaying Repent, Deut. 29.19.Deut 29:19and believe the Goſpel; but bleſt themſelves in their hearts; ſaying, I ſhall have peace, though I walk in the imaginations of my heart, and add Drunkenneſs to Thirſt.

Oh to all ſuch, ſurely, this will be a tremendous blaſt, which ſhall not ſo much raiſe as affright them out of their Graves, Some of the Jewiſh Doctors have a Conceit that wicked men ſhall never riſe again, which they ground upon their own miſtake of that Scripture, Iſa. 26.14. But, though it cannot be properly ſaid they Riſe, yet they ſhall be raiſed; not from Death to Life; but from one Death to another; from the firſt Death to the ſecond Death; from Death to Judgment, and from Judgment to Execution, to torment.Isa 26:14with horrour and amazement. Behold the Judg cometh, Ariſe ye Dead and come to Judgment. This will be the dreadful meaning of that Miniſterial Excitation, in the Conſciences of the Reprobate world; Appear in Court, there to anſwer for all the Contempt to the Calls and Counſels of Jeſus Chriſt in his bleſſed Goſpel!

Oh what would Drunkards, and Swearers, and Adulterers give that they might never be raiſed out of their Graves? or being raiſed, What would they give then for a Rock or a Mountain to fall upon them that might hide them from the face of him that ſitteth on the Throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb? but all in vain; Then, to hide will be impoſſible, and to appear will be intolerable. Uſe. 2

But as glorious and acceptable is this deſcription of Chriſt's coming to the Saints, Comfort to the Saints.for whoſe ſake this clauſe is added, as a word of Comfort, even to them that ſleep in Jeſus.

This three-fold Alarm, Shout, and Voyce, and Trump, ſhall be no more terror or amazement to them than the roaring of Cannons, when Armies of Friends approach a Beſeig'd City for the relief of them that are within. Theſe ſounds and ratlings, how terrible a ſenſe ſoever they may impreſs upon the hearts and Conſciences of the wicked, will be to them that ſleep in Jeſus as the ſweeteſt melody that ever ſounded in their ears, as the voyce of Harpers harping with their Harps, to p. 85awaken them out of their ſweet ſleep, with the ſweeteſt Muſick and Harmony that ever ſounded in their ears; and theſe ſhall be their Heavenly Ditties. Awake and ſing, oh ye that dwell in the duſt, &c. Or (as in the Goſpel-Call, a little varied.) Ariſe, ſhine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is riſen Ʋpon thee; Iſa. 60.1.2.Isa 60:1Isa 60:2for behold darkneſs ſhall cover the Earth; even (everlaſting) darkneſs, all the wicked of the world: but the Lord ſhall riſe upon thee, and his glory ſhall be ſeen upon thee to all Eternity.

In a word, This terrible treble Summons ſhall have no other ſignification upon the hearts of them that have believed and obeyed the Goſpel, than that mid-night cry had upon the Wiſe Virgins; Behold the Bridegroom cometh, Math. 25.6.Matt 25:6go ye forth to meet him.

Lift up your heads with joy, Luk. 21.28.Luke 21:28for your Redemption draweth nigh.

And therefore, Oh ye Saints and Servants of God, comfort one another with this Word alſo; Concerning your gratious Relations which are gone to Reſt,

The Lord Jeſus Himſelf ſhall come to awaken them; And thoſe Triumphant Summons and Alarms which ſhall uſher in his Coming; as they ſhall add to the Glory and Majeſty of their Lord, in whoſe boſom they have ſlept all this while, So they ſhall, on the one ſide, bid War and Battel to the Reprobate world; and on the other ſide, call together the Aſſemblies of the Saints, Pſal. 50.5.Ps 50:5who have made a Covenant with him by Sacrifice, and it ſhall be for their Honour and Exaltation in that day of his Triumph.

The ſum is this: Your Dear ones, whoſe immature departure you ſo much lament, that are aſleep in the duſt, ſhall ariſe; Chriſt himſelf ſhall come for them, Iſa. 66.….Isa 66and that in a moſt Triumphant manner, for their glory and their Enemies ſhame.

I have done with the Eighth Word of Comfort, The Coming of Chriſt; and come now to the

Nineth Word of Comfort, ſc. The bleſſed Conſequences of his Coming, which are three:

p. 861. Three Conſequencies of Chriſts Coming.The Reſurrection of the Saints which are fallen aſleep. The dead in Chriſt ſhall riſe firſt.

2. The Triumphant Aſcent of both, (the living and ſleeping Saints together,) into the Clouds; We which are alive, ſhall be caught up together with them into the Clouds.

3. The Bleſſed meeting of all the Saints together with Jeſus Chriſt, their Lord and Bridegroom; who comes from the Sedes Beatorum, the third Heaven, to meet them above half way; even to the loweſt Region of the Aire.

To meet the Lord in the Aire.

The firſt Conſequence is, the Reſurrection of the Saints.

The dead in Chriſt ſhall riſe firſt.

To which, notwithſtanding I have already ſpoken under two diſtinct Notions (lead thereunto by ſome of the former paſſages in the Context,) ſc.

1. In reference to the Author of the Reſurrection, Jeſus Chriſt: Chriſt ſhall bring them with him, v. 14.

2. In reference to the precedency of it (in that tranſaction;) They that are alive, ſhall not prevent them which are aſleep, i. e. The dead in Chriſt ſhall riſe firſt; as here, verſe 16.

Yet notwithſtanding; this being a main Circumſtance in the Reſurrection of the Saints, worthy to be taken notice of, (before I proceed to the following circumſtances of Chriſt his coming,) I judg it very proper to ſpeak a word or two of it (alſo) in this place, The manner of Reſurrection. 1. Cor. 15.35.1 Cor 15:35ſc. 3. The manner of the Reſurrection.

The Apoſtle ſuppoſeth the Query, 1 Cor. 15.35. Some man will ſay, How are the dead raiſed? i. e. with what body do they come? A Query neither frivolous nor impertinent; and therefore himſelf (by the Spirit) thinks it worth the reſolution.

And the reſolution of it, A twofold deſcription of the Reſurrection.is two-fold

1. In general.

2. In particular.

p. 871. In general, He gives us to underſtand, 1. General the ſame bodier.that the Saints ſhall riſe, with the very ſame bodies they lay down with, in the Graves; it is expreſſed under the metaphor of Seed; God giveth it a body, &c. and to every Seed his own body; his own body, not ſpecifially only, but numerically its own proper body, foreign.no ways alienated or transformed into another. And holy Job (even upon the Dung-hill) believed and Preached the very ſame Doctrine long before. Though after my skin, Job. 19.26, 27.Job 19:26Job 19:27Worms deſtroy this body [i. e. after Worms have dig'd through my skin to conſume my fleſh;] yet in my fleſh I ſhall ſee God, whom I ſhall ſee for my ſelf; and mine eye ſhall behold and not another, &c.

Obſerve how expreſs and ſignificative the words are, weigh them well; firſt, This body; Job points as it were with his finger to his body, and crys This; there is no more in the Text [body] is ſupplied to make up the ſenſe; this, Heb. Soth. So the Antient Believers were wont, when they repeated the Article of the Reſurrection, to adde Etiam hujus Carnis, as the Apoſtle this Corruptible. 1 Cor. 19.5.8. Pointing to his own body as it were. Heb. 12.Heb 12to expreſs the contemptibleneſs of his body, q. d. this Ulcerous and (already) Worm-eaten Carcaſs; this putrified rotten fleſh; this nothing, this, worſe than nothing: Yet this, as vile and putrid as it is, ſhall be raiſed up again at the laſt day.

In my fleſh I ſhall ſee God; I ſhall not ſee God with my Soul only; amongſt the Angels and Spirits of juſt men made perfect; but I ſhall ſee my Redeemer God-Man in my fleſh, in this body of fleſh, wherewith I am now cloathed.

And I ſhall ſee him for my ſelf: i. e. not by a deputy or proxy, but in mine own perſon, to my own infinit happineſs and ſatisfaction.

And yet again, mine eyes ſhall behold him; a further declaration of his individual ſeeing of Chriſt; from the Inſtrument or Organs; mine eyes, theſe numerical eyes that are now in mine head: with theſe eyes, wherewith now I ſee the Sun, the Heaven, the Earth, and all theſe objects of ſenſe here below; with theſe I ſhall have the viewing of my Glorious Redeemer.

And yet, to expreſs it more Emphatically, he addes the Negative to the Affirmative [not another] a phraſe of ſpeech which men uſe when they would be ſure to prevent all p. 88miſtakes, with my own body, not a ſtrange body; not transformed or changed into any thing elſe than now it is; with mine own eyes, not anothers, not a borrowed eye, not a new created eye placed in the room of this, &c.

Thus Job in variety of words, doth expreſs the invariety, or ſame-neſs of body in the Reſurrection, to the ſame ſenſe with the Apoſtle, to every Seed, his own body.

To this, Obj. if it be Objected, that in the 37. verſe of that Chapter, under the metaphor of Seed, he tells the incredulous Fool (that cannot believe this Article of Faith, the Reſurrection) Thou ſoweſt not that body which ſhall be. Not that body which ſhall be. It ſeems then the body ſhall be another thing, from that which is now ſown?

Anſ. Anſw. Yea, and indeed ſo it ſhall be; in reſpect of quality, though not of kind. There is diverſity in one and the ſelf ſame body: as it is in the Metaphorical, ſo it ſhall be with the natural; the Grain's ſown mean and bare, but it ſpringeth up after another manner, beautiful and green; yet the ſame Grain: Meliorata ſubſtantia non numero multiplicata. Tert.the body likewiſe is the ſame, when it riſeth as it was ſowen, for Subſtance, Parts, Members, and Organs; but not the ſame for beauty and excellent Properties.

The Infant ſhall riſe a man of perfect Age; the Lame ſhall riſe Sound; the Blind ſhall riſe Seeing; the Deaf ſhall Hearing; the Dunth ſhall be able to Speak; the Reſurrection ſhall take away all Defects and Exceſſes of Nature; the Deformities of the Saints ſhall not be raiſed together with their bodies; yea, Deformities ſhall be turned into Comelineſſes and Beauties: and yet all theſe Alterations, do no more change or deſtroy the Individuality of Perſon, than Youth doth make the Perſon numerically different from what it was in Infancy; or Old Age, from what it was in Youth; or, as it was in the Perſons of all ſorts, which Chriſt healed (in the day of his Fleſh); they were the ſame Individuals after Cure, as they were before; Cure makes not another Individual man of a Cripple, nor Health of the Sick; ſo ſhall it be in the Reſurrection; the bodies of the Saints (for of them only I ſpeak, not at all of the wicked) ſhall be the ſame for ſubſtance p. 89and matter; but wonderfully changed for Form and ſupernatural Endowments and Qualities: Second deſcription in particular.Which brings me to the particular deſcription of the Reſurrection, ſc. in reſpect of admirable and tranſcendent Properties; of which our Apoſtle hath inſtanced Four, ſc.

Four Properties of the riſen bodies of Saints.

1. Incorruption.Prope…ies of the body in the Reſurrection. 1 Cor. 15.42, 43, 44.1 Cor 15:421 Cor 15:431 Cor 15:44

2. Glory.

3. Power.

4. Spirituality.

All theſe in oppoſition to the contrary Infirmities and Deformities of the ſtate of Mortality; Contraria …uxta ſe p…ſita …g's …luceſcunt.That ſo by Compariſon, the (well-nigh) infinite diſproportion of both Eſtates may appear, and the Super-excellencies which the Reſurrection puts upon the Body, may ſhine forth more conſpicuouſly.

Firſt, it is ſown in Corruption; it is raiſed in Incorruption. 1. Property Incorruptible.It is ſowen in Corruption. Behold, the body is Corruptible, whiles it liveth; a Nurſery of ſuch Seeds and Principles, as will inevitably deſtroy it ſelf: a Spittal of all manner of Diſeaſes: but when it is dead, it is Corruption it ſelf: Infirmity reſolved into Rottenneſs and Deformity; the fondeſt Relation who (while living) layed it in the Boſom, cannot now endure it in the ſight: Give me a Burying place (ſaid Abraham of his beloved Sarah) that I may Bury my dead out of my ſight: Gen. 23 4.Gen 23:4It is now the picture of all ghaſtly Loathſomneſs.

But Oh, how unlike it ſelf, ſhall it be in the Reſurrection!

It is raiſed in Incorruption: When Chriſt hath fetcht the body out of the Grave, and ſet it upon its feet again, there ſhall not be the leaſt ſmell or ſavour of Mortality upon it; as there was no ſmell of the fire upon the Raiment of the three Children, when they came out of the fiery Furnace. Dan. 3.27.Dan 3:27All the Principles of Corruption and Mortality ſhall be put off and leſt, together with the Grave-Cloaths, in the Sepulcher. The body (as ſome think) ſhall give forth a ſweet fragrant ſmell, like the Flowers of Paradiſe: it ſhall be an Angelified body, p. 90Fleſh Immortalized; ſubject to no more Corruption than the Soul it ſelf. There ſhall be no more Death, nor fear of Death; nor poſſibility of Death for ever.

Secondly, It is ſown in diſhonour.] As ſoon as the Soul is enlarged from its Impriſonment; the body is preſently ſtript naked of all its Robes and honourable Attire, and wrapt up in a poor ſhroud of no other uſe than to hide Deformity; and, as a mean contemptible thing, it is buried under ground: Yea, ſomtimes, denied ſo much honour; it is expoſed naked above ground, in the ſight of the Sun, without any other Funeral, than what it may have in the bowels of the Fouls of the Heavens, Pſal. 79.1.Ps 79:1or the Ravenous Beaſts of the Earth. But, be the Burial never ſo Ignoble; the Reſurrection of it ſhall be Glorious.Second Property, Gloricu….

It is raiſed in Glory. We may truly ſay, Solomon in all his Glory was not arayed like one of theſe Children of the Reſurrection; there ſhall be a glory put upon the Body, which ſhall out-ſhine the Sun in its brighteſt refulgency. And that upon a double account.

1. By vertue of a Principle within.

2. The body ſhall be glorious in the Reſurrection. 1. By vertue of an Inward Principle.By means of a Glorious Irradiation without.

1. By vertue of an Internal Principle: The Soul, which is the Candle of the Lord, is here for a time put into a dark Lanthorn of the Body: But then the glorified Soul being now returned (by the power of Chriſt) into its antient habitation; and become a Veſſel repleniſhed with Immortal and unmixed light, will tranſmit ſuch beams of glory into the refined body, that it ſhall ſhine like an Angel of Light; the body of the pooreſt Lazar that ever lay on the Dunghill, ſhall be cloathed with ſuch raviſhing rayes of Beauty, as will tranſcend the moſt abſolute Beauty that ever mortal eye beheld.2 By vertue of External Irradiation from Chriſt. 2 Theſ. 2.10. Heb 1.3. foreign.2 Thess 2:10Heb 1:3

Secondly, By vertue of an External Irradiation: It is ſaid of Jeſus Chriſt at that day, He ſhall come to be glorified in his Saints, and admired in all them that believe: As, Jeſus Chriſt was the Brightneſs of his Fathers Glory; (it is ſpoken of him, not as he was the ſecond perſon in Trinity, God bleſſed for p. 91ever; but as he was Verbum Incarnatum, The Word Incarnate;) all the beams of Divine Majeſty and Glory did ſhine forth in him, with ſuch a refulgent brightneſs, that, thorow his Fleſh, the Godhead was as it were made viſible; we ſaw his Glory as the Glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth: So ſhall the Saints at his Coming (in their proportion) be, the brightneſs of Chriſt his glory; the beams of that glory, which ſhall ſhine forth from the glorified Perſon of their Redeemer, ſhall reflect ſuch a glittering Splendor upon the Saints in the Reſurrection, that they ſhall be glorious even to admiration: They ſhall be admired by the very Angels, by one another, and even by themſelves alſo: they ſhall wonder to behold this ſtrange Change wrought upon themſelves; as a poor Captive-maid taken out of the Dungeon, ſtript of her naſty ſtinking raggs, and cloathed with Prince-like Robes, adorned with rich and coſtly Jewels, to be Married to a King; would ſtand fill'd with wonder and delight, to look round about upon her ſelf, and behold the beauty and luſtre of every part: So ſhall it be with the Saints in the Reſurrection. The reflexes of Chriſts glory ſhall ſhine forth in them, even to wonder and aſtoniſhment: Chriſt ſhall be glorified in his Saints, and in all them which believe; Chriſt ſhall not be glorious in Himſelf only, but glorified in all his Saints.

Thirdly, It is ſowen in weakneſs] weakneſs indeed! What more impotent than Man while yet alive, Vanity it ſelf, Pſal. 39.5. Yea, hear that Text out, and you will ſay he is vanity indeed; for firſt it is every man, Kings as well as Beggars; C…l Adam.Giants as well as Pygmies; every man, take where ye will: And ſecondly, as it is every man, ſo it is Every vanity, or, **Col-Hebel Ʋniverſa Vanitas.altogether vanity: Every man is the Center of every vanity; he is not only mixt vanity, partly ſomthing and partly nothing; ſome ſolidity and ſome froth; but vanity throughout; vanity, and nothing elſe! And then (again) it is every man in his **Nitztzab.beſt Eſtate; or, according to the Heb. **Nitztzab.Standing: Yee need not ſtay till he is down, when he is languiſhing (ſuppoſe) in his ſick bed: but, take him ſtanding in his moſt erect poſture, when he is moſt himſelf, p. 92in his bravery; Heb. Chaſde.or, as it is Iſa. 40.6. take him in his goodlineſs, Gallantry; in his freſheſt colours and excellencies; and yet then, even then, he is vanity; every man is every vanity: Ach. Ʋtique.and, that you may not doubt of it, the Holy Ghoſt hath ſet a double ſeal to it; one in the front, Verily, and another in the heel of the Text, Selah; Verily, every man in his beſt Eſtate is altogether Vanity, Selah; ſuch a piece of vanity that he is not able at his beſt to free himſelf of, or fence himſelf againſt, the injuries of the moſt contemptible creature that ever God made; Frogs, and Flies, & Lice, and Worms, have courage enough to encounter, and ſtrength enough to conquer the proudeſt, potenteſt Tyrant; as we ſee in Pharaoh, Herod, &c.

Thus weak he is in his Strength: what is he in his Weakneſs? So feeble he is when he ſtands: how feeble, when he is fallen, in ſickneſs, in his old decrepit age, his ſecond Infancy? Read and ponder on that graphical deſcription which the Holy Ghoſt hath drawn of him, Eccleſ. 12.Eccl 12Eccleſ. 12. We will pick out but ſome of thoſe lively Characters, ver. 3. The Keepers of the Houſe tremble; the Arms and Hands, the principal inſtruments in repelling evil from the body; they tremble with Palſies and ſhakings.

The Strong men bow themſelves] the leggs and thighs which were wont to carry the body upright, with ſtrength and vigour; now faulter and ſhrink under their weight, and buckle together for very debility; the ligaments of nature being now untied.

The Grinders ceaſe becauſe they are few] the Teeth that were wont to grinde the Food, and prepare it for the Stomach, they ceaſe from their function, becauſe but few, and having loſt their ke…nneſs.

Thoſe that look out at the Windows are darkned:] the eyes, thoſe Spies and Intelligencers of this little world, by reaſon of the drineſs and ineptitude of the Organs, defluxion of humours, &c. do fail in the execution of their office.

The Doors are ſhut in the ſtreet; All the Senſes, which are the Doors by which objects enter, are ſo weakned, that they are unuſefull and of very little ſervice.

p. 93They riſe up at the voyce of the Bird:] Old men through difficulty and want of ſleep, riſe at the crowing of the Cock, or the chirping of a Sparrow; the leaſt noiſe diſturbs their ſleep, See the more full and accurate expoſition of this deſcription of Old Age, in the Engliſh Annot. upon Eccleſ. by the Reverend and Learned Dr. Reynolds.verſe 5. They are afraid of that which is high:] they go ſlowly and timorouſly, leſt they ſhould ſtumble at every ſtone, or the leaſt unevenneſs in the way.

The Graſshopper ſhall be a burden:] the lighteſt hop of the leaſt creature, is burthenſome to Old Age.

Deſire fails] all the ſenſual appetitions of Youth are now undeſired and unſavory.

Behold here is weakneſs to perfection; And yet all-this-while there is Life; the Soul yet imbalms the body, and keeps it from putrifying.

But Man returns to his long Home] This ſame dry Seed is ſown, and it is ſowen in weakneſs indeed; not only meat for Worms; but it turns into Worms and Vermin; and haſteneth into its firſt feeble principle of duſt, to which it was ſentenced by Divine Juſtice: Duſt thou art, Gen. 3.19.Gen 3:19and to duſt thou ſhalt return.

But now, behold this feeble thing ſhall be raiſed in power: 3. Property Powerful.The body even of the weakeſt Infant, ſhall be inveſted with an Angelical power; A Monument whereof, the formidable Hoſt of Sennacherib King of Aſſyria hath erected for all poſterity: wherein, 2 King. 19.35.2 Kgs 19:35one Angel went out and ſmote one hundred fourſcore and five thouſand, who over-night, like ſo many Goliahs, defied the Armies of the Living God; but in the morning, lay upon the ground ſo many blaſted life-leſs Corpſes; and all by the Miniſtry of one Angel. Such Veſſels of ſtrength and Activity ſhall the bodies of the Saints be in the Reſurrection; they ſhall be indued with ſuch power (ſaith one) that they ſhall be able to remove the Globe of the Earth with their foot, as if it were but a foot-ball: they ſhall be cloathed with a kind of Omnipotence; Gideon, Sampſon, Jephtah, David, and all his famous Worthies, are but as ſuoking Babes to the Children of the Reſurrection: He that is weak among them ſhall be as David, and he that is as David ſhall be as the Angel of God. Again;

p. 94It is ſowen a natural body, according to the Greek, word for word, an **foreign.Abnimal body: i. e. ſuch a body as is animated, ſuſteined and acted by the Soul; The holy natural: 1. Becauſe acted by a natural Soul.yet in ſo low a way, that it is ſubject to Corruption, and is no ſooner deſerted by the Soul, but it reſolves into duſt, (ut ſupr^à) or Natural, i. e. ſuch a body as ſtands in need of natural helps, of meat, drink, reſt, ſleep, 2. Becauſe it ſtands in need of natural props. 3. Becauſe endued only with natural affections, &c. foreign. Fourth Property, Spiritual.to ſhore up the feeble Tabernacle of duſt for a while: and all will not do; but down it will come Roof and Walls, and Props and All. Or again Natural, i. e. ſuch as hath natural motions, operations, and affections; ſuch as are proper only to the fallen Nature of man; feeble, ſlow, limited, and temporary.

But now behold, in oppoſition to all theſe acceptations, it is raiſed a ſpiritual body; not in regard of the ſubſtance of it, as if it were turned into a Spirit; but

1. Becauſe animated and acted by the Soul now in its glorified capacity, made perfect with all heavenly qualifications, and ſo Spiritualized in all its faculties and operations, Heb. 12.23. The Spirits of juſt men, made perfect.Heb 12:23that it is called no more by the name of a Soul, but of a Spirit; To the conduct and motions whereof, the body NOW ſhall yield abſolute and immutable obedience and conformity. Here, the Soul depends (as it were) upon the body: Anima ſequitur temperamentum Corporis.becauſe, though the body be acted by the Soul, yet the Soul acts according to the temperament of the body, and the diſpoſition of the Organs.

The difference (if we take notice of it) between men and men in reſpect of Wiſdome, and judgment, and other natural excellencies, Omnes animae ſunt ejuſdem perfectionis.ariſeth not from any diſparity that is between their Souls; for all Souls are of a Size: the Soul of a Fool is as perfect as the Soul of a Wiſe man. But the difference ariſeth from the Craſis and Complexion of the body, which many times puts Yokes and Manacles upon the Soul; ſo that (at the beſt) it is but as a cloſe Priſon, or dark Lant-horn, which obſtructs and reſtrains the more noble and liberal operations of the Soul; and penn's in thoſe beams of light, which (if within more tranſparent Walls) would ſend forth a greater luſter to enlighten the world.

But now in the Reſurrection, it ſhall not be ſo: the body p. 95then ſhall depend wholly upon the Soul, and be acted properly and indiſtarbedly by the Soul. Here the Soul ſeems to be fleſh it ſelf, becauſe acted by the fleſh, Every way ſubject to the motions and deſires of the Soul. Spiritui ſubdita.and is oft ſubſervient to the fleſh: but then the very body ſhall ſeem to be a Spirit; becauſe acted by the Spirit, and ſhall be univerſally and uniformly ſerviceable to the Spirit: The Soul ſhall immediatly be acted by God, and the body ſhall immediatly be acted by the Soul; thus it ſhall be a Spiritual body.

Secondly, It is raiſed a ſpiritual body; becauſe it ſhall ſubſiſt as a Spirit; it ſhall ſtand in no need of thoſe groſs material Aliments, of meat, and drink, and ſleep; by which it is now underpropt; but it ſhall be ſuſteined meerly by vertue of its union with the Soul; as the Soul by vertue of its union with Jeſus Chriſt; this is to be a ſpiritual body, when the body ſhall ſubſiſt as a Spirit, or as an Angel doth ſubſiſt.

Thirdly, Spiritual; becauſe the motions, operations, Care Angelica, Angelified fleſh, Tert. de Reſ.and affections of the body, ſhall then be all Spiritual: it ſhall be in the Reſurrection of ſo pure and refined a Complexion, that it ſhall be diaphanous and tranſparent; and move up and down with the agility and celerity of a Spirit.

Zanchius reſembleth it to the motion of birds in the Aire, Zanch. De Operibus Dei.that the body being hatcht (as it were) in the Reſurrection, ſhall be able to mount up into the Heavens, and as lightly flie through the skies, as if it had wings. David ſhall then need to wiſh no more for the wings of a Dove, but be able to contend with fouls of the ſwifteſt flight. Auguſtin hath an higher ſtreyn, and ſaith, that, MiraceleritateThe body ſhall move from place to place with what celerity it liſteth: and (after him) Luther expreſſeth it by the ſwiftneſs of a Thought, as inſtantaneous as the Lightning, which in the twinkling of an eye paſſeth from one end of Heaven to another.

Likewiſe the operations of the body ſhall then be all ſpiritual operations: It ſhall then be abaſed no more to any of the ſervile drudgeries of this preſent ſtate: it ſhall work no more, toyl no more, ſin no more; the Offices of the body ſhall be as far above its preſent functions, as the work of a King tranſcends p. 96the imployment of a Swine-herd or Scullion: they ſhall for ever be freed from all thoſe uſes which do imply a ſtate of infirmity, and ſhall be taken up wholly in Heavenly and Angelical Services: ſc. to ſtand before the Throne of God, and of the Lamb, and to praiſe him for ever and ever.

And laſtly; the body ſhall then be Spiritual, becauſe it ſhall be indued with Spiritual Affections; it ſhall not be liable to wearineſs, ſickneſs, pain, or external injuries, no more than a Spirit is. It ſhall not indeed be an Aerial and Spiritual body, as the Socinians and others do (inconſequentially) inferr from this and other Scriptures; but it ſhall be no more capable of a ſtroke or wound, or any other violence, than the Air or Sun, or the Heavens themſelves. It ſhall be a true, real body, but no more vulnerable or penetrable, than if it were a Spectrum; an imaginary body, a meer Apparition. It is true, Fleſh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God: but the meaning is not, that in the Reſurrection, the bodies of the Saints ſhall ceaſe to be fleſh and blood, Ver. 50, 51.but that they ſhall be deveſted of all the defects and infirmities of fleſh and blood. This is the myſtery of it, The Fire of the laſt day; the only Purgatory.We ſhall be changed. The fire of the laſt Judgment (that only Purgatory of the Saints, that we dull Proteſtants know) ſhall not conſume the bodies of the Saints, but their corruption only; it ſhall not deſtroy the ſubſtances, but refine their qualities, as the Goldſmith maketh a new Veſſel of old Plate; not by altering the mettal, but by changing the form and faſhion. The furnace of the Reſurrection ſhall purge out all the ſlime, and droſs, and filth, and imperfection out of the bodies of the Saints, and refine them into a body that ſhall exceed the Celeſtial bodies, of the Sun, Moon, and Stars, in clarity and purity.

This is that Affection and Property which the Schools call Impaſſibility; No more capable of a blow or wound, than the Air or Heavens, or the Sun it ſelf.they ſhall be put into a bleſſed incapacity or irreceptiveneſs of any (even the leaſt) injury or prejudice incident to the humane nature, in this ſtate of mortality. They ſhall be no more liable to ſuffering, than the glorified Angels in Heaven, or the Spirits of juſt men made perfect.

p. 97Behold, theſe be now the beatifical properties wherewith the very bodies of the Saints ſhall be arayed and beautified in the Reſurrection!

Of

Corruptible,

Ignominous,

Weak,

Natural,

It ſhall be made

Incorruptible.

Glorious.

Powerful.

Spiritual.

A Change which we are not in a capacity to underſtand, till we ſhall poſſeſs it.

And all theſe admirable Properties the bleſſed Apoſtle hath caſt up into one Word, a word of a moſt incomprehenſible ſignification, the Summa totalis; the vaſt comprehenſive eſtimate of all the reſt, ſc.

Our vile bodies ſhall be faſhioned like to [Chriſt] his Glorious body.Phil. 3.21Phil 3:21

This ſhort comprehenſive deſcription of the glory of the Reſurrection, is expreſt (alſo) by way of Oppoſition to its Contrary; that the excellency of the Reſurrection might be more illuſtrious, being compared with the meanneſs and obſcurity of the preſent ſtate; and either of them is abſolved in one word.

The meaneſs of the preſent ſtate of the body: It is a Vile Body.

The glory of the future; It ſhall be conformed to Chriſts Glorious Body.

The body now is a vile body, Gr. foreign.Our body of this vileneſs: A word of ſo full a ſignification, that in the whole Dictionary of Language, there cannot be found a term more proper, foreign.to expreſs the meaneſs and ignominie of the preſent ſtate; Some derive it from a Greek word, which ſignifies to bury; expreſſing ſuch a corrupt and fordid thing, as if with p. 98Lazarus it had layn four days ſtinking in the Grave: Joh. 11.39.John 11:39a Carcaſe that ſtincks above ground; how much more when it is buried indeed?

Others derive it from a word that ſignifies to ſtamp and tread under-foot: foreign, calcari. See Mr. Calamies Sermon Preached at Dr. Boltons Funeral.implying the body (in it ſelf) to be of ſo fordid and baſe an Extraction (ſince the Fall) as is fit for nothing, but to be caſt out upon the dunghill, and trampled under the feet of man and beaſts; whether alive or dead, it is a vile thing, (ſet aſide only its divine workmanſhip) Vileneſs it ſelf.

Why-but now, the Reſurrection ſhall make amends for all; Then this vile body ſhall be faſhioned, foreign.like unto Chriſt his glorious body; like, i. e. of a like form and faſhion to Chriſts body; that muſt needs be a raviſhing beauty indeed: for, mark ye, it is not like to Chriſt his body, in his ſtate of Humiliation, which yet was full of beauty, though the blind world could not ſee it: Iſa. 53. Joh. 1.14. The divine beauty beaming it ſelf through the very body of Chriſt, and adding luſtre unto it. Exod. 34.30.Isa 53John 1:14Exod 34:30they whoſe eyes were opened ſaw and admired; we beh…ld his glory, as the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of Grace and Truth. But in the Reſurrection, it is ſaid, Our vile bodies ſhall be faſhioned like to his Glorious body; ſurely that muſt needs excel in glory.

Behold, if ſuch were the brightneſs of Moſes his face, at the giving of the Law, that the Iſraelites were not able to bear it; They were afraid (ſaith the Text) to come nigh him: If St. Stephens Countenance did ſhine as the face of an Angel, when he ſtood holding up his hand at the bar of his Unrighteous Judges, in the poſture of a Malefactor! what think we is the luſtre and brightneſs which ſhines forth from the glorified body of the Lord Jeſus, 1 Tim. 6.15, 16.1 Tim 6:151 Tim 6:16who is the bleſſed and only Potentate, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, who only hath immortality, Math. 17.3.Matt 17:3dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath ſeen, nor can ſee? Behold, in his transfiguration, Heb. 11.3. In Regia Caelorum ſedet Jeſus ad dextram Patris. Tert. de Reſurr. Carnis,Heb 11:3his Face did ſhine as the Sun, and his Rayment was white as Snow! What raviſhing beams of light and glory do Moſes, and Elias, and Peter, now ſee ſparkling from his glorified Perſon exalted to the right hand of the Majeſty on high, i. e. on the higheſt Throne of the higheſt Majeſty p. 99in the Court of Heaven: Illud corpus cadaveroſum configurabit corpori claritaris ſu…. Aug. Ver…or ne temerarium ſit, omne quod de illa proferiur el…qui…m. Auguſt. de civit. Dei. Lib. 22. Cap. 21.Surely the glorified body of Chriſt doth as far ſurpaſs the Sun in brightneſs, as the Sun ſurpaſſeth a clod of Earth; and yet to this Exemplar of glory, muſt the bodies of the Saints be conformed in the Reſurrection! Surely, glorious things are ſpoken of the Reſurrection: So great, ſo glorious, that, had not the Spirit of God ſpoken them before, it had been daring preſumption, to have reported or believed it.

Qu. But ſome may ſay, How can theſe things be? or, How is it poſſible, that ſuch rotten ſtinking Carcaſſes ſhould be capable of ſuch a glorious Metamorphoſis?

Anſ. It may well non-pluſs our poor dark Infant-underſtandings; For eye hath not ſeen, nor ear heard, 1 Cor. 2.9.1 Cor 2:9nor hath it entred into the heart of man, what glory God hath prepared for the very bodies of his Saints! But, becauſe it is wonderful in our eyes, Shall it be wonderful in the eyes of the Lord of Hoſts?

With men indeed this is impoſſible; but with God all things are poſſible. [O LORD GOD, thou knoweſt:] Ezek. 27.3.Ezek 27:3was the anſwer which the Prophet of old returned to that non-pluſſing queſtion, concerning the Reſurrection of the dry bones of the houſe of Iſrael (a Type of this laſt and general Reſurrection) He referr'd it (as being a myſtery tranſcending his underſtanding) to Divine Wiſdome and Omnipotence, to reſolve.

And upon the ſame bottom doth our Apoſtle here fix this Myſtery and our Faith, ſc. It is, according to the working of his mighty Power, whereby he is able to ſubdue, even all things to Himſelf. In his own Reſurrection, the Lord Jeſus as Mediator, gave us a ſignal ſpecimen of his power; Coloſ. 2.15.Col 2:15when he ſpoiled Principalities and Powers, and made a ſhew of them openly: He ſubdued the Devil, Hell, and the Grave, to himſelf; got them under his feet, and led Captivity Captive; by vertue of which Conqueſt, he became the Reſurrection and the Life: and therefore is able to exert the ſame power and influence in raiſing his Members, and in conforming them to p. 100their Head, which he put forth in his own Reſurrection; it is a work of no greater difficulty: foreign. The bodies of the Saints ſhall be raiſed; tanta facilitate, quanta faelicitate, with as much eaſe as happineſs. Aug.If it were, He is able to ſubdue even all things; (it is a note of ſimilitude.) All things are alike to Omnipotence; the greateſt are as the leaſt. Our Impoſſibles are all one to him, as our facilities: nothing can ſtand in his way, which he cannot ſubdue and conquer to Himſelf: i. e. at his own pleaſure, to his own glorious purpoſes and deſignes: And therefore, even this admirable and ſtupendious Transformation ſhall be effected upon thoſe poor deformed Carcaſſes of his Saints, which ſenſe and reaſon gave for loſt; Faith ſays, it ſhall be done, our vile bodies ſhall be transfigured into the likeneſs of his own Glorious body; How? according, or ſuitably, to the mighty working, whereby he is able to ſubdue even all things unto himſelf: God can do what he will, and that's enough.

And thus I have opened the firſt Conſequence of Chriſt his Laſt Coming, ſc.

The Reſurrection of the Saints, as (formerly,) in reſpect of the

1. Author; The Lord Jeſus.

2. The Precedency of it; they that are alive, ſhall not prevent them which are aſleep; they ſhall riſe firſt: So alſo (now)

3. In reſpect of the manner of it; the bodies of the Saints ſhall be inveſted with four glorious qualities.

1. Incorruptible.

2. Glorious.

3. Powerful.

4. Spiritual.

By all which it ſhall be conformed to the Glorious Body of our Lord Jeſus.

It may be of Uſe

1. For Counſel.

2. For Comfort; and but a word of either.

p. 101Firſt; It may ſerve by way of Counſel; 1. Uſe. Of Counſel.and that unto all (indefinitly). You that would ſecure unto your ſelves an intereſt in the glory which ſhall be put upon the Saints bodies in the Reſurrection; labour to experience this beatifical transfiguration, firſt in your Souls, on this ſide of the Grave. Labour to get your vile ſpirits to be made like to his glorious Spirit. Put ye on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; put Him on, by an holy and univerſal Imitation.

Labour to be meek, as He was meek.

Holy, as He was Holy.

Pure, as He was Pure.

Merciful, as He was Merciful.

Heavenly, as He was Heavenly.

And, Joh. 4.34.John 4:34Let it be your meat and drink to do the will of him that ſent you, and to finiſh his work.

* A. Chriſt was the brightneſs of his Father's glory, foreign, Inſculpta forma.the expreſs Image of his Perſon: So do ye ſtudy (in your finite capacity) to be the brightneſs of Chriſt, his glory, the expreſs Image of his Perſon: Oh labour to get his Image and ſimilitude to be deeply engraven upon your hearts; and to ſcatter the beams of it in your Converſations, Philip. 2.15.Phil 2:15for the enlightning of a dark world.

Behold this ſhall be the evidence and firſt-fruits of your future conformity to Him in the Reſurrection of the juſt. The ground and Reaſon is, becauſe that bleſſed Transfiguration which ſhall conform the Saints to Chriſt, their Head and Husband in the Reſurrection (and from thenceforth to all Eternity;) hath its beginning here in Regeneration, Epheſ. 4.23, 24.Eph 4:23Eph 4:24or the New Birth, wherein they are renewed in the Spirit of their minds, B…ta referts foreign. unto foreign In the Regeneration, ye alſo ſhall ſit upon twelve …n…nes.and do put on (habitually) the New man, which after God is Created in Righteouſneſs and true holineſs; Jeſus Chriſt is formed in their hearts. And upon this very account, is the Reſurrection ſtyled alſo, the Regeneration, Math. 19.28. In the Regeneration ye alſo ſhall ſit, i. e. in the Reſurrection ye alſo ſhall ſit, &c. And it is therefore called the Regeneration; p. 102becauſe the Reſurrection ſhall perfect in the Saints, what the Regeneration begun, ſc. Conformity to Chriſt their Head and Husband in Holineſs. Yea at the Reſurrection, the Image of Jeſus Chriſt ſhall be compleated; as on their Souls, ſo on their bodies alſo: becauſe, that Image was begun upon their Souls on this ſide the Grave in their New Birth; accordingly as they were predeſtinated to both in the purpoſe of God, Rom 8.29.Rom 8:29from all Eternity. The Reſurrection to Grace here, and to Glory hereafter, is but one and the ſame Regeneration. Whoſoever therefore is a Stranger to this Transformation of Spirit, in the Reſurrection to Grace, ſhall never partake of that Transfiguration of body in the Reſurrection to Glory. The bodies of the wicked ſhall be raked out of their Graves with all their defects and exceſſes; all their miſ-ſhapes and deformities, which they carried with them to their Graves; in their perfect uglineſs; which were the ſhame and curſe of the fallen nature; an abhorrency to God and Angels, &c. Yea to the very Devils themſelves, whom they ſhall have to be both their Companions and Executioners. The Saints of God were the worlds derided, perſecuted Non-Conformiſts here; but themſelves ſhall be Chriſts and his Saints Non-Conformiſts hereafter, when their Carcaſſes ſhall be caſt out for a ſpectacle of ſhame and abhorrency unto all fleſh for ever.Iſa. 66. ult.Isa 66

Chriſtians, as you love your Souls, and would bear the Image of the Son of God in his Kingdom and glory: Study this Soul-Conformity, now, and make it your buſineſs; Labour to feel this bleſſed change wrought in your hearts; and let the world behold it in your lives: without which, all your Confidences concerning that day, will prove but ſo many deluſions, Rom. 5.5.Rom 5:5to aggravate your ſhame and everlaſting diſpair. Hear, oh hear, how the Diſciple of Love doth argue, When He ſhall appear, we ſhall be like Him, Glorious!

But why? 1 Joh. 3.2. cum. c. 4.17.1 John 3:2Becauſe, As He is, ſo are we in this world. He diſputes from Conformity to Chriſt in the Goſpel-ſtate, to Conformity to Him at this Appearance.

We ſhall, &c. becauſe we are, &c.

p. 103By ſuch Argumentations, Chriſtians, Philip. 2.12. 1 Tim. 6.18, 19. 1 Joh. 4.17.Phil 2:121 Tim 6:181 Tim 6:191 John 4:17Work out your Salvation with fear and trembling, that ye may have boldneſs in the day of Judgment, &c.

Secondly; It may ſerve by way of Comfort; Second Uſe. Conſolation.and for that end it is written by the Comforter Himſelf in this model: for Comfort, I ſay, in reference to our ſweet Relations that ſleep in Jeſus; over whom (not ſeldom) we ſpend our fruitleſs Tears, (take we heed leſt ſinful alſo) while we compare their once lively, ſweet, amiable Countenances, which ſparkled ſo much beauty and delight in our eyes; with their pale, ghaſtly Viſages in the Grave; where they ſay to Corruption, Job. 17.14.Job 17:14thou art my Father; and to the Worm, thou art my Mother, and my Siſter: We look upon them, I ſay, not without a kind of trembling and horrour; as if their Ghoſts appeared to us out of their Graves; or that we our ſelves were buried with them alive in the ſame Coffin.

Ah Sirs, why ſtand ye not (with the men of Galilee,) Act. 1.11.Acts 1:11gazing up into Heaven? but, (with Peter) ſtooping down, and looking into the Sepulcher? Behold I bring you glad tydings of great joy; The day is coming, when that Corruptible ſhall put on Incorruption; and that Mortal ſhall put on Immortality: when that poor duſt, over which thou now mourneſt, that vile body, ſhall put on its Angelical Robes, and ſhall more ſurpaſs it ſelf in its freſheſt and livelieſt colours, while yet in the land of the living; than that beautiful pile of fleſh and blood did exceed it ſelf, when it was reſolved into rottenneſs and duſt.

Look not, then, oh ye Children of God, upon your Selves or your Relations, as they lye in the Grave; but, contemplate them, as they ſhall be in the morning of the Reſurrection: Oh what a glorious change ſhalt than behold! How unlike it ſelf, ſhall this poor vile body appear in the Reſurrection?

It was ſown in Corruption, it is raiſed in Incorruption; it is ſown in diſhonour, it is raiſed in Glory; it is ſown in weakneſs, it is raiſed in power; it is ſown a natural body, it is raiſed a ſpiritual body. In a word, It was ſown a vile body; p. 104It is now transfigured, in the Reſurrection, into a moſt eminent Conformity with Chriſt's Glorious body.

Be of good Comfort, Oh ye mourners of hope; here is a perfumed Hankerchief to wipe off all tears from your eyes; You that ſow in tears, ſhall reap in joy: you that carry forth precious Seed weeping, ſhall come again rejoycing, and bring your Sheaves with you.

The Reſurrection ſhall make amends for all!

I have done with the firſt Conſequent.

I come now to the ſecond Conſequent of Chriſts Riſing; Second Conſequent. Triumphant Aſcention of the Saints.ſc.

The Saints Triumphant Aſcention.

Verſe 17. Then we which are alive and remain, ſhall be caught up together with them in the Clouds, &c.

Here, we have a further inſtance of the Saints Conformity unto Chriſt in the Reſurrection. Chriſt himſelf when he was riſen did Aſcend; He was carried up into Heaven: So ſhall it be with the Saints, when they are raiſed up out of their beds of duſt, they ſhall be caught up into the Clouds; they ſhall Aſcend to meet their Lord.

And this Aſcention, according to the Analogy of Scripture, we may conceive, ſhall be effected by a Three-fold medium, 1. Medium. The power of Chriſt.Scil.

1. The Power of Chriſt.

2. The Miniſtry of the Angels,

3. The Spirituality of the Saints own bodies.

Firſt, the Aſcention of the Saints in the Clouds ſhall be effected by the Power of Chriſt.

By the ſame power whereby he raiſed them out of their Graves, will he lift them up unto Himſelf; yea this taking them up, is a branch of the Reſurrection; it is continuata Reſurrectio, as Divines ſay, that Providence, is, continuata Creatio, a Progreſſive Creation: So I may call this Rapture of the Saints into the Air, It is nothing elſe but a Progreſſive Reſurrection; p. 105the continuation and perfection of the Reſurrection; the proper work (alſo) of Him, who is the Reſurrection and the Life; It is the ſecond part of the Reſurrection, without which the firſt would differ little from the ſtate of the Dead. In vain ſhould the Saints be raiſed out of the duſt, if being raiſed, Chriſt ſhould leave them at a diſtance from Him: and the Reſurrection of the Saints themſelves would look too like the Reſurrection of the Wicked, a Puniſhment rather than a Bl…ſs; Separation from Chriſt being half, (yea, the worſt half) of Hell: though even there the damned have a kind of Life. Surely, the Children of the Refurrection might have too real occaſion to weep Abſoloms diſſembling complaint to his abuſed Father; Why am I come from Geſhur, if I may not ſee the Kings face? Why are we brought up out of the Grave, if we may not enjoy the Lamb's preſence?

But the Amen, the faithful and true Witneſs, cannot be worſe than his word; He ſpake it at his Departure (to his Diſciples;) and he will make it good at his Return;

I will come again and receive you to my ſelf, that, Joh. 14.3.John 14:3where I am, there you may be alſo.

In order therefore to the accompliſhment of this Promiſe, the firſt work the Lord Jeſus will do, at his Coming in his Kingdom, (after he hath awakened his Spouſe out of her ſleep) will be, to lift her up unto Himſelf, now, ſitting upon his triumphant Throne, to Judg both the Quick and Dead.

This is the firſt Receiving of them unto Himſelf, Chriſt his firſt receiving of the Saints to Himſelf. Joh. 12.32.John 12:32his drawing of them up unto Him, according to his own phraſe in the days of his fleſh; And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me: (All men i. e. All my Redeemed ones,) which promiſe, although the Spirit expounds it upon his being lifted up upon the Croſs, verſe 33. This he ſpake, ſignifying what death he ſhould dye: Yet we may (not without warrant) extend it alſo to his glorious Exaltation in the great Day of his Judging the World: this being both the deſign and reward of his Paſſion; to the intent, that whom he drew to Himſelf, by the merit of his Croſs, he might alſo actually draw unto Himſelf by the power of his Reſurrection p. 106and Aſcention. I will draw all men unto me; or, I will attract unto me; As the Loadſtone draweth the mettal unto it ſelf by its magnetick vertue; or as the Sun draweth up the vapours of the Earth by its attractive beams: ſo will the Lord Jeſus Chriſt that Sun of Righteouſneſs, when his glory ſhall ariſe upon the world, with healing under his wings; draw all his Saints unto Himſelf, by the ſoveraign attractive influence of that myſterious Union between Himſelf and his Members.

This is the firſt and great Medium of the Saints Aſcenſion; the Power of Chriſt.

A ſecond Medium is the Miniſtry of the Angels; Second Medium, the Miniſtry of the Angels. Heb. 1. Ult.Heb 1for which, though we have not certainty of demonſtration to compel belief; yet we want not more than bare probability of argument to invite Aſſent.

For if it be in the Commiſſion of the Angels to be Miniſtring Spirits, for them who ſhall be Heirs of Salvation, we have no reaſon to imagine their Commiſſion ſhould expire until the time, when the Saints ſhall be actually and ſafely inveſted into their long-expected Inheritance. And therefore, if they were the Saints Life-guard in the ſtate of their defilement and infirmity, to bear them up in their hands, leſt at any time they ſhould daſh their foot againſt a ſtone; How much more ready and active, now, in the Saints Virgin-ſtate of Purity and Perfection, will the Angels be, to be their Convoy to conduct them (in their Aſcention) going now to meet the Lamb! Sure we are, the Lord Jeſus, though he be the Reſurrection and the Life, yet is pleaſed to make much uſe of the Miniſtry of the Angels about the Reſurrection of the Godly; They ſhall ſound the firſt Trump, at the ſounding whereof, the Dead do riſe.

They gather the Elect together, from the four Corners of the Earth, and ſever the Wicked from them; the Tares and all things that offend, and them which work Iniquity, are by them bound up in bundles, and caſt into the fire. All this is the Angels Office; not becauſe our Lord could not with equal facility do it Himſelf? Why ſhould we think the ſervice of p. 107the Angels ſhould ceaſe, until the whole Scene of the Reſurrection be finiſhed!

Yea to determine our dubious thoughts, we hear the Lord of the Harveſt giving charge to his Reapers (which are none but Angels) not only to reap the Wheat, but to carry-in the Sheavs into his Barn; I will ſay to the Reapers, but gather the Wheat into my Barn! Behold this is the Angels Office; their work is not done, till the good Corn be Inn'd.

This, in the Metaphor of the Marriage of the Lamb, is nothing elſe but the Angels attendance on the Saints, the Lambs Wife, while She is making ready, Revel. 19.7, 8.Rev 19:7Rev 19:8that when She is arayed in fine Linnen, clean and white, they may then take her up in their winged Arms, and conduct her in ſtate to the place, where her Royal Bridegroom is ſtaying for her.

Thirdly; Third Medium. The Spirituality of the Saints bodies.The Spirituality and Power wherewith the bodies of the Saints are endowed in the Reſurrection, may well concurr alſo to this Aſcention.

By vertue of that marvellous Spirituality and Agility, wherewith the Reſurrection ſhall, (if I may ſo ſay) inform the Saints bodies; they ſhall be able to mount upward (ut ſup.) and move with admirable celerity up and down, to and fro in the Air; as Swallows in a Sun-ſhine day, dart themſelves through the skie; or as the Angels themſelves, who with equal facility, Deſcend and Aſcend, with a motion as ſwift as their Wills.

In the Reſurrection, indeed, the Saints were purely paſſive; as paſſive as when their bodies were firſt formed out of the duſt, and had the breath of Life breathed into them.

But now, in their Aſcention they ſhall be active and agil. Mooved, indeed, they ſhall be, by an extrinſick power; why elſe are they ſaid to be caught up into the Air? But yet not ſo, but that they may move themſelves by an intrinſick Principle: Elſe, 1 Cor. 15.42, 43, 44. God and Nature do nothing in Vain.1 Cor 15:421 Cor 15:431 Cor 15:44thoſe ſupernatural affections of their re-divine bodies, might ſeem to be ſuperfluous and inſignificant. Sutably to this, it is ſtoried of Elijah his Aſcention (a Propheſie and figure of this univerſal Tranſlation of the Saints) that although a Charet of fire parted Him and Eliſha; yet He p. 108went up by a whirlwind into Heaven: He was carryed, and yet he went up; ſo the Saints, &c.

Thus I have ſhewed the probability (at leaſt) of a threefold Medium in the Saints Aſcention. 1. Chriſts Power. 2. The Angels Miniſtry. Object. 3. The Agility of the Saints bodies.

But it may be Objected.

What meaneth this Concurrence of Mediums? For, if any one of theſe be ſufficient, What uſe of them all?

For Anſwer, Anſ. TwofoldI ſhall offer two things to your conſideration.

Firſt: This Concurrence of Mediums is no other than we meet with in the Aſcention of our Lord in his own Perſon. For,

Firſt: Act. 1.9. foreign.Acts 1:9Of the Lord Jeſus Himſelf, after his Reſurrection, it is ſaid, He was taken up, or lifted up; the phraſe may import the Power of the Father, as (formerly) in raiſing him up from the dead: So, now alſo, in lifting him up into Glory, according to that, Act. 5.31. Him hath God the Father exalted with his right-hand: Here is the power of the Father in the Sons Aſcention. And then you have the ſubſerviency of ſecond Cauſes added; firſt a Cloud is prepared, as a Royal Charet to carry up this King of Glory to his Princely Pavilion, foreign. Luk. 24.51. He was carryed up into Heaven.Luke 24:51A Cloud received him out of their ſight.

And then a Royal Guard of mighty Angels ſurround the Charet; if not for ſupport, yet for the greater ſtate and ſolemnity of their Lords Aſcention; He was carried up into Heaven, Luk. 24.51.

Yet notwithſtanding all this, it is ſaid of the Lord Jeſus, He went up, Act. 1.10.Acts 1:10while the Diſciples looked ſtedfaſtly towards Heaven: He went onward, or he went upward; as implying that his motion was not only paſſive, but active; he mounted up into Heaven by his own divine power, He Aſcended. Behold here we have a perfect Pattern of the Saints Aſcenſion in all the Mediums of it; they hold exact proportion with their Lord. The Father lifted up the Lord Jeſus; the Lord Jeſus, He lifts up his Saints. A Cloud received Him; the Saints alſo are caught up in the Clouds. Angels attend upon p. 109their Lord in his Aſcenſion; nor do they refuſe their attendance on the Saints in their Aſcenſion. Jeſus Chriſt, notwithſtanding, Aſcended by the Power of his own glorified Perſon: The Saints likewiſe Aſcend by vertue of thoſe ſupernatural properties, wherewith their bodies were adorned in the Reſurrection.

I Anſwer, Secondly; Second Anſw.That in both Chriſt's and the Saints Aſcention, this variety of Mediums is neither ſuperfluous, nor inconſiſtent; but ſignal inſtances of that ſweet harmonious ſubordination of Cauſes, which the only wiſe God hath eſtabliſhed in his own Counſel, for the managing of his works and wonders of providence, viz.

Second Cauſes working together in their ſeveral Sphere and Orb.

The ſupream cauſe, ordering, influencing, and actuating the ſecond cauſes to his own ends and deſigns.

And laſtly, See a notable inſtance of this ſubordination. Hoſ 2.21, 22. Rev. 11, 12.Hos 2:21Hos 2:22Rev 11:12Particular Beings and Perſons leſt to act according to the mpreſſions of their own individual natures, notwithſtanding their ſubordination.

All theſe Mediums, we may obſerve once more, concurring in the Reſurrection of the Witneſſes, mentioned in the Revelations; There, you have,

1. A great voyce from Heaven calling them, Come up hither; There's th Power of Chriſt: It was a great voyce, a voyce of Power; a voyce which did what it commanded.

Second; The ſubſerviency of the Clouds; the Witneſſes rode upon a Cloud into Heaven in Triumph.

Thirdly; And to ſhew their motion was not violent, but free alſo, and voluntary; it is ſaid, they Aſcended.

Fourthly; And there is yet one Circumſtance more of ſpecial remark, and that is, This was in the ſight of their Enemies. Their Enemies beheld them; beheld them with great fear, verſe 11. foreign.Horrour and Aſtoniſhment took hold of their Perſecutors, Envying their Advancement, and vexing themſelves that they ſhould have no more power to Perſecute the Witneſſes, and (add to all this) confounded in the expectation of their own ſucceeding judgment.