Everlasting Blessedness, Title page – To the reader
Everlasting Blessedness.
A SERMON PREACHED AT The FUNERAL OF THAT Faithful, Famous, Pious & Godly Christian, and Servant of JESUS CHRIST, Mr. William Baker, WHO Left this Vale of Tears, and was received to Heavenly Joyes, the 14th. Day of October, 1691.
Wherein is shewed,
I. That there is Eternal Blessedness to be enjoy'd in the World to come.
II. Who are not Blessed after this Life.
III. Who are Blessed when they Die.
IIII. Wherein Eternal Blessedness consisteth.
V. Six Reasons laid down why Saints are Blessed when they Die.
VI. The Application: wherein there is Seven Signs of a True Christian: Four comfortable Considerations for the Afflicted: And Five Reasons why we should Prepare for Death. The Conclusion. All briefly handled.
By EDWARD DENT.
The Wise shall inherit Glory, &c.
Prov. 3.35.
—And their Inheritance shall be for ever,
Psal. 37.
For we know that if our Earthly House of this Tabernacle were dissolved, we have a Building of God, an House not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens,
2 Cor. 5.1.
LONDON, Printed for W. Marshall at the Bible in Newgate-street, 1692.
TO The READER.
Courteous Reader,
THOƲ mayst, perhaps, wonder, that one so inconsiderable, and of no Reputation, should, in this inquiring and critical Age (and I wish I could not say, a sinful and wicked Age too,) expose to publick view any thing of his Meditations. To prevent thy wonder therefore, and to excuse my Ʋndertaking, if it may be, I chiefly design to signifie some Reasons inducing me thereunto. As,
1. A considerable time after this Sermon was preached on the Occasion of the Death of my dear deceased Friend, it came very suddenly and strongly upon my heart to print it, for the Ʋse and Benefit of my dear Relations, (and his) Neighbours and Friends (for whom 'tis principally intended:) And the I found great struglings, and many Objections against it in my mind; (but never this, That it was impossible that it should ever do any good to any,) yet at last it so far prevailed, as to cause me to incline the consideration of the thing, and to pray to God about it: Which, the more I did, the more abundantly it was set upon my Heart to do it. Wherefore, not knowing but the strong Impulses upon my Heart, were from Heaven, and that God might design to bless the poor Endeavour of a poor Creature, and one that is less than the least of all Saints, for the good of some Souls, I durst not put it off.
2. I considered, that my dear Children, (who are yet young and tender,) and others of my dear Relations, as also my Christian Friends, might, in time to come, even, perhaps, when I am in the dust, gladly read a Sermon of my Preaching: Which with the Blessing of God may be much more precious and profitable than Gold, yea than much fine Gold.
3. I considered, that his dear Relations, especially his dear and hopefull Offspring; as also his and my Christian Friends, those that did, and others that did not hear it, would, for his sake, gladly read it.
4. I knew no better way to manifest the fervent Love and endeared Affections that I had to my dear departed Friend; as also my venerable esteem of, and due respects to his dear Children, and other dear Relations, left behind, than to set up this little Monument in remembrance of his worthy Name; whose worthy Father and Brother went before. And again, I thought, that altho it was very likely some would scorn and contemn both it and its Author, and speak reproachfully and maliciously against both, not being pleased; as who, and what pleases every body? yet it might, with the blessing of God be profitable, at least in some measure to some others: And the later will countervail the former. Reader, if thou art a man of Wisdom and Learning, Parts and Piety, know, that tho I greatly love and honour such, yet this ensuing Sermon was never intended for such: such as have attained to the first three; men eloquent and mighty in the Scriptures. But, if thou wilt, read it, (and cast the Mantle of Love over it.) For 'tis a bad Book indeed out of which a good man can get no good. Reader, my shortness upon things in this ensuing Discourse, impute to my inclination to Brevity, and the compass of a Sermon. Now because I study to be short, I shall only further say, That as I humbly acknowledge my great weakness, earnestly desiring the same may be overlooked, the Truth received, and my Love and Labour may be accepted of all, which, I hope, will easily be granted by some; so also, I pray God, it may be exceeding profitable both to Saints and Sinners, that the one may be Edified and Comforted, and the other Converted and turned to God,2 Tim. 2.10. That they may also obtain the Salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with Eternal Glory. Amen. Which is the Earnest Prayer of him who is
Thy Souls Servant, Edw. Dent.