The Saints Convoy to Heaven, Title page – Dedication

The Saints Convoy to Heaven · Title page – Dedication

THE Saints Convoy TO HEAVEN. A DISCOURSE occaſioned by (and in Part Preacht upon) THE DEATH and FUNERAL OF Mr. Benjamin Lindſey, Who Deceaſed, the 21ſt of February, 1697.

By THO. DOOLITTLE, M. A.

LONDON: Printed for John Lawrence, at the Angel, in the Poultry, over againſt the Compter. 1698.

THE EPISTLE TO

Mrs. Rebeccah Lindſey, Mother

Mr. Joſeph Lindſey, Brother

Siſters

Mrs. Abigal Shipton,

Mrs. Sarah Pike,

Kinſmen

Mr. John Hinde,

Mr. Morgan Hinde,

Mr. Richard Hinde,

Mr. Robert Hinde,

to Mr. Benjamin Lindſey, lately Deceaſed.

Dear Friends,

ACcording to the ſeveral Relations (nearer or more remote) wherein ye ſtood to Mr. Benjamin Lindſey, when he was living with you, Nature and Reaſon dictates that ye must be differently affected, as to Degrees, by his being by Death removed from you, yet being ſo much beloved and reſpected by you all, it is eaſy to determine that his Death was Matter of Sorrow to you all; but the Religion ye all profeſs, and the Chriſtian Doctrine ye all do own, must be inſtructive to you, that ye ſorrow, not as thoſe that have no Hope, either that his Soul, being ſo Pious, was not carried by Angels into Abraham's Boſom, or that his Body, that ye carried and lodged in the Boſom of the Earth, ſhould not be raiſed again to a joyful Reſurrection, and be hereafter, where the Soul at preſent is, in Happineſs and Glory: Of which Two Things, the believing Conſideration ſhould drie your weeping Eyes, relieve your mourning Spirits, and comfort your Sorrowful Hearts.

To the Mother I ſend this ſhort following Advice:

1. That you would not ſo much ſorrow that your Son's Body is gone down to the Grave, as rejoice that his Soul is gone up to Heaven: Not ſo much mourn, that he whom you did bear, bring forth, and bring up, is taken from you, as be comforted that God hath taken him to himſelf: As knowing he is better pleaſed to be where he is, and more Happy, than if he had continued to be on Earth, with you, and that he would not be from thence, to come again to you: And let this make you the leſs Sorrowful in this World, becauſe his Soul is now triumphant in the other, which is a better World: for I ſuppoſe you loved your Son better than to grieve at his Preferment.

2. That conſidering the Greatneſs of your Age you would clear your Evidences for Heaven, and not have them to ſeek, when you ſhould have them to ſhew, nor to get▪ when you ſhould have them to uſe for your more comfortable Departure; that as you are ſure your Body muſt go down to your Son's Body, ſo you might be as ſure that your Soul ſhall go up to his Soul, that as he was where you are, ſo you might be with God, where he is.

3. That you daily remember, you are almoſt at your Journey's End; in a Courſe of Nature ſo near the Door of Eternity, that you cannot be much longer in Time; therefore when you cannot move ſo ſpeedily in Natural Motion, run more ſwiftly in your Spiritual Race, that you might not fall ſhort of the Joy and Crown that is ſet before you.

4. That ſince your Son (now gone from you) hath made ſuch competent Proviſion for you, that you need not ſpend your Breath in asking, What ſhall I eat, or what ſhall I drink, or wherewithal ſhall I be clothed? Your Enquiries might be, How ſhall I love God more, pleaſe him better, and be more prepared for my Eternal State? Since now you need not cark for Earth, take more Care for Heaven.

5. That ſince you have more Benefit of your Senſe of Seeing, than of Hearing, ſupply the Defect of Hearing, by your diligent Reading; and the leſs you can hear Men ſpeak to you in Diſcourſing, the more do you ſpeak to God in Praying; and the leſs Converſe you can have with the Creature, the more Communion do you deſire, get, and maintain with God.

To the Reſt of you, let me be your Remembrancer, that ye get a ſanctified Improvement of this Breach by Death, that God hath made amongst you, that ye ſo mind Temporal, as not to forget your Eternal Concerns, to watch and be always ready, becauſe the Son of Man might come, in an Hour that ye think not of; to prepare to follow him and others that are gone before: to keep up the Power of Godlineſs in your Hearts, and to demonſtrate it in your Lives: Seriouſly and believingly to think of another world, and every Day you live in this, to ſtand in Time, and look into Eternity: To be Good, and to do Good, as he was, and did, that is taken from you, whereof (in Part) ye have been Eye-witneſſes: To live Holily, that ye might die not only Peacably, but alſo Triumphantly; as is his Prayer for you, who deſires it might be yours for him, who is,

Affectionately Yours, To his Power, Tho. Doolittle. Mugwel-Street, April 8. 1698.

p. 1THE Saints Convoy TO HEAVEN.

Luke XVI. 22.

And it came to paſs that the Beggar died, and was carried by the Angels into Abraham's Boſom.

SOME think it is not material whether the Diſcourſe of our Lord Jeſus concerning the Rich Man and the Beggar, be taken as a Parable, or an Hiſtory, or compoſed of both; when it is confeſſed, that under this Narration, Chriſt deſcribes the State of the Good and Bad in the other World, and aſſerts the Exiſtence of the p. 2Soul, after its Separation from the Body; and that it immediately paſſeth to Heaven or Hell, before the Reſurrection of the Body, and general Judgment of the great Day.

Tho' there was a Diſparity between Lazarus ſpoken of in the Text, and our Friend, whoſe Death is the Occaſion of this Diſcourſe upon it, in regard of their outward Circumſtances in this World; yet if the latter be a Partaker of Felicity with the former, in the other World, I might eaſily be excuſed for chooſing this as my Theme upon this ſad, but righteous Providence: eſpecially, when there is no other ſo expreſs to my Deſign as this is.

The Rich Man here ſpoken of, was a voluptuous Sinner; who, while he lived, did live in outward Pomp; and, when he died, was buried in great State. The Poor Man was full of Sores, and Hungry, while he lived; and no mention is made of his Funeral, when he died.

The one was Rich on Earth, but now a Beggar in Hell. The other a Beggar on Earth, but now Rich in Heaven.

The Poor Man, on Earth, begged for ſome Crumbs at the Rich Man's Door; p. 3but he could not obtain them. The Rich Man, in Hell, begged for a Drop of Water; but it was denied him.

Some live and die Poor, and in a State of Sin: Theſe have their Evil Things here, and hereafter too: Miſery on Earth, and more in Hell.

Some live and die Rich,Luk. 16. 25Luke 16:25 and finally Impenitent: Theſe have their Good Things here, and their Evil Things hereafter: A ſhort Heaven in this World, and a long Hell in the next.

Some live and die Poor, but in a State of Grace: Theſe have their Evil Things in this Life, and their Good in the next: Short Miſery on Earth, and long Felicity in Heaven.

Some live and die poſſeſt of a good Eſtate, and in a State of Grace: Theſe have their Good Things here, and better hereafter: Now ſome Earneſt, then actual Poſſeſſion.

It is better to live and die in the Depths of Poverty, and have the Soul Everlaſtingly ſaved; than in the Heigths of Proſperity, and the Soul Eternally loſt. The worſt Condition of p. 4a Child of God, be it never ſo bad, is better than the beſt Condition of a Wicked Man, be it never ſo good.

In the Words of the Text Five Things may be obſerved:

1. The Paſſage of a Believer to the Place of his Eternal Abode. He is carried, or tranſported to it.

2. What of the Believer is carried to that Place or State? And that is, the Soul. He was carried; his Soul, not then his Body. His Soul was tranſported, his Body was left behind. The Soul is carried at his Diſſolution; the Body not till the Reſurrection.

3. Whither was the Soul carried; what was the Place or State to which it was tranſported? Into Abraham's Boſom.

4. When? As ſoon as he died; that Minute it was ſeparated from the Body, it began its Journey to its Eternal Home.

5. By whom? By the Angels he was carried into Abraham's Boſom. Not by one, but many Angels.

Several great Articles of Faith affording great Support and Comfort to Believers are taught by Chriſt in theſe Words.

p. 51. Obſervation. That the Soul doth exiſt after its Separation from the Body. Otherwiſe it would not be capable to be carried to another State of Bleſſedneſs and Glory.

Gen. 2. 7.Gen 2:7In Man's Mortal Body, there is an Immortal Soul.

Death turns the Soul out of the Body, and the Man out of this World.

Death deprives the Body of Life, and leave it a Lump, or Maſs of Breathleſs Clay;Eccl. 12. 7.Eccl 12:7 but in Death, the Soul eſcapeth Death. Death, that conquereth all Mens Bodies, kills no Man's Soul.

The Life and Being of the Soul cannot be deſtroyed, either,

by Outward Violence,

by Inward Principles.

First, Not by Outward Violence. No Finite Power can make the Soul to ceaſe to be. The moſt Powerful, Cruel and Enraged Perſecutors who may torture, kill or burn the Body, cannot touch nor reach the Soul. Mat. 10. 28. Fear not them which kill the Body, but are not able to kill the Soul; but rather fear p. 6him which is able to deſtroy both Soul and Body in Hell. Tho' they had a Will to kill the Soul, yet they want Power: If they would, they are not able: They can neither kill it, nor damn it. Luke 12. 4. I ſay unto you, my Friends, be not afraid of them that kill the Body, and after that have no more that they can do. When they have taken away the Life of the Body, they have done their worſt, their moſt, their all; ſo that there is no more that they can do; for the Soul eſcapes their Fury, and their malicious Rage. And as Creatures cannot, ſo we are aſſured that God will not cauſe the Soul to ceaſe to be; and this we know:

1. From the Promiſes he hath made to ſincere Believers, to give to them Eternal Life; Joh▪ 3. 16. For God ſo loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoſoever believeth in him, ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting Life. That they ſhall be for ever with the Lord, 1 Theſ. 4. 17. That they ſhall be Eternally Saved, Heb. 5. 9. That they ſhall have a Crown incorruptible that fadeth not away, 1 Pet. 1. 4, 5. If theſe Eternal Things ſhall be enjoyed by Believers, p. 7then their Souls muſt exiſt to all Eternity; for that which is nothing can enjoy nothing.

2. From the Threatnings of God recorded in his Word, of the Everlaſting Puniſhment they ſhall be tormented with in the other World, to all Eternity, that leave this World in a State of Sin, Rev. 14. 10. The ſame ſhall drink of the Wine of the Wrath of God, which is poured out without Mixture, into the Cup of his Indignation, and they ſhall be tormented with Fire and Brimſtone, in the the Preſence of the Holy Angels, and in the Preſence of the Lamb. V. 11. And the Smoak of their Torment aſcendeth up for ever and ever; and they have no reſt, Day nor Night—If Souls ſhall lie under the Puniſhment of Senſe for ever, they muſt exiſt for ever: for that which is nothing by ceaſing to be, can have no Senſe of Puniſhment.

Secondly, The Soul cannot die, or ceaſe to be, by any Internal Principles; ſuch as contrary Qualities in the Body, which after Conflicts, and one conſumed by the other, cauſe the Death of the Body: as Fire in the Lamp licking up all the Oyl, cauſeth the Lamp to go out: p. 8or if too much Oyl be poured in, and overflows the Fire, it alſo is extinguiſhed. Neither can the Soul dye with old Age, as the Body will; for time is not the meaſure of the Duration of the Soul, as it is of the Body; but Eviternity, and Beings meaſured thereby, tho' they have a Beginning, yet ſhall have no Ending.

Uſe.Let this awaken all to provide a Lodging for their Souls, againſt the Hour they ſhall be ſeparated from their Bodies. Now our Souls dwell in Houſes of Clay, and theſe have their Foundation in the Duſt,Job 4. 19.Job 4:19 and will ſhortly fall, and the Soul be diſpoſſeſſed, and turned out of this Houſe, in which it is a Tenant at Will of the great Landlord of all the World, who might Seal a Leaſe of Ejectment at his Pleaſure; when you cannot remove from one Houſe to another in the ſame Pariſh, in the ſame City, or in the ſame Nation; no, nor yet in the ſame World; but will be ſuch a Remove as never yet you made, from one World to another.

Since then the Soul after Death will be in Being, it muſt be ſome where; for that which is no where, is nothing. but where ſhall it be? There are but p. 9Two Places in the other World, where Souls ſhall be, Heaven, or Hell. Do you know in which? Or do not you think nor care in which your Soul ſhall live and lodge for ever? If in Hell, your Lodging will be ſo uneaſy, that in it you cannot reſt. A Bed of Flames, a Lodging in boiling Lead or Oyl, or burning Brimſtone, will cauſe you to cry out, I am uneaſy, I am uneaſy in my Lodging, I cannot reſt upon this Bed, I cannot take one wink of Sleep! May I not change my Lodging? I am weary of being here. May I not go back again from whence I came? I thought my ſick Bed was uneaſy, but this is worſe, inconceivably worſe! beyond Expreſſion more painful and uneaſy! But if I may not go back to my old Lodgings, in that World from whence I came, Let me ſeek a cooler Lodging where I am; Let me rove from one ſide of Hell unto the other, if I might find ſome eaſy Corner, where I may a while be free from Pain and Torment. But alas! I cannot. Wo is me, I cannot! Every Nook is Hot, is Hot, is exceeding Hot. The Juſtice of God purſues me, wherever I go: My enraged Conſcience doth accompany me, and tormenting Devils follow me; and the Fire burns me to what Place ſoever I haſten; and there is no Hope; O Deſperate Caſe! there is no p. 10Hope, either of Deliverance, or Mitigation of my Miſery. Die I would, but cannot; ceaſe to be I would, but muſt not. Curſed Caitiff that I am, in this Extremity I muſt lie and lodge to all Eternity.

Secure then your Title to an Houſe Above: to Manſions in Heaven, that when your Soul ſhall be turned out of this, it may be received into that. How comfortable would this Knowledge be, on a dying Bed, when you ſhall ſay, This Tabernacle muſt be taken down, this Earthly Houſe is going to Ruins, it can be repaired no more, it can ſtand no longer? Food I cannot eat to patch it up: Medicines cannot remove that Sickneſs from me, which will remove my Soul out of this Earthly Houſe. But I know, bleſſed be God, I know that I have a Building of God; an Houſe not made with Hands, Eternal in the Heavens. 2. Cor. 5. 1.

II. Obſervation, The Souls of Believers, after Death, are tranſported into an Eternal State of Bleſſedneſs. The Body is carried and lodged in the Boſom of the Earth: the Soul is carried and laid in the Boſom of Abraham.

p. 11This Figurative Expreſſion, denotes a Place of Love and deareſt Affection. Chriſt is God's dear Son, or the Son of his Love, Col. 1. 13. and ſaid to be in the Boſom of the Father, Joh. 1. 18. John, the beloved of the Lord, is found neareſt Chriſt, lying in his Boſom, Joh. 13. 23. and There was leaning on Jeſus his Boſom, one of his Diſciples whom Jeſus loved.

The Boſom is alſo a Place of Eaſe and Reſt, and ſweet Repoſe: So God comforting and giving Reſt unto his People, is ſaid, to carry them in his Boſom, Iſay. 40. 11. Thus Lazarus, wearied with Affliction, want and Poverty, was received up to Everlaſting Reſt.

There are Conjectures why Abraham's Boſom is mentioned, rather than the Boſom of Moſes, or David, or any other that were in Heaven.

1. Becauſe he was on Earth given to Hoſpitality; Gen. 18. he entertained Three Angels; and the Angels carried the Soul of this Beggar, who could not obtain the leaſt Alms at the Rich Man's Gate, into Abraham's Boſom, where his Wants were all preſently ſupplied. The Rich Man was a Churl; Abraham was Charitable. The Poor Man p. 12was carried from the Churl's Door, to the Charitable Man's Boſom.

2. Becauſe he was the Father of the Faithful, and the Father's Boſom is the Child's Place.

3. Becauſe the Promiſe of Canaan, the Type of Heaven, was made to him and his Seed for ever.

But I conceive the plain meaning is, That he was carried into Heaven, where the Faithful, with Abraham, the Father of all the Faithful, ſhall be gathered, ſit down, reſt and be comforted for Ever: as Mat. 8. 11. I ſay unto you, that many ſhall come from the Eaſt, and from the Weſt, and ſhall ſit down with Abraham, Iſaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Saved Souls, poſſeſt of their Manſions in Heaven, ſhall have perfect and perpetual Reſt from all Evils that afflict, moleſt and burden them, and cauſe them here, in the Place of their Pilgrimage, and Travel to their Eternal Home; to ſigh and ſob, to grieve and groan, to weep and Mourn; when lodg'd above, they ſhall reſt for ever.

1. From the In-dwellings of Corruption. While the Soul dwells here in the Body,Rom. 7. 17▪ 33. 24.Rom 7:17Rom 7:33Rom 7:24 Sin will dwell in the Soul: While the p. 13Believer is here a Sojourner, Sin will be his conſtant, diſquieting, moleſting Inmate: When Body and Soul do part, then Sin and the Soul ſhall alſo part; and tho' Body and Soul at length ſhall meet again; yet they and Sin ſhall meet no more.

2. From all Troubles ariſing from ungodly Men: Theſe ſhall perſecute, impriſon, diſturb their Peace no more, for ever.

3. From all Temptations of Satan. The Devil got into the Earthly Paradiſe, and and by his Subtilty beguiled our firſt Parents; but is caſt down from Heaven, to return and enter no more; nor ſhall be a Tempter to any in the Celeſtial Paradiſe any more, for ever. He might follow his tempting Trade with us on Earth, but muſt leave it off, as to all in Heaven.

4. From the Imperfection of their Graces. Here our Faith is ſo feeble, our Love to God and Chriſt ſo little, our Delight ſo ſmall, our Knowledge ſo ſhort, our Deſires ſo faint, our Hope ſo wavering, and all our Graces in ſuch low Degrees, that we often call all into Queſtion, doubt of our Sincerity, fear Hipocriſy, and think our Attainments great, if we mourn the more, becauſe p. 14we love no more; and have more Deſires to deſire more; and ſorrow the more, becauſe we delight in God and Chriſt, and Fore-views of the glorious State Above no more. And theſe make us more reſtleſs on our Sick Beds, becauſe our Souls are Sick, as well as our Bodies; and our inward Man as Weak as our outward Man is: And too many, inſtead of departing in Triumph, with Aſſurance of Salvation, breath out their Souls with mourning Complaints and Fears, concerning their future Eternal State; leaving the World with theſe piercing Queſtions, Is God mine? Is Chriſt mine? Shall Heaven be mine? I am going, but I know not whither. I muſt I muſt leave all my deareſt Friends in this World; but what will be my Company in the next?

But when theſe Holy Souls ſhall be carried into Heaven, all theſe Miſts ſhall be diſpell'd; theſe Clouds ſhall be ſcatter'd; this dark and gloomy Day ſhall end in a bright and glorious Sunſhine for evermore. For when they are come to that which is Perfect, and that which is Perfect is come to them, that which is in Part ſhall be done away, 1 Cor. 13. 10, 12. For all the Spirits of p. 15Juſt Men, carried thither, are made Perfect, Heb. 12. 23.

5. From any Deſertion from God. The Children of God, in that Light, ſhall walk no more in Darkneſs. Nor queſtion the Love of God to them, nor their Love to God, any more than we can queſtion whether it be Day, when we ſee the Sun to ſhine in its greateſt Brightneſs; or whether Fire be hot, when it warms our Hands.

Not one ſhall there ſay, My Lord hath forſaken me, or my God hath forgotten me. No ſuch Queſtion there;Pſal. 77. 7, 8, 9.Ps 77:7Ps 77:8Ps 77:9 Will the Lord caſt off for ever? Will he be Favourable no more? Is his Mercy clean gon for ever? Doth his Promiſe fail for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be Gracious? Hath he in Anger ſhut up his tender Mercies? When I was on Earth, this was my Infirmity; but now in Heaven, I will meditate on all that bleſſed Work of God, that hath brought me to this Glorious Place; and reſting in my Saviour's Boſom will talk with this Holy Company, of all the Marvels and Wonders of his Grace; in bringing me to this happy State of Life, and Light, and Love, and perfect Reſt for Ever.

6. From all Diſcords and Diviſions that were amongſt believers on their way on p. 16Earth, to this State in Heaven. There they are all of one Mind, of one Heart and Way: There is no Diverſity of Judgment, no Alienation of Affection, no raſh and uncharitable Cenſures; but all filled with Love to God and one another.

7. From all enſnaring Allurements of this World. Theſe, too often, did deaden their Affections towards God, interrupt their Communion with him, and by the World's Smiles, were ſometimes brought under God's Frowns; and when it was beſt with their Bodies, it was worſt with their Souls: and the more they enjoyed of the World, the leſs their Converſation was in Heaven. But there they have got above all worldly Profits, all fleſhly Pleaſures, all carnal Joys; and ſhall bathe themſelves in thoſe Rivers of Pleaſures,Pſal. 16. 11.Ps 16:11 and be delighted in that fulneſs of Joy, which is in the Preſence of their Lord and Saviour to all Eternity.

8. From all diſtracting Cares, and diſquieting Fears, about the want of things neceſſary to bear their Charges on their Journey, while on Earth, to the Boſom of their Lord. They ſhall have no more need of ſuch Cautions,Mat. 6. 25.Matt 6:25 Take no thought what ye ſhall eat, or what ye ſhall drink, p. 17or wherewithal ye ſhall be clothed: For in that Place and State they ſhall be hungry no more,Rev. 7. 16.Rev 7:16 nor thirſt any more, nor feel any Want of any ſuch things; but ſhall live without theſe, as Angels in Heaven do.

9. From all Troubles and Remorſe, and Stinging of Conſcience. Conſcience that ſhall ſtill remain in the Boſom of the Damned,Mar. 9. 44.Mark 9:44 ſhall Eternally torment, and gnaw upon them; and,Heb. 11. 25.Heb 11:25 for very Vexation, ſhall cauſe them to cry out, What Fools were we, for ſhort Pleaſures of Time, to run into theſe Everlaſting Pains?Mat. 16. 26Matt 16:26 What Madneſs did poſſeſs us, for ſmall Profits of the World, to loſe the Enjoyments of all the Happineſs of Heaven? What Diſtraction did ſeize us to come to this filthy, loathſom Dungeon! to this dark and diſmal Priſon, for the fading Honours of a ſhort and Tranſitory Life? Curſed Caitiffs that we are, that did prefer the good Things of our corrupt Fleſh, before the things that were really good for Body or for Soul! Miſerable Hell-hounds (for ſo now we are, and muſt for ever be) to keep our Sins, and loſe our Souls; to gratify our Luſts, and for them to be caſt out from the comfortable Preſence of the bleſſed Lord!Luke▪ 15. 16.Luke 15:16 To ſell Heaven for a Merrybout! to come ſhort of Eternal Joys, for an Ale-bench Song, and there to drink and p. 18ſwill, like Hogs at a Trough, and now to lie in tormenting Flames, and cannot obtain one Drop of Water, Luke 16. 24, 25.Luke 16:24Luke 16:25(tho' a River would not be enough) to cool our Tongues.

But the Saints in Abraham's (or rather in their Saviour's) Boſom, ſhall have a quiet, ſedate, and rejoicing Conſcience in their own, that ſhall refreſh and comfort them, that they did deny themſelves, to ſave themſelves, that they did venture or ſuſtain the Loſs of Life, to obtain Eternal Life:Heb. 10. 34.Heb 10:34 that they took joyfully the ſpoiling of their Goods, that they might have in Heaven a better and more enduring Subſtance.

10. From all irkſom Wearineſs in Holy Exerciſes. While they are in the Boſom of the Church Militant, they are too often weary in doing their Duty, when they are not weary of doing of it; and the better they do it, the more weary they are in doing of it: and if they are weary of it, it is becauſe they do it no better. They are weary of a dull and lazy, ſlothful Heart; they are weary of their unbelieving, hard and unaffected Heart; they are weary of their diſtracting Thoughts, and wandring Minds, and roving Affections: But the more Life and Livelineſs, the more activity and exerciſe of Faith, and Love, Deſire p. 19and Delight, of Joy and Hope they perform them with, the leſs weary they are of them: Much labour ſeemeth light, long time ſeemeth ſhort, and the greateſt Pains are pleaſant to them: and in ſo doing,Mat. 26. 41.Matt 26:41 they find the Spirit is willing when the Fleſh is weak.

The Damned, in the Bowels of Hell, and in the Devil's Boſom, are weary of their Torments, of their Pain and Puniſhment; ſuch a Boſom is no Place of Love or Reſt; and the more they are embraced in the Devil's Arms, the more uneaſy ſtill they are, and wiſh that he could hug them into nothing; and Lamenting, ſay, Have our Boſom Sins brought us to ſuch an uneaſy Boſom? Have our embraced Sins brought us to the Embracements of ſuch cruel and mercileſs Tormentors? We never hug'd our Sins ſo much, but the Devil huggeth us as cloſe. We never kept our Sins ſo faſt, but the Devil will keep us now as long. We are weary, we are weary of this Place and Pain; more weary than we were of Prayers, and Sermons, and Sabbaths upon Earth; we were weary of them, and Death freed us from that Wearineſs; but now we are weary of theſe Pains, which we were weary in praying againſt, and never muſt be freed from them.

p. 20But when the Soul is carried into Heaven, it ſhall be no more weary of the Praiſe, Delight and Love it ſhall be imployed in for ever: and tho' it ſhall not reſt Day or Night, ſaying, Holy, Holy, Rev. 4. 8.Rev 4:8Holy Lord God Almighty, yet it ſhall find ſweet and pleaſant Reſt, both Night and Day, in ſounding unwearied Hallelujahs to the Lord, in the Saviour's Boſom.

Take ſome Corollaries from what hath been ſaid.

1. Let go your Boſom Sins, as you would have your Souls carried into Abraham's Boſom. Make no Sin your Boſom Friend:Job 31. 33.Job 31:33 neither hide it in your Boſom.

1. by indulging and cheriſhing of it, as a Mother the Child in her Boſom: beware of that Sin, which all other Sins are Servants to.

2. By defending and pleading for it.

3. By withſtanding the Reproofs that are given to you▪ for it.

4. By pleaſing your ſelf in thinking of it.

5. By not confeſſing of it to God, who knows the moſt ſecret Things in your Boſom.

2. Let no Boſom Friend draw you to ſin; Deut. 13. 6, 8.Deut 13:6Deut 13:8not the Wife, or Husband of your Boſom, p. 21or any as dear to you as your own Soul, leſt when you are carried from them by Death, you be not carried by Angels into Abraham's Boſom.

3. Let Chriſt have a Room in your Boſom now, that you might be received into his Boſom hereafter. Chriſt ſhould lie neareſt your Heart: He that is in the Boſom of the Father, is moſt worthy of the chiefeſt and choiceſt Room in your Heart. Say and do as the Spouſe, Cant. 1. 13. A Bundle of Myrrh is my Well beloved unto me, he ſhall lie all Night betwixt my Breaſts: Some ſay Myrrh betwixt the Breaſts is an excellent Cordial: Chriſt in our Boſom is a reviving Cordial, for it is a Pledge that we hereafter ſhall be in his.

4. When the Souls that ſhall not be carried up to Heaven, ſhall be dragged down to Hell,Pſal. 79. 12.Ps 79:12 they ſhall have the Recompence of all their Wickedneſs pour'd into their Boſom, and of all their Reproaches, wherewith they have reproached the Lord. God now ſaith,Iſa. 65. 6, 7.Isa 65:6Isa 65:7 That then he will not keep Silence, but will recompence into their Boſom, and will meaſure their former Works into their Boſom.

5. Whatſoever Soul would be carried up to Abraham's Boſom, muſt be laborious in Religion while he is here. He muſt neither p. 22hide his Sins nor his Hand in his Boſom, not the one from parting from it, nor the other from working with it. The ſlothful Man that hideth his Hands in his Boſom, Prov. 19. 24Prov 19:24and will not ſo much as bring it to his Mouth again, muſt ſtarve, becauſe he will neither work nor eat: And he that hideth his Sin in his Boſom, and will not ſo much as bring it to his Mouth Penitently, and with Brokenneſs of Heart, to confeſs his Sin, ſhall be damned for his Sin. Angels will carry no Idle, Slothful Souls to Heaven: Abraham's Boſom is no Place for Loiterers: It is thoſe that Fight, and Run, and Wreſtle, and Overcome, that ſhall have Repoſe and Reſt in Abraham's Boſom: For,Mat. 11. 12.Matt 11:12 The Kingdom of Heaven ſuffereth Violence, and the Violent take it by Force.

III. Obſervation, A gracious Soul ſeparated from the Body, is preſently carried by Angels into a State of Happineſs in Heaven. At Death it is not annihilated, nor doth it ſleep with the Body, neither doth it ſtay in any other ſuppoſed Place, but is inſtantly on its Journey to Glory, and immediately paſſeth into the Celeſtial Paradiſe.

The ſure Word of God doth aſſure us of this: and if we believe the one, p. 23we muſt grant the other, ſince it is ſo expreſs and full in the aſſerting of this Doctrine, that is ſo comfortable to ſanctified and prepared Souls.

Deſigning Brevity in this, I ſhall only alledge a few Texts that do confirm it:

Luke 23. 43. Jeſus ſaid unto him, Verily, I ſay unto thee, to day ſhalt thou be with me in Paradiſe. Where note▪

1. The Aſſerter. Jeſus ſaid unto him (the penitent dying Thief.)

2. The Manner of his Aſſertion. Verily, I ſay unto thee: A Word of Aſſeveration commonly uſed by Chriſt, in Matters of great, undoubted Certainty and Moment.

3. The Thing Aſſerted. To Day ſhalt thou be with me in Paradiſe.

Where obſerve,

1. The Place ſpoken of: That is, Paradiſe; that is, the Third Heaven, where God doth manifeſt his Glorious Preſence. Thus Paul, ſpeaking of a Man caught up to the Third Heaven, preſently ſubjoins, He was caught up into Paradiſe: by Two Words intending one and the ſame Place: 2 Cor. 12. 2, 4.

2. Who ſhould be in that Place of Paradiſe: Thou that art now a p. 24dying Man. Thou, that is, thy Soul; for of his Body it could not be underſtood.

3. With whom the penitent Thief ſhould be in Paradiſe: With Chriſt. Thou that art with me on the Croſs, ſhalt be with me in Heaven.

4. When his Soul ſhould be with him in Heaven: To day. To day thou ſhalt die, and to day thou ſhalt have Eternal Life: To day thou ſhalt expire on the Croſs, and to day thou ſhalt have a Crown of Glory in the Higheſt Heavens.

The different Pointing of the Words, corrupting the Senſe, is ſuch a bold Attempt, that ſhould it be admitted in other Places, as the Oppoſers of the Soul's immediate paſſing into Glory, ſawcily do in this, it would be ſuch a mangling of the Scripture, that we ſhould be at a Loſs to know the Meaning of many plain Texts.

What need had Chriſt to ſpeak the Words thus; Verily I ſay unto thee to day? Did not he know Chriſt then ſpake to him? Did not he hear him? And did he hear him that Day, and could not he tell that Chriſt ſpake to him that p. 25day, except Chriſt added, to Day I ſay unto thee? What need Chriſt add his aſſerting Verily, to theſe Words, I ſay unto thee to day? Could not the Thief truſt his own Ears, that he then heard Chriſt ſay to him, except Chriſt add, Verily, I do aſ…ure thee that it is to day that I ſay this to thee?

Which is greater Ground of Support and Comfort to a dying Penitent, to acquaint him, I ſay unto thee to Day, thou ſhalt be with me in Paradiſe; but I do not tell thee when, nor how many Thouſand Years hence, this ſhall be thy Happineſs; or thus, Verily I ſay to thee, to day, this very Day, thou ſhalt be with me in Paradiſe? It is but a Dream, that the Soul ſhall ſleep when a Man dies.

A Second Text is, 2 Cor. 5. 6. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that whilſt we are at home in the Body, we are abſent from the Lord, Ver. 8. We are confident, I ſay, and willing rather to be abſent from the Body, and to be preſent with the Lord.

Here note:

1. While the Soul is in the Body, we are in our Earthly Home.

2. While the Soul is in its Earthly Home, it is abſent from its true Home, p. 26which is in Heaven, from the Viſion and Fruition of God in Glory.

3. When the Soul doth leave its Earthly Home, it goeth to its Heavenly Home: for when it is abſent from the Body, it ſhall be preſent with the Lord, in the Glorious Enjoyment of him to all Eternity.

4. The Oppoſition of theſe Two is immediate. To be preſent in the Body is to be abſent from the Lord: To be abſent from the Body, is to be preſent with the Lord.

5. The Confidence of the Apoſtle that there is ſuch a Glorious State, which is the reaſon of our Willingneſs to leave the Body, that from thenceforth we might be with the Lord in Heaven. Deny the Souls immediate paſſing to God in Glory, and you take away the Reaſon of the Choice, rather to be abſent from the Body, than to be preſent in it.

The Third Text is, Phil. 1. 23. ForI am in a Straight betwixt two; having a deſire to depart, and to be with Chriſt, which is far better. Note,

1. The Apoſtle's Straight. Two things were before him, to live or die, Reaſons ſwaying him ſometimes to the one▪ ſometimes to the other: For the Good of God's Church, it would be better for p. 27him to live than die, Ver. 22. For his own Advantage, it would be better for him to die than to live, Ver. 21. This was his Straight.

2. His own Inclination, and vehement Deſire, in reſpect to himſelf, that he would chuſe rather to depart, than to continue upon Earth.

3. The Reaſon of his Deſire and Wilingneſs to depart, that he may be with Chriſt: But there would be no Reaſon in this Reaſon, if by departing, he ſhould be nothing the ſooner with Chriſt.

4. The Preference of one State before the other, or the comparing of the one with the other: It is better to die and be with Chriſt. There is an excellent Gradation in the Text:

It is foreign, better.

It is foreign, far better.

It is foreign, far better by much.

But if a Believer die, and the Soul is not the ſooner with Chriſt, than if he had lived longer, it would not have been better but worſe, for while the Apoſtle lived he had himſelf much Communion with God, but if he departed, and not with Chriſt, he had none.

While he lived he was uſeful and profitable to the Church on Earth, but p. 28after his Departure he could not.

While he lived he did glorify God on Earth; but if he departed, and went not to Chriſt, he could not glorify him, neither on Earth, nor in Heaven.

While he lived, he knew God, and loved him, and delighted in him, and was ſenſible of God's Love to him; but if he departed and went not to Chriſt, he was capable of none of theſe; and ſo ſtill it was worſe, far worſe, far worſe by much, to depart than live.

This might be largely improved by way of uſe, which I hope you will practically uſe in all your Ways, though I cannot ſtay to ſpeak, what ye ſhould, and I hope you will do, if you keep in Remembrance, that a pious ſeparated Soul is preſently on his Journey to the higheſt Heavens, and who ſhall be his Convoy thither: Which was my firſt Deſign in chuſing this Text, to entertain your thinking Minds upon this Occaſion.

IV. Obſervation, The Holy Angels of God are the Bearers that carry the ſeparated Souls of Believers into Heaven.

p. 29Men take care for the Bearers of the Body, when dead: God takes care for the Bearers of the Soul, when departed.

Men are Bearers that carry the Body to the Grave: Angels are the Bearers that carry the Soul to Glory.

Men mourning follow the Corpſe to the Houſe appointed for all the Living: Angels triumphing go along with the Soul to the Manſions prepared for all the Believing.

The Miniſtration of Angels, for the Good of Believers, is aſſerted in general, in Heb. 1. 14. Are they not all miniſtring Spirits, ſent forth to miniſter for them, who ſhall be Heirs of Salvation? Where may be noted,

1. The Nature of Angels: They are Spirits, intellectual, immaterial, immortal and active Creatures; the nobleſt and moſt refined Part of God's Creation: more excellent than Man; yet Servants to Chriſt their Lord.

2. Their Office: They are Miniſtring Spirits.

3. Their Number: All of them are ſo, if there be Degrees and Orders among them, all and every one of them, from the higheſt to the loweſt are God's Servants, waiting and attending upon him, p. 30to go and come as he appoints, for the Good of the People of God, whoſe Fellow-ſervants they own themſelves to be, Rev. 19. 10. and 22. 9.

4. Their Commiſſion: Being ſent before they go, they muſt have their Warrant from God, before they move; Pſal. 103. 20. Bleſs the Lord, ye his Angels, that excell in Strength, that do his Commandment, hearkening to the Voice of his Word: tho' they have Power to Act, yet they muſt not, nor do they ſtir, without a Command from God.

5. Their Execution: They are ſent, and then they Miniſter; They hearken to the Voice of his Word, and then they do his Commands.

6. The Object of their Miniſtration, or the Perſons they are charged with: Such as ſhall be Heirs of Salvation.

Angel is a Word not ſo much to ſignify their Nature as their Office, that is to ſay, they are Meſſengers, to go at the Command of their Sovereign Lord, upon his Errands from Heaven to Earth, and back again from Earth to Heaven; Gen. 28. 12. And he dreamed, and behold a Ladder ſet upon the Earth, and the Top of it reached to Heaven, and behold, the Angels of God aſcending and deſcending on it.

p. 31The Miniſtration of Angels in the Behalf of thoſe that ſhall be Heirs of Salvation from their Birth to their Death,Gen. 18. 10. Judg. 13. 3, 4, 5. Luke 1. 11, 13, to 18.Gen 18:10Judg 13:3Judg 13:4Judg 13:5Luke 1:11Luke 1:13–18 (yea, and ſometimes before their Conception) is copiouſly treated of in Scripture, but from their Death to their Paſſage to Heaven, and afterwards, is more ſparingly mentioned; but one Saying of Chriſt (as this concerning the Poor Man's Soul) is ſufficient Evidence of their conveying of them from the Place where they die, to the Place where they ſhall live for ever.

It will be needful, to more clear Procedings about the Angels conveying the Souls of Believers, from their Death, to the Place and State of Happineſs, to premiſe ſome Propoſitions; which are,

1. That God by his abſolute Power is able to do thoſe things, which in the ordinary courſe of Providence, he maketh uſe of ſecond Cauſes, to accompliſh and bring to paſs. What he doth by Means, he can do without any Means; he hath tied us to the uſe of Means, which he himſelf is not obliged, thro' any need of them,Exod. 34. 28. 1 King. 19. 8.Exod 34:281 Kgs 19:8 to make uſe of. So by his Power he ſupported Moſes and Elias Forty Days, without Eating or Drinking; yet in the ordinary Way of God's Appointment, that we might live, we muſt both p. 32Eat and Drink. Therefore when we ſpeak of the Conveyance of Souls, by the Miniſtration of Angels, to Abraham's Boſom, it is not to be thought, that he could not do it without them tho' he doth it by them.

2. The Good Pleaſure of God is the higheſt and moſt ſatisfying Reaſon, why he that could ſafe-guard Souls to Heaven, by his own Almighty Power, will have them conveyed thither by the Miniſtry of his Holy Angels. To the Queriſt, that ſeeks for Reaſons in the moſt ſublime Myſteries of Religion (as Election, Special Redemption, Effectual Vocation, &c.) why one, and not another, is an Inſtance of God's Grace; the Anſwer, That it is God's good Pleaſure, is, and ought to be ſatiſfactory; Mat. 11. 25, 26. Eph. 1. 5, 11. and this good Pleaſure of God is extended to the Armies of Heaven, as well as to the Inhabitants of the Earth, Dan. 4. 35.

3. God's good Pleaſure, in his Government of Angels and Men, is made known, not only in his Word, but alſo by the Events of his Providence: In our preſent Caſe, Chriſt relates it as a Matter of Fact done by the Angels, that they did carry the Soul of Lazarus into p. 33Abraham's Boſom. Now we know, what Holy Angels do, is God's Pleaſure they ſhould do; for they do nothing but what doth pleaſe him. That Angels ſhould convey his Soul to Heaven, was God's good Pleaſure.

4. As it is God's good Pleaſure to give the Kingdom, not to Men, as Men; but as believing, ſanctified Men; and ſo to every one that is ſuch, to one, as well as another: So it is the good Pleaſure of God, that his Holy Angels ſhould convey Souls to this Kingdom, not as Souls, but as believing, ſanctified Souls; and ſo every Soul that is ſuch, one as well as another.

It might be thought by ſome, that from this Particular Inſtance, of Angels carrying Lazarus his Soul to Heaven, an univerſal Concluſion cannot be gathered, that they thus Miniſter to all other godly ſeparared Souls.

But what may be ſpoken of one Individual, under this Reduplication (as ſuch) of any Kind, may be ſpoken of every Individual of the ſame Kind. As this individual Perſon (Peter) as a Man, is a rational Creature: Therefore, every one, that is a Man, is a rational Creature. By which, here I mean the ſame with Animal Rationale, in Diſtinction p. 34on from Angels, it being nothing to my purpoſe to debate, whether they may be called Rational, as well as Intellectual Creatures.

So this individual Perſon (Abraham) was Juſtified, not as a Man, but as a believing Man: Therefore every Man that is a believing Man, is Juſtified; and thus the Apoſtle draws an Univerſal concerning all Believers,Rom. 4. 23, 24.Rom 4:23Rom 4:24 from what was written in the particular Caſe of Abraham, as, a Believer; For from a Particular, as ſuch, the Conſequence is good to all and every one that is ſuch. Which Axiom is commonly allowed.

In the Matter before us, it is certain, Holy Angels did not carry Lazarus his Soul to Heaven, as a Soul; for then they ſhould carry all Souls thither: But as it was an Holy Soul; and if a Soul as Holy, ſhall by Angels be conducted to Glory; then every Soul that is Holy, ſhall be ſo conveyed alſo.

5. Angels conveying Holy ſeparated Souls to Heaven, doth not detract any thing from the Glory of God; but doth rather make it the more manifeſt, and is ſubſervient thereunto. For,

Chriſt is their only Saviour, Angels their Carriers.

p. 35Chriſt is their Commander herein, they his Servants to do it.

Chriſt by Angels brings Souls to poſſeſs that Happineſs, which ſo many Angels fell from.

Chriſt, as Mediator, is exalted above thoſe Noble Creatures.

Chriſt manifeſts his conſtant Love to, and Care of the Souls of all Believers, till he puts them into the actual Poſſeſſion of what he hath purchaſed for them: Chriſt came himſelf from Heaven to procure it, and ſends his Angels from Heaven to fetch them to it: And this will be made more manifeſt, by conſidering the uſeful Service of the Miniſtration of Angels, in conveying Holy Souls into his Preſence.

1. The Holy Angels are the Guides of ſeparated Souls, in their Journey to Heaven. It is a long Journey from a dying Bed on Earth, to the Heaven of Heavens: The one being diſtant from the other, ſome Millions of Miles, and a Way the Soul never went before, and to it, an unbeaten Path; it ſtands in need of a Guide, to direct it in its Way, which is well known unto the Angels, that have ſo often gone to and fro, from the p. 36one to the other. Many Paſſengers in a Ship, from hence to the Eaſt Indies, thro' the vaſt and wide Ocean, will need a Pilot to ſteer their Courſe, or elſe might never arrive to their intended and deſired Harbour: So the Soul that is to paſs through the vaſt Regions of the fluid Air, in a longer Voyage, (in reſpect of Diſtance) will need ſome to conduct it, that it might not miſs its Way. It may be, it goes out of the Body, not knowing whither it is going, and how then ſhould it know its Way? Therefore God that hath ſent his Angels to direct and proſper the Way of his Servants on a Journey from one Place to another upon Earth, (Gen. 24. 7, 40.) will much more ſend his Angels to direct their Souls, in their Travel from Earth to Heaven.

2. Angels are ſent to be the Guard of ſeparated ſanctified Souls. They are to paſs through the Devils Territories, who is the Prince of the Power of the Air, Eph. 2. 2, 3. where are numerous and powerful unclean Spirits, which are Principalities and Powers, and Spiritual Wickedneſſes in high Places, Eph. 6. 12. Theſe would intercept the Holy Soul, in its Journey Home to Heaven; but Holy Angels are its Guard to conduct p. 37it through the Hoſts of Devils, and protect it as it paſſeth along.

This hath been the frequent Miniſtration of Angels for the Safety of God's People from their Enemies in this Life: As when Jacob was to meet his Brother Eſau, who did reſolve to kill him; Gen. 32. 1, 2. Jacob went on his Way, and the Angel of God met him, and he ſaid, this is God's Hoſts; and he called the Name of the Place, Mahaniam, i.e. Two Hoſts, or Two Camps; the one to go before, the other behind him, or one on the one ſide, and the other on the other, to keep him ſafe from Danger every way.

If God ſend his Angels to guard his Servants in this Life, when in Danger of their Enemies, will he not much more to defend their ſeparated Souls in their Paſſage to Heaven, when they are to paſs through the Air, where Devils do ſwarm? eſpecially if theſe Things be conſidered:

Firſt, When the Hoſt of Devils that the Soul is to paſs through, is far more numerous, than Eſau's Company againſt Jacob.

Secondly, When Devils are more implacable againſt the ſeparated Soul, than Eſau was againſt Jacob; for he was reconciled p. 38to him; but Devils never will to Holy Souls.

Thirdly, When Devils are more Powerful to act againſt the ſeparated Soul on its way, than Eſau and all his Company were againſt Jacob, when he was on his Way.

Fourthly, When the Danger at the moſt, that God's People are in from Wicked Men, is the Life of the Body, but without doubt, ſuch is the Malice of Devils againſt holy Souls ſeparated from their Bodies on their way to Heaven, that if not defended, they would ſeize them, to keep them from Eternal Happineſs in Heaven.

Fifthly, When this is the Last Seaſon they ſhall ever have to make any Attempt upon the Holy ſeparated Soul, which when once entered into Heaven's Gates, ſhall be aſſaulted no more for Ever.

Tho' the War with Devils, in ſome Reſpects, might be over as ſoon as the Soul is ſeparated from the Body, that it ſhall be no longer managed by the ſame Subtilties, alluring Temptations, Fleſhly Enticements, evil Suggeſtions, ſenſible objective Snares; yet I conceive, in other Reſpects, the War is not ended, till the Soul is ſafely arrived in p. 39Heaven, but is carried on in a different Manner, to what it was in the Body: When in the Body, he aſſaulted the Soul not by Violence, but Perſuaſion; out of the Body, he knows it will be in vain to aſſault by Perſuaſion, therefore on its Way would ſeize it by Violence, did not God, by his Angels, powerfully preſerve it.Exod. 14. 9, 28, 29.Exod 14:9Exod 14:28Exod 14:29 For as Pharaoh and his Hoſt purſued the Children of Iſrael, when they had eſcaped out of Egypt to the Red Sea, where God opened the Waters to Iſrael to paſs thro', and ſhut them upon Pharaoh; ſo Devils will perſue the Soul to the Gates of Heaven, till God open to the Soul, and ſhut them againſt the Soul's Purſuers.

For as there are Principalities and Powers of Hell, that way-lay the ſeparated Soul; ſo the Principalities and Powers of Heaven are ready to ſecure it.Jude V. 9. And if the Devil contended with the Archangel, and the Archangel with the Devil, about the Body of Moſes, why ſhould we think there is no War, betwixt the Principalities of Heaven and Hell, about the Soul on its Way to Heaven, or that the Soul is not active in reſiſting the violent Aſſaults of Devils, in Conjunction with the Holy Angels?

p. 403. God's Love to, and Care of his People is manifeſted in the Miniſtration of Angels, in that they are charged to be their Keepers in all their Ways, Pſal. 91. 11, 12. Now the Way of Believers is Two-fold, and they are to keep them in both, or elſe they do not keep them in all.

1. In the Way of their commanded Duty, in this Life.

2. In the Way to their promiſed Reward, and they are in this Way immediately after Death, till they enter into Heaven.

Is it likely God ſhould charge his Angels with them, to keep them from Dangers, while they keep in the way of Duty, and give them a diſcharge from keeping them on their way to their Reward? eſpecially when they are in Danger of Devils, not only in the way of their Duty; but alſo (paſſing thro' their Territories) on their Way to their Reward, paſſing from Earth to Heaven.

Do not the Angels of the Lord encamp round about them that fear him, to deliver them? Pſal. 34. 7. Do not ſeparated Souls, on their Paſſage, fear God with an holy, reverential Fear, as well as when they were in their Bodies, p. 41and much more, and ſo have ſtill the Qualification of ſuch as are the Objects of Angels Miniſtration? Do they now encamp round about them on every ſide, to deliver them from Danger, while they are liable thereunto, and will they decamp from them on every ſide, to deliver them no more, tho' ſurrounded with Dangers after Death, till their Souls enter into Heaven?

Eſpecially when their deareſt Friends that take care of the Burial of the Body, can be no help to the ſeparated Soul, in its Travel to Heaven. Their Friends and Relations that miniſtred to them when ſick, and on their dying Beds, till the Moment they gave up the Ghoſt, from that Inſtant have no more that they can do unto, or for their Souls; no, not ſo much as by their Prayers for them: And will Angels then forſake them alſo, and afford them no more Help on their way to Heaven, than their Friends, whom they have left behind can do?

4. Holy Angels promote and rejoice at the Converſion of God's Elect, becauſe then they have a Right and Title to Heaven, Luke 15. 7, 10. And will they not be as careful of their compleat Salvation, in watching over them till they p. 42are put into the actual Poſſeſſion of their Manſions in Heaven?

5. Chriſt will uſe the Miniſtration of Angels, for the Salvation of all the Elect, as to their Bodies, as well as their Souls united to them, at his ſecond Coming, and will they neglect the Conveying of the ſeparated Soul, while the Body till then, is left behind? Angels ſhall be Chriſt's Servants then,

1. In gathering together all the Elect, Mat. 24. 31.

2. In ſeparating between the Righteous and the Wicked, and ſevering the one from the other, Mat. 13. 49.

3. In catching them up to meet the Lord in the Air, 1 Theſ. 4. 17. All the Elect that ſhall then be raiſed, and found alive, ſhall be caught up as in the Arms of Angels, to ſuch a Meeting with their Saviour, as after it ſhall be no parting; for they ſhall be with the Lord for ever.