Advice to Mourners Under the Loss of Dear Relations, Paper 7
PAPER VII.
WHat a Cordial to the Godly is the first of Peter, the first Chapter, the second Verse, and so on? Where we find that God intends Heaven for them, and is graciously pleased to reserve and preserve them for it; it being a reviving Consideration to me, sometimes, to see how God deals with his poor Children, and what Steps he takes to bring them to Glory. I will, for the Benefit of my (too often) desponding Soul, ruminate on this Place of Scripture, where I find these Words of Peter, an Apostle of Iesus Christ, who writes to the Strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia; Elect according to the Fore-knowledg of God the Father, through Sanctification of the Spirit unto Obedience, and sprinkling of the Blood of Iesus Christ; Grace unto you and Peace be multiplied. In this Verse I observe how the whole Trinity are imployed in the Salvation of Sinners: God the Father, he elects, he fore-knoweth whom he will bring to himself: then the Spirit sanctifieth those whom God hath elected, and makes them obedient to their Heavenly Father; and they are sprinkled with the Blood of Jesus Christ, their Sins for his sake are all done away; therefore the Apostle may well say, Grace unto you and Peace be multiplied: for who can want Grace or Peace, whom God the Father, Son, and Spirit, are contriving how to bring them to Glory?
We may well go on with the Apostle, blessing God for his unspeakable Mercies, saying, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, which according to his abundant Mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively Hope, by the Resurrection of Iesus Christ from the Dead, to an Inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in Heaven for you; who are kept by the Power of God, through Faith, unto Salvation.
O Blessed, Blessed, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Here in this Life we want Time and Hearts to bless the Lord for his abundant Mercy towards us. Eternity will be little enough to sing forth the Praises of the King of Kings; for giving us a lively Hope, that one Day we shall be so happy to be admitted into the Heavenly Society, that are continually viewing the Face of the Lamb, and contemplating his Glory. This inestimable Privilege is only procured and purchased by the Sufferings, Death, and Resurrection of our alone Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ, who hath provided an Inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away. O the Emphasis of these Words, an Inheritance! What, a poor Mortal to be an Heir of Heaven! And this Inheritance is incorruptible, not subject to Corruption, Alteration, or Change; and it is undefiled. The Things of this World are defiled with Sin, they are vile, contemptible and vain, (nay Vanity it self) but this Heavenly Inheritance we see is incorruptible and undefiled. And to compleat our Fruition, it fadeth not away, but continueth throughout all Successions of Ages: There is no Probability nor Possibility of Decay or End; for the Immutable and Eternal God hath assured us, that they fade not away, but are reserved in Heaven, a secure Place, beyond the reach of Men or Devils: It is not in the power of Friend or Foe to dispossess the Children of God of this Heavenly Inheritance. When I consider the Happiness, the inconceivable Felicity of the Saints above, that are now Possessors of this Inheritance, that is incorruptible, undefiled, and that will never fade away, I am apt to say with Austin's Mother, when she had heard a Discourse of the Glory above, What do I here then? So am I reflecting, What do I here in this defiling World, sinning against, and offending God, when many are got safe beyond the reach of Sin and Sorrow, and are now Possessors of this Blessed Inheritance?
We are told it is reserved, but for whom? For those who are kept by the Power of God, through Faith, unto Salvation. Lord, it is thy Work from first to last; it is thou that preparest this Inheritance, and thou alone canst make thy People meet to be Possessors of it. Let me find the comfortable Effects of thy Almighty Power, which may enable me, through Faith, to attain Salvation; that at the end of my Days I may receive the Salvation of my poor, precious, and immortal Soul, for his sake, who I hope loved me, and washed me, and died for me, and is now at thy right Hand, interceding for poor penitent Sinners. Let me have a share of those Benefits he hath purchased for his Elect People. Do thou, O Blessed Father, prepare Heaven for me, and make me meet for it; and however thou dealest with me in this World, do not deny me Heaven at last; the Hopes of that alone doth sweeten my Pilgrimage, and make my Passage through this World tolerable: therefore I humbly beg that whatever I miss here, I may not be excluded from thy comfortable Presence, but may be of the Number of those blessed Ones, for whom thou hast prepared an incorruptible and undefiled Inheritance, which fadeth not away, but is reserved in Heaven, for all those that Infinite Grace qualifies for, and makes meet to be Partakers of.