Funeral Sermon for Mary Doolittle, Sermon · Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII. Of the Characters of ſuch, who may, and ought to, long for this Glorious Change; who have a Title to the Deſired Bleſſedneſs.
SECT. I.
FIfthly, How ſollicitous ſhould we be to find in our ſelves the Characters of ſuch to whom theſe Deſires are ſuitable, and to clear up our Title to that bleſſed State, which the Followers of Chriſt do thus earneſtly long for? The Promiſe of the Heavenly Inheritance is annexed to our being born of God, or being born from above; You muſt therefore look after the Renovation of the Divine Image and Life, by the Spirit of Life and Power in Jeſus Chriſt: that the Holy Spirit may Witneſs with your Spirits to his own Work; that you may diſcover and diſcern thoſe holy Affections as the Fruits of the Spirit, which are proper to the Children of God; ſuch, as an humble Fear of him, and diligent Care to pleaſe him; a fervent Love to God and Chriſt, an intire Reſignation to his Will; Holy Zeal for his Intereſt and Glory, and truſt in his Word, &c. For, till your Natures are changed by the Spirit of Chriſt, and you are ſo made meet for the Heavenly Inheritance, you cannot have a ſhare in this Bleſſedneſs no more than if the legal Bar be not removed by the forgiveneſs of Sin, or your Perſons not reconciled by the Blood of Chriſt.
The Qualification of the Heirs of this great Salvation is variouſly deſcribed in Scripture. Sometimes by Faith, ſometimes by Regeneration, ſometimes by Heavenly Affections, ſometimes by Holy Obedience, and Fruitfulneſs in Good Works: All muſt concur to ſuit us, and to Intitle us to the Heavenly State.
You are therefore to inquire after the Characters of the Children of God, and the Heirs of Heaven, which is a ſtate of Sinleſs Perfection: And therefore to examine whether you are brought to loath your ſelves for your Sins, and that there is no ſin but you would deſire to know, and are as deſirous to be rid of; and would rather be freed from Sin, than from Affliction: Whether you do not aſpire after the higheſt Degrees of Holineſs? Whether you would not rather be perfect in the Love of God, and the Obedience of his Will, than have all the Riches and Pleaſures of the World? Whether you do not like, and love that Degree of Holineſs in others, that you have not yet attained your ſelves? Whether you do not love the Image of God and Chriſt, whereſoever you can diſcern it? Whether you do not endeavour to Mortifie the Fleſh, not to live or walk after it, but to be Crucified to the World, and with your chiefeſt care and endeavour, to ſerve and pleaſe God, and enjoy him for ever; depending on Chriſt his Sacrifice, and Interceſſion, and Spirit, for all your Grace and Glory; all your Hopes of Acceptance with God, and Capacity, or Title for Communion with him; giving up your ſelves intirely to be governed by him, being willing to obey his Law, whatſoever it ſhall coſt you; watching over your Heart, Affections, and Thoughts, as well as outward Actions, taking Pleaſure in the Worſhip and Service of God, as a delightful Work, reſigning to God, and being devoted to his Will, Praying frequently for his Grace, and caſting your ſelves on his Mercy, through Jeſus Chriſt for Eternal Life.
Theſe are ſome of the Characters of ſuch, as are Heirs of Salvation. Theſe you muſt look after; and then endeavour to advance, in a Joyful Hope and Aſſurance, that the Heavenly Inheritance is yours; labouring for a ſetled Conſcience, growing in Grace, and eſpecially in Mortified Affections to the World; and living in the Exerciſe of Grace, by careful obedience to God, as thoſe that are abſolutely devoted to him, and hope to live in his Bleſſed Preſence for ever.